I'm seriously considering getting a Wiim Pro. I'm growing very frustrated with the experience after trying to use a Bluesound Node (2021) for the last 6+ months, too unstable and not a huge fan of the app either.
Well. I received mine yesterday.
I am happily surprised. This thing rocks. I will be comparing it to Bluesound Node and Sonos AMP (not the same type of product, I know).
Way better experience than Bluesound Node honestly. And for that price, I cannot even complain (at least not that much lol).
PROs:
- It has handled beautifully everything I've thrown at it. Basically, it just works
- App is fluid/responsive and good looking.
- When you play a new album, it will clear the queue for you and will add new items starting from current selection. Node will just add new items but queue does not get cleared, creating some kind of history I don't like or care anymore, so annoying. Sonos app works the same as Wiim, which I appreciate
- Form factor is good. Just a tad shorter but wider than an Apple TV, if that makes sense.
- I really liked the feature to test output signal when setting it up. I was able to send 24bit/192Khz to my external DAC via optical, no issues.
- Chromecast works. It really does. I was never able to do this on my Node (I work on IT and I did network troubleshooting). Now I can cast from Plexamp to Wiim Pro. Chromecast isn't a feature on Sonos, so this is a win here.
CONs
- Trigger out is 2.5mm. Most amps I've dealt with are 3.5mm so you will have to get some kind of adapter.
- Desktop app sucks. Big time. I know it is currently marked as beta, but it is so incomplete and superficial that it is not an option for me. I really hope they improve on this as I hate being stuck only to my phone to play content. However, for the moment I use Tidal's app via Tidal Connect.
- No remote. I mean, it's OK for the price and I guess we will be able to eventually use a remote, but for now just make it possible to learn commands so aftermaket options are a possibility.
- No native Apple Music integration. Only Sonos offers this feature, it would be really nice to not be dependent on Airplay.
- No HDMI input.
I set up this device by midday. App download + system update. During nighttime I got notification about an iOS app update for Wiim. I think this is a good sign about engagement from developers and not forgetting about their customers:
In terms of app experience, I will rate it as:
Sonos >> Wimm >> Bluesound Node
In terms of features:
Wiim >> Sonos >> Bluesound Node
Value per price:
Wiim >> Sonos|Bluesound Node
I really hope for a future "Wiim Ultra" version with balanced outputs and a sub out with configurable crossover. A 3.5mm trigger out wouldn't be bad. HDMI with ARC a must.