Multi-room Spotify suggestions (streamer only)

[thetrystero]

Hello All,
I'm looking for suggestions as to how to implement multi-room Spotify with the least amount of friction possible.
Signal quality is of utmost importance.

What I've tried: Volumio, LMS+PCP. Both were unsatisfactory, lots of tweaking, troubleshooting etc. I'd like to find a solution that I can plug in and just works.
What I'm not looking for: Sonus. I like my own speakers and amps
Other things I'll likely not consider (unless convinced otherwise): Bluenode, Cambridge. These ones sound like that have a lot of good stuff in them I won't be using.

The stack in to which I'll be sending the signal into:
- 3 sets of Topping D30 Pro + Audiophonics S250NC XLR + Elac DBR 62 (In the living, master and study)
- 1 set of RAW-MDA1 + Genelec 8020d
So I'll need to purchase 4 streamers in total.


What I've found so far:
Correct me if I make a mistake in any of my assumptions.
I've only looked so far at the WiiM products. Based on my research apparently jitter from the WiiM is important. Is this true? Does the DAC not reject most or all of this?
In order of increasing jitter: USB, SPDIF (RCA), Toslink.
Wiim mini: Toslink only, Wiim Pro: SPDIF, Wiim Pro+: SPDIF with async reclock (TI4392), Wiim Ultra: USB.
It seems like such a waste to have to pay for all the things I don't need on the Ultra just for the USB. But then again I've never had any signal quality issues with the USB from the Raspberry Pi and I'd hate to switch to optical and RCA and later regret it.
So does it actually matter whether I output over optical, rca or usb?
Or if it does, whether the RCA with so-called async reclock like in the Pro+ is better than one without like the RCA in the Pro at eliminating jitter?
How much of a tangible difference is there between the RCA and the USB?


Love to hear your thoughts.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Imo, you are stressing needlessly. Any WiiM unit will be perfectly fine.

 

[Mort]

ARSY ne-2 if you don't need a volume control

 

[obsessive9119]

I’d just buy 4 WiiM minis and use optical. Or buy 1, make sure it suits, and then buy the rest.

The main reason to go with the Pro over Mini is more inputs and outputs, but it sounds like you don’t need that. The Pro Plus is a Pro with a better DAC, so unless you’re using line out you won’t need it, either.

I’m a bit confused about what you’re saying with RCA and jitter. RCA is line level analog, so jitter isn’t a thing as far as I know.

 

[thetrystero]

I’d just buy 4 WiiM minis and use optical. Or buy 1, make sure it suits, and then buy the rest.

The main reason to go with the Pro over Mini is more inputs and outputs, but it sounds like you don’t need that. The Pro Plus is a Pro with a better DAC, so unless you’re using line out you won’t need it, either.

I’m a bit confused about what you’re saying with RCA and jitter. RCA is line level analog, so jitter isn’t a thing as far as I know.

thanks. so if i'm understanding you correctly, this toslink jitter will not manifest as any increase in baseline noise nor any deterioration in audio quality, essentially audibly identical to outputting over USB, is that correct?

 

[obsessive9119]

From Amir’s reviews, jitter via toslink isn’t an issue

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