Inwa Bluetooth Audio Stereo Amplifier Review

The Inwa Bluetooth Audio Stereo Amplifier shines in its compact design, making it a great fit for those of us living in tighter quarters. If you’re in an apartment or just have a crowded media shelf, this mini amp is a breath of fresh air compared to the bulky receivers that usually dominate the space. It’s easy to forget how much a full-width receiver can cramp your style until you have a sleek little amp like this taking up practically no real estate.

This small footprint is especially beneficial for beginners who want to dive into vinyl without the hassle of a bulky amp stack. If you already own passive bookshelf speakers or are leaning that way, the Inwa fills the gap nicely without breaking the bank. It’s a simple solution that makes setting up your audio system much less daunting.

Bluetooth is a nice addition to the Inwa, adding a layer of convenience that I really appreciate. It allows for quick streaming from my phone or tablet, which is handy when I want to kick back on the couch without having to get up and fiddle with wires. However, I wouldn’t recommend buying this amp solely for Bluetooth capabilities; it’s more of a bonus feature than a selling point.

Now, let’s talk about one of the Inwa’s significant drawbacks: it lacks a built-in phono preamp. This can be a deal-breaker for some, especially beginners who might not realize this limitation upfront. If your turntable doesn’t have its own preamp, you’ll find yourself in a bit of a pickle trying to connect it directly to the amp.

For those who are unclear, a turntable outputs a phono-level signal that needs extra gain and RIAA equalization before it can be fed into a standard RCA input. If you’re using a turntable with a built-in preamp, you’re all set to plug it into the Inwa’s RCA input in Line mode. But if not, be prepared to add an external phono preamp to your shopping list, or you might end up with weak and thin sound, leading to frustration and confusion.

When it comes to power, the Inwa does a decent job, but it’s essential to understand that wattage claims don’t tell the whole story. While it can perform well in a small room with efficient passive bookshelf speakers, it may struggle in larger spaces or with more demanding speaker setups. I’ve seen this issue firsthand; if you’re expecting to fill a big living room with sound, you might want to look at a more robust option.

Setting up the Inwa is a breeze, especially if you’re using a turntable with a built-in preamp. You can get everything connected in just a few quick steps, and that’s a major plus for beginners. Just confirm whether your turntable has that built-in preamp by checking for a Line/Phono switch, and you can dive right in.