WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

[honn]

Errr. - yes.



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.

Yes, thanks! But you know, there’s something so irresistible about the D50 III and its balanced connectors…I can hear the PA5II’s TRS ports are calling to their cablemates too! I swear!!

Anyway, the D50III arrives tomorrow…, so I might end up returning it.., or maybe deploying chain 3 after all…while thinking if I ever need a super transparent DAC (with onboard EQ nonetheless!!) I have it in store. I know, just rationalizations!

 

[antcollinet]

I know, just rationalizations!

We all do it.

 

[obsessive9119]

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.

This is what I ended up doing, too. While technically it was better to max out the WiiM PP and control the volume on my Fosi ZA3, the convenience of in-app and remote volume control via the WiiM won out. I can't hear the difference.

I've also been trying to justify sticking a DAC between the WiiM and ZA3, but I really can't. The only benefits fix problems I don't have (ground loop/interconnect noise and not enough gain).

 

[honn]

On another note, I’d like to express appreciation for my first streamer experience ever with the Wiim Pro+, what a really neat product! I had considered Bluesound Node before but it was still too expensive for me. When I saw the performance review, features and price of the Wiim, I was sold and pulled the trigger. I’d even pick the Pro+ still than the Ultra because the Pro+ fulfills all that I need (and I don’t particularly care about the screen). Perhaps if it had balanced line output it’d be perfect, alas, as it is it’s practically perfect! Now I can be away from my desktop (where Kali LP-UNFs live) and just enjoy music in the living room fully without being in front of my computer. So nice! Thanks Wiim and keep making the next great product!

 

[honn]

This is what I ended up doing, too. While technically it was better to max out the WiiM PP and control the volume on my Fosi ZA3, the convenience of in-app and remote volume control via the WiiM won out. I can't hear the difference.

I've also been trying to justify sticking a DAC between the WiiM and ZA3, but I really can't. The only benefits fix problems I don't have (ground loop/interconnect noise and not enough gain).

Fosi ZD3 Balanced DAC would be perfect~ I love the circular OLED screen hahaha

 

[obsessive9119]

Fosi ZD3 Balanced DAC would be perfect~ I love the circular OLED screen hahaha

IKR? I've almost bought it many times. I'm trying to work out a setup that could possibly require it.

(I am about to buy less sensitive speakers - maybe they'll need more gain out of the ZA3! lol)

 

[Overseas]

About using Wiim streamer as preamp for volume control - my question: is it totally safe or is it possible to get in trouble as happens with some DACs ?! You know what I mean, the DAC cases when it seems the device jumps from preamp mode to DAC mode and destroys speakers ?

 

[obsessive9119]

About using Wiim streamer as preamp for volume control - my question: is it totally safe or is it possible to get in trouble as happens with some DACs ?! You know what I mean, the DAC cases when it seems the device jumps from preamp mode to DAC mode and destroys speakers ?

I won't say that it's not possible, but with my 3 WiiM devices, I've never had it happen.

As a mitigation against the possibility though, I have the gain on my amp set so that, if the WiiM does go full volume, it'd be louder than I'd want to listen to but not dangerous-loud.

 

[staticV3]

About using Wiim streamer as preamp for volume control - my question: is it totally safe or is it possible to get in trouble as happens with some DACs ?! You know what I mean, the DAC cases when it seems the device jumps from preamp mode to DAC mode and destroys speakers ?

I have not heard of a single case of that happening with WiiM devices.

To make sure, you could ask folks on the WiiM forum as well.

 

[Joffy1780]

About using Wiim streamer as preamp for volume control - my question: is it totally safe or is it possible to get in trouble as happens with some DACs ?! You know what I mean, the DAC cases when it seems the device jumps from preamp mode to DAC mode and destroys speakers ?

It is as 'safe' as any other digital pre-amp. If you don't have the ability to adjust the gain of your power amp, you would need to confirm the volume level every time before playing anything.
As others have stated, though, I've never heard of such an issue with any Wiim devices, yet. I have had 2 Wiim Pros for over 2 years now, 1 is set to fixed volume and the other is set to variable. The firmware must have been updated upwards of 20 times in the time I have owned them, they have been plugged/unplugged from mains on various occasions etc. and never once have any settings been affected afterwards.

 

[Overseas]

Sounds good.
I am not worried I have to check it BEFORE playing, I am concerned with DACs reports 'jumping from preamp to DAC mode' while PLAYING.

 

[Overseas]

I want to put in place the chain of: Wiim Pro - Topping E50 - 2x monos 3e audio (Diy) so I look to avoid using E50 as preamp.

 

[Joffy1780]

Sounds good.
I am not worried I have to check it BEFORE playing, I am concerned with DACs reports 'jumping from preamp to DAC mode' while PLAYING.

I would be very confident that this will not happen while playing.
After you have checked for probably the first 20 times, you may then decide to only check after a firmware update or similar.

 

[obsessive9119]

I want to put in place the chain of: Wiim Pro - Topping E50 - 2x monos 3e audio (Diy) so I look to avoid using E50 as preamp.

In that scenario, I’d set the volume of the E50 to a level just above your max comfortable listening level when the WiiM is at max output.

That way, if for some very strange reason the WiiM does get to full volume, you won’t damage anything.

(Technically you’ll have reduced the potential sound quality but I doubt in a way you could hear)

 

[Overseas]

In that scenario, I’d set the volume of the E50 to a level just above your max comfortable listing level when the WiiM is at max output.

That way, if for some very strange reason the WiiM does get to full volume, you won’t damage anything.

(Technically you’ll have reduced the potential sound quality but I doubt in a way you could hear)

Yeah, but I just said I want to avoid the alleged problems with the DACs jumping to 100%. Seems DACs are more susceptible to do that. You see

 

[obsessive9119]

Yeah, but I just said I want to avoid the alleged problems with the DACs jumping to 100%. Seems DACs are more susceptible to do that. You see

What’s the chance of both the WiiM and E50 going 100% at the same time?

 

[Overseas]

Again, seems that Topping DACs are the problem, not Wiim.
So comparing Wiim vs Topping, the latter has much higher chances to go boom.

 

[antcollinet]

What’s the chance of both the WiiM and E50 going 100% at the same time?

They don't have to. The way you've described it, the E50 is set to that the user will have the wiim close to maximum when listening at their loudest level. IE a normal operating point is with the Wiim set to (nearly) maximum. If the E50 then loses its marbles - game over.

 

[obsessive9119]

They don't have to. The way you've described it, the E50 is set to that the user will have the wiim close to maximum when listening at their loudest level. IE a normal operating point is with the Wiim set to (nearly) maximum. If the E50 then loses its marbles - game over.

I suppose that depends on the difference between your max and regular listening levels. For me, the WiiM rarely goes over 50% in normal listening.

You’re technically correct though - perhaps rather than “just above max” I should have said something like “absolute max you can stand without noticeable distortion”. That way the WiiM is not going to be anywhere near max.

 

[Sokel]

I have not heard of a single case of that happening with WiiM devices.

To make sure, you could ask folks on the WiiM forum as well.

Here:

Tell me your best preamp

So what your repuirement for a preamplifier is multi inputs and outputs, and a remote control to control the volume conveniently? No other features do you need? Such as tone controls, dsp and Room correction? It is used for my office system. EQ for tone controls. No DSP. No room correction...

www.audiosciencereview.com

On other forums too
Mostly user error I believe but it shouldn't happen.