Denafrips Arce Streamer or WiiM Pro Plus?

[Graham849]

Denafrips announces ARCE network streamer | Darko.Audio

Dad jokers start your engines.

darko.audio

WIIM PRO+ Streamer

The WiiM Pro+ (PLUS) is a compact, extremely versatile and high-performance audiophile network player that transforms a conventional audio system into a connected system.

www.audiophonics.fr

The Arce is not ready for mainstream use I think.

What think ye?

 

[trondav]

I placed an order for the Denafrips Acre today. As I use Roon only for all my streaming this product seems to be a very nice one for my use below USD 1.000,-. It has all I need. Take a look at the video from Alvin at Denafrips. He explains in details who and what their product is for:

 

[direwolf08]

$1008 for digital out only and no streaming service support at launch? Not at all for me, but if some people think there’s value here … you do you.

 

[Zensō]

Easy decision: WiiM Pro+

 

[winnor]

Denafrips Arce with ROON with HQPLAYER as Streamer external to the Pontus 12th-1 sounds great, the software features really need to be improved, currently far behind Wiim, may need to spend six months, a year to see the evolution of the manufacturer's software.

 

[Sound_freq]

The Arce may never see the light of day, they are moving too slow, and when it does actually come to fruition, it will be so outmatched in terms of features and functionality by the competition that it's really only a product for Denafrips cheerleaders.

 

[NiagaraPete]

A $1,000 streamer. What did the circus guy Barnum once say?

 

[DearSX]

I think Denafrips makes great products ( I owned the Puntus II), but the competition has caught up. I'm pretty happy with my WiiM Pro

 

[OjoRojO]

Easy decision: WiiM Pro+

I concur, but if possible wait for the next production batch with improved specs.
Best.

 

[kchap]

Can the WiiM Pro+ I mount/connect to an SMB file share? I looked at the specs and got the impression that was not supported.

Edit: I've asked ask ed this question in the wrong thread. Ignore it.

 

[Grovkalle]

Arce - what a funny name! I can imagine a scottish accent saying "I'll be streaming it through my Arce"
Going to be interesting to compare the Arce with the upcoming Wiim Ultra.
Arce not supporting neither Tidal nor Spotify connect seems like a total waste of a good product and for those money
I think I rather look at Volumio Rivo or Holo Red.

 

[JimFarrell29]

So now we have the Arcas. A less dodgily named streamer. If you are a Denafrips DAC owner it's tempting. It has I2S out, and you can synchronise clocks with a Terminator or T Plus. It also has a D to D converter built in if you think they make a difference. But.. software wise it's still rudimentary.
If you, like me, use Roon exclusively and have a T Plus, a well built streamer optimised for Roon which integrates perfectly with your DAC, is a tempting prospect. Otherwise, no.

 

[CapMan]

I use a Raspberry Pi4 with a HiFi berry Digi+ HAT . Flashed with Roopei to create a Roon end point.

Cheap and works just fine feeding an AVR via Toslink.

 

[ronmen]

So, here's my experience as it relates to the original question - Arce or WiiM Pro+.

I've had the WiiM Pro+ since it was first released. It is very good value for the money as a streamer/DAC device for someone just getting started in streaming and maybe doesn't have a very resolving system. The implementation of the AKM chip made for a pretty good-sounding device through my Onkyo AVR and a pair of vintage Klipsch speakers.

Sometime later, I upgraded my 2-channel music system to a Musical Fidelity M2si integrated amp. Everything sounded even better. Next came a Denafrips Enyo 15th DAC to take over DAC duties from the Pro+. I was still using the Pro+ as a streamer (Roon endpoint) but was using the Enyo as the DAC. That was a big improvement.

The Klipsch KG 3.5s (1996) were sounding better than they had in years but I was still wondering if it could be better. They are 28-year-old speakers after all. I ended up buying a pair of Zu Audio DW6 Superflys. The new speakers made a big positive difference.

Ok, so at this point it is Roon feeding the Wiim Pro+, feeding the Enyo 15th DAC, feeding the Musical Instruments M2si integrated amp, feeding the Zu Audio DW6 Superfly speakers. Things are sounding pretty damn good. Could the WiiM be the week link now? Are bits just bits?

A couple of weeks ago, I replaced the WiiM Pro+ with the Denafrips Arce using the I2s connection feeding the Denafrips Enyo 15th. Wow, the improvement was not subtle! Primarily, the soundstage got much bigger in all directions and the mids and bass became much fuller. The bass also exhibits so much more texture now. The timing and rhythm is noticeably better, especially on complex tracks where everyone is playing full-tilt.

So, for me, the Arce is a night and day improvement as a streamer over the WiiM Pro+. Of course, you would expect it to be. It costs almost 5 times more money.

Keep in mind though that I use Qobuz through Roon to stream my music so I'm not too concerned about Arce not having as robust a list of supported apps. I also already had a DAC that has an I2s input (and it is a Denafrips).

If you are using Roon and have a DAC with an I2s input, I wouldn't hesitate to try the Arce if you can swing the price. It's still less expensive than the PS Audio Air Lens, the Magna Mano Mk3.5, and the new Volumio Rivo+, all I2s capable streamers.

I hope this helps.

 

[kyuu]

I hope this helps.

Unfortunately it does not. Since the Wiim Pro Plus is extremely competent and audibly transparent per measurements, there's literally nothing the Denafrips could be doing to make your content sound different unless it's introducing noise or distortion. That would not be an improvement, of course.

You appear to have fallen into the trap of assuming that more dollars means more better, which is demonstrably false.

 

[JustJones]

I hope this helps.

It didn't.

 

[JustJones]

You could tell a difference between the Wiim and Denafrips listening to Zu Audio DW6 Superfly speakers? Wow you're talented . Might be a premise for a new reality TV show.

 

[ronmen]

Haha, exactly what I expected from this forum. I'm not sure why I bothered. Maybe you guys should actually listen to some music. Pathetic.

 

[ronmen]

A "don't feed the animals" sign should be posted at the entrance.

 

[Doodski]

That was a big improvement.

The thing is that the specs indicate otherwise and the operational matters of the gear denotes the sound difference should be not even noticeable. I just dropped in on this but the details indicate this to be true. The only way a sound difference could exist is for frequency response coloration to be at play.

Are bits just bits?

Yes, they are bits and bits are bits in the digital realm.

The timing and rhythm is noticeably better, especially on complex tracks where everyone is playing full-tilt.

This is a term that makes no sense other than with musicians and the electronics is not musical it is simply reproduces what is there.

So, for me, the Arce is a night and day improvement as a streamer over the WiiM Pro+. Of course, you would expect it to be. It costs almost 5 times more money.

Expecting more money to buy you more sound is a false equivalency in audio gear and especially with digital sources. The matter is that digital gear simply reproduces the data and does not color the sound. This can be done these days for minimal investment.