Wyred 4 Sound íntimo
The íntimo excels as a highly tunable desktop DAC/headphone amplifier, pairing generous connectivity with gain, impedance and balance controls. Darko.Audio highlights its three-band EQ’s ability to add bass weight or smooth abrasive treble, while 6 Moons underscores its desktop-friendly form. It is a compelling hub for listeners who value precise tonal tailoring.
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Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
53/100
Build Quality
50/100
Features Usability
92/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Three-band parametric EQ can add controlled low-frequency weight or soften harsh treble to suit individual headphones and recordings.
Compact footprint and height make it well suited to desktop use.
Cons
Windows systems older than Windows 10 require installation of the supplied XMOS USB driver.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 53/100
The available listening comments focus mainly on tonal tailoring: reviewers note that the parametric EQ can add low-frequency weight and soften a headphone’s edge. They provide little direct assessment of resolution, dynamic expression, background silence, or performance across a broad range of headphone loads.
Transparency Resolution
50/100
The supplied review excerpts do not directly discuss clarity, separation, detail retrieval, or treble openness. There is therefore little listener evidence about how transparent or resolving the amplifier sounds.
Tonal Balance Musicality
61/100
Darko.Audio highlights useful tonal flexibility, including a 3–4dB low-frequency lift adjustable by frequency and Q. The reviewer also says the unit can “take the edge off,” suggesting it can make brighter or leaner pairings more comfortable.
Dynamics
50/100
The reviews supplied do not describe transient attack, punch, headroom, or macro- and microdynamic behaviour. Its handling of demanding musical swings is not established by the available listening evidence.
Noise Floor
50/100
No supplied reviewer comments address hiss, hum, or background silence with sensitive headphones or IEMs. Real-world noise performance is therefore unclear from these excerpts.
Headphone Compatibility
55/100
The three selectable gain and output-impedance settings indicate an effort to accommodate different headphones. However, the reviews do not document actual pairings with sensitive IEMs, high-impedance dynamics, or difficult planar headphones.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
50/100
The product description specifies custom-milled anodized-aluminum casework and capacitive controls. The supplied reviews do not comment on fit, finish, control feel, connector quality, reliability, or long-term durability.
Features Usability
92/100
The íntimo is unusually comprehensive for a desktop headphone amplifier, combining a PCM/DSD DAC, USB, dual coaxial and dual optical inputs, a variable preamp output, and a large display. Three gain settings, adjustable output impedance, balance and phase controls, plus a three-band parametric EQ provide meaningful tools for matching headphones and tailoring playback.
Value for Money
85/100
At $1,499, the íntimo bundles extensive DAC, preamp, headphone-matching, and EQ functionality into one component. The supplied reviews do not directly compare its price with competing amplifiers or offer a clear verdict on value.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
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Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Amplifier Type
- Class A Biased high-output amplifier
- Controls
- Balance control Phase inversion control Adjustable output impedance (low/med/high) Adjustable gain control (low/med/high)
- Equalizer
- 3-band Parametric EQ
- DAC
- ESS Sabre DAC supports up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM and DSD256
- Digital Inputs
- 5 digital inputs: 2x Coax, 2x Toslink, 1x USB
- Power Supply
- Large and in-charge powersupply - 13,000uF+ of capacitance
- Display
- Large alphanumeric display
- Buttons
- Capacitive touch buttons
- Casework
- Anodized aluminum custom-milled casework
- Headphone Output
- THD+N 0.005%* SNR 102db* Freq response +/-0.2db (20hz-20k) Bandwidth 60k (-3db) Output impedance - High/Med/Low - variable Output noise - 26uV* Output power 1.2W /16ohms
- Preamp Output
- THD+N 0.005%* SNR 101db* Freq response +/-0.14db (20hz-20k) Output noise - 18uV* Output voltage 4.6V (variable)
Manufacturer's Description — Wyred 4 Sound
Introductory special on the all-new íntimo Headphone Amplifier/DAC
íntimo, adj. : close, intimate, private.
That definition describes the experience awaiting the headphone music lover. For our all-new íntimo headphone amp/DAC, we knew certain things had to be included in its design: a pure Class A amplifier with enough muscle and finesse to drive difficult loads with authority, a gain switch to allow for ultimate compatibility, a reference-grade DAC capable of processing hi-res PCM and DSD files, multiple digital inputs, and in the tradition of Wyred 4 Sound - an affordable price. The Íntimo has all of these, wrapped in a beautiful, custom case.
There is nothing better than wearing your HiFi on your head! We've had many headphone amplifier options over the years and none have been dedicated to just that. They've always been an auxiliary function of a product so it was time to make it happen. Time to get intimate by introducing Íntimo!
We all spend an incredible amount of time in front of a computer or a handheld version we call tablets or phones these days. If you are going to do it, why not do it and listen to your favorite music at the same time? Why not make that music sound amazing! Why not use that time to also explore new music by taking advantage of streaming platforms such as Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon music, Apple music, Spotify etc. Why not immerse yourself and forget all the distractions the world has to offer these days?
You can now do just that with amazing results with our new Íntimo headphone amplifier! We have been working on this unit for years and finally have something we have to share so others can appreciate it as much as we do. If you thought time flew by before - just wait until you experience this - nothing else seems to matter!
When push comes to shove-
Headphones are like speakers, many shapes, sizes, efficiencies etc. Take your frustration out of the equation with intimo. We are offering 'on the fly' output impedance and gain control that let you tailor how well your headphones mate with it. The headphones you have now and the headphones you will have down the road. Consider it a non-issue. Get the best sound today with no concerns.
Tune in the good stuff-
We also included a bypassable 3-band parametric equalizer that allow you to dial in the right sound just for you! Ever though – I love these but a little much on the top or not enough bottom end? You can now take what you thought was your favorite and make it perfect. With adjustments for low/mid/high, you can not only control levels but also frequency turn over points for each and the "Q" (width of the band you are adjusting) of the frequency.
Perfection in the conversion-
Included in the Intimo, we have already invested and embedded the quality DAC we are known for which is designed specifically for this product! Employing the ESS Sabre technology, effortlessly feed PCM signals upto 384kHz or DSD up to DSD256 through the galvanically isolated, Asynchronos XMOS based USB interface. All of this allows us to offer the lowest jitter with the most precise timing for the best musical experience. With such an extraordinary product, you might just find that this makes a better preamp as well - and for that, we offer unbalanced preamp outputs.
Varying the pleasure –
We couldn't just use the digital domain volume control in the ESS chip so we decided to implement our 'Vari-Lock GCMS' which we've evolved from our past products allowing us to have proper volume control feel but unmatched stability and composition. Most companies use a simple potentiometer to run the audio signal through to adjust the level. This is an effective way to do it but it comes at the cost of erratic volume matching and levels between channels. Our system provides accurate level control that is run through code and then programmed back out to a digitally controlled analog volume control similar to how our award winning STP preamp handles it. Super High End Performance is all included here!
Touchy subject -
User interface is as the name suggests. No clicky or clunky buttons, we designed in capacitive buttons on the top of the unit offering delicate, tactile and positive feedback and control of your favorite new component. Visibility is exceptional with the large LED display showing input selection, sample rate and configuration settings.
When the rubber hits the road-
Our proprietary dual mono, complementary, Class A biased headphone amp is second to none. High bandwidth, low distortion, powerful and capable are just a few of the thoughts you will have floating around. High end features and sound at this price point is… unheard of!
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Wyred 4 Sound íntimo
- Elite Audio UK — online and in-store — Pittenweem, Escocia, United Kingdom (website)
- Hi Fi Mansion — in-store — Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Mister Hifi — online and in-store — Raamsdonksveer, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (website)
- Reference Analog — online and in-store — Moore, Oklahoma, United States (website)
- Theatermax LLC — in-store — Boca Raton, Florida, United States (website)