WiiM Pro - Review & Measurements (Streamer)

[gwing]

I’m very happy with my WiiM Pro which I just started using last week. It’s an upgrade in UI over my Bluesound node2l, and despite the fact I’m just using it to pass streaming from Tidal to my AVR over digital coax, it sounds clearer to me. I have a question about using Tidal running within the WiiM app vs running tidal over tidal connect. Is there any difference in the streaming flow between the two methods?

No. Both will be streamed directly by the Wiim rather than being streamed through your Tidal app or Wiim Home app.

 

[Muddywaters]

Thanks both.

Not sure I fully understand the following:
“Will need to feed an RIAA equalized signal obviously to any of the three lesser WiiM’s”

Is this in relation to the TT or in general?

As others noted RIAA was referring to the equalization curve most records (since the 50’s) are cut with and as a result a phono preamp needs to ‘decode’ that and raise the minuscule level (volume) of a phono cartridge to a proper level for the amplifier stage.

If you were to play a turntable thru a regular line input without RIAA compensation and without increasing the gain it wouldn’t deliver much volume and would sound “tinny” lacking bass.

Somehow when you play your table I’m assuming you have a phono input on your receiver, integrated amp or a separate phono preamp? You will need to use it to feed the Mini or the Pro’s. The Ultra has a phono input that will allow you use the Rega directly.

What are using now? That would help us envision the set up needed.

 

[LDfades]

I have the Behringer PP400 phono preamp alongside my Rega TT into some Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers.

 

[Muddywaters]

I have the Behringer PP400 phono preamp alongside my Rega TT into some Edifier R1280T powered bookshelf speakers.

My opinion: give a Mini a shot. Especially if you can return it if after giving it a spin through your system, see what you think. To move up it would need to be the Plus or an Ultra as previously mentioned.

You’ll probably find it turns out fine with your turntable and your system. Next you’ll be back here talking upgrading and getting a Plus or Ultra and building your next system.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[magreen]

Looking to add a streamer to my SMSL RAW MDA1 setup that is currently connected by USB to my work laptop which isn’t exactly stellar spec wise.

Would the Wiim Pro or Mini be a good fit? Typically using Tidal on my laptop currently but use Apple Music on iPhone.

I also have a Rega P1 turntable which if can be integrated somehow might be of interest.

I'm wondering what benefit you expect to receive from a dedicated streamer versus your work laptop running Tidal? I don't see how the laptop's specs not being stellar will impact the audio quality when you're sending digital data over USB to an external DAC.

 

[Muddywaters]

Might be he simply doesn’t want to be always tied to using the laptop. True it won’t be an audible improvement. Sometimes it’s nice not to be tied down to the keyboard.

*edit to correct grammar

 

[ExPerfectionist]

Computers can also add noise to a system. I get noise/hum that I have to deal with (audible on my subwoofer unless I take measures to counter it), with my work laptop hooked up to my DAC > AVR over USB.

 

[nanook]

Computers can also add noise to a system. I get noise/hum that I have to deal with (audible on my subwoofer unless I take measures to counter it), with my work laptop hooked up to my DAC > AVR over USB.

Sounds like a ground loop.
USB isolators have become affordable due to the availability of chips from TI and Analog Devices.

 

[gwing]

I'm wondering what benefit you expect to receive from a dedicated streamer versus your work laptop running Tidal? I don't see how the laptop's specs not being stellar will impact the audio quality when you're sending digital data over USB to an external DAC.

The main advantage, at least for me, is that you don't need to have your laptop in the same room as your music or indeed need to have the laptop running for listening to music.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the streamer also provides room correction.

 

[LDfades]

I'm wondering what benefit you expect to receive from a dedicated streamer versus your work laptop running Tidal? I don't see how the laptop's specs not being stellar will impact the audio quality when you're sending digital data over USB to an external DAC.

As others have alluded to its more a comfort thing of being able to quickly and easily get some music going and not having all my work stuff popping up all the time and removing the temptation of "I'll just check emails etc see if that order arrived"... convenience > audio quality improvements I guess.

 

[magreen]

As others have alluded to its more a comfort thing of being able to quickly and easily get some music going and not having all my work stuff popping up all the time and removing the temptation of "I'll just check emails etc see if that order arrived"... convenience > audio quality improvements I guess.

That makes total sense. Good reason. I was just wondering since you alluded to the specs of your laptop not being stellar, if you thought it would improve audio quality. Didn't want you to be disappointed

 

[LDfades]

That makes total sense. Good reason. I was just wondering since you alluded to the specs of your laptop not being stellar, if you thought it would improve audio quality. Didn't want you to be disappointed

I appreciate your thoughts and comments, thanks for sharing. I guess the critique of my laptop should have focused on the fact that it’s quite slow to boot, it’s got a lot of bloat stuff for work that run on startup, so it just makes the whole experience of using my DAC setup less appealing.

Think I’ll order a Wiim Mini in a couple of weeks (bday) and see how I get on.

 

[anonyless]

i just got my WiiM Pro a couple of days ago. it's a very impressive value for money streamer. got it connected to SMSL SU1 DAC, so sound wise it should sound just as good (or even better) as a Pro Plus.
a couple of quirks - app on Android interface is a bit buggy - most of the time when i click the cog wheel on the device name to get into its settings, it behaves as i clicked in the middle and brings back the now playing screen. happens to me all the time, maybe it's a mobile device specific thing.
streaming using Chromecast from Symfonium app connected to my Navidrome server works very well (as long as the server has valid SSL certificate, but that's a whole different story), and I get native CC controls of track forward/back , which is fantastic specially when using the WiiM's remote. gapless playback doesn't work (for me) when using Chromecast casting , does work with DLNA (can't skip tracks with DLNA though) - but i understand this is a known issue with CC .
also just noticed gapless playback doesn't work if i stream local files from my phone through the WiiM app..? very strange

Tidal integration is "annoyingly" perfect.. I'm not keeping my Tidal subscription though (rather buy digital music on Bandcamp)