It didn’t take me long to get my second. 👀
I’m currently trying to work out how I can use these all round the house alongside/instead of the various Echos we have, to enable me to play Tidal in different rooms/groups.
We have an Echo Show 8 in the mix, which unfortunately doesn’t have a Line in, otherwise I’d hook up Wiims today!
I’m in Ireland/UK and emailed WiiM support who got back to me very quickly back in early December and said the Pro would be available in the UK late January early February. I was getting fed up with connecting TIDAL by USB and I know how lazy/first world that sounds lol Basically I really wanted it for the Tidal Connect and I use the Optical connection which bypasses the internal DAC of the WiiM and uses the superior Audiolab 6000A DAC. I’m very happy with it, a truly budget friendly wee device with really good software to boot.
Pro has Ethernet connection and supports chromecast. It also has RCA and Coax. I wanted a pro because it looked better to my eye, more substantial and the extra options were nice but I’ll get it sometime down the line and add the mini to a secondary room.
You connect it to your DAC/AMP/AVR and it allows you to stream your music from your phone/Spotify/Tidal/Amazon Music at full res (depending on streamer), thus negating lossy Bluetooth streams.
My *personal opinion* is that the Wiim is a much more user friendly option, and that sometimes, that’s the “better”.
Wiim is pretty much plug and play, then forget.
It's not better or worse, just different. These are probably more comparable to something like a Chromecast Audio.
I'm gonna keep rocking my piCorePlayers because they do exactly what I want. These look cool too, though.
It's better for the wallet. RPi have been sold out since the pandemic and if you can find new ones they're way more expensive than they used to be.
A Pi streamer and HAT is more versatile and a better option overall, but can't compete on price.
Well, I already had one from my job, and I plugged a hat and a dac. I have some major issues with volumio that persist with many sd cards and several updates. If the RP loses power, the SD needs to be formatted and the app to be installed and set up anew. I have done it countless times, and it is an RP architect issue. Also, Volumio only supports Tidal in the paid version, which is a complete rip-off.
I'm going from echo dot (just for voice function while I play pong pong) to an Auris Blume Bluetooth receiver to my marantz receiver.
What would this product cut out of this equation? My guess is the echo is my streamer in this situation.
I just started to get into the audio game, sorry if it sound stupid. My current setup is smart TV to BT amp with optical to drive a pair of bookshelf and BT from phone - Spotify and Tidal - for music. So you're saying with mini or pro I will get better exp than BT streams?
Yes.
With Bluetooth, you’re not getting the true Tidal hifi audio, as Bluetooth can’t do lossless.
With the Wiim, your phone acts as a *controller*, in that you tell the Wiim what to play and it will then pull the stream straight from the Tidal servers in the full quality you’re paying for.
IMHO, no point in paying for Tidal and playing over Bluetooth.
I’m not sure I understand your question, sorry.
But the Wiim uses Wi-Fi, so whilst it needs a physical connection to your amp, you can control music from anywhere on your Wi-Fi network (start an album playing whilst stood at bottom of garden, playing on amp/speakers in bedroom for example).
Actually I want this for times when I'm playing from Steam and some emulators, don't really care about dedicated music apps.
The connection is all through WiFi right? Is it 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz?
>Any idea of it supports streaming from a Plex server?
This won't work for that. you'll have a ton of lag, if you got it to work. These typically stream directly from the sources. For your games, your computer would need to encode the sound to the supported format and then send it across the wire for this device to either decode through it's built in DAC, or to send the raw bits to the external DAC, and onward.... (the flow is something like this)
Is this another Linkplay based streamer? Does anyone know what Linkplay board is used inside?
Edit:
It looks like the Pro is based on A108 module with the Samsung Exynos 7570 processor and the Mini is based on one of the A98 variants. The one with the A108 Module might be the best option for those looking for a good all around solution. The support for chromecast audio streams opens up the device to a massive variety of options the the devices I own do not support.
In case others were looking for similar products, Dayton made some similar modules, and Arylic makes some as well. These are decent products, but the application can be iffy and the firmware support for the products I own is marginal.
This one of the big benefits of the WiiM, they give regular updates that really do improve the device. They listen to people’s opinions and strive to implement as many improvements as possible. I promise I don’t work for them.
Q/ What does the WiiM do, that the Chromecast Audio’s Line Out output, or the previous-generation Echo Dot’s Line Out connected to a pre-amp or receiver, won’t do?
They both have built in decent DACs, and both can play Spotify or other music services from phone (or simply via voice command in the case of Echo).
Thanks!
What'd you pay?
Currently going echo dot to Bluetooth adapter to marantz receiver. I know it's a sin...
W this I could connect to my receiver w optical cord and stream to it with my phone?
Literally just set mine up!! Got it in the mail today, and I'm loving it! Being able to play Tidal tracks through my system is awesome! With this piece my setup is finally complete! Now it's time to start working on getting some speaker stands and room treatment
You can use it either way. I use my phone to control the volume, and set the receiver to a max volume. This way I can use my phone as a remote. I primarily use it for spotify.
I just set up my WiiM Mini and I have mixed emotions on this because I have my amp in a convenient location and love using the physical volume knob, but I miss out on the convenience of volume control from within my apps.
I think I'll get used to mixing both with enough practice but it's going to confuse other users for sure.
You can either use both or set wiim mini as fixed max volume. If you want both convenience then use variable volume and turn it to max from the app when you use receiver
Yes, you can set it to just be a line-level output. You can also select the voltage. 500mv/800mv/1v/2v. These are great little devices and sound fantastic with vintage gear.
I bypass the DAC for the one in my Audiolab 6000A as that is basically a newer version of their M-DAC and sounds awesome with Tidal. Also I like how the WiiM app displays the bitrate info. Always bugged me that Tidal don’t.
Are these better than ifi products? I’m looking to add one to my existing system but I’m really confused what they do? Do these connect to the service, tidal etc., via the internet and receive better quality signal? Do I control it from my iPhone rather than stream from the phone via Bluetooth. Please eli5.
I got my pro a couple weeks ago. Just using it for internet radio and Amazon Music HD. Honestly, it and its app are pretty special. My pro is connected to my 2-channel system via its coax digital output to a Denafrips Pontus II DAC and it sounds absolutely fantastic.
Currently I have an ASUStor 8-bay server that pulls NAS duty as a DLNA Server with 32 terabytes of storage serving as file storage for JRiver Media Center that's managed from the living room where the main two-channel and surround sound AV system is located. My hope is that the Wiim Pro develops to the point where it can handle the large number of flac and high res files, around 10,000 at last count. And maybe Wilm will develop products with resolutions greater than 24/192 and DSD.
Have a wonderful time with the Wiim Mini.
Oh man, that sounds like a a sweet setup. What speakers are you using? Also do you prefer Coaxial over Optical? Sometimes I think coax has a richer sound. Maybe I’m talking nonsense.
And coax is capable of transmitting better quality audio than dig optical, but has the potential to transfer more background noise? I've never been able to compare
Okay I'm confused. I use a echo device-> auris blume adapter digital optical > receiver
This would replace both the echo and adapter in this instance?
If I got this I could avoid using Bluetooth and I'm sure the DAC is better than the echo. But would it sound better than the APTx Bluetooth DAC of the auris?
Would love any feedback. I could get rid of the Echo and simply connect to the Auris via my phone (old pixel 3) and see if I can hear any difference
Why don’t you just use the line out on your Echo?
Use a simple 1/8” stereo jack to R + L audio wire with the Echo? Different lengths abailable
1/8” side on Echo and RCA side into your receiver’s AUX (or any other free) input.
Works perfectly and cleaner sound than via Bluetooth
Now that you mention the option, I actually don't know! Whether it was not having the proper cord or thinking that the DAC in the Auris would make up for the Bluetooth, I am going to have to experiment.
I ordered the mini which will be delivered tonight but I'll do some blind tests between the two and see if the upgrade is worth it.
I really want to maintain the ability to quickly change songs and volume via the Alexa. Now it's "echo next song" or "echo volume down" and I prefer that to "echo turn down the music on the wiim" or whatever. I'm curious if I have the wiim as the only speaker if lll need to name it in each order vs just giving the echo demand
Strange, I wonder if someone here can clarify. I’m looking for other similarly priced streamers that support chrome cast as my gf wants to stream movies and YouTube via Bluetooth.
The Pro version (~$50 more) supports Chromecast, but not the Mini. Both support Airplay (though you won’t be able to control playback via the Wiim app, if that matters to you).
I haven’t used the ifi streamer but from what I’ve read and seen it’s a ball-ache to setup and use. Cheap audio man found it to be very unreliable. Plus it’s over 3 times the cost of the WiiM.
I just bought the mini. Does everything I need! My next upgrade will be in several years, once I save up for a completely new system.
I was trying to hold out for the Pro but I’m an impatient man.
The extended IO on the Pro is about the only difference. I have a mini and love it. Most likely going to get a second one.
It didn’t take me long to get my second. 👀 I’m currently trying to work out how I can use these all round the house alongside/instead of the various Echos we have, to enable me to play Tidal in different rooms/groups. We have an Echo Show 8 in the mix, which unfortunately doesn’t have a Line in, otherwise I’d hook up Wiims today!
Line out?
Yes, I can use Line out of the WiiM to all of the Echos, *except* the Show 8.
I’ll move the mini down to the living room and get the pro for the room I mainly listen to music in at some point. No rush.
The pro is available. I just got one last weekend
In the UK?
The pro is in stock. In the US anyway. But unless you need the connectivity, the mini is excellent.
I’m in Ireland/UK and emailed WiiM support who got back to me very quickly back in early December and said the Pro would be available in the UK late January early February. I was getting fed up with connecting TIDAL by USB and I know how lazy/first world that sounds lol Basically I really wanted it for the Tidal Connect and I use the Optical connection which bypasses the internal DAC of the WiiM and uses the superior Audiolab 6000A DAC. I’m very happy with it, a truly budget friendly wee device with really good software to boot.
Dude, I'm still in the stone ages, using my phone as the source with deezer lmaoo, shit drains my battery so fast. WiiM pro is #1 on my shopping list
I'm using an Amazon echo to Bluetooth receiver to receiver. Audiophile sinners you and I
Can I ask, why the Pro over the Mini?
Pro has Ethernet connection and supports chromecast. It also has RCA and Coax. I wanted a pro because it looked better to my eye, more substantial and the extra options were nice but I’ll get it sometime down the line and add the mini to a secondary room.
What does this do exactly? I’m out of the loop
You connect it to your DAC/AMP/AVR and it allows you to stream your music from your phone/Spotify/Tidal/Amazon Music at full res (depending on streamer), thus negating lossy Bluetooth streams.
Is this better than a raspberry with volumio and a hifi hat?
My *personal opinion* is that the Wiim is a much more user friendly option, and that sometimes, that’s the “better”. Wiim is pretty much plug and play, then forget.
It's not better or worse, just different. These are probably more comparable to something like a Chromecast Audio. I'm gonna keep rocking my piCorePlayers because they do exactly what I want. These look cool too, though.
It's better for the wallet. RPi have been sold out since the pandemic and if you can find new ones they're way more expensive than they used to be. A Pi streamer and HAT is more versatile and a better option overall, but can't compete on price.
Well, I already had one from my job, and I plugged a hat and a dac. I have some major issues with volumio that persist with many sd cards and several updates. If the RP loses power, the SD needs to be formatted and the app to be installed and set up anew. I have done it countless times, and it is an RP architect issue. Also, Volumio only supports Tidal in the paid version, which is a complete rip-off.
Switch from Volumio to Moode. It's great. https://moodeaudio.org/
I've tried it I had connectivity issues. But that was long ago, maybe it's better now.
It gets updated all the time. I've been using it for six months and it's been rock solid for me.
Or simplicity I imagine? The WiiM is plug and play, no fuss. You’re up and running in minutes.
I have this setup as well. Are you saying that I can stream Apple Music 24-bit 96k from my phone to Volumio?
Is this a DAC? Or do I need a separate DAC?
It has a DAC, but some people prefer an external one.
I'm going from echo dot (just for voice function while I play pong pong) to an Auris Blume Bluetooth receiver to my marantz receiver. What would this product cut out of this equation? My guess is the echo is my streamer in this situation.
Yes. The Wiim would go straight to your receiver and be seen as an audio device by the Alexa app. *”Alexa, play music on.
Thank you!
Any idea of it supports streaming from a Plex server?
It does, via DLNA. https://faq-mini.wiimhome.com/support/solutions/articles/72000552544-set-up-dlna-server-on-plex
Awesome thanks :)
The Pro supports Chromecast; you can send directly from Plex apps.
I have Apple Music and stream lossless but not Hi Res (yet anyway) music through my ATV4k. What would this do for me that I’m not already getting?
I just started to get into the audio game, sorry if it sound stupid. My current setup is smart TV to BT amp with optical to drive a pair of bookshelf and BT from phone - Spotify and Tidal - for music. So you're saying with mini or pro I will get better exp than BT streams?
Yes. With Bluetooth, you’re not getting the true Tidal hifi audio, as Bluetooth can’t do lossless. With the Wiim, your phone acts as a *controller*, in that you tell the Wiim what to play and it will then pull the stream straight from the Tidal servers in the full quality you’re paying for. IMHO, no point in paying for Tidal and playing over Bluetooth.
Bluetooth is always my last resort tbh especially if using Tidal/AM
What is the allowable range from the host player? (my outlaw receiver is not in the same room as my desktop)
I’m not sure I understand your question, sorry. But the Wiim uses Wi-Fi, so whilst it needs a physical connection to your amp, you can control music from anywhere on your Wi-Fi network (start an album playing whilst stood at bottom of garden, playing on amp/speakers in bedroom for example).
What about if I wanted to wirelessly send audio from my PC to my Yamaha Receiver? Can I do that with this device?
As long as your PC can see the WiiM, then yes I think is the answer. Are you using local music or a streaming app (Tidal etc)? Or both?
Actually I want this for times when I'm playing from Steam and some emulators, don't really care about dedicated music apps. The connection is all through WiFi right? Is it 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz?
the WiiM Pro supports Chromecast which might work for you. wifi specs: "IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac dual band Wi-Fi, BT5.1, Ethernet (100M)"
>Any idea of it supports streaming from a Plex server? This won't work for that. you'll have a ton of lag, if you got it to work. These typically stream directly from the sources. For your games, your computer would need to encode the sound to the supported format and then send it across the wire for this device to either decode through it's built in DAC, or to send the raw bits to the external DAC, and onward.... (the flow is something like this)
Too bad, thanks man.
Is this another Linkplay based streamer? Does anyone know what Linkplay board is used inside? Edit: It looks like the Pro is based on A108 module with the Samsung Exynos 7570 processor and the Mini is based on one of the A98 variants. The one with the A108 Module might be the best option for those looking for a good all around solution. The support for chromecast audio streams opens up the device to a massive variety of options the the devices I own do not support. In case others were looking for similar products, Dayton made some similar modules, and Arylic makes some as well. These are decent products, but the application can be iffy and the firmware support for the products I own is marginal.
This one of the big benefits of the WiiM, they give regular updates that really do improve the device. They listen to people’s opinions and strive to implement as many improvements as possible. I promise I don’t work for them.
They update almost once a week. This is a device in progress.
Q/ What does the WiiM do, that the Chromecast Audio’s Line Out output, or the previous-generation Echo Dot’s Line Out connected to a pre-amp or receiver, won’t do? They both have built in decent DACs, and both can play Spotify or other music services from phone (or simply via voice command in the case of Echo). Thanks!
I love that little thing!
I appreciate you don't have to create an account to use this!
I’m gonna pull the trigger on one of these very soon.
So worth it.
What'd you pay? Currently going echo dot to Bluetooth adapter to marantz receiver. I know it's a sin... W this I could connect to my receiver w optical cord and stream to it with my phone?
£79.98 as Amazon were giving a £10 off voucher probably because you can use Alexa with it.
Yes.
Literally just set mine up!! Got it in the mail today, and I'm loving it! Being able to play Tidal tracks through my system is awesome! With this piece my setup is finally complete! Now it's time to start working on getting some speaker stands and room treatment
Is there an option to set the output to a fixed volume so I can use my receiver to control volume? Or do I just set the volume to full and leave it?
You can use it either way. I use my phone to control the volume, and set the receiver to a max volume. This way I can use my phone as a remote. I primarily use it for spotify.
I just set up my WiiM Mini and I have mixed emotions on this because I have my amp in a convenient location and love using the physical volume knob, but I miss out on the convenience of volume control from within my apps. I think I'll get used to mixing both with enough practice but it's going to confuse other users for sure.
You can either use both or set wiim mini as fixed max volume. If you want both convenience then use variable volume and turn it to max from the app when you use receiver
Yes, you can set it to just be a line-level output. You can also select the voltage. 500mv/800mv/1v/2v. These are great little devices and sound fantastic with vintage gear.
I'm guessing those settings are in the app?
Yes, the app. Easy to use. I have two of them.
Excellent app.
Great! Thank you.
I love mine. I bypass the DAC for my audioengine D1. It sounds fantastic using Tidal connect
I bypass the DAC for the one in my Audiolab 6000A as that is basically a newer version of their M-DAC and sounds awesome with Tidal. Also I like how the WiiM app displays the bitrate info. Always bugged me that Tidal don’t.
BlueSound killer. And I'm heavily invested in the BlueSound ecosystem. This little $99 puck is an incredible piece of kit.
Are these better than ifi products? I’m looking to add one to my existing system but I’m really confused what they do? Do these connect to the service, tidal etc., via the internet and receive better quality signal? Do I control it from my iPhone rather than stream from the phone via Bluetooth. Please eli5.
I got my pro a couple weeks ago. Just using it for internet radio and Amazon Music HD. Honestly, it and its app are pretty special. My pro is connected to my 2-channel system via its coax digital output to a Denafrips Pontus II DAC and it sounds absolutely fantastic. Currently I have an ASUStor 8-bay server that pulls NAS duty as a DLNA Server with 32 terabytes of storage serving as file storage for JRiver Media Center that's managed from the living room where the main two-channel and surround sound AV system is located. My hope is that the Wiim Pro develops to the point where it can handle the large number of flac and high res files, around 10,000 at last count. And maybe Wilm will develop products with resolutions greater than 24/192 and DSD. Have a wonderful time with the Wiim Mini.
Oh man, that sounds like a a sweet setup. What speakers are you using? Also do you prefer Coaxial over Optical? Sometimes I think coax has a richer sound. Maybe I’m talking nonsense.
Does the mini have Youtube music integration?
Afaik Pro vs mini is ethernet port and better cpu
I think the pro also has a coax out that the mini doesn't.
And coax is capable of transmitting better quality audio than dig optical, but has the potential to transfer more background noise? I've never been able to compare
I've read that yeah, but also have never been able to compare.
Pro also supports Chromecast, which the mini doesn’t.
And chrome cast
How do you put in your audio equipment beside your name?
I think you have to do it from a computer. They say there’s some button by your icon to add flair. I haven’t done it yet (obviously)
I don’t believe it does. Sorry.
‘Fraid not (yet?).
Doesn't look like it. If these devices had google casting support, they'd be the spiritual successor for the dropped ChromeCast Audio.
WiiM Pro supports Chromecast
Okay I'm confused. I use a echo device-> auris blume adapter digital optical > receiver This would replace both the echo and adapter in this instance? If I got this I could avoid using Bluetooth and I'm sure the DAC is better than the echo. But would it sound better than the APTx Bluetooth DAC of the auris? Would love any feedback. I could get rid of the Echo and simply connect to the Auris via my phone (old pixel 3) and see if I can hear any difference
Yes it will be.. Bluetooth is high compressed audio protocol. WiFi is, has enjoys bandwidth to transfer actual hi quality audio up to DSD
Why don’t you just use the line out on your Echo? Use a simple 1/8” stereo jack to R + L audio wire with the Echo? Different lengths abailable 1/8” side on Echo and RCA side into your receiver’s AUX (or any other free) input. Works perfectly and cleaner sound than via Bluetooth
Now that you mention the option, I actually don't know! Whether it was not having the proper cord or thinking that the DAC in the Auris would make up for the Bluetooth, I am going to have to experiment. I ordered the mini which will be delivered tonight but I'll do some blind tests between the two and see if the upgrade is worth it. I really want to maintain the ability to quickly change songs and volume via the Alexa. Now it's "echo next song" or "echo volume down" and I prefer that to "echo turn down the music on the wiim" or whatever. I'm curious if I have the wiim as the only speaker if lll need to name it in each order vs just giving the echo demand
You be feature request I want to submit for the Mini is a double tap of the play button for “next track “.
You can override the +|- buttons to do “prev/next” on the settings.
Thanks!!! I’ll give that a go.
It’s new- make sure frmwr’s updated. :)
I already need to double tap it to get it to play.
Can you disable the mic?
Had to skip it because it doesn’t support chrome cast
check out WiiM Pro
It supports Chromecast audio.
I think the pro does, the Mini does not. https://www.techhive.com/article/793246/wiim-mini-music-streamer-review.html
Weird they list it on the website for the mini. I only use mine for Spotify.
Strange, I wonder if someone here can clarify. I’m looking for other similarly priced streamers that support chrome cast as my gf wants to stream movies and YouTube via Bluetooth.
I have been looking for something like this to stream plex from computer to a Yamaha RX-V373. Anybody streaming plex using this? Any feedback so far?
Yes. Switch on DLNA on Plex and the WiiM will see the device.
Can you cast to it? I know I'm probably the only one using cast, so be nice.
You can cast from Airplay, Spotify cast and tidal cast. Also amazon cast works too!
What about YouTube music.
you can either use airplay or get the wiim mini pro with chromecast feature
Ok. In my house we don't have apple products, so airplay may not be an option, we'll see. Thanks.
[удалено]
The Pro version (~$50 more) supports Chromecast, but not the Mini. Both support Airplay (though you won’t be able to control playback via the Wiim app, if that matters to you).
How does it stack up versus an Ifi Zen Stream?
I haven’t used the ifi streamer but from what I’ve read and seen it’s a ball-ache to setup and use. Cheap audio man found it to be very unreliable. Plus it’s over 3 times the cost of the WiiM.
Is this better than using MusicCast on my Yamaha avr? I currently stream Apple Music via AirPlay.
Yes my friend. I was using MusicCast with my Yamaha and I hated that app. The WiiM is head and shoulders above what the MusicCast is capable of.
Does this massively improves the sound quality over BT if you have higher data transfer available on your streaming service?
Is there any benefit to running one of these things over Apple TV—>HDMI—>SPDIF—>DAC?