WiiM Pro Streamer Review

[Gremlins]

What are competitors of that wiim nowa days?
Offering a good app, room correction functionality and digital out to a dac ?

 

[morillon]

What are competitors of that wiim nowa days?
Offering a good app, room correction functionality and digital out to a dac ?

I think that for the moment...and especially in this price range...there isn't...
(About App and room correction essentielly)

 

[tamtam]

Connected my new WiiM Pro merely to do few tests into EVE audio SC 203, which are usually connected through USB into my Macbook.
Tried also the optical output into the Eves, and dam, this sounds really good.
Wasn't able to reproduce that sound quality from the computer.
AI says the closest thing I could do is a DDC and Tidal/Qobuz in exclusive mode.
Considering to keep it as is, and buy another one for the living room.

 

[tamtam]

Looks like there another option to connect the streamer via Spotify/Qobuz/Tidal connect features.
Makes the Spotify on computer a remote control.

WiiM Pro | spotify.com/connect

WiiM Pro is an audiophile-grade music streamer with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Alexa Cast, Roon Ready, and multi-room aud...

connect.spotify.com

 

[tamtam]

I use an external DAC with my WiiM Pro connected via optical cable.
Since my speakers a pretty sensitive I would like to lower the volume via the wiim Pro.
Would this affect the quality of the signal fed into the DAC? Let's say I reduce to about 80% - any reduction in resolution in the data delivered to the DAC?
Cheers

In theory - Yes, it will. If you are sending 24bits at 25% it will be reduced to around 16bits.
If you are sending 16bits you have a problem, the sound will be degrading noticeably,
unless the streamer does some smart operations to avoid that.
You can increase the bit rate to 24bit instead of the default 16bit in the audio settings of optical out.

 

[Burnside]

In theory - Yes, it will. If you are sending 24bits at 25% it will be reduced to around 16bits.
If you are sending 16bits you have a problem, the sound will be degrading noticeably,
unless the streamer does some smart operations to avoid that.
You can increase the bit rate to 24bit instead of the default 16bit in the audio settings of optical out.

WiiM have said on several occasions that their digital volume control is performed in 32 bit to "avoid any loss in precision" (https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...mprove-digital-volume-control.3063/post-47075)

 

[morillon]

WiiM have said on several occasions that their digital volume control is performed in 32 bit to "avoid any loss in precision" (https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...mprove-digital-volume-control.3063/post-47075)

Perhaps in the future new products will adopt 64-bit (?)

(which has now become quite common,
although especially useful in a professional context)
;-)

 

[tamtam]

WiiM have said on several occasions that their digital volume control is performed in 32 bit to "avoid any loss in precision" (https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...mprove-digital-volume-control.3063/post-47075)

So they do the smart operation,
while still limited by maximum 24bit at 100%, at lower volumes it will be less as I explained.
This is a limit of the AES3 family protocols.

 

[gwing]

I use an external DAC with my WiiM Pro connected via optical cable.
Since my speakers a pretty sensitive I would like to lower the volume via the wiim Pro.
Would this affect the quality of the signal fed into the DAC? Let's say I reduce to about 80% - any reduction in resolution in the data delivered to the DAC?
CheeIf

Yes it will reduce resolution. If you want to avoid that do 1 of:

• Use the Wiim anaogue output and dispense with the external DAC.
• Supply full volume digital signal to the DAC and control volume using the DAC

As a compromise you can do a generic one-off volume adjustment at the DAC to just reduce a maximum signal (0db) output from the Wiim to the loudest level you ever want to listen at and then for day to day use adjust the volume as desired on the Wiim. This gives you the convenience of control by the Wiim but less loss of resolution from the volume adjustment - it also stops you blowing out your speakers if you accidentally deliver a 0db signal to your DAC

 

[bravomail]

I'm really surprised to see a lack of USB input in 2026 device. I have WiiM Ultra - and was equally dismayed.

 

[Bwaslo]

I'm really surprised to see a lack of USB input in 2026 device. I have WiiM Ultra - and was equally dismayed.

I believe (though haven't tried myself) that the Ultra can use USB as input, and do both input and output if a USB expansion hub is used. Or so I read back when I bought it, anyway. I do use USB connected to a thumb drive as input sometimes, but haven't used it like a computer usb dac.

 

[kyuu]

I believe (though haven't tried myself) that the Ultra can use USB as input, and do both input and output if a USB expansion hub is used.

The USB port can be used as an input for USB drives, as you have discovered. It can also be used as a USB out. It cannot be used as a USB audio interface, however. I am unclear why Wiim doesn't support it, but clearly they don't consider that functionality important to their target market. It's not a huge deal in the end, you can easily just use a USB to TOSLINK adapter.

 

[testp]

hub is, if you want to do both: thumb drive and usb out.

 

[LawrenceL]

I only the Wiim Pro as a pure digital transport. I eshcewed analog interconnections a long time ago. Through digital COAX only it delivers SNR of 139dB. That is good enough for me...

 

[dr.n]

Thanks for review!
my wiim pro arrived today. im using it as a transport for listening to streaming services.
since not all music services are available in my country, im currently using it with spotify, and frankly, i havent been able to get a very satisfying sound.
after not being able to use tidal, roon, and qobuz, i wouldnt recommend this device. For those considering buying it, getting an old macbook air m1 and connecting it to a DAC via usb might be a better option. also, the usb cable and adapter that came in the box are very low quality, so you need to buy some decent ones. for example, i replaced it with a higher quality usb cable (not hifi product) i already had, and i really noticed the difference immediately. Tomorrow i will try again with brennenstuhl efi filter socket.

 

[morillon]

Thanks for review!
my wiim pro arrived today. im using it as a transport for listening to streaming services.
since not all music services are available in my country, im currently using it with spotify, and frankly, i havent been able to get a very satisfying sound.
after not being able to use tidal, roon, and qobuz, i wouldnt recommend this device. For those considering buying it, getting an old macbook air m1 and connecting it to a DAC via usb might be a better option. also, the usb cable and adapter that came in the box are very low quality, so you need to buy some decent ones. for example, i replaced it with a higher quality usb cable (not hifi product) i already had, and i really noticed the difference immediately. Tomorrow i will try again with brennenstuhl efi filter socket.

Do you know your Spotify data flow?
Version normal or premium? Etc

 

[dr.n]

Do you know your Spotify data flow?
Version normal or premium? Etc

Premium v and audio quality is very high

 

[ShadowBoxer]

i wouldnt recommend this device.

If you are using it as a digital transport, the WiiM device cannot possibly be the source of the SQ whether good or bad (sans EQ, ofc). Bits are bits.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

i replaced it with a higher quality usb cable (not hifi product) i already had, and i really noticed the difference immediately.

Well, there you have it. Need I say more about this subjective "review"? I don't think so.

 

[dr.n]

Well, there you have it. Need I say more about this subjective review? I don't think so.

i believe a product at this price point shouldnt come with such poor quality cables and adapters. In my system, i use belden power cables and the difference compared to generic ones is clearly audible to me. There is no point in getting into this endless debate at the end of the day, im confident in what i have experienced through my own testing.