WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

[Joffy1780]

The benefit of the PRO model is its better DAC. Therefore, if the PRO is being suggested, using the line out to the Yamaha makes more sense.

We were discussing the benefit of the Pro Plus versus the Pro. I had assumed, wrongly, that the AS501 would have a better measuring DAC implementation than the Pro and therefore suggested using the Pro simply as a 'transport'.
Also, I was asking whether the OP uses a subwoofer as I was assuming the AS501 would need to digitise it's analogue inputs if you're using the subwoofer output/bass management and that would negate any benefit to using the Pro Plus for it's superior DAC.

 

[Plugandplay]

My takeaways from the above and reviews are:

Mini and Pro DACs are not that different and have some limitations, the digital output is fine but that might be compromised to some extent by the DAC in the amp

Pro Plus DAC is better than the Mini and Pro and likely better than the DAC in the S501 amp going by the measurements on the S701 amp

Overall, Pro Plus DAC to line in on the amp is likely to give a more ‘true’ result than the digital out to the amp DAC

Whether I’d notice a major difference with the current compromises in my setup ie limited speakers, room setup, isolation etc is an open question but it’s good to know the basics on tue technology…!

Interesting point on the subwoofer, I’ll bear that in mind for future upgrades

 

[Joffy1780]

My takeaways from the above and reviews are:

Mini and Pro DACs are not that different and have some limitations, the digital output is fine but that might be compromised to some extent by the DAC in the amp

Pro Plus DAC is better than the Mini and Pro and likely better than the DAC in the S501 amp going by the measurements on the S701 amp

Overall, Pro Plus DAC to line in on the amp is likely to give a more ‘true’ result than the digital out to the amp DAC

Whether I’d notice a major difference with the current compromises in my setup ie limited speakers, room setup, isolation etc is an open question but it’s good to know the basics on tue technology…!

Interesting point on the subwoofer, I’ll bear that in mind for future upgrades

I'd have to agree.

 

[Cecill]

You really shouldn't confuse the DAC of the pro (the same thing, modest, as the mini, a little better implemented) and the AKM of the "plus" which is a significant effort....

I should say PRO Plus rather than PRO

 

[RickS]

Just replaced my Echo Link with a Wiim Pro. I use a SMSL m200 external DAC connected via optical. When I first set u the Wiim, it did an update. Am using Airplay as a source and was getting pops between tracks. I tried a few setting changes and slightly improved.

Later that evening decided would try another streaming source. As was about to try, the unit did another update. Went back to Airplay and problem was gone but now get a gap between tracks. Is better for most of my music and was good to see they are working to improve!

 

[Schlippwhip68]

If anybody is using the WiiM Pro Plus with the iFi Power 2 or iFi Power X then I highly recommend this little USB C adapter suitable for 5v applications. It’s a perfect and flush fit for both the iFi power supply and the WiiM Pro Plus. It reduces the extra cable length and imo, better than the supplied option. These are from Kenable online and have a slimmer body than some Amazon alternatives with a pinch at the head for a discreet fit. The actual usb head is uni-body with no join and reversible, nice and clean. I’m not on commission for this link but just thought this might benefit someone whom wants a more tidy connection and less wire. These are also better for those whom use the Fiio K11, K11 R2R and the Fiio SR11 due to the slimmer build on the body of the adapter as the USB C power and audio inputs a quite close together on those Fiio products. In short, very good quality and not expensive either at £1.01p!

USB C Plug to DC 2.1mm x 5.5mm Jack Socket Power Adapter Black

This adapter has a female 2.1mm jack socket on one end and a USB C plug on the other. This adapter can be used for powering a device from a 5.5V 2.1mm DC power supply... [see below for full description]

www.kenable.co.uk

 

[Saponetto]

An inexpensive yet good gift for your WP+

 

[Matias]

Paul Miller's numbers.

WiiM Pro Plus Lab Report

Tested in its fixed, maximum line output guise, the Pro Plus offers a standard 2V from a usefully low, cable-agnostic 10ohm source impedance. The A-wtd S/N ratio is a deeply impressive 109dB via all digital inputs while low-level resolution is true to within ±0.1dB over a massive 110dB dynamic...

hifinews.com

 

[Te0s]

Could anybody please explain to me, as I am completely new in all this: If I have a system like this:

vinyl player - phono (black cube statement) - amp (topping PA7 plus) - speakers

and then put Wiim pro plus before the amp:

vinyl player - phono (black cube statement) - wiim pro plus - amp (topping PA7 plus) - speakers

will it work fine like this?

I mean will wiim somehow change the signal quality coming from my LP, or it will just bypass it with no changes?

I want to do this to be able to have both LP and digital music, and I found that this wiim can take analogue signal from LP. But I am not sure if the quality will stay the same as before without wiim in this setting...

 

[staticV3]

will it work fine like this?

Yes.

I mean will wiim somehow change the signal quality coming from my LP, or it will just bypass it with no changes?

The WiiM will digitize the vinyl signal, then convert it to Analog again for the PA7 input.

This will not impact signal fidelity noticeably.

 

[Te0s]

Yes.


The WiiM will digitize the vinyl signal, then convert it to Analog again for the PA7 input.

This will not impact signal fidelity noticeably.

Thank you very much for the answer. I plan to keep upgrading my vinyl section in future to better MC heads etc... How do you think, maybe it would be better to use passive RCA switch like Dynavox AUX-S things to leave the LP analogue signal untouched? Or Wiim is really so good that it won't influence the quality of LP sound at all in any case?

 

[staticV3]

How do you think, maybe it would be better to use passive RCA switch like Dynavox AUX-S things to leave the LP analogue signal untouched?

The WiiM's built-in room correction will benefit vinyl sound quality more than a fully analog signal path ever could.

 

[Soniclife]

The WiiM's built-in room correction will benefit vinyl sound quality more than a fully analog signal path ever could.

Especially if you can also do cartridge correction.

 

[testp]

..also, isnt Vinyl best case SINAD like really low, so AD/DA convert in Wiim does nothing to it (degration wise)..

 

[somebodyelse]

..also, isnt Vinyl best case SINAD like really low, so AD/DA convert in Wiim does nothing to it (degration wise)..

Probably, if I read the ADC measurements correctly. On the face of it the SINAD of the ADC is comparable to the better phono stages measured. Look closer and you see that it is limited by the distortion. The SNR is 104dB, so noise is quite low. If you look at the cartridge measurement library thread you will see the distortion from the cartridge is significantly higher than the ADC distortion. The ADC noise is low enough that gain matching isn't going to be critical either, so long as you don't overload the ADC input. The ADC probably won't be the weak link.

 

[testp]

Probably, if I read the ADC measurements correctly. On the face of it the SINAD of the ADC is comparable to the better phono stages measured. Look closer and you see that it is limited by the distortion. The SNR is 104dB, so noise is quite low. If you look at the cartridge measurement library thread you will see the distortion from the cartridge is significantly higher than the ADC distortion. The ADC noise is low enough that gain matching isn't going to be critical either, so long as you don't overload the ADC input. The ADC probably won't be the weak link.

i did not meant to bash vinyl ofcourse.., and like you said wiim probably does not hurt it

 

[Mulder]

In the review it says: Other than Roon support not yet being there, I can't critique anything.

Well. Now it has ROON-support, so this is not valid anymore.

 

[Soniclife]

Reduced by £50 across lots of sites from today, I just ordered one, seems the easiest way for me to do tailored DSP per source.

 

[Te0s]

Does anybody having wiim pro plus uses external dac between wiim and amp? Do you have any REAL quality upgrade? My friend bought smsl su-x and says it is super new level of quality. Unfortunately I don't have a chance to take his dac to try with my setup, but maybe anyone here has any experience with gaining really better effect with external dac? If yes, which one?

And one more question: Did anyone change the power adapter of your wiim to a line one? Which one is better to take?

 

[tw99]

And one more question: Did anyone change the power adapter of your wiim to a line one? Which one is better to take?

There is no benefit at all to changing the power supply. Well, there is benefit to the person who is selling it to you, but that's all.