WiiM Mini Review (Streamer)

[MrOtto]

Concerns about the bit perfectness with Tidal app playback:

Is Chromecast Audio Bit-Perfect? · Ivan Nikitin

nikitin.io

Any concerns about the methodology? Would like to see this tested with Wiim Mini and Tidal connect. Anyone?

 

[Ken Tajalli]

FWIW
I gave up on my Wiim mini at the end of the day!
I loved it at first, but in time I hit a road block, perhaps not totally be blamed on the Wiim, but a block never the less.
My problem was, that as well as my own local files, I needed to route streaming services to the Wiim. Before I go any further, for local files, Wiim worked perfectly, I mean, I could use it no problem.
You see Wiim is just the end point, the server needs to be able to send it correctly too, THAT was my issue.
It seems, serving live sources (live streams) is not as easy as playing local files. On Android, my trusted Neutron media player, could happily send to Wiim mini, and on Windows laptop, Jriver could easily play local files to Wiim mini.
BUT ....
Live sources, live broadcasts or live-streaming is another matter.
Ofcourse I know, Wiim app can manage a few streaming services, but I needed to apply my own DSP to it first and then send it to Wiim.
I found a neat free app, called "stream what you hear" that would (could) stream whatever you are listening to an endpoint, but not Wiim! It can send to just about any other software based UPNP player, but not Wiim.
At the end of the day, I realized that there is a simple method of replacing the Wiim with a software player, have my cake and be able to eat it too.
An old PC or an Android device connected to my DAC, with a software UPNP player.
A dis-used Android phone (need not be that powerful), and Neutron media player installed, setup as Media Renderer can do just about everything I needed and more.
Or a small PC with Jriver installed, set up as renderer.
- Just about any Android or windows player can play to them, as they show up as UPNP/DLNA players.
- Stream what you hear works with both, so live streaming is possible.
- Both Neutron and Jriver have powerful DSP engines, so I could implement my room correction at the renderer point.
In case of an Android phone, it would be no bigger or more expensive than a Wiim.
BTW, wiim does have a feature to add network stream to it, but it sort of didn't work for me.

 

[mefausto]

Hello everyone, sorry for the english, I'm writing with google translate...
I recently got a Wiim mini, all ok but...
I've noticed that Tidal streaming through it sounds too bright and with annoying treble for me. I have a Topping e30 dac connected via optical port. I also have a windows 10 pc with the Tidal app connected via usb to the Topping and listening is less tiring.
I also tried with Qobuz and it seems to me to be very similar...
What could it be about?

 

[MrOtto]

Set to "fixed volume" to bypass all EQ/DSP.
Also:

Is bit perfect 192khz 24bit music signal supported on WiiM?

Yes! It's available now. When WiiM Mini supports a bit-perfect function via digital optical output, it outputs the same bit depth and sample rate as your music source. I.e., if your source is 24 bit/192kHz, it will output 24/192. While if yo...

faq-mini.wiimhome.com

 

[mefausto]

Set to "fixed volume" to bypass all EQ/DSP.
Also:

Is bit perfect 192khz 24bit music signal supported on WiiM?

Yes! It's available now. When WiiM Mini supports a bit-perfect function via digital optical output, it outputs the same bit depth and sample rate as your music source. I.e., if your source is 24 bit/192kHz, it will output 24/192. While if yo...

faq-mini.wiimhome.com

Already done, fixed volume and equalizer off.

 

[dangermouse]

Not a popular opinion, but I've always considered the Topping E30, no matter how it measures, to be far too bright.

 

[mefausto]

Not a popular opinion, but I've always considered the Topping E30, no matter how it measures, to be far too bright.

With the USB input I don't find it bright at all. I don't know if my wiim has a problem...

 

[imral3]

With the USB input I don't find it bright at all. I don't know if my wiim has a problem...

More likely a "windows problem" that is making is more pleasing to your ears. Lol.

 

[mefausto]

More likely a "windows problem" that is making is more pleasing to your ears. Lol.

I actually thought about that too...

 

[MrOtto]

So I played the same track from Tidal, jazz trumpet, if your system is too bright, I will hear it. So Wiim Mini Toslink, Tidal through Wiim app (Master), and Volumio USB Tidal through BubbleUPnP (Only Hifi) . Both to Topping E30. None sounded brighter than the other when volume was "matched" on amp. What I did notice was the volume from Wiim was higher than on Volumio when amp had same volume setting. Wiim was set to fixed output and Volumio was set to "Mixer type: none" (Fixed output)

Topping E30 does not sound bright. It relays the source in an accurate fashion. If you think this is bright, you prefer to EQ your music playback.

 

[mefausto]

So I played the same track from Tidal, jazz trumpet, if your system is too bright, I will hear it. So Wiim Mini Toslink, Tidal through Wiim app (Master), and Volumio USB Tidal through BubbleUPnP (Only Hifi) . Both to Topping E30. None sounded brighter than the other when volume was "matched" on amp. What I did notice was the volume from Wiim was higher than on Volumio when amp had same volume setting. Wiim was set to fixed output and Volumio was set to "Mixer type: none" (Fixed output)

Topping E30 does not sound bright. It relays the source in an accurate fashion. If you think this is bright, you prefer to EQ your music playback.

I did further tests with a smsl dac, another amplifier, speakers and computer. The sound via wiim is brighter and with less full and controlled bass. The sound gives the impression of being less controlled and more confusing. It's not my impression, I perceive it very clearly with careful listening. I'm sorry because the wiim application is very well done and comfortable. However, I did the Amazon return.

 

[TheBatsEar]

The sound gives the impression of being less controlled and more confusing. It's not my impression, I perceive it very clearly with careful listening.

Did you do a blind test?

 

[mefausto]

Did you do a blind test?

No, I couldn't since I changed the source. But I assure you the difference was noticeable. If I hadn't noticed that my favorite pieces sounded wrong, I wouldn't have started testing. I hope I had a bad copy, because everyone speaks well in the reviews. I am not an audiophile with a fine ear. But the sound was bad for me, it sounded like a 128kbps mp3.

 

[Merifon]

I did further tests with a smsl dac, another amplifier, speakers and computer. The sound via wiim is brighter and with less full and controlled bass. The sound gives the impression of being less controlled and more confusing. It's not my impression, I perceive it very clearly with careful listening. I'm sorry because the wiim application is very well done and comfortable. However, I did the Amazon return.

Very strano...
I use wiim + SMSL DO100 with Tidal and Amazon music, turntable and cd player. When I compared same editions of several albums, I got the same sound, obviously with peculiar differences but really the same sound character.

 

[mefausto]

Very strano...
I use wiim + SMSL DO100 with Tidal and Amazon music, turntable and cd player. When I compared same editions of several albums, I got the same sound, obviously with peculiar differences but really the same sound character.

I really hope my unit was faulty. In the future I'll try to get a Wiim Pro, maybe I'll be more lucky. I can't find anything like the Wiim this cheap.

 

[MrOtto]

I did further tests with a smsl dac, another amplifier, speakers and computer. The sound via wiim is brighter and with less full and controlled bass. The sound gives the impression of being less controlled and more confusing. It's not my impression, I perceive it very clearly with careful listening. I'm sorry because the wiim application is very well done and comfortable. However, I did the Amazon return.

I could not find any of these differences when listening to Wiim Mini from Toslink, and listening from Volumuio RPi4 USB on the same track from Tidal.

 

[mefausto]

I could not find any of these differences when listening to Wiim Mini from Toslink, and listening from Volumuio RPi4 USB on the same track from Tidal.

You're not the first to tell me, Since I don't think you're all deaf, mine must have had problems. I'll get another one as soon as I get my refund from Amazon.

 

[onlyoneme]

You're not the first to tell me, Since I don't think you're all deaf, mine must have had problems. I'll get another one as soon as I get my refund from Amazon.

The only reason I could find for such behavior is a WiiM's charger influencing you audio path. Or a faulty device itself.

 

[mefausto]

The only reason I could find for such behavior is a WiiM's charger influencing you audio path. Or a faulty device itself.

I have also tried more than one power supply. I will update you when another wiim arrives.

 

[Big White]

Set to "fixed volume" to bypass all EQ/DSP.
Also:

Is bit perfect 192khz 24bit music signal supported on WiiM?

Yes! It's available now. When WiiM Mini supports a bit-perfect function via digital optical output, it outputs the same bit depth and sample rate as your music source. I.e., if your source is 24 bit/192kHz, it will output 24/192. While if yo...

faq-mini.wiimhome.com

If I turn on the EQ, what should I set the volume to?