@@TheTastefulThickness Yes but it depends on your living arrangement. Some TV's straight up don't accept Bluetooth from your phone, and requires using streaming apps. And the PC would have to be near your speakers which could be in a different room.
Thanks John for reviewing affordable gear - particularly relevant now in these difficult times for a lot of people. And of course top marks for continuing to fight for gapless playback!
Never, ever, ever leave out the blooper reel. Ever. Had the Wiim been available a year ago, definitely would have bought that instead of the node 2i. Great review of what Should have been chrome cast audio v2.
Considering that 48khz is the standard in the audio industry for recording and exchanging raw stems, I’m sure that the Apple Music limitation will not be noticed.
I stumbled across this channel when searching for headphone reviews last summer. Consistently brilliantly produced, informative and wonderfully presented. Essential viewing (and the techno album reviews last year have produced some gems to add to my collection)
Bought one when I saw ur online review. Perfect for me as I don’t stream much so didn’t want to spend on a bluesound or similar. Paired with a Topping E30 i already had it sounds great.
I had my WiiM Mini for over a month, having bought it after read your initial online review of it and I enjoyed it. Just for having support for Spotify/Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2 and the capability of doing 24/192 streams for $89 at the time of purchase, was a no-brainer. I couldn’t justify dropping $600 for a Node especially this being for my modest bedroom system. I have it connected via TOSlink to my NAD D3045 integrated amp/DAC and it sounds good to my ears.
I did the pi streamer because of your video, and quickly realised the the WIMM mini was a replacement and bought it. Mine runs into a cheap KGUSS DAC via toslink and through my amp into exciter driven polystyrene panels supplemented with the 8 inch Polk Audio sub for bass and lower mids. I’m a pensioner and avoid subscriptions ruthlessly so I stream web radio using the Wiim home app through Tunin and IHeart Radio so far. I will put a second set of polystyrene speakers in the office and get a second Wiim streamer to do multi room. I listen by genre, classical, jazz, and Indian sitar music mostly so net radio works for me and the polystyrene speakers work for me because of they reproduce details like plucked strings so well. My ears are old and compromised but if I run a good cd into the KGUSS I believe I hear the increased audio quality. So I may consider trialing a hi res streaming service to see if I think it is worth the money. Really helpful content as always John. Particularly because you don’t make comparisons with equipment you have not tested. 😉
Nobody mentions Primare NP5 Prisma MKII streamer, I get a feeling hifi community is ignoring it for some reason tho, price almost the same as Node, has almost the same features + Chromecast and MQA passthru, the Primare app is on par with BluOS app, only difference doesnt have internal DAC and touchscreen... not a cheapest streamer but great alternative to the Node :)
I have a Wiim Mini and using it connected to my new Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp via toslink using the amps internal DAC and it sounds fantastic. I had issues with Tidal connect drop outs, so I sent the support team and email and they are working on fixing this. They also mentioned that they would be rolling out MQA support in April!
Loved the "rolling puck across the floor" video segue! I bought one of these a month ago and currently using Tidal's native app (that plays gaplessly!) on my phone, iPAD, and PC to control it. I have it in a "mid-fi" application feeding a DAC inside a Denon A/V Receiver. Works well. For $99 I'm very happy. Only caveat I have is that the Tidal program on my PC loses its place sometimes if I don't stay on that screen, but the music keeps playing. That's OK just a slight annoyance due more to Tidal than the WIIM Mini. I was fired up to buy a Node for my living room one day, but now you have me rethinking that idea and looking at the Chord Mojo 2. Thanks again for reviewing it! Oh, I used some double-sided VHB tape to stick my Mini on one of the ubiquitous doorstop weights (since you can't put something on top). Works well, Darko style...LOL. I'm more than happy to have CD quality via their Hi-Fi tier.
I've gone wiim this month. Replaced my Raspberry pi. The reason? A move from Spotify to Tidal. Im not paying an extra to use Tidal via Volumio on the pi. Tidal Connect through the Wiim into an old but still great sounding Arcam ardac works a treat. Ive obvs heard HR (Amazon music) and MQA (Tidal) resolutions and I don't miss them. You really really have to listen out for the difference to my middle age ears. Almost indetectable. CD quality works for me.
Hi lawrcene! I Have Arcam dac too and wiim mini. But this combo have one Big issue in my system. When using wiim and changing songs/plays/pause etc my Arcam Irdac clicks and dropping signal for a moment - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rAl22bvDjUI.html - i cant use it like that :( Do you have same problem with yours?
Have you tried using this as a UPnP renderer with a controller other than the Wim? If I can control this with bubbleUPnP and it plays gapless then I'll order it now!
@@mateusznowakowski5895 have the same Arcam irDAC, obviously a fine dac, but it has a relay that disconnects the dac if there is no input signal (even though for the shortest of times). Arcam should really fix that; what they have done instead is a fix for PC (Windows etc) which maintain some digital zeros to enable gapless dac operation. Here i drive the dac with a project steam box and at least for local file streaming the irdac keeps in continuous operation i.e. no clicks.. but spotify comes with clicks between songs and mutiliated first half seconds
Really like your videos and especially this one: I bought WIIM MINI due to your recommendation and it's great: "gap less with spotify connect" and "touch feature play/pause" makes it superior for me compared to the Google Chromecast Audio I used before.
I think its ease of use trumps part of that, but yeah, if you are going to buy a better DAC, why pay for one in the Node? If Bluesound would ever come out with a "DACless streamer" and offered it for $400 they'd have another hit on their hands.
@@ProfessorHamer yes. I was a very long time Spotify user, but got mad when they lied last year about rolling out lossless. Switched to Tidal Hi-Fi (capped at CD quality without any MQA mumbo jumbo) and haven't looked back. I did pay for a 3rd party service (it was only $5) to move all my favorited albums list and such to Tidal. Their Connect app seems to work about as well as Spotify's did. I'm hoping more streamers or streamer/DACs will start to include it.
@@rosswarren436 Yeah, if they did a "Node Lite" streamer section for £3-400 or so it would fly off the shelves....no preamp or sub high pass or DAC, just the streamer and presets.
Great video! I listen to Amazon Music with the WiiM Mini connected to the DAC in my integrated amp (up to 24-bit 192Khz). There is a tiny gap noticeable mostly on live recordings and concept albums. Otherwise, I am very happy with the purchase.
Hey, do u know if the wiim mini by-passes the built in internal dac when connected to your amp through toslink? Or does the streamer use it’s own dac? I’m just curious because my amp has a decent built in dac and I’ve heard the dac inside the wiim is pretty flat.
I have a Wiim Mini, connected via toslink to an Audiolab 6000A. It sounds a fraction ‘thinner’ than a CD to me, but not disturbingly so. I use Tidal connect, therefore for £89 I have gapless streaming. Great price, great product imo 😁
Really enjoying this mini streamer. I've had to use the inbuilt DAC so that I can go straight from toslink into my CD player. For now that sounds good enough through my Q Acoustics 3020. I have a very modest setup so I'll probably buy a second hand Chord Mojo to pair it with in the future. P.S nice to see the new Black country new road album on Mr Darko's phone.
My current setup is a Sony 2 Channel receiver, Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers, the Wiim plugged in through RCA and a Polk subwoofer. The sound is amazing
i've been looking for something like this for a while, actually that could be really useful for an "affordable" and flexible multi room system. A big downside is the lack of ethernet connection imo, that could cause additional problem if the home network is not the best. I've found a similar product that features the aforementioned rj45 and is called IEAST AudioCast Pro M50, price tag is similar, is got almost the same functions except for the vocal control through Alexa and/or Siri (i think? not sure) so that could be an alternative. Anyway, great video, cheaper doesn't mean necessarily useless or bad in general, everything has its spot in the market 💪
Thanks John ! I'm a little late into this conversation but this product is an absolute GEM !!! Just plug into your favourite DAC and you're on your way ! love it ! outstanding value !
The WiiM Mini currently plays back 24bit/192khz Amazon Music at 44kz CD quality there's an update coming at the end of April 2022 that will give it the full 24bit/192khz playback. I'm currently playing Amazon Music through my Firestick using a Topping E30 DAC and an AV-Access 4k Hdmi->RCA audio extractor for full 24bit/192khz audio until April .. it works !
Nice to know.... curious, with the Firestick, I assume you actually use Amazon Music APP to control the Firestick ? Or is it somethign else ? I have no experience with Firestick.
I use this exact set up. I have (as others online report) an issue with Amazon HD and UHD streams dropping from FLAC codec to standard Opus (non HD stream) after two or three songs. Resetting the track works but that's more buggy than gappy playback. It's unusable for me as a HD streaming solution because of this. When Wii mini supports Amazon Hires streams I'll get one. Such a deal breaker as the firestick hooked up to a small display fed via HDMI audio extractor into DAC of choice should be an unbeatable budget streamer for everything but Qobuz as it's not currently supported on the firestick appstore.
Was just about to buy a streamer for the first time, stumbled upon this and did actually buy one from the german amazon. Seems they keep upgrading their stuff making this little fellow really good!
Hi, I bought this and love it! It now has an EQ. When watching movies I change the setting to help with dialogue and it works great. I use a Schiit Modi and the sound is very good.
I have a Cambridge Audio CXNv2 streamer in the living room connected to my Octavio AMP and Dali Spektor 2 speakers + a JVC subwoofer. It is my main system. In the kitchen I'm using a little Internet radio which has an AUX input. So I've connected a WiiM Mini to it and the pair make for some nice music while I'm busy in the kitchen. Roon AirPlay's to it. And listening to Internet Radio, Qobuz and Deezer for streaming. I've quit with Tidal, but it did play very nice with the WiiM Home app. As do Qobuz and Deezer. I've bought mine from Amazon US for 99 Dollars. As the same device in the local Dutch Amazon was nearly twice the amount in Euro's. Even with fast shipping and getting a European power adapter it was still cheaper. You can't go wrong with the Mini for 99 Dollars.
John, great review! Your review wasn't even over and I bought one. It is awesome! Hooked up to my Denon receiver/optical, my JBL L112s and Amazon music HD. It freaking rocks 👍👍👍👍😎 thank you so very very much 👍
I just notice you reactivated the comments section. I very much praise you for that I liked this video a lot. You looked well and happy, it's nice to see!
You mention a compromise of the Wiim + external DAC would be the "slight" gap using Tidal, etc. from within the app. Why keep Tidal in this list? Who would use the Wiim app for Tidal if it has Tidal connect?
Unfortunately for us across the pond, the Chord Mojo 2 sells for $725 making the WIIM Mini + Mojo 2 come in at $824, considerably more expensive than the $599 Node. Rats.
Yep. Big fan here as well. I have two, one in the kitchen and one in my AV setup because it sounds better than Roon via Airplay to my Denon AV amp. Great little device.
@@jimfarrell4635 I regret I didnt keep the extra one they sent because of late delivery... they even offered me a discount if I keeped it... :( No more available now...
Thanks John - I've been waiting for something like this. Saves me 400€ on a streamer! Will be ordering shortly, plugging into my Audiolab 6000a dac & 30000ma powerbank for power. Must make time to look around those music stores you reviewed recently - I'm only 60km north of Lisbon. Cheers
Hi Darko Community! I have two questions related with the benefits of using wiim mini compared with the toslink output from your tv. 1. How much it is actually better? 2. Could you control de volume via wiim app? 3. Is there any possibility to see in the tv the artwork or music you are playing when using the wiim mini? Well that were three…thank you!!
Nice review. I grabbed a Wiim Mini after seeing this one. I have a modest setup with a Sonos Amp + 2 x Q3030i + OSD Black Trevoce Sub. Of course, Sonos has its own excellent streaming platform, so, getting a Wiim did not really make sense here. But, curiosity and recent discounts got the better of me and boy I was surprised! I connected the Wiim's optical out to the Amp's HDMI port using the Sonos optical to HDMI adapter. A simple A/B test with HD (16/44.1) tracks from Amazon Music and the Wiim clearly came out as better! More clarity on the treble, stronger (but not boomy) bass, slightly better vocal and instrument separation and bigger soundstage. This in spite of both streaming from same source and showing same HD labels. The Wiim is set for fixed output at 24/48 resolution since Sonos won't take anything higher than 48khz. It make me wonder if the Sonos streaming is experiencing lossy compression somehow.
John - great video, as always! How does the Wym / mojo 2 versus the mojo / blue sound versus the mojo 2 / poly compare on sound quality. I get the Wym is cheap and comes with many features but the poly brings Roon readiness and hi res Audio (over wifi).
this is od, I was just today exploring this device because I node was tooo expensive for my budgete and I already own ifi zen dac on which I'm gona hookup this wiiiii
I bought mine in October 2022, and some of the previous problems have been addressed, and continue to be addressed. I still can't believe the $99 device can do what it does. I have a very high quality system that tortures you if the music is bad. So far streaming Amazon Music has been faultless. It is #1 for a person who is buying their first streamer.
So, the winner would be Bluesound Node with Mojo 2! Plus if you want multi-room speakers, the Bluesound ecosystem has some attractive, good sounding options there for whole house multi-room.
Just ordered my Wiim Mini last night...will get it tomorrow. Have to try it @ $84US given all the hoopla out there. I wish RU-vid Music (paid service) would offer RU-vid Music Connect vs. the need to use Airplay. I am fine with CD quality so tomorrow should be a great day!
Nice blooper reel and I saw what Olaf looks like, the product looks interesting but not available in South Africa unless I get it through Amazon imports.
“Gap-Gate”😆. Well if they can achieve removing that experiential hitch or barrier, hell yeah for this type of solution. Understood on the rest with my Node, it’s phenom interface options & Ethernet connect too.
I've been using this with my old Arcam irDAC, which is a very sufficient DAC, and I feel compelled to add that the WiiM makes the DAC sound rather thin. And the software on the WiiM is quite unreliable, in that it keeps dropping the stream mid-song, and will totally freeze. No, it isn't an issue with my wifi!
Thank you very much John. I was wondering if you tried connecting the Chord to the Node for sound improvement. Would that be worth the upgrade? Thank you in advance.
Another great video on good audio at the ‘smaller’ price range than usual. Would you consider doing a video on inexpensive ‘chi-fi’ IEM’s?? Anything under €100 for example.
That is exactly what I use. I have been very happy with it so far. It sounds like they will potentially add high-res through Tidal Connect in April. At least that's the rumor. It will be my ideal solution at that point.
@@Behine.DeChilis which incarnation of the Modi do you have? I have the older Modi 3+ with the AK4490 DAC. I think the newer 3E models are now using ESS Sabre DAC chips due to supply issues, but I'm sure Schiit has them sounding pretty good or even better.
@@BrianCoonley I like it. I was using a homebrew RPi situation for Tidal Connect that I thought sounded nice overall but was glitchy. This unit sounds very nice with the Modi, I'm hoping that it's just passing data to the DAC, probably the reason why I have not noticed any significant difference from my other setup. Quite pleased!
They can take my Chromecast Audios with optical out from my cold dead fingers (channeling Charleton Heston)! But might I suggest at your Liesure adding to your list of ones to try, the Amazon Firesticks,(two way Bluetooth) Google TV/Chromecasts (casting native app loading) AND HDMI and either a splitter(bedroom firestick) or amplification with any device fitted with HDMI. Against the optical the Chromecast device (via an AVR) sounds good but dryer and I can switch the TV off use voice or even the AVR’s (Yamaha) remote for vol up vol down play pause next last mute and stop
Since I planned to use the Wiim Mini with Audiolab 6000a internal DAC + Q-acoustic 3050i, didn't saw too much of advantage buying the Bluesound Node. I have Tidal Hi-Fi subscription and it works fine. I do have minor cuts over wi-fi, but maybe it's my Fritz box router, who knows. For better speakers, you would need a better amp, better DAC and yes, a better network streamer, if you use more than Tidal of course. If not, don't see too much of an advantage for the price.
@@jameswright1729 Don't know if it's gonna help after a year, but occasionally Tidal knows to create a problem, which happens rarely these days. If you can't find your device, it's because of your wifi or when you use VPN.
@@philipthrockmorton6039 sorry for a late reply, but yes. It works great, because I rely on Audiolab hardware. Sometimes I use WiiM app for radio stations and usually Tidal for streaming. The only downside is that my Optical port door is broken after a year. :/
I managed to get the Chord Mojo 1 and 2 connected via optical to the Wiim Mini and using max SPDIF outputs of 192kHz and 24 bits successfully played Airplay Apple Music to my amp. But a week later, none of that works. I am using the Mojo headphone output to RCAs on the amp. So, what am I doing wrong now? Do I have to adjust the volume on the Mojo? Did firmware updates to the Wiim (I think there was one) disable something? Little help?
I learned about the wiim here (well. The website) but waited for the bit perfect update to make the purchase. I really don’t get how this thing can be so good for $100. Set up was one of the easiest of any device ever. I’ve never had any wifi issues or any issues I’d any kind.
Great video John. I was just about to get the Node to pair it with my Mojo. Can you compare the Node / Mojo with the Wiim / Mojo as it might save me £400.
Yes this! Anyone done that comparison? I currently have orginal mojo and original node2 together for my headphone rig but would like it to be easier to move around (and think poly is silly expensive).
I think you might be mistaken on the highres capabilities - I've seen people commenting that with the latest software updates, this indeed will and can output highres from the optical out. You just need to configure the output maximum to be something higher than the default CD quality.
I *think* it is outputting 16-bit/44.1kHz CD Quality on my Tidal HiFI subscription, but the DAC I'm using does not show file properties so I can't be 100% sure. All I know is that it sounds pretty good to my ears. I'd like to see someone output to a DAC that does have a display using the various services, just to be sure.
@@aRc11-11 I'm on Tidal's HiFi tier which maxes out at CD quality, so 16/44.1 is PERFECT for me. The biggest improvement in sound is moving from lossy to CD quality. Any higher rez is OK, but more like adding a very slight amount of gravy to some rice. I'm just happy to finally have CD quality after sticking with Spotify all through last year only to find out they lied. Glad Tidal offered a CD quality tier.
Hi, Would it not have been better to also compare with Wiim to the Bluesound, both with the Mojo DAC that is so good? It is cute one can pair the Wiim streamer with the Schiit Modi, both at similar prices and both with "ii" in their brand names, just saying
I've bought a Wiim mini, but I'm sending it back. It does everything that is promised, but it sounds not as good as my iPhone or iPad connected to my Rega DAC trough toslink. I could have understand it with Apple Music since that is played through AirPlay when using the Wiim mini. Qobuz is also sounding better directly through the iPhone than via the Wiim mini. The most surprising for me is that Apple Music directly from the iPhone connected via USB to my Rega DAC is sounding the best of all possibilities. Do more people have the experience that Apple Music through iPhone via a separate DAC is a very good option?
Use the Mojo 2 into a Bottlehead S.E.X. that I built and it sounds killer with Meze 109s and with older NHT bookshelf speakers. Not as good with IEMs, but that’s fine. Just bought the WiiM on this recommendation. Best to connect to Mojo via the Toslink?
Great review. You being the RPi master, would love to see you try Roon endpoint with RPi Zero 2 w. A bit more complicated, for your Raspberry Pi « intermediate » class 😉
Hey John, I play My local digital music thru Jrivers media center software and I have it's tracks / albums with volume leveling and the usb computer's output to a ifi dac. I bought this Wiim MIni and like it but my question to you is if it's posible to do the same volume leveling for the Wiim Mini ? I respect your work. I'm fan of yours and keep up the good work ! My prayers for your health. Get better.
I just ordered this to stream with a Gold Note IS-1000. The built in streamer in the Gold Note has been unbearable for me which drops connection in the app, stops music after a track. Talk about ruining the listening experience 😂 Hope this little device will make me happy again
I have this and a SMSL a0200 for a garage system. Can anyone recommend a cheap DAC that would improve on the DAC inside the WiiM Mini. Speaker are Polk R200 thanks!
I wish someone would make a puck style streamer but with top notch build quality. Something that has a feel like the volume knob on a Unti Atom, but a screen in the middle like a Nest. Something to interact with, that’d be great. Expensive…but great…🤔
I hate to hijack this video but I agree with Mr Darko on Wiim streamer but you need to add a SMSL D300 DAC to complete the combo to have a top notch stack!
Thanks for the video.Affordable gear is always welcomed. I would like to propose something, an idea I have for a video I strongly believe it will be very interesting for many audio enthusiasts. Does a streamer affects the sound signature or its just ones and zeros passing to the dac?If it does or doesn't why it happens? Thanks in advance and keep up the good work!
John, I'm re-watching this video, and in fact I have just ordered the wiim mini. One thing I don't understand is, why is Chromecast so important to you, I mean, as far as music streaming goes... Or maybe there's something I'm not getting. Thanks
