WiiM Mini Review (Streamer)

[VMAT4]

Hi all, this is a great device for <$100. I needed a streamer and really wanted something better than a raspberry pi. Not sure this is it but it looks great using the toslink. Regards

Cheaper and more readily available than an RPi4 +Case.

 

[TheBatsEar]

You don’t need the app with Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music; all use their native apps with this device. It also supports Bluetooth, UPnP, Alexa and Siri without the app. It is, for the price, the most technically sophisticated streamer you will find.

I was saying Yamaha WXAD-10 is in the same region, but it's not available anymore.

 

[TheBatsEar]

The lack of recommendation, and the delay to test was likely because they didn’t pay Amir for the review.

WAT!

 

[Jmudrick]

I use that all the time, the use cases are legion. Most used for me is if I am having guest over that want to put music from their phone. Just to clarify, is this audio trough Bluetooth at large that you find useless, or just the fact that a high performance DAC would accept Bluetooth. Do you use Bluetooth at all? I think it's totally OK to not use it, but in 2022 not "knowing" a use case comes across as odd. Bluetooth audio may be the most widespread general way of transmitting audio today. Just not sure if I understood your statement correctly, or if you have been living under a rock, or you mis-expressed yourself.

I'm aware Bluetooth is a thing. I occasionally take a Bluetooth speaker on an outing or use wireless earbuds. I'll revise my comment to say the guest coming over who wants to play music (but cannot connect to my WiFi network??) isn't for me an important consideration. WiiM or Chromecast on WiFi handle everything for me just fine in my three house systems. My daughter uses Bluetooth with her Loxjie system for YouTube and such as she has neither.

 

[PeteL]

I'm aware Bluetooth is a thing. I occasionally take a Bluetooth speaker on an outing or use wireless earbuds. I'll revise my comment to say the guest coming over who wants to play music (but cannot connect to my WiFi network??) isn't for me an important consideration.

He can connect to wifi but to stream trough wifi he will need to install an app. What is your source for your DAC? Any wireless use case at all?

 

[DonR]

Shame about the DAC.

 

[Jmudrick]

Shame about the DAC.

$89 with streaming gapless playback. Let's be real.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Shame about the DAC.

Missed opportunity indeed.
But i doubt people consider DAC quality when they develop a device like it.

 

[DonR]

$89 with streaming gapless playback. Let's be real.

No doubt tremendous value for money here, still... 89db is getting close to noticeable even for me. Just another 5db or so would have made it perfect, IMO. It will be fine for an older hi-fi or cheaper powered speakers though.

 

[PeteL]

No doubt tremendous value for money here, still... 89db is getting close to noticeable even for me. Just another 5db or so would have made it perfect, IMO. It will be fine for an older hi-fi or cheaper powered speakers though.

I would think a very outstanding majority of ASR readership already own a decent DAC.

 

[DonR]

I would think a very outstanding majority of ASR readership already own a decent DAC.

Probably, but in this price bracket, generally that might not be a given.

 

[Jmudrick]

He can connect to wifi but to stream trough wifi he will need to install an app. What is your source for your DAC? Any wireless use case at all?

If my guest has music my assumption is they have an app to play it that can connect to the WiiM be it for files or Spotify, Qobuz, Amazon, or Apple. They don't need to install the WiiM app.

My systems are based around my WiFi network. File sources are network shared files on a mini-pc in the bedroom. I have three PW-Links which double as streamers and room correction but are only currently used for room correction with the WiiM. I use Chromecasts in the den and bedroom. Playback is controlled in all the systems from my phones. I don't need Bluetooth for a wireless connection that's what wifi is

 

[DesertHawk]

Shame about the DAC.

I'd rather have the item be cheap and have an "afterthought" of a dac. Most who care will use their own dac anyway. (actually the dac performed better than I expected.)

 

[Brantome]

I'd rather have the item be cheap and have an "afterthought" of a dac. Most who care will use their own dac anyway. (actually the dac performed better than I expected.)

Yeah, I bought it for its current Amazon Music support and soon to be implemented lossless Amazon Music HD service. Bit perfect delivery of that into my Linn MDSM/4 will do as a stop gap until Linn support it natively.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

An optical cable from this to a pair of Vanatoo Transparent One Encores. Done.

 

[DudleyDuoflush]

I'm aware Bluetooth is a thing. I occasionally take a Bluetooth speaker on an outing or use wireless earbuds. I'll revise my comment to say the guest coming over who wants to play music (but cannot connect to my WiFi network??) isn't for me an important consideration. WiiM or Chromecast on WiFi handle everything for me just fine in my three house systems. My daughter uses Bluetooth with her Loxjie system for YouTube and such as she has neither.

 

[DesertHawk]

I have this device and love it. I use it with qobuz and the Wiim's native app. The app can be finicky so I can't fault Amir's criticisms, but they seem to be updating it regularly. Frankly, if qobuz had a "qobuz connect" then it wouldn't be an issue. I have never used roon and don't plan to (might see more value in it if I had a large personal library on a server).

For 100 bucks, I'm just very happy to see how well the Toslink digital out works.

Thanks for the review Amir and thanks to the member who sent the device to be tested.

 

[mateolo2]

@amirm Last and i think most Common question, after your tests. When using wiim as digital transport via toslink, there will be any difference in sound quality vs node as digital transport? For tidal and Spotify? Many people asking This question. Os it worth to buy much more expensive node vs mini? We talking only about sound quality here.

 

[NiagaraPete]

Thanks for the review. You’ve once again saved me money. I’ll keep my RPI digi and Airport Express.

 

[VMAT4]

An optical cable from this to a pair of Vanatoo Transparent One Encores. Done.

$89+$600=$689 for Small(?) Room System