{"id":269245,"date":"2024-09-30T17:55:25","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T17:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/products\/wiim-audio-ci-streamers\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T20:49:45","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T20:49:45","slug":"wiim-audio-ci-streamers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/products\/wiim-audio-ci-streamers\/","title":{"rendered":"WiiM for Custom Installations? Check out the CI MOD S Streamer and A80 Streaming Amplifier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WiiM Audio, makers of popular affordable media streamers and streaming amps established a partnership in 2023 with Origin Acoustics<\/a> to develop products using its technologies for distribution in the CI (Custom Installation) space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of this collaboration, WiiM has announced two products, the CI MOD S streamer<\/strong> and the CI MOD A80 streaming amplifier<\/strong>. The devices are designed to provide streaming options for custom-install audio and home theater setups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building on a year of successful partnership, WiiM continues to set the standard for innovation in the CI market. The new MOD S and MOD A80 embody WiiM\u2019s quality, ease of use, and seamless compatibility with various control platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WiiM CI MOD S<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"WiiM
WiiM CI MOD S Streamer<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The WiiM CI MOD S is an audiophile-grade streamer that provides access to abundant streaming services via the WiiM Home App<\/a>, incorporates an AKM AK4493SEQ DAC<\/a>, supports Hi-res audio up to 24-bit\/192kHz, and versatile connectivity and control options for various installation needs. The CI MOD S needs to be connected to an amplifier (or powered speakers) in order to hear the sources you are accessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WiiM CI MOD A80<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"WiiM
WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The WiiM CI MOD A80 combines the streaming capabilities of the MOD S with an ESS 9018K2M DAC<\/a> and TI TPA3255 Class-D two-channel amplifier<\/a> that delivers 60W per channel at 8 ohms. In other words, just add speakers and you are set to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip<\/strong>: WiiM Bass Management and Room Correction are included in both devices, as well as both WiFi and Ethernet connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"WiiM<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>CI MOD S<\/strong><\/td>CI MOD A80<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Product Type<\/strong><\/td>Streamer (no Amplifier)<\/td>Streaming Amplifier<\/td><\/tr>
Power Input<\/strong><\/td>USB Type-C, requires 5V, 1.5A or higher<\/td>100-240V AC<\/td><\/tr>
Bundled adapter<\/strong><\/td>5V, 2A<\/td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr>
Digital Audio Output<\/strong><\/td>Up to 192 kHz, 24-bit with digital optical or coaxial output<\/td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr>
Network<\/strong><\/td>802.11 b\/g\/n\/ac 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual band Wi-Fi
10\/100M Ethernet<\/td>		Wi-Fi 6E, 802.11 b\/g\/n\/ax 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz triple bands<\/td><\/tr>
Bluetooth<\/strong><\/td>Bluetooth 5.1<\/td>Bluetooth 5.3 with BLE and BT supports both A2DP receiver and transmitter, AVRCP, HID, works with the WiiM Voice Remote<\/td><\/tr>
Audio Input<\/strong><\/td>1 x Analogue RCA Line input,
1 x SPDIF in Optical, up to 192kHz\/24-bit<\/td>		Analogue (RCA),
Digital Optical Port,
HDMI ARC, up to 24-bit\/192 kHz<\/td><\/tr>
Audio Output<\/strong><\/td>1 x Analogue RCA Line output,
1 x Digital optical (SPDIF) output,
1 x Digital Coaxial output, up to 192kHz\/32-bit<\/td>		Banana (x2), Subwoofer out<\/td><\/tr>
USB Audio<\/strong><\/td>–<\/td>Supports two-channel USB audio output<\/td><\/tr>
USB Host<\/strong><\/td>–<\/td>Connects to USB disk for local music playback<\/td><\/tr>
Amplifier<\/strong><\/td>–<\/td>TI TPA 3255 Class-D digital amplifier<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Power Output<\/strong><\/td>–<\/td>60 W\/channel (8 ohms), 120 W\/channel (4 ohms)<\/td><\/tr>
DAC<\/strong><\/a><\/td>AKM AK4493SEQ<\/a><\/td>ESS Sabre 9018K2M<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Trigger Out<\/strong><\/td>3.5mm Trigger out<\/td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr>
SNR<\/strong><\/a><\/td>120 dB<\/td>108 dB<\/td><\/tr>
THD+N<\/strong><\/td>0.00032% (-110 dB)<\/td>\u2013 95 dB, 5W @ 8 Ohms<\/td><\/tr>
Audio Codec<\/strong><\/td>MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, OGG<\/td>MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, OGG<\/td><\/tr>
Equalizer<\/strong><\/td>24 preset EQ settings for different music genres 
10-band graphic EQ (Line-in, BT, or Network) 
10-band parametric R\/L EQ that can adjust based on room characteristics
Bass management 
Built-In Room Correction<\/td>		24 preset EQ settings for different music genres.
10-band graphic EQ (Line-in, BT, or Network).
10-band parametric R\/L EQ that can adjust based on room characteristics
Bass management 
Built-In Room Correction<\/td><\/tr>
Streaming Platforms<\/strong><\/td>Chromecast Audio, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Amazon Music Casting, Qplay 2.0, Roon<\/a><\/td>Chromecast Audio, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Amazon Music Casting, Qplay 2.0, Roon<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Streaming Services (via WiiM Home App)<\/strong><\/td>Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, TuneIn, Tidal, Qobuz, SoundCloud, Pandora, iHeartRadio, vTuner, Napster, SoundMachine, BBC Radio, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise, Sound Track Your Brand<\/td>Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, TuneIn, Tidal, Qobuz, SoundCloud, Pandora, iHeartRadio, vTuner, Napster, SoundMachine, BBC Radio, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise, Sound Track Your Brand<\/td><\/tr>
Supported Control Platforms<\/strong><\/td>Control 4, RTI, URC, Josh.ai<\/td>Control 4, RTI, URC, Josh.ai<\/td><\/tr>
Touch Buttons<\/strong><\/td>Play\/Pause\/Setup, Volume +, Volume -, Preset<\/td>N\/A<\/td><\/tr>
Dimensions (LWH)<\/strong><\/td>5.5 x 5.5 x 1.6 Inches
(140 x 140 x 42 mm)<\/td>		7.48 x 7.48 x  2.52 inches
(190 x 190 x 64 mm)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>11.6 oz (330g)<\/td>68.26 oz (1.935 kg)<\/td><\/tr>
Included Accessories<\/strong><\/td>Optical cable (1)
Stereo RCA cable (1)
HDMI cable (1)
Power cable (1)
Screws (7)
Mounting brackets (2) <\/td>		Optical cable (1)
Stereo RCA cable (1)
USB Type C cable (1)
Adapter (1)
Screws (3) <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"WiiM
WiiM App<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Bottom Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Custom install components tend to be priced high (higher than they probably need to be – but installers need to make a profit). And while WiiM hasn’t announced exact pricing on these CI products yet, our conversations with WiiM reps at CEDIA Expo suggest only a slight premium for the CI market. For example, we expect the Mod S streamer will sell for around $350. As a result of this pricing, some dealers and installers feel that the WiiM products are actually too inexpensive in relation to the premium brands they normally deal with such as Bluesound<\/a> and Sonos<\/a>, which generally cost more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the point can be made that most customers have a budget in mind for a project. And if you have, say, $20,000 for a 3-room music system, customers will only need to invest around $1,000 for 3 WiiM streamers, and that leaves $19K for the speakers, amps, cables, installation, etc. This may be a better investment for the customer than having to allocate $3K to $4K just for Sonos zones, leaving less budget left for the rest of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price & Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The WiiM CI MOD A80 and CI Mod S are priced at $449.00 and are available thorugh authorized CI distributors and dealers<\/a>. Contact your local dealer or custom installer for availability and pricing for your specific project needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Reading<\/h4>\n\n\n\n