Pro-Ject's Latest Streaming Amplifier Runs on Wiim's Outstanding Operating System
Dive into the world of hi-fi streaming products, mate! The WiiM lot's been turning the high-end audio scene on its head with their powerful, pocket-friendly gadgets, and it's all thanks to their terrific operating system and streaming platform.
Let's talk about the WiiM Home app, a crucial component of the streaming experience that's designed for both beginner and seasoned audiophiles. It's a breeze to use, and the platform itself is as robust as a tank. So, it's no wonder that Pro-Ject, known for its top-notch analogue game, decided to work with WiiM for its new streaming amplifier, the Pro-Ject Uni Box S3. With its origins in the same distributor (Henley Audio) in the UK, the collaboration might not be too much of a shocker, but it's still a smart move.
Based on the same dual-mono architecture analogue design as the MaiA S3 integrated amplifier, the Uni Box S3 dishes out 40W per channel into 4 ohms (or 23W per channel into 8 ohms). Pro-Ject promises to maintain the rich, authentic sound of analogue by keeping the analogue signal path intact. The preamplifier and power amplifier sections are kept fully analogue, while Pro-Ject has taken great care to integrate the streaming input with clear separation of analogue and digital devices.
No shortage of connections, mate! This compact unit allows you to connect a CD player, turntable, TV, and a pair of headphones. It also offers a moving-magnet phono stage, a dedicated headphone amplifier with a 6.3mm output, RCA line level inputs, optical and coaxial inputs, and an HDMI eARC input. A subwoofer output is also available.
For the digital bits, Wi-fi and Bluetooth 5.1 are on the menu, while the WiiM streaming platform supports Qobuz, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music, TuneIn internet radio, and more. We've put the question about Qobuz Connect support to Pro-Ject, and we'll keep you posted on any updates.
In a twist, instead of using an ESS Sabre DAC as seen in many streaming products, Pro-Ject opts for a Cirrus Logic CS4344 DAC in the Uni Box S3. It can manage up to 24-bit/192kHz hi-res files. A brand new addition is the Pro-Ject Home app, which is quite similar to WiiM's Home app in design, allowing you to adjust EQ settings, control multi-room features, and playback across other connected Pro-Ject units.
Sleek and long-lasting, the Uni Box S3 is housed in an aluminium chassis and features a reasonably compact footprint. Pro-Ject claims that by keeping the analogue and streaming elements separate, the Uni Box S3 can continue functioning as an analogue system even if the streaming tech evolves or becomes obsolete.
The Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 streaming amplifier is available now in black or silver finishes, and it'll set you back £699 / $1099 / €799. That's a bit of a jump compared to the price of the WiiM Amp Pro we recently tested at £399 / $379 / €459.
For the intrigued, want some more deets? Check out our review of the WiiM Amp Pro or dive into the latest hi-fi, home cinema, and tech news, reviews, buying advice, and deals direct to your inbox. Here's to an exciting new chapter for hi-fi!
Sources:[1] Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 - First Look - HIFIKRAT[2] Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 Streaming Amplifier - Hi-Fi Choice[4] Pro-Ject Uni-Box S3 Unboxing & Setup: Analog meets Streaming - One More Analogue
- The WiiM Amp Pro, a recent streaming product, has caused a stir in the high-end audio scene with its robust performance and pocket-friendly price.
- The WiiM Home app, a key component of the WiiM streaming platform, is designed for both beginners and experienced audiophiles, offering a user-friendly interface and powerful streaming capabilities.
- Pro-Ject, a renowned brand for its top-notch analogue components, has collaborated with WiiM for its new streaming amplifier, the Pro-Ject Uni Box S3.
- The Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 boasts a dual-mono architecture and delivers 40W per channel into 4 ohms, promising a rich, authentic sound while maintaining the advantages of streaming technology.
- The Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 offers a variety of connections, including a CD player, turntable, TV, headphone jack, RCA line level inputs, optical and coaxial inputs, and HDMI eARC input, among others.
- The streaming platform of the Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 supports popular streaming services such as Qobuz, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music, TuneIn internet radio, and more.
- Instead of the commonly used ESS Sabre DAC, the Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 features a Cirrus Logic CS4344 DAC that supports 24-bit/192kHz hi-res files.
- Pro-Ject has also developed a new app, the Pro-Ject Home app, which allows users to adjust EQ settings, control multi-room features, and playback across other connected Pro-Ject units, similar to the WiiM Home app.
- The Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 streaming amplifier is now available in black or silver finishes for £699 / $1099 / €799, offering a high-end alternative to the more affordable WiiM Amp Pro.
