WiiM Pro Plus, the upgraded one
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
- WiiM streamers got very popular in a short time, not in the last place due to their low price, good app and the robust LinkPlay streaming technology. Yet again they introduce a new streamer and again I was eager to review it.
Contents of this video
00:00 - Intro
00:24 - Start of program
02:11 - The outside
03:33 - The inside
05:01 - Some measurements
07:04 - In use
08:47 - How tested #1
09:26 - Sound quality #1
09:55 - How tested #2
10:39 - Sound quality #2
12:04 - The wrap
Relevant videos:
Review WiiM Mini: • Wiim Mini Streamer
Review WiiM Pro: • WiiM Pro streamer does...
Magna Mano Ultra MK III Farad network player: • Magna Mano Ultra mk3 F...
About my reference setups, May 2023: • About my reference set...
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I am value for money guy, just switched from Yamaha WXAD-10 to Wiim Pro Plus and I am more than pleased with the result.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks Hans - yet again a thorough and balanced review. Looks like they are carving themselves out a an interesting space in the market at this price point. I appreciate your caution around sharing measurements, but this does show the level of effort you go into as well as serve as a helpful comparison between the pro and pro plus - I also really enjoy the circuit breakdowns - good to learn about what items are taking which duties and again, see the material and incremental difference between the Pro and Pro Plus build. Thanks again.
My pleasure
Best Revue in CZcams! Comlete, good structure, clear and good for understanding! Thank You for your Work! I bought Today Pro Plus! 👍
Great to hear!
thanks Hans, i so apreciate your videos, honesty and brevity. love from Spain
I appreciate that!
Nice review & comparison. Thank you very much!!! Absolutely helps to make a decision.
👍🏻
Amazing review! Love your reviews!
🙏🏻
It seems like your channel is the only one that does streamers or at least you review all the ones im looking at. Like Denon Dnp2000e, very few reviews and its a nice piece of gear. Keep up the good work.
I try
good review like always. i tested a sbooster mk2, a heorwege and one Farad super3. The improvement was there but smal with all powersuply.s and the wiim pro plus could not show the difference between the powersupply"s themself"s.
(tested just the Streamer as bridge and transport with usb
Thanks for sharing
Hi Hans, nicely done and great comparison on the innards of the units. By using RCA out, the DAC differences will be highlighted between the WiiM units. I've had the WiiM Pro for about a year and it's great using it coax to a RME-ADI-2. Also use an external 5v power source to unload that too. It sounds quite good in my audio monoblocks floorstander system. If you did the same to your better rig, I think you'd hear what these units could do. Perhaps you will and share that with us. (Because rca out is really more a WiiM DAC test between the two.) Thanks for the great work!
👍🏼
Most detailed pro plus review on CZcams
Thanks!
Very good analysis of this product Hans. Thank you. I think that adding an evaluation of its performance as a digital streamer ie using the SPDIF outputs, would be very helpful. I have read that its DAC is competitive no doubt but its SPDIF outputs are exemplary and where the “real vale” of this unit shines. Have you considered evaluating its performance as a SPDIF output??
Thanks for sharing!
I love mine. I run it off of a simple portable cell phone battery charger - the big cases that probably have 4 or 5 cell batteries in them. I am quite pleased. The filters are great. Use the slow, really slow or NOS for hi-res and the fast filter for 16/44. Unfortunately, they removed the digital filter selection (which resides in the output setting in the controls) but they are supposedly going to put that back in place. I have a mojo 2 that I use as well through the spdif out. I consider them different flavors but not in a different league. I guess I like it better than Hans.
If you use an external DAC, the filters in the WiiM are not used.
Danke!
👍🏼
Your in-depth reviews are excellent, Hans. I'm mainly an analogue guy soon getting in to streaming with a brand new set-up and wonder if you have a preference for streaming only (via coaxial output) between the Argon Solo and the WiiM PP. Is there a notable difference between the two regarding the quality of what the coax output delivers? For a DAC i'm torn between a Geshelli JNOG2 with Sparkos Op-amps + LPS and the Denafrips Ares II (Enyo). Both are no doubt great sounding devices, which will be going in to a Sony TA-1130 solid state amp or a Sugden.
Please watch my reviews.
Good review. Appreciate your work. I subscribed. I’m going to add a streamer to my stereo system, but still researching. I’m leaning towards the Cambridge Audio AXN10, but the new Wiim Ultra Streamer has got my attention now also. Looking forward to your thoughts on the Wiim Ultra. Have you ever reviewed any Cambridge streamers? Thank you.
I have reviewed four CA streamers but noot the AXN10. In CZcams search for 'Beekhuyzen & cambridge Audio'
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks, I’ll look for your reviews. I do know the AXN10 is the same as the MXN10 except for form factor. MXN is smaller, while the AXN is conventional size as most components.
It seems like your comparisons were more about the RCA output with the internal DAC.
I currently have a Pro that I use with a Shanti and a SU-9 Pro. I don't care about voice control or a remote, and I won't be using the internal DAC. My concern is solely sound quality. If I am using the coax SPDIF output, is there any compelling reason to upgrade to the Pro Plus? Or should I wait for the Pro ++ or whatever comes next?
Of course. The Plus Pro has better DA conversion than the Pro and it is in the analog part where the biggest difference is.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you for your response. I learned about some of the technical details from your videos, such as the relationship between the clock and jitter. I wondered if that single aspect was sufficient to justify an upgrade, since my other equipment makes up for some of the Pro Plus revisions. Given Wiim's high rate of development, I think I'll wait for the next one.
While I'm at it, thank you for making me understand the importance of the power supply on digital equipment. It was in part due to you and one other reviewer that led me to buy a power supply that cost more than the Wiim, with astounding improvement.
Thank you for your thorough, informative videos.
Hello Hans! As a digital transport only with nirvana, would you consider it a better choice than argon audio solo or bluesound node n130 with respect to sound quality only ?
Good Question. For a startup I use the SMSL SU-1 DAC. I love it, but I will definitely go with a top NOS unit either around 500 or if I go out of my mind perhaps something like the SMSL D0400ex.
See my reviews
Excellent review.
I noticed the Nirvana power supply 5V 2.85A USB A out.
Does the average USB A 2.0 Nirvana to USB C for the WiiM cable able to carry 2.85A ?
Thanks in advance.
Yes it does
Thanks Hans. I'm looking at replacing several old Apple AirPort expresses with the WiiM Pro for places like the garage (powered speakers) and with the WiiM Pro Plus for APE that are feeding into proper amps and speakers. I have my "gold" system driven by a SoTM SMS-200 Ultra Neo with external power supply, largely based on your earlier review/recommendation. The DAC is an integrated ESS Sabre DAC in my amp via USB (Cyrus 8XPd QXR). Would that be a good candidate for a WiiM Pro Plus, possibly with an external PS? Would the WPP DAC (AKM 4493SEQ DAC) be better on spec than the ESS that is probably quite older? Or would an DMP-A6 Master Edition be a better option for a "gold" system, where I'm more likely to enjoy being mesmerised by those sexy VU meters!!
As far as replacing your SOtM by a WiiM Pro Plus: don't. The other questions I can't answer. Against popular belief - especially on the web - the type of DAC chip doesn't give a good indication of the quality of a device. That also depends on the quality of the clock crystal, the power supply, the circuit board layout and the circuit design.
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?
I really have no idea
Hi Hans, Amazon Prime Day last week had the Pro Plus for $175 US. I also have the Mini, Pro and I agree with your conclusion, the Pro Plus is Cleaner, even more detailed than the Pro. I am using the iFi iPower X Low Noise Power Supply and what a bargain for this streamer.
How does that work? The difference between the Pro and the Pro Plus is a DAC or does it change every part of the output stage? I use power bricks to power my Pro.
It was £175 in Amazon UK prime day sale as well.
Watch the video!!
At time 12:00 you refer to with standard power supply ranking high in Setup 1, I am sure you mean setup 3
absolutely. That Wass a stupid mistake.
I like your videos Mr. Beekhuyzan. What is next logical step after wiim pro plus? Eversolo you review earlier?
Eversolo is more then one step above pro plus, node 130 would be the next level in quality both sound and build.
I agree
thank you for the video. btw Are you going to keep track of AudioPro Link2 and review it some day?[I own one,but I'd love to hear from you on that product.] Cheers,lad!
I have not planned it.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you for your concise answer👍 Anyway,carry on with your channel,mate!
Hello Hans, did you test the trigger output? The wiim pro had issues, are they fixed?
I haven't
Thank You, I chose Argon Solo streamer because it looks in Solo more is spend on audio quality and less on features. Which sounds better to you Argon Solo or WiiM Pro Plus?
See my reviews.
I compared reviews , to me you words are nicer or more in favour of Argon Solo, but it is not explicite as: Argon Solo sounds better. @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
@@LoniGuitarChannelHrMy conclusion is he prefers the solo. Based on what he said about the use of the Denafrips ares which works well with solo and doesn’t work especially well with the pro plus. But I would like confirmation from Hans 😊
@@Tura67 Yes, Argon Solo sounds better. I currently have Pro Plus connected in system and it can’t match Solo sound quality. What is beter on WiiM is optical input, remote and wifi stability.
Hi Hans - love the channel, I’m curious, how can a digital signal not be of sufficient quality? It’s 1s and 0s right? I trust what you’re saying, I just don’t understand. Thanks.
Good question! As long as the signal represents a digital signal (its is actually an analog square wave signal), light pollution of the square waves are no problem. It's when the signal is converted to analog that slight pollution like noise and DC shift can cause timing errors (jitter) and that has a direct audible influence on the analog signal.
I made several videos on the subject, like this one: czcams.com/video/B-StTplQZys/video.html
hello, in the case of streaming with Airplay2 + Apple Music HiRes (alac), which audio format is played in the WiiM Pro+?
I can't say. Sorry.
Hello, since the Pro+ has no USB interface, I would like to use the Pro+ for streaming music bitperfekt from a win10 laptop. What software can I use to achieve the best results?
Thank you so much for some answers
I mentioned that in the video....
If u use the wiim pro plus with audiolab 6000a integrated amp aren't u using the audiolabs dac/amps for sound through your speakers and headphones? thanks
Depends on how you hook it up
@@Pete.across.the.street I was going to use coaxial connector but does it make a difference if you use optical or RCA ports there going in the audiolab amp and coming out through the headphones or speakers?thanks
@@PhatdudeAlfa yes, it makes a difference. If you use coaxial into the audiolab, it will use the audiolab dac. If you use rca into the audiolab it will use the Wiim dac. Whether or not that difference is audible depends on a lot of things in your system. Try it both ways and see what you like. Just because one way is suppose to be "better", doesn't mean you'll like the sound more than the orne.
Thanks for answering. I couldn't agree more.
@@Pete.across.the.street so if your using digital coaxial or optical digital ur using the audiolabs dac and if ur using RCA ur using the wiims dac? Am I right thanks.
Hi Hans, i wondered if its an upgrade for may set up, i currently using Raspberry Pi4 running Moode Audio to built in DAC of CXA 81, and im using Bubble UPNP for tidal. is it worth to upgrade to wiim pro plus? TIA
Absolutely
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thank you!!
Between the mini, pro and pro plus, assuming you use the spdif over toslink path, has anyone observed a significant discrepancy in SQ ?
Exactly, that is the questions to ask, and I suspect the reality is there isn't a difference between the three of them.
Yeah I don't think (or haven't seen) that they improved the clocks etc, only differences are really on the dac side. Therefore spdif output is going to be the same I reckon. I only upgraded my mini to the pro so that I could use ethernet. Sound quality over spdif seems the same. I think a cheaper model with an improved power supply will serve you better for the money.
The digital outputs are on the digital board and that is identical on both models.
Should I replace my microrendu with the Wiim plus for a Roon endpoint?
I wouldn't.
How's your health, Hans? Thank-you for the videos, hope you are well.
It's funny. I have never been healthier, lost 20 kg, am 3 times a week in the gym and never got asked about my health this much😆
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Good news :)
Hans, I'm struggling to understand what you mean when you say, "the Pro Plus is not capable of getting the best out of a DAC like the Denafreps... the digial quality is not clean enough to achieve that." Are you saying that a digital input signal is degraded by the WIIM in some way before it's passed onto an external DAC? that it's not "bit perfect" - i.e. the data coming in from a streaming service is not the same that would leave on a SPDIF connection going to an outboard DAC? Thank you.
The digital signal coming from low cost streamers is not clean. I have explained that several times already. For instance in this video: czcams.com/video/B-StTplQZys/video.html
Question: Does the fact that the analogy circuit is better on the pro plus mean that it is also better as an input for say a turn table
It doesn’t do turntables
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel My dec has Phono out or line out, cant I use the line in on the wiim if I use line out on the turntable
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.
No, it hasn’t
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thank you Hans!
I wish you do the test #3 by connecting WiiM Pro Plus to outside DAC.
Watch this channel next week
Many thanks. Look forward to it. Audiophiles are likely to have a good DAC. Hope they don't have to spend the money for streamer wiith DAC.
Not available anywhere outside Amazon US. Not available in India as well
Thanks for sharing
I compared the regular Wiim to the Pro Plus; I can't hear a difference. I got the Nirvana power supply: I can't hear a difference. I got new preamp Tubes for my tube amp: I can't hear a difference. Not sure if I should be disappointed I can't hear any issues or happy I'm saving money and I'm content. I was genuinely hoping to hear something "better" or "different". Does anyone else feel as perplexed as I do? I did switch between filters in the Wiim Pro Plus and heard a difference, but the filter I liked (super slow) was basically what the regular Wiim provides already as characteristic. I got a new vintage Pioneer preamp for my tube amp and that made a difference.
If you don't hear a difference, you don't ned to spend the money.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks. I'm asking without criticism. I just really wonder what you hear that I can't hear. It puzzles me.
When I stream to Chromecast hanging on my TV, and then from.the TV to the Wiim, is that considered as HiFi quality sound?
Or is streaming from Tablet/smartphone directly to the Wiim, the better option?
I ask that because I like the visuals when I stream Spotify to my TV. The face Of Bach in the background, for example.
Everything that sounds good to you is good enough.
The TV will have 48K output and the tablet/phone are probably at 44K. But since Spotify in not full resolution at 320 bps, it's highly unlikely you will hear any difference on your setup. In fact, Qobuz or other bit perfect options will be better and if your system is up to it, audible.
Wiim Pro is good but has terrible bluetooth latency that ruins it for video, the big Achilles' heel of the product. Sound is more clear than my Echo Link and feels like an upgrade and tells me exactly how many bits I'm getting. I can also choose range of bytes. It also streams files from phone for CD files.
For $150 it's market breaking, you'll need a workaround for video.
Thanks for sharing
Hi Hans,
I’m glad you mentioned that the wiim is good as a “secondary “ device for a den or something like that.
I always see so many people in the comments always going on and on about the wiim being better then more expensive better built streamers ie the node. I find it annoying because they don’t really understand the differences in build quality or implementation, all they see is cheaper…
In this world you get what you pay for, most of the time anyway…..
Thanks Hans, I’ve learned a lot over the years from you and your ample experience and knowledge as a sound engineer of the highest calibre.
All the best!
🙏👍
Thanks!
I agree. I experienced a streamer worth $2,000 played through $5,000 speakers... in a demo environment some months back. I still cant get over the depth of sound stage, the breadth of stereo image, the clarity of delivery. I also don't ever imagine being in a position to make such levels of investment, but knowing I can buy something in my budget that punches above its weight is always good to know!
Thank you! I will get it this week. Waiting for delivery 300.00 Can funds . Montreal ( 343 with taxes )
Enjoy!