Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set Review: The Turntable, Streaming Amplifier & Speakers Bundle That Ends the Vinyl vs Streaming Debate

Welcome to our Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set review. This is the bundle many listeners have quietly been hoping someone would build: a properly matched, audiophile-minded system that treats vinyl and streaming as equal partners. Pro-Ject has paired its handmade-in-Europe E1 Phono SE turntable with the WiiM Amp streaming amplifier, its own SB 5 E Carbon bookshelf speakers and a pair of 3m OFC speaker cables. You get the ritual and warmth of records alongside instant access to Spotify, TIDAL, AirPlay 2 and more, all in one cohesive package. After spending real time with this Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set Turntable, Streaming Amplifier & Speakers Bundle, we think it is one of the smartest ways into genuine hi-fi on the market right now.

Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set Review: Why This Bundle Matters

For years, building a system that did both vinyl and streaming well meant juggling a turntable, an external phono stage, an integrated amplifier, a network streamer, speakers and a tangle of interconnects. Each box had to be researched and matched for gain, impedance and character, and every one of them added cost and clutter. The Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set does all of that groundwork for you.

The idea is simple and very well executed. Here is how each component fits in:

• The E1 Phono SE has a built-in, switchable phono preamplifier, so it feeds a correctly RIAA-equalised line-level signal straight into the WiiM Amp.
• The WiiM Amp supplies 60 watts per channel into 8Ω, or 120 watts per channel into 4Ω, plus a full streaming platform.
• The SB 5 E Carbon speakers are a nominal 4Ω load, so they sit right where the WiiM Amp delivers its strongest output.

This is real system synergy rather than a pile of boxes that happen to share a carton. Unbox, connect and play.

If you would like to talk through whether this system suits your room, your record collection or your listening habits, our team is always happy to help. Give us a call on 1300 308 711.

The E1 Phono SE: A Turntable for Everyone

The E1 Phono SE is the first model in Pro-Ject's E-Line. It is designed to give beginners, returnees and seasoned vinyl lovers a great sound experience at an accessible price, and it is handmade in Europe. That last point matters. Pro-Ject has decades of analogue engineering behind it, and you can feel that pedigree in how sorted this deck is straight out of the box.

Plug and Play, Properly Done

Setting up a turntable usually means balancing the tonearm, dialling in tracking force and setting anti-skate. Get it wrong and you risk poor tracking, channel imbalance and extra record wear. With the E1 Phono SE, Pro-Ject's factory technicians pre-adjust tracking force and anti-skate before the deck leaves the factory. You lift the dust cover, drop the needle and enjoy the music.

Engineering Highlights

• Belt drive with electronic speed change: belt drive isolates the platter from motor vibration, which is a big reason the format remains a favourite with audiophiles. Electronic switching between 33 and 45rpm means no more moving the belt by hand.
• 300mm platter with felt mat: a full-size platter that supports the record across its whole surface.
• 8.6" aluminium tonearm: 218.5mm effective length, 7.0g effective mass and 22mm overhang. These are carefully considered geometry figures from a company that has built tonearms for a very long time.
• Measured performance: wow and flutter of 0.25% at 33rpm and 0.23% at 45rpm, speed variance of 0.7% and 0.6% respectively, and a 65dB signal-to-noise ratio.
• Practical touches: a dust cover and a 7" single adapter are included, and the deck measures a tidy 420 × 112 × 330mm at 3.5kg.

The built-in phono preamp is the key to the bundle's simplicity. Phono cartridges output a tiny signal that needs both amplification and RIAA equalisation before it can be used. Because the E1 Phono SE handles all of this internally, you can connect it directly to the WiiM Amp's line input and get full-range, correctly balanced vinyl playback from the very first spin. Because the preamp is switchable, you also have the flexibility to bypass it later if you ever want to explore a dedicated outboard phono stage.

The WiiM Amp: 60 Watts of Streaming Muscle

Don't let the compact, sleek Space Gray aluminium chassis fool you. At just 217 × 190 × 64mm and 1.84kg, the WiiM Amp is a serious amplifier. It delivers 60 watts per channel into 8Ω and 120 watts per channel into 4Ω, and a custom-designed heatsink keeps thermals in check during long listening sessions.

Clean, Quiet and Precise

The measurements are excellent. A signal-to-noise ratio of 98dB means a black, silent background that lets low-level detail and reverb tails emerge naturally. THD+N of just 0.0025% (−92dB) means the amplifier adds essentially nothing of its own. It hands the music to the speakers with the transparency you want in a system like this.

A Complete Streaming Hub

The WiiM Amp is where this bundle really pulls ahead of a traditional vinyl rig. Its streaming support covers:

• Streaming protocols: AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Alexa Cast, DLNA and Roon Ready.
• Connectivity: dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.1 with A2DP sink and source, AVRCP and BLE HID.
• File formats: MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, WMA and OGG.

Roon Ready certification will delight anyone with a curated digital library. Bluetooth source capability means you can even send audio out to a pair of wireless headphones.

The physical connections are just as generous. Inputs include HDMI ARC, optical, line and USB disk, so the system can double as a seriously upgraded TV sound solution in stereo PCM. Outputs include the passive speaker terminals, USB Audio Out and an auto-detecting subwoofer output with a user-adjustable 30 to 250Hz crossover. Add a 10-band graphic EQ, a 10-band parametric EQ and 26 presets, and you have remarkable control over the final tonal balance.

SB 5 E Carbon: Audiophile Sound in a Compact Enclosure

The SB 5 E Carbon is a two-way, bass reflex bookshelf speaker with a rear-firing port. It pairs a 1" silk dome tweeter with a 5" carbon fibre glass bass/mid driver. Carbon composites are prized for their stiffness-to-mass ratio: a stiff, light cone resists break-up and flexing, so it starts and stops quickly. In practice, that means punchy, well-defined bass and a clean, articulate midrange where voices and instruments live.

Above it, the silk dome tweeter brings the smoothness, air and fine detail that make long listening sessions a pleasure rather than a fatigue test. Cymbals shimmer, strings have texture, and the top end never turns hard or splashy.

The key specifications:

• Frequency response: 65Hz to 20kHz
• Sensitivity: 86dB (1W/1m)
• Nominal impedance: 4Ω
• Recommended amplifier power: 10 to 150W
• Dimensions and weight: 270 × 165 × 220mm and a reassuringly solid 4.76kg each

The impedance is exactly why this pairing is so clever. Into a 4Ω load, the WiiM Amp is working in its 120W-per-channel territory, comfortably within Pro-Ject's recommended range. That gives the SB 5 E Carbon plenty of headroom for dynamic swings, so crescendos open up rather than compress. The speakers are sized to suit almost any room, whether as near-field desktop monitors or as the heart of a lounge room hi-fi.

LS E Flex 3m Speaker Cables: The Finishing Touch

Pro-Ject hasn't left you to raid the junk drawer for speaker wire. The LS E Flex cables use oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors with gold-plated connectors. The result is reliable, low-resistance signal transfer from amp to speakers, easy installation, and a secure, corrosion-resistant connection built to last the life of the system. At 3m, there is ample length for sensible speaker placement.

How the Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set Sounds as a System

Drop the needle on a favourite pressing and the system's strengths are immediately obvious.

Vinyl. The E1 Phono SE's integrated phono stage delivers a clean, correctly equalised signal. The WiiM Amp's low-noise, low-distortion amplification then passes it on without colouration. The SB 5 E Carbon's quick carbon composite driver gives basslines real shape and timing, while the silk dome tweeter renders the top end with an unforced sweetness that vinyl lovers will adore. Vocals sit naturally between the speakers, and with sensible placement the stereo image is focused and engaging.

Streaming. Switch over to TIDAL Connect or Spotify Connect from your phone and the same system becomes a gateway to millions of tracks. High-resolution streams benefit from that same black background and transparency, so the character of the system stays consistent whether you are spinning an original pressing or discovering a new release online.

Tuning and expansion. If you want to shape the sound to your room, the parametric EQ lets you tame a room mode or gently lift the bass. And when you are ready for deeper low-frequency extension, the auto-detecting subwoofer output and adjustable crossover make adding a sub refreshingly easy. Our team can recommend a sub that will integrate seamlessly. Just ask.

Who Is the Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set For?

• First-time vinyl buyers who want a real hi-fi experience without the intimidating set-up process.
• Returning collectors dusting off a crate of records who also live on Spotify or TIDAL day to day.
• Apartment and smaller-space dwellers who want serious sound from a compact, tidy footprint.
• Gift buyers after a complete, matched system that works straight out of the box.
• Tech-savvy listeners who value Roon Ready, Google Cast, AirPlay 2 and HDMI ARC TV connectivity.
• Desktop and study listeners who want near-field monitoring with audiophile credentials.

Not sure if it is the right fit? Our team can help. Email sales@theaudiotailor.com.au or call 1300 308 711 and we will tailor advice to your space, music and budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• A complete, expertly matched system: turntable, streaming amp, speakers and cables all in one
• True plug-and-play vinyl, with factory pre-adjusted tracking force and anti-skate
• Built-in switchable phono preamp, so no extra boxes are needed
• Handmade in Europe by analogue specialists Pro-Ject
• WiiM Amp delivers 120W per channel into the SB 5 E Carbon's 4Ω load, with generous headroom
• Superb measured performance: 98dB SNR and 0.0025% THD+N
• Huge streaming support, including AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Alexa Cast, DLNA and Roon Ready
• HDMI ARC for a big upgrade to TV sound
• Subwoofer output with a 30 to 250Hz adjustable crossover for easy expansion
• Graphic, parametric and preset EQ for fine-tuning to your room
• Carbon composite woofer and silk dome tweeter deliver punchy, refined, fatigue-free sound
• Quality OFC cables with gold-plated connectors included

Cons

• HDMI ARC handles stereo PCM only, with no Dolby Digital or DTS (though this is a stereo music system at heart)
• Compact bookshelf speakers naturally reach 65Hz, but the WiiM Amp's sub output makes adding deep bass simple
• You may find yourself buying a lot more records

The Verdict: Your Records, Your Streams, One Brilliant System

The Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set gets everything right that matters. It takes the guesswork out of building a hi-fi, it respects the vinyl ritual, and it embraces modern streaming without compromising on sound quality. Each piece brings its own strengths:

• The handmade E1 Phono SE offers genuine analogue pedigree.
• The WiiM Amp is a remarkably capable streaming amplifier.
• The SB 5 E Carbon speakers reveal exactly what the system upstream is delivering.

Together, they form a system greater than the sum of its parts.

If you have been waiting for a single, beautifully matched system that lets you enjoy both vinyl and streaming without choosing one over the other, this is it. Explore the full details of the Pro-Ject WiiM Phono Set Turntable, Streaming Amplifier & Speakers Bundle. When you are ready to chat, our team of Stuart, Gabby, Nathan and Vaughan is just a phone call away on 1300 308 711. We ship nationwide, so wherever you are in Australia, we will help you get spinning and streaming in no time.