WiiM Mini Review (Streamer)

[Monster]

@Monster​

I ripped a few CDs and set up DLNA, now I can see and play them through 'Home music share', convenient but time-consuming. I also feel I am getting better quality through streaming (may be an illusion).

I have about 70 CDs. The way I tackled this was to break it up into small chunks and do about half a dozen at a time when I had a bit of time spare. Within a few weeks it was all done.

For me, the hard part was learning about getting the metadata right so that it all presented properly in the library. But now I have got the hang of it I can rattle through it.

Exact Audio Copy and Mp3tag are my tools of choice for the task.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I also feel I am getting better quality through streaming (may be an illusion).

Are you applying any EQ via the WiiM? That would be one possiblity.

 

[GavriloD]

Are you applying any EQ via the WiiM? That would be one possiblity.

I am applying same room correction settings to both.
As an example

Simply sounds better streaming from HD Amazon Music

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I am applying same room correction settings to both.
As an example
View attachment 473755

Simply sounds better streaming from HD Amazon Music

That’ll almost certainly be because the streaming version is a different master to your CD rip.

 

[GavriloD]

That’ll almost certainly be because the streaming version is a different master to your CD rip.

That is almost certainly true. I think I am streaming a remastered version that is 192/24, sounds better to me.
I also tried Keith Jarrett Kohl Concert, which also sounds better, and that has to be from the same source, but the difference is not as obvious.

 

[markstein]

That is almost certainly true. I think I am streaming a remastered version that is 192/24, sounds better to me.
I also tried Keith Jarrett Kohl Concert, which also sounds better, and that has to be from the same source, but the difference is not as obvious.

You also need to ensure that your ripped CD and the streaming version both have exactly the same volume (within 0.1dB). The louder version always sounds better.

You can compare both versions e.g. in Audacity.

 

[WDeranged]

You also need to ensure that your ripped CD and the streaming version both have exactly the same volume (within 0.1dB). The louder version always sounds better.

You can compare both versions e.g. in Audacity.

This is the real crux of the issue when comparing stuff.

 

[GavriloD]

So I went and got ZD3, now I am using mini's optical out to feed ZD3.

It did extend lows without a doubt. I need a few more days to listen.