Streamer for active monitors

[Miguelón]

Hello everybody!

I recently got a pair of Genelecs G Two (equal to Genelec 8020D but with RCA input and sensibility adapted for home unbalanced connections).

I use them on a small room without computer, want to buy a WiiM to manage a couple of streaming services and radio-stations.

WiiM Pro Plus maybe a good option, as it has Airplay which is compatible to my Apple devices, but I red Ultra has better DAC and op-amps.

I usually play on the 70-75 dB at 1,5 meters, I guess I wont notice any difference on SINAD at this point, is there anyone who appreciated audio differences between both devices?

Usually I reduce input gain to minimum on Genelecs and set the DAC near its 80-90% volume, do this settings be more prone to appreciate the best SINAD of the Ultra?

Thanks for reading!

 

[staticV3]

Virtually all modern DACs, including the WiiM Ultra and Pro Plus, perform best at 100% volume, as this maximizes SNR.

Multiple sources have tested the WiiM Pro Plus to be fully transparent, so any DAC chip and op-amp improvements introduced with the Ultra, cannot possibly improve the perceived sound quality.

WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus streamer, DAC and preamplifier with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While the case is plastic, it still "looks the part" as the Brits would say relative to other more famous brands of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Pro Plus - Review & Measurements (Streamer)

WiiM Pro Plus - Review & Measurements Hi Folks, Here is another review, measurements-based, today about the WiiM Pro Plus (or "Pro+"). While some rumors already mentioned it for the last couple of months, it is just launched today (August 8) officially. The WiiM Pro Plus comes with a $220...

www.audiosciencereview.com

My WiiM Pro Plus 2nd sample test

Note: due to the fact that my sample unit had significant problems with various PSUs and this was fixed with the FW update, the entire post has been corrected and updated with the most up-to-date measurements. As you can see I finally got the second sample of the Pro Plus with promised...

forum.wiimhome.com

IMO, your decision should rather be based on the feature set.

Do you see yourself expanding your Genelec setup to 2.1 in the future? Then the WiiM Ultra would be a smarter choice.

 

[JeremyFife]

Second that view - decide on the features you need/want first.

Personally, I'd want a physical volume control but that's just me.

WiiM ultra?
WiiM mini with a separate DAC (with volume control)? Keeps Airplay, I think.

 

[Miguelón]

Virtually all modern DACs, including the WiiM Ultra and Pro Plus, perform best at 100% volume, as this maximizes SNR.

Multiple sources have tested the WiiM Pro Plus to be fully transparent, so any DAC chip and op-amp improvements introduced with the Ultra, cannot possible improve the perceived sound quality.

WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus streamer, DAC and preamplifier with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While the case is plastic, it still "looks the part" as the Brits would say relative to other more famous brands of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Pro Plus - Review & Measurements (Streamer)

WiiM Pro Plus - Review & Measurements Hi Folks, Here is another review, measurements-based, today about the WiiM Pro Plus (or "Pro+"). While some rumors already mentioned it for the last couple of months, it is just launched today (August 8) officially. The WiiM Pro Plus comes with a $220...

www.audiosciencereview.com

My WiiM Pro Plus 2nd sample test

Note: due to the fact that my sample unit had significant problems with various PSUs and this was fixed with the FW update, the entire post has been corrected and updated with the most up-to-date measurements. As you can see I finally got the second sample of the Pro Plus with promised...

forum.wiimhome.com

IMO, your decision should rather be based on the feature set.

Do you see yourself expanding your Genelec setup to 2.1 in the future? Then the WiiM Ultra would be a smarter choice.

Thanks! Yes, I’m thinking about the Genelec subwoofer F one, that has either SPDIF or RCA inputs and its own crossover. The reason is by easiness to carry and place (only 5,6 kg), usually the signal path is:

WiiM RCA outputs => F One crossover 85 Hz => RCA inputs Genelecs G Two.

Or maybe:

WiiM SPDIF output => F one crossover at 85 Hz => RCA input G Two.
In which the DA conversion takes place on the F One DSP.

I think the utility of sub output on Ultra is to set the cutoff frequency, am I wrong?

 

[Miguelón]

Second that view - decide on the features you need/want first.

Personally, I'd want a physical volume control but that's just me.

WiiM ultra?
WiiM mini with a separate DAC (with volume control)? Keeps Airplay, I think.

But physical volume control is not analogue, it works in steps. Or not? I can’t remember…

Normally I will control the volume on the app.

WiiM mini plus DAC is a good idea but I love simplicity of WiiM Pro or Ultra directly to the monitors or the sub. My DAC is on my main audio system at the living room

 

[JeremyFife]

I like simplicity too, and the ultra offers bass management for later. Looks great.
Others here can comment better, but there are small risks with software volume control resetting to max (0dB, default) with noisy or damaging results.
Not an issue if you turn on the source and check volume before you turn on the amps.

If you need airplay, just be aware that the ultra can't stream it due to licensing problems.

 

[staticV3]

I think the utility of sub output on Ultra is to set the cutoff frequency, am I wrong?

The Ultra's Sub output supports setting the crossover point of both the sub (LPF) and the main speakers (HPF), and setting the Sub level, phase, and delay.

Therefore, it gives you more options to achieve better overall subwoofer integration, that you would get via WiiM->F One->G Two.

 

[Chrisnew]

Hello everybody!

I recently got a pair of Genelecs G Two (equal to Genelec 8020D but with RCA input and sensibility adapted for home unbalanced connections).

I use them on a small room without computer, want to buy a WiiM to manage a couple of streaming services and radio-stations.

WiiM Pro Plus maybe a good option, as it has Airplay which is compatible to my Apple devices, but I red Ultra has better DAC and op-amps.

I usually play on the 70-75 dB at 1,5 meters, I guess I wont notice any difference on SINAD at this point, is there anyone who appreciated audio differences between both devices?

Usually I reduce input gain to minimum on Genelecs and set the DAC near its 80-90% volume, do this settings be more prone to appreciate the best SINAD of the Ultra?

Thanks for reading!

Wiim ultra. It's hard to beat for the features and the price point. I have one myself. Peq, room correction and bass mgt

 

[Miguelón]

I like simplicity too, and the ultra offers bass management for later. Looks great.
Others here can comment better, but there are small risks with software volume control resetting to max (0dB, default) with noisy or damaging results.
Not an issue if you turn on the source and check volume before you turn on the amps.

If you need airplay, just be aware that the ultra can't stream it due to licensing problems.

I don’t need it, at least for music streaming the app can handle perfectly well, and Tidal has its own Connect protocol.

Only uses maybe YouTube playback, or something like that but I never use it.

Probably the sub integration, and the usb output may worth the extra money. My DAC has only usb input, so if I ever want to install the WiiM in the living room they will work ok, and I can preserve the balanced connections between my DACs and the speakers (actives also)

 

[Gga]

Maybe Argon Solo??