WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

[Mulder]

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?

If you by REAL mean something you can hear. No. It is very unlikely.

No. There is no REAL super new level of quality. It is just imagination. People hear what they want to hear.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

I'm sorry if I missed it, but any reason to believe the optical output on the Pro Plus measures any better or worse than the Mini?

 

[Soniclife]

I'm sorry if I missed it, but any reason to believe the optical output on the Pro Plus measures any better or worse than the Mini?

Only if you are using the analogue input, everything else should be the same.

 

[Alshada]

Hi guys,
I’m looking for something decent to connect my new TV to the A-A9-J amp, which drives a pair of Dali speakers and a Wharfedale subwoofer. My initial thought was to go with the Topping E30 II or E30 II Lite. But now, after coming across the Wiim Pro Plus, I’m wondering if it might be a better option. The price is similar to the E30 II, but the Wiim Pro Plus offers some interesting extra features. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ps I’m also slightly worried about jitter reports for SPDF in both of E30s

 

[antcollinet]

Hi guys,
I’m looking for something decent to connect my new TV to the A-A9-J amp, which drives a pair of Dali speakers and a Wharfedale subwoofer. My initial thought was to go with the Topping E30 II or E30 II Lite. But now, after coming across the Wiim Pro Plus, I’m wondering if it might be a better option. The price is similar to the E30 II, but the Wiim Pro Plus offers some interesting extra features. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ps I’m also slightly worried about jitter reports for SPDF in both of E30s

What is your output from the TV? Assuming optical, and a similar price, I'd definitely get the Wiim over a plain DAC.

 

[Alshada]

What is your output from the TV? Assuming optical, and a similar price, I'd definitely get the Wiim over a plain DAC.

Yes, it’s optical. The new TV has no analog output. With some accumulated points (otherwise useless), I can get the Wiim Pro Plus for approximately the same price as the E30 II. However, the E30 II Lite is significantly cheaper.

 

[Mulder]

Yes, it’s optical. The new TV has no analog output. With some accumulated points (otherwise useless), I can get the Wiim Pro Plus for approximately the same price as the E30 II. However, the E30 II Lite is significantly cheaper.

You must think about whether you have use for all the functions of a Wiim. It is so much more than just a DAC. Otherwise, I would buy the cheapest possible DAC that meets the requirements.

 

[Alshada]

You must think about whether you have use for all the functions of a Wiim. It is so much more than just a DAC. Otherwise, I would buy the cheapest possible DAC that meets the requirements.

Frankly, I am mostly using Sonos to play music just because of its simplicity. However, it looks like Wiim would allow the TV setup to regain a function it used to perform before Sonos’ arrival. I’m also slightly confused by all the reviews claiming that both e30s are better DACs. Will I be able to hear the difference?

 

[Mulder]

Will I be able to hear the difference?

No

 

[Alshada]

@antcollinet @Mulder thank you for your help! Much appreciated

 

[ah-ra]

Hi guys I got myself a Wiim Pro+ for Christmas. I don't only want to use it as a streamer but also to partially (for main speakers) to replace my minidsp 2x4HD for EQ purposes. I assume it's a technical better solution, as I can keep EQ completely in the digital domain.

I now read through this thread and just want to confirm if I understand this correctly....

I understand that I need to make some headroom for EQ by reducing the overall Output level. I could do so by using the fixed volume plus applying a limit of e.g, 90%, which would give me 6db headroom for positive (!) filters.

What if I only use negative filters, e.g, to tame the mids of my speakers a bit. Do I also need additional headroom or could I keep the output level at 100%

Will limiting the output level reduce sound quality in any way? My thoughts are, that if you are using the device as Pre you would more or less always operate at a reduced level. Thus it should not affect sq. The same would apply for the Wiim ultra. Am I right?

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[obsessive9119]

I’ve started using the per-input pre-gain setting to compensate for positive EQ filters - it’s in dB so I find it a bit easier. I just set all the inputs to -7dB (my highest filter is +7). Seems to work just fine.

Edit: there’s no need for headroom for negative filters

 

[obsessive9119]

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

How audible are the shortcomings of the Pro DAC? I’m considering using a spare Pro for a speaker setup in the garage, but I’m not sure if it’d be worth adding a cheapish DAC (Fosi ZD3 maybe).

Or, putting the Pro + ZD3 in my main system and moving the Pro Plus to the garage.

 

[antcollinet]

How audible are the shortcomings of the Pro DAC?

Not so significant that many (if any) people will be able to tell the difference between that and a "better" DAC in real world listening, especially in a garage. Same for the mini.

If you want to be belt and braces though, go for the Pro Plus. As good a DAC as any.

 

[honn]

Just got the Wiim unit, awesome!

Question: is there a way to stream directly from the Plexamp app on my iPhone/iPad to the Wiim? Similar to what can be achieved with Tidal app using Tidal Connect directly streaming bit-perfect to Wiim Pro+.

I know I can add Plex inside the Wiim Home app and stream bit perfect to Wiim with it, but that way I cannot use the features native to the Plexamp app nor can I monitor activity using Plex Dash app, and I just bought the lifetime license!

Since bit perfect playback is important to me, AirPlay2 and Chromecast are out of the question as they're limited to 16/44.1 kHz and 24/96 kHz respectively. Thanks!

 

[antcollinet]

Since bit perfect playback is important to me, AirPlay2 and Chromecast are out of the question as they're limited to 16/44.1 kHz and 24/96 kHz respectively. Thanks!

By insisting on "bit perfection" you are limiting yourself from using those protocols for no audible benefit at all.

 

[honn]

By insisting on "bit perfection" you are limiting yourself from using those protocols for no audible benefit at all.

Yeah, I'm now probably will just use the Wiim Home app itself haha. I have a question on the best practice in setting up the internal DAC of the Wiim when connected directly to an amplifier (Topping PA5 II Plus).

Chain 1: digital source → Wiim Pro+ (fixed 2 Vrms) → Topping PA5 II+ (volume knob adjusted each time) → speakers. Slight inconvenience from losing the remote volume adjustment.

Chain 2: digital source → Wiim Pro+ (unfixed volume output) → Topping PA5 II+ (knob set to X%) → speakers. Convenient playback volume using the Wiim remote.

Chain 3: digital source → Wiim Pro+ optical out → optical in Topping D50 III DAC (full DAC mode) TRS 4 V out → TRS in Topping PA5 II+ → speakers. No remote volume control.

Q1: To get the best values for distortion, SNR, SINAD--most "fidelity" so to speak, which chain is the technical best?
Q2: Or is it that the transparency of these devices is so damn good that either chain won't make any audible difference in all cases and thus choose one with the most convenience, i.e., chain 2?
Q3: Is there at all potential practical benefits from the addition of Topping D50 III DAC in chain 3? Aside from getting balanced connections. Or is chain 3 really is redundant?
Q4: If chain 2, is it recommended to set the PA5II+ gain knob all the way to maximum (and control playback volume from the remote or Wiim app)?

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[antcollinet]

Q1: To get the best values for distortion, SNR, SINAD--most "fidelity" so to speak, which chain is the technical best?

Technically (measured values) option 4 will give you the best result (SNR) not due to the DAC, but from the balanced connection. Common mode noise (and there is always some measurable) rejected. Oh, and double the voltage buys you typically 5 or 6dB extra SNR.

Q2: Or is it that the transparency of these devices is so damn good that either chain won't make any audible difference in all cases and thus choose one with the most convenience, i.e., chain 2?

This - audibly you'll hear no difference. Unless you have audible ground noise, in which case the balanced of option 3 might be worth having.

Q3: Is there at all potential practical benefits from the addition of Topping D50 III DAC in chain 3? Aside from getting balanced connections. Or is chain 3 really is redundant?

See 1 and 2.

Q4: If chain 2, is it recommended to set the PA5II+ gain knob all the way to maximum (and control playback volume from the remote or Wiim app)?

I would choose 2 for convenience. In which case follow these steps:
a) = tune PA5 volume down to zero.
b) = turn WIIM volume to max.
c) = play some mid volume music, turn up the PA5 until it is a little louder than you'll ever want to listen to. Mark the position of the dial, and leave it there.
d) = control the volume down from that level using the Wiim.

 

[honn]

Technically (measured values) option 4 will give you the best result (SNR) not due to the DAC, but from the balanced connection. Common mode noise (and there is always some measurable) rejected. Oh, and double the voltage buys you typically 5 or 6dB extra SNR.

Did you mean to say option/Chain 3 as technically the best measured?

I would choose 2 for convenience. In which case follow these steps:
a) = tune PA5 volume down to zero.
b) = turn WIIM volume to max.
c) = play some mid volume music, turn up the PA5 until it is a little louder than you'll ever want to listen to. Mark the position of the dial, and leave it there.
d) = control the volume down from that level using the Wiim.

And if the D50III DAC in included in the chain, the same thing applies, but instead of maxing Wiim volume, one proceeds with maxing out the D50 volume, then decrease the D50III volume with its remote. So Wiim will act just as a streaming transport?

 

[antcollinet]

Did you mean to say option/Chain 3 as technically the best measured?

Errr. - yes.

And if the D50III DAC in included in the chain, the same thing applies, but instead of maxing Wiim volume, one proceeds with maxing out the D50 volume, then decrease the D50III volume with its remote. So Wiim will act just as a streaming transport?

Again, yes - but as stated above, if you are not getting audible ground noise issues, you don't need the complexity of the additional DAC.