WiiM Pro - Review & Measurements (Streamer)

[IndieSynth]

I've been trying to connect my TV to the Wiim using the optical input but keep coming up against a volume issue. The TV is a lot quieter than streamed music so I'm having to crank my amp up way higher than I should need to. Is this likely to be a Wiim issue or TV issue? Any fixes? Pretty much the only thing I can change on the TV menu is to set it to PCM which is the only way I get any sound at all.

 

[Nutul]

I've been trying to connect my TV to the Wiim using the optical input but keep coming up against a volume issue. The TV is a lot quieter than streamed music so I'm having to crank my amp up way higher than I should need to. Is this likely to be a Wiim issue or TV issue? Any fixes? Pretty much the only thing I can change on the TV menu is to set it to PCM which is the only way I get any sound at all.

Don't know if this is the normal behavior of optical inputs, but I experience the same when connecting my TV to my DAC via optical: I need to krank the volume up till something like -15 dB, while when listening to music through its USB port, I normally have the volume at -40 / -35 dB...

 

[ExPerfectionist]

Can you set the TV to "fixed" volume?

Yes, TV volume is set to be a lot lower, with wider dynamic range (similar to movies). On my setup, with 0 being "reference level" and volume levels as negative below 0, I listen to TV shows at -25 to -16 or so, depending on the show and the mix. I listen to music at -40 to -28 or so. So the source level of music is 20~ notches / dB "louder" than TV.

So having to turn the volume up for TV, down for music, is normal.

 

[Nutul]

Can you set the TV to "fixed" volume?

Yes, TV volume is set to be a lot lower, with wider dynamic range (similar to movies). On my setup, with 0 being "reference level" and volume levels as negative below 0, I listen to TV shows at -25 to -16 or so, depending on the show and the mix. I listen to music at -40 to -28 or so. So the source level of music is 20~ notches / dB "louder" than TV.

So having to turn the volume up for TV, down for music, is normal.

Got it.
Now, I wonder if there could be a firmware update for my Z8 to allow it to remember the last volume independently for each input. Yes, I do have the remote, but it scares me that I could swich back to USB, and fire some Norwegian death metal without looking at the volume... :-D

 

[Romario]

Got it.
Now, I wonder if there could be a firmware update for my Z8 to allow it to remember the last volume independently for each input. Yes, I do have the remote, but it scares me that I could swich back to USB, and fire some Norwegian death metal without looking at the volume... :-D

That should be Finnish or Black Metal. You got the countries mixed up ( just kidding)

 

[iconoclast]

I didn't realize that multi-room is downsampled to 16/48. When I finally managed to figure that out and knew what to search for, I found a post here on ASR mentioning that the amazon.com page has a little blurb about that. Sneaky.

From what I can find out that's a firmware limitation of LinkPlay. The LinkPlay hardware supports 192 kHz but not the firmware for some reason?

My main gripe with WiiM has been resolved with the latest firmware update:

4.8.530554
Optical Input Boost: Now enjoy multi-room audio over 48 kHz/16-bit on optical input

Even if the Pro internally downsamples (unclear), this means it's no longer a lowest common denominator in my audio chain, and I am very content.

 

[IndieSynth]

I'm still puzzled about something. The dac in the Pro measures relatively poorly, and an external dac for 70ish bucks is objectively better. But...is it AUDIBLY better? Could I with my average ears hear the difference between the Pro straight into an amp versus Pro into 'excellent' measuring dac into amp? In any circumstances?

 

[Jimbob54]

I'm still puzzled about something. The dac in the Pro measures relatively poorly, and an external dac for 70ish bucks is objectively better. But...is it AUDIBLY better? Could I with my average ears hear the difference between the Pro straight into an amp versus Pro into 'excellent' measuring dac into amp? In any circumstances?

Unlikely with most normal listening scenarios.

 

[Matias]

I'm still puzzled about something. The dac in the Pro measures relatively poorly, and an external dac for 70ish bucks is objectively better. But...is it AUDIBLY better? Could I with my average ears hear the difference between the Pro straight into an amp versus Pro into 'excellent' measuring dac into amp? In any circumstances?

Or get the Pro Plus with better onboard DAC for additional 70 usd.

 

[IndieSynth]

Or get the Pro Plus with better onboard DAC for additional 70 usd.

Would be my choice too. I actually already own a Pro and an SU-1 dac which I'm perfectly happy with but could use the dac for another purpose. I know i could just listen to the two options and decide for myself, but since learning how hard it is to AB with level matching etc I no longer trust my ears!

 

[Beershaun]

Would be my choice too. I actually already own a Pro and an SU-1 dac which I'm perfectly happy with but could use the dac for another purpose. I know i could just listen to the two options and decide for myself, but since learning how hard it is to AB with level matching etc I no longer trust my ears!

The main difference I find is different spl at the same volume level when switching different digital chain components. So id suggest getting an spl meter app on your phone and a/b test using that to see if you need to adjust the volume level to hit your preferred listening level.

 

[Overseas]

I'm still puzzled about something. The dac in the Pro measures relatively poorly, and an external dac for 70ish bucks is objectively better. But...is it AUDIBLY better? Could I with my average ears hear the difference between the Pro straight into an amp versus Pro into 'excellent' measuring dac into amp? In any circumstances?

I think I can hear the difference with Topping E50, it is my subjective non doubled by blind test, repetitive impression. However, I also think Pro sounds better than Mini.

 

[Limopard]

I picked up the Pro recently and feed its coaxial SPDIF output into my DX 3 pro+. (The optical out feeds my Teufel Ultima 40 active). Do I understand correctly: as long as I stay in the digital domain there is no reason to go pro+?

 

[staticV3]

Do I understand correctly: as long as I stay in the digital domain there is no reason to go pro+?

Correct.

 

[audafreak]

I picked up the Pro recently and feed its coaxial SPDIF output into my DX 3 pro+. (The optical out feeds my Teufel Ultima 40 active). Do I understand correctly: as long as I stay in the digital domain there is no reason to go pro+?

One reason can be remote control, another to have good analog just in case you will need it in the future. I recommend go PRO+. RC is very handy when skipping tracks. I also use only digi outs now.

 

[Limopard]

One reason can be remote control, another to have good analog just in case you will need it in the future. I recommend go PRO+. RC is very handy when skipping tracks. I also use only digi outs now.

Got the Pro with the remote for additional € 10.

 

[audafreak]

Got the Pro with the remote for additional € 10.

ok, I did not notice you already have pro.

 

[Limopard]

ok, I did not notice you already have pro.

I still could return it and buy the pro plus instead. It wasn't available last week but is now. It would cost me just 60 EU more, which is kinda tempting.

 

[Jimbob54]

I still could return it and buy the pro plus instead. It wasn't available last week but is now. It would cost me just 60 EU more, which is kinda tempting.

If you are staying digital, absolutely no point in the Plus over the pro

 

[audafreak]

If you are staying digital, absolutely no point in the Plus over the pro

I thought the same in the beginning.
Then I bought PRO+
- remote
- better DA conversion
- better AD conversion (24-192)
- probably better/different internal PSU part - power consumption is 2 times higher
- maybe I will buy something else in future and this one can be used in other room with analog out
- better chance to sell it later
But everybody should decide himself.