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.

 

[pablolie]

I got this exclusively to stream Spotify lossless to my main system using Toslink. The conclusion states: "If you use the App and Toslink output, you basically have a transparent wireless link to your stereo."

Total transparency for $89? My personal conclusion is "highly recommended".

 

[90sNintendoKid]

I got this exclusively to stream Spotify lossless to my main system using Toslink. The conclusion states: "If you use the App and Toslink output, you basically have a transparent wireless link to your stereo."

Total transparency for $89? My personal conclusion is "highly recommended".

I couldn't agree more, I am going to use one with my Denon AVR.

 

[harkpabst]

Amir's original non-recommendation didn't age too well ...

 

[Jimster480]

I got this exclusively to stream Spotify lossless to my main system using Toslink. The conclusion states: "If you use the App and Toslink output, you basically have a transparent wireless link to your stereo."

Total transparency for $89? My personal conclusion is "highly recommended".

Right but you still would need a transparent DAC and speakers lol

 

[pablolie]

Right but you still would need a transparent DAC and speakers lol

Speakers are never 100% transparent, dream on.

 

[Audionaut]

Speakers are never 100% transparent, dream on.

I'm not sure

 

[kyuu]

I'm not sure

View attachment 499418

Only maybe 80% transparent at best. Needs transparent drivers, crossovers, and speaker terminals to get to 100% transparency.

 

[pablolie]

Amir's original non-recommendation didn't age too well ...

Amir has every right to recommend stuff according to his personal preferences. He wants Roon integration (that seemed the main trigger for the NO).
Some of us could not care less about Roon support. Read the reviews with your own preferences and needs in mind. I also think it is a bit much to expect from a $89 device. Roon sells their streamers at >4x price point plus. Not sure what they add unless you're invested into that ecosystem. I am not.
But Amir very clearly stated that it is transparent if you use the streaming app to digital output. Which is all I want.
As far as I can tell, this is the most compact and utterly transparent SpotifyConnect streamer. That's a yes from me based on my use case.

PS: And these integrations will always be relatively shortlived. Buying a $500+ streamer makes zero sense to me given the fact APIs to the streaming services will be inevitably discontinued. Spotify yet again discontinued many access APIs because some idiot hacker used the API to pirate a large amount of tracks... idiotic, because basically every piece of music ever recorded is there to be had if pirating is what you're into.

 

[Jimster480]

Amir has every right to recommend stuff according to his personal preferences. He wants Roon integration (that seemed the main trigger for the NO).
Some of us could not care less about Roon support. Read the reviews with your own preferences and needs in mind. I also think it is a bit much to expect from a $89 device. Roon sells their streamers at >4x price point plus. Not sure what they add unless you're invested into that ecosystem. I am not.
But Amir very clearly stated that it is transparent if you use the streaming app to digital output. Which is all I want.
As far as I can tell, this is the most compact and utterly transparent SpotifyConnect streamer. That's a yes from me based on my use case.

PS: And these integrations will always be relatively shortlived. Buying a $500+ streamer makes zero sense to me given the fact APIs to the streaming services will be inevitably discontinued. Spotify yet again discontinued many access APIs because some idiot hacker used the API to pirate a large amount of tracks... idiotic, because basically every piece of music ever recorded is there to be had if pirating is what you're into.

Technically the Chromecast Streamer was the cheapest one ever that was also transparent.

 

[harkpabst]

Amir has every right to recommend stuff according to his personal preferences. He wants Roon integration (that seemed the main trigger for the NO).

Sure he has, it's his site. In this ase there is a very clear majority of forum ratings not following his recommendation, which is a bit unusual.

PS: And these integrations will always be relatively shortlived. Buying a $500+ streamer makes zero sense to me given the fact APIs to the streaming services will be inevitably discontinued. Spotify yet again discontinued many access APIs because some idiot hacker used the API to pirate a large amount of tracks... idiotic, because basically every piece of music ever recorded is there to be had if pirating is what you're into.

I cannot disagree here. In the end, Room ist not that much different from these services, even if it isn't even a streaming service. If Roon change their API and the manufacturer no longer maintains their firmware, then Room Ready is gone.

My main point was exactly what you also mentioned: You have to decide for yourself if a device does what you need from it. No matter what Amir's personal recommendation is.

 

[DanielT]

F.Y.I
I suspect that those of you who use WoiM's RoomFit have already figured this out, but I'll mention it anyway.
This is not directly related to the WiiM Mini's RoomFit, but to the microphone in the mobile phone. It was exactly as I suspected. If you others have wondered why you (possibly) get a peak at 8 kHz, it is most likely due to:


The frequency sweep with RoomFit was done with my XTZ Tune 4 speakers.

RoomFit Help Guide

Hi everyone, I'd like to use RoomFit for my 2-channel stereo system. Could you advise me on how to start adjusting RoomFit settings? Thanks.

forum.wiimhome.com

 

[harkpabst]

F.Y.I
I suspect that those of you who use WoiM's RoomFit have already figured this out, but I'll mention it anyway.
This is not directly related to the WiiM Mini's RoomFit, but to the microphone in the mobile phone. It was exactly as I suspected. If you others have wondered why you (possibly) get a peak at 8 kHz, it is most likely due to:
View attachment 499706View attachment 499707View attachment 499708

The frequency sweep with RoomFit was done with my XTZ Tune 4 speakers.

RoomFit Help Guide

Hi everyone, I'd like to use RoomFit for my 2-channel stereo system. Could you advise me on how to start adjusting RoomFit settings? Thanks.

forum.wiimhome.com

Yep. But you shouldn't try to correct full range, anyway.

If you still want to do it, the (relatively) cheap Dayton Audio iMM-6C is a perfect addition to your toolkit. It's generally of better quality than the typical built-in microphones and - most importantly - it comes with an individual calibration file, which the WiiM Home App can import.

Unfortunately, with some SoCs (in particular MediaTek Dimensity) apps cannot get full control over the audio processing. In particular, there may be some high pass filtering that will cool the room correction algorithm into applying too much bass boost. There's nothing one can do about it but switch to a different phone.