WiiM Mini Review (Streamer)

[TheBatsEar]

Amir is objectively wrong in not sharing my opinion. Once he gets wiser, he will like what i like.

Vote "Great" now or find yourself on the wrong side of history!

 

[TheBatsEar]

This thing plus some powered speakers (or passive + Aiyima amp or something) plus a Tidal subscription and Bob's your uncle.

Doesn't do the fourth unfolding.

Would have agreed if you wrote Quobuz.

 

[amirm]

The Chromecast Audio AMIR said "easily gets my recommendation" despite its crappy DAC section and lack of gapless playback. Of course the WiiM deserves a strong recommendation for its use as streamer with output to a good DAC.

Chromecast analog output is much better than WiiM mini. Its dynamic range for example is 10 dB better. Yet the whole thing, DAC and streamer, only cost $35. WiiM Mini triples the cost yet delivers lower analog performance.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Good enough for a record player with builtin pre-amp i guess.

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

Analog input (ADC) added to the review as well:

Thanks, @amirm . Looks to be more than adequate for streaming vinyl playback to the patio.

Edit: @TheBatsEar beat me to it! LOL

 

[Jmudrick]

Chromecast analog output is much better than WiiM mini. Its dynamic range for example is 10 dB better. Yet the whole thing, DAC and streamer, only cost $35. WiiM Mini triples the cost yet delivers lower analog performance.

Noted. I don't think the WiiM is to be recommended as a DAC. I don't see how it cannot be recommended as a streaming alternative for non-Roon users which is most of the ASR universe.

WiiM does not exactly triple the cost as the $35 Chromecast no longer exists and when it did it was less capable as a streamer.

 

[DonR]

Thanks, @amirm . Looks to be more than adequate for streaming vinyl playback to the patio.

Edit: @TheBatsEar beat me to it! LOL

"streaming vinyl" sounds like a fetish mistress.

 

[telemike]

Can't imagine wanting to replace an RPi4 running Moode with this puck. It looks like a solution for Airplay users that don't mind truncating 96K files? I can't see a reason to want one. But I already have three RPi4 units now.

Pi doesn't stream Amazon

 

[TheBatsEar]

Pi doesn't stream Amazon

Agreed, but that's not the point. The RPi/Moode is awesome if you like to tinker, for example with CamillaDSP.

The WiiM is a device for people that just want to listen to music and have a spare Toslink input on their amp.
Also caters to the ASR folk that like to hunt for the best value.

I see room for both.

Don't forget to vote "Great", you can thank yourself later.

 

[Brantome]

”…for people that just want to listen to music…”

Unless I’ve misjudged the mood of conference, I though that that was the aim of this and similar forums?

 

[amper42]

I'll order one on Amazon and will send it back if it's not as good as my RPI-4. RPI-4 is dead simple to use. Set it up and forget it. I like using the USB out on RPi4 to the ADI-2 input. It looks like this $100 WiiM streamer is missing that basic function to begin with. Lets hope the rest of the comparison is not totally downhill too.

 

[mhecimovic]

I noticed big improvement after I upgraded my system with WiiM Mini and Topping E50. I would recommend this combination!

 

[norcalscott]

The CCA was one of those rare values and was only possible because of the Goog’s financial might. This device comes as close to it from a price to performance ratio as anything I’ve seen. I think they are hitting a sweet spot with a streamer that will work with folks who don’t have the technical patience to futz with an RPi, and just want something to work. I would have no issue recommending this to my friends and family to go along with an cheap Topping DAC.

 

[amirm]

@amirm Last and i think most Common question, after your tests. When using wiim as digital transport via toslink, there will be any difference in sound quality vs node as digital transport?

If the digital path is bit perfect then there is no difference in sound.

 

[Jmudrick]

I'll order one on Amazon and will send it back if it's not as good as my RPI-4. RPI-4 is dead simple to use. Set it up and forget it. I like using the USB out of the ADI-2 to RPI4. It looks like this $100 WiiM streamer is missing that basic function to begin with. Lets hope the rest of the comparison is not totally downhill too.

It's "missing" a USB input since it's designed to replace use of a computer as streamer.

 

[amirm]

What was that maximum sample rate you were sending to the device?

I only tested 44.1 and 48 kHz. The Toslink output supports up to 192 kHz but your DAC/receiver may not go above 96 kHz. With USB support as you know, sky is the limit.

 

[amirm]

Why is Roon important?

It is the simplest, easiest, least buggy local streaming I have found. Plug in a streaming device that supports and it instantly shows up as another virtual sound interface in Roon. Stuff just works and at highest fidelity.

 

[respice finem]

We have no idea as it’s not tested. For whatever reason @amirm didn't like the device even though tests were OK.

According to the review text, because of missing Roon support

Personally I can't recommend the WiiM Mini due to lack of support for Roon player. That aside, it is great to see bit exact digital output in a budget streamer allowing you to improve its performance to any level you want using your own DAC.

 

[amirm]

Good example of how missleding and non telling this FFT graph can be.

There is nothing misleading about. Just like any measurement, you have to learn what the data shows. I have documented all of my digital audio measurements: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...derstanding-digital-audio-measurements.10523/

There is a whole section there about FFT gain.

 

[amirm]

We have no idea as it’s not tested.

What do you mean it wasn't tested? I tested it by hooking it up to my monitor USB hub where I test all audio products from. I thought the LED lit up but I could no longer get output from the unit. Powered it back from its own adapter and it started to work again. I am not going to do an exhaustive test for stuff like this.