*PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING* Thanks for watching the video, my web article is also here : www.13thnote.net/2023/10/24/wiims-pro-plus-just-brilliant-at-price/ Please sign up to Patreon to get extra content: add free videos, my preferences and picks and best products - it's deliberately cheap to be a place for such discussion and it ensures my long term sustainability and is an investment in me - link here : www.patreon.com/user?u=20783218 I don't answer advice or system advice questions, or is this better than X type questions, on RU-vid. I'm busy making the next video and I have given you lots of information free on RU-vid allready.
I picked up a Wiim Pro and paired it with an SMSL SU-1. I found the DAC on the WiiM could be significantly bettered even with the least expensive DAC on the market. I would consider an SMSL SU-10 or the SMSL DO 4OO or D400EX, It seems to me that with the entry of the Eversolo products into the market, the utility of multiple sources and the ease of use on the Wiim plus the price point are significant benefits to purchasers over time. I am not sure if you would agree if the choice to upgrade the DAC elevates the potential overall performance and still keeps the price under 1K for an arguable audiophile level configuration. I love, love love your reviews.
thanks very much Clarice. The output of the Eversolo is really good as a transport and all it does with the interface and functions too. I think the benefit of WiiM is probably cheap as chips everything in one - also I think when it goes Roon Ready can use it as a bit perfect transport for up to Roon's best sample rates which is crazy for £219/$219. I'm doing a video on an Aune DAC so hopefully having a bit more air time with the WiiM lets me get an idea of how it works with more premium DACs. But like I said I've never really been a fan of multi thousand streamers as the diminishing returns are so high. :)
This was a really excellent review. One can add though for the friends of MQA digital protocol, that from these three streamers, only Bluesound has that feature installed. Keep up the good work!
I’ve just picked up a 1970 Sansui 1000x mint still in box 😅 I’m going to pair the Wiim Pro plus with it and Wharfedale Denton 80th anniversary speakers for my small lounge. Appreciate the video and your efforts Thanks
I purchased the WiiM Pro Plus. Thank you for helping me make the decision! When using Spotify I noticed immediately greater dynamics, extended depth and more definition. Hope your channel succeeds! Always be honest and never sell out! I’m in the USA on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My system is a Adcom 400 pre-amp-tuner, two Adcom 535 amps bridged, KEF 120’s and a Project Turntable w/ Denon 103C MC cartridge and the WiiM Pro Plus.
Great presentation thanks, treble resolution is a big part of my experience, WiiM PP bit of a Swiss army knife, just luv the functionality of the mini and the frequent software updates. Probably will pop for the WiiM PP, I feel you describe it as more robust, faster response with improved tonal quality. Bit of a bargain without the posh $ tag.
Thank you for your review! Like others, i’m building my system with your unbiased views. I’m currently running audiolab 7000a with lintons. I’m also using the wiim pro (non plus) as transport, utilising the inbuilt dac in the 7000a. I’ve been wondering does the streaming transport matter at all since digital is digital. Do you think its worth upgrading my streamer for an even better sound ? I’ve tried using my Lg tv as transport and embarassingly i could hardly tell the difference from the wiim pro (all digital).
Thanks very much, I do advice on Patreon as I get hundreds of these a week on emails and messages and I just can't answer them. Also I need some investment in me. The idea is of patreon to access all my preferences and picks and what I deem best products. It's very low cost and it shows you put back to me rather than getting everything free as I'm up against the ceiling as to what I can say in reviews quite often. Also I am still on the ropes as to whether this continues next year.
Thanks for this video. Was considering the Wiim as a second transport, the first being the PC itself. This looks like a family friendly option with lots of flexibility including Deezer HiFi. With such a slight difference in the transport test I will probably go with it. Thanks for the review. If anyone uses it as transport I would love to hear your take. Thanks.
Good review sir. I have a question. I bought the Pro Plus. Am liking it a lot - even my wife can tell the difference. I am running the line out on the WiiM to RCA inputs on the A/V receiver. I tried hooking up my Audio Technica LP-120 to the line in on the WiiM. the turntable only has one output (RCA L&R). I switched the turntable to line instead of phono. I could not get any sound out of my speakers. Did I do something wrong or should this work? Thanks.
I have a Wiim pro that i run through a topping dac (which does sound a lot better than the internal DAC), works well except when playing music via my synology nas, the app on an iphone works a treat, however via andriod it sruggles to play anything via the Nas, it seems to be trying to build the track listing every time. there are two file types apple lossless and flac, tried mp3 no luck with that either via Andriod. Hopefully Wiim sort that out with a future update.
@@cmessi well it works on my wife's I phone 8 plus perfectly, but not on my brand new galaxy A54 so at a bit of a loss, it sees the nas, lets you get to the folder where the files are and just stops. Queue iphone does the same thing but the whole music libray pops up plays etc..
My LG OLED55C9AUA TV is notorious for optical signal drops. My current SMSL D100 DAC allows for internal clock adjustments to compensate for this (DPLL). Will this WiiM Pro Plus DAC handle my television optical correctly?
Considering either a Bluesound Node or Wiim Pro Plus as a digital transport to a high end Topping /Smsl or Denafrips Ares Dac.The Wiim Pro has no USB Out,and Hans B feels that the Wiim's digital signal out is subpar.Which do you recommend for use purely as a digital transport? Love your reviews
Thanks very much David. I think I answered that question in the video, but further advice I say please sign up to patreon.I disagree with Hans if he said it's sub-par. Streaming transports don't require much spending even into great systems. Spend on the DAC instead or go for great value propositions like the Eversolo if spending a decent amount - which compete with pricier transports 😀
Having owned the Ares II, I found the digital coax gave better sound vs the USB. And this was with various streamers, including the Node N130. I would go with the WiiM Pro Plus or Pro, and purchase either the $69 ifi power supply, or the LHY linear power supply, as either will improve the sound. The Node, when the software is compared, the WiiM wins that argument hands down. the built in EQ and PEQ of the WiiM, in my opinion, destroys the Node.
I’m wondering if using a tablet/phone running Wiim or BluOs app as remote control, a second tablet (running Wiim or BluOs app as well) would be used as “now playing” screen
If i hardwire from my internet hub directly to my marantz amp, can i still operate it wireless from my qobuz app ? Amp and phone are on the same network. Or do i need a streamer inbetween ?
Hi Simon, Thanks for another great review. I bought a used Pro to replace an old heos streamer to see if I preferred the functionality, which I do. I'm running it into a Topping D70se and I'm now wondering if I were to use a pro plus would it show an improved performance over the pro owing to its superior clock?
Thanks very much Alex. I’m not sure about that as I prefer not to say what I haven’t tried and I’m keeping advice for patreon too, but it wouldn’t be too much of a price to change I guess or a used one as I’m sure pro plus streamers will go dirt cheap. 😀
@@bksve6505 if the clock is better it might be. Also they make mention of other circuit upgrades and then the noise characteristics of the differences in two circuits and dacs could account differences. Best way is to try.
Nice job. I’m using a sonos port, into an ifi ipure 2, which reclocks and isolates the signal, into a denafrips ares 2 dac. The reclocker actually made a significant difference (or I would have sent it back). My problem is it means (other than features) I can’t compare how other systems would do vs mine, unless I order one and plug it in to hear! I do have to admit that I’m a big fan of the sonos software experience, but I could be enticed by the wimp or blue, and just live with my main stereo as an island requiring its own app. I also need any streamer to handle Spotify, Idageo, and Qobuz without having to use airplay 2, since I’ve become aware that downsamples.
Simon, if you want to add Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and Tidal Connect to a Hegel H390 or H190, which device would you recommend? As well, if you add a device to accomplish this, will its DAC impact the SQ of the Hegel? Thanks for the great channel!
Thanks very much. I do system advice on patreon now. It’s low cost and link in description. I make very little doing this and I need support from the people who tell me im doing great stuff, otherwise I won’t be able to continue. I need to get to around 200 paid patreons. Currently 55 paid patreons. Best wishes
It might be interchangeable like the node I think, depending on which it detects. I think mine was connecting with the Ethernet pulled out as it was on Wi-Fi before.
hey dude, I thought you thought that cables make no difference and you get the cheapest you can. Did you change you mind after being sponsored by audioquest?
Just to be clear I have never changed my mind. I don’t believe in uber pricey cables and Audioquest respect that. I said their good value cables (relative to much higher gear prices) have been used to good effect - which they have, aside from individual value judgements. You decide if they are value. Either way is cool with me. Of course if you don’t that’s great, but I don’t do cable reviews and if Audioquest want to sponsor it and I get on with their guys then they should be allowed too.
Maybe - I think they did say they use different power supplies. I've never tried so I don't ever comment on such stuff. TBH considering how cheap they are I'm sure a dealer would let anyone just try both and give one back. There will be plenty of opinions on the WiiM Forum about people who have no doubt tried both and have a view, but I would also ask what kit they have used and how revealing so you can take a view.
Just a quick comment on Roon. When a streamer acts as a Roon endpoint t is no longer a streamer. It's a two box device where the Roon server does all of the interaction with the music services, then it buffers it locally and feeds it to the device which acts like a thin client. Roon has an incredibly small market share, but a huge buy-in by reviewers. I can't say if its deserved, but do feel the attention is overdone.
I like the magazine way of interacting, Roon readiness,and Roon radio keep selecting the best music for me. It’s not something to go away from once you start using it imo. I agree it’s niche but personally I think it’s worth it.
Yes, but an endpoint is not really a streamer, so it degrades the value of the review. If the point is to compare the Roon streaming system with its server that does the actual streaming, that's great. Tell us how the software compares between the two as well as cost including the server, the subscription and the endpoint, as well as the lack of services Roon works with.@@13thnotehifireviews7
Yes. Wiim leaves Chromecast in the dust. I just noticed that with Chromecast dongle and built in on and C338 highest I can stream to it is 16 but 48 even when source on Amazon music is 24 but 192. Also, Chromecast audio will never resolve the gapless issue. Just changed to wiim pro plus and get bit perfect casting to it and gapless playback! Awesome.
It is clear to me that the Wiim pro plus offers a better sound than the pro version. If you’re going to use its internal DAC. I am still confused if I use it as a streamer only does it have any sonic advantages over the pro version? Anybody that can help would be greatly appreciated.
Unlikely. If you connect the WiiM digitally to an external DAC. Then the external DAC will do all the conversion. It is the same in my place. If I connect my Cambridge CXNv2 directly to my Cambridge CXA81 amplifier through its RCA output, then the CXNv2's DAC will do the work. However if I connect the CXNv2 digitally to my CXA81 or my Loxjie D30 DAC. Then the CXNv2 is a pure streamer, and just passes through the signal without doing anything else with it.
Is it an appropriate HiFi solution to use EQ settings in the Bluesound or Wiim app? If I lower the bass, does it not affect the midrange and treble-behaviour? In other words, will adjusting EQ settings affect the sound signature of speakers?
EQ in the sound chain will affect the end result in any case. But why are you even worried about this question? If you feel like you want to EQ the sound you're getting, just do it because you're listening to music for pleasure, not for some scientific purpose. A more relevant question is why you feel the need to EQ the sound in the first place? Could it be that it's just your preference that you used to? Could it be that you're not happy with the sound of your room? The speakers have by far the greatest impact on the frequency response because the response curve of speakers is by far the most uneven of any components in the sound chain. So if you want to EQ the signal to compensate for the response curve of the speakers, it is absolutely the most legitimate purpose to use the EQ. But what I've taught myself over the years of replacing gear is to get the room mildly dampened and just enjoy the music with the gear that I have as it is. Otherwise there is no end to nitpicking and feeding your gear acquisition syndrome. In the end it's about the music not the sound (as long as the sound is good enough). I'm using Yamaha HS8 studio monitors through focusrite 2i2, and I'm perfectly happy with my sound setup, dampened room, no EQ. I'm planning to replace focusrite with Wiim Pro Plus solely for the purpose of connecting more sources (turntable, Bluetooth, Chromecast, TV) and the convenience of using the remote.
@@Andrey.Balandin yes, I agree with you about the HiFi acquisition syndrome. It must not become an obsession. Some people with 100.000 dollar systems still are not satisfied. Unbelievable. But the fact of the matter is that I have a hearing problem: over sensitive left ear, for sharp treble and hard bass. And yes, I did not want to EQ, I wanted a HiFi set that did not irritate my left ear. So I now ordered a LS3/5a, which tackles the problem of sharp treble and loud bass. I think it is my end game speaker, because I hate switching. I spend two years of selecting the perfect system, to prevent switching.
@@cmessi Sorry to hear about your issue, I hope this will be the setup that would allow you to just enjoy the music and not be concerned about the sound.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 i'd have to try both...:/ i already have a wiim mini but would like to move it to my bedroom and buy One of the bug brothers. as i already have an external dac, i would ONLY need a transport, so i asked. not sure if the price difference between the pro and the pro plus would be worth it in this context...
Good one, thank you. I'm using a Bluesound Node 2021 powered by a Yamaha (RX A4A) AV receiver out through B&W 606 S2s. The system is well burned in (Run in) after 12 months+ of use and the sound is much improved with a Topping E70 Velvet DAC in the rig. I nearly got rid of the Node 6/7 months ago, but for the Topping DAC, it had a somewhat metallic sound on high treble notes, probably due to B&W 606 characteristics, particularly piano. Topping E70 V uses the latest AKM DAC (after their fire) and fixed my rig's overall sound. Now I can use and enjoy HiFi Plus with Tidal. Before it just wasn't worth it. I have found it helps to play the Gain up as much as possible (90%+) on the Bluesound node to get a big sound without having to push the amp too much. We can only hope for more of the same if/when AKM brings out its next iteration. I like your channel and the depths you go to explain the Audio nuts and bolts without getting too nerdy.
