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This true. Every time I go up to my mother's it's a shock that the TV is so much smaller. But after a day or so I don't notice that. Then I get back to my place and it's a shock that the screen is so large. But after a day or so I go back to regretting not getting a bigger one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony
Well, it has now - I've just ordered a Wiim Mini network streamer to replace the ancient iPhone and Fiio DAC that is currently doing streaming duties. I am not sure how much better it will sound, but it should be a lot easier to use, and should seamlessly connect to my Plex server so I can stream my own FLAC files. The princely sum of £89.99 from Amazon, should come tomorrow with free Prime delivery.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Main reason for deciding to get something different was this review of the Fiio DAC I found on Audio Science Review - basically, it's pants. Total, utter pants - which is probably why it has been sat in a box for the best part of 15 years, unused...
However, whilst there I stumbled across this comparison of a $4,000+ Kimber interconnect vs. a $7 Amazon Basics one... (Albeit the Kimber version is only 1M long - $8,000 if you want to match the 2M length of the Amazon one.)
The video review, too, if you are interested:
https://youtu.be/QjvgL9_zL80?si=4YqXlBZrCr4gDVPv
I appreciate we are primarily a subjective leaning rather than objective biased forum, but personally I find it hard to argue the case on these ridiculously expensive cables. Spoiler alert: The conclusion is there is no difference between the two. I know, he didn't actually listen to the cables, but if they don't measure any different they aren't going to sound any different... Are they? :sofa:
Chuck that WiiM into a good DAC and as long as you have a strong WiFi signal, you'll be surprised at what good value it is. Spotify Connect will work a charm as well a streaming FLAC over DLNA. It wasn't that long ago they were 50 quid! I paid 100 for my WiiM Pro, but they are 149 now.
Are you not using JRiver anymore?
But are either of the cables directional? Were either cable cryocooled? Were the cables 'burnt in', and if they were, for how long? And finally were cable lifters used during the tests? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Plan is to use this one as a trial (with own DAC) and if I get on with the app, move it to the kitchen or dining room (probably the latter) and go for one of the better ones/DAC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim
Wiim does seem to get universally good reviews, and I like the idea of the Alexa integration, amongst other things.
Re. Jriver, I ended up using a Linux computer as my server, and Plex has all the cross platform apps, can stream remotely as well as a really nice interface, so I’ve ended up down that route, more by accident than an actual plan. That’s not that you can’t get Jriver to work for Linux, just that Plex was an easier option at the time and has kind of stuck. I will review where I go at some point.
Let me know how that works out for you ie can it be done 'hands off' - I like the convenience of being able to give my Echo Dot a voice command, but feel the quality could be better. It just seems like all the alternatives involve picking up a remote, pressing a button and speaking into it. I don't want that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
I imagine it can get quite confusing in your house:
Sue: Alex, put the bins out will you?
Alexa: Stop giving me these stupid chores, you know I don't have arms and legs. Tell that lazy lump of a husband to stop pretending to be working in his study and put them out :D
I'm happy with the WiiM Alex, it's not perfect but for value there wasn't anything to beat it at the time and I think that's still the case. The DAC is weak though, certainly on the lower models but I haven't tried anything above the Pro. But that's comparing it to a DAC costing 5 times as much, so it's not a level playing field. I never use the WiiM app itself, only go in there if I need to change something, but day to day I do everything via the Qobuz app or JRemote - it's mainly a network bridge for JRiver.
I've been 100% Linux for 4 years now, should have done it sooner. I use it on my main desktop PC and have it on a mini PC for my projector and an Intel NUC for JRiver, which was a Roon ROCK server previously. Now it just has Linux and JRiver on it. I’ve often wondered about trying Plex actually and just running one media box for both the projector and music :hmm:
:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony
Luckily Sue only ever tells Alexa (and me) to “shut up” so we’ve not had that problem so far!
I too like the convenience of the Echo in the kitchen especially, where “hands free” is so handy, so we shall see how it all hangs together with the Wiim. You can apparently create speaker groups with both Wiim and Echo devices, which sounds quite handy for multiroom music.
I will keep this thread updated for those interested.
Thanks, Tim, that’s useful. I really like Plex, I am paying for the Plex Pass which is probably not needed as you can stream free and unlimited on your local network with the free package. I really like the interface, very professional looking and it “grabs” artist bio’s and album reviews which I really enjoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim
I’ve not really looked at the video side much, but it seems like it is pretty good.
I might look into Plex as others have said the UI is really good.
One thing to note about WiiM is the software/firmware is constantly developed, with new features and bug fixes seemingly occurring every-time I turn it on. Consequently this can cause other issues, so something that worked previously breaks. Qobuz Connect worked perfectly on conception, then it kept locking up after a software update and the only remedy was a WiiM reboot (it's fixed now and seems fine). Additionally, when the Pro was launched it wouldn't stream gapless from JRiver (also now fixed).
Long story short, there is a WiiM user forum run by the WiiM development team and they do monitor and interact on there. I was the first to report the JRiver issue, other helpful users replicated the fault and WiiM fixed it. So if something isn't working that you think should be, it's worth checking the forum for a possible solution, or just adding your name to any thread reporting the issue so that WiiM are aware.
https://forum.wiimhome.com/
Cheers, Tim. I did see the forum when I was researching, looks like a good community.
It arrived this afternoon, set up in about 2 minutes as they claim, logged in with all my various accounts and checked it all seems to work, quick glance at the Wiim Home app looks very good - easily access all I am likely to need (Tidal Connect, Plex, BBC radio, Radio Paradise mainly) and with Spotify Connect, you just choose the Wiim as a speaker and use the app as the remote.
Looking forward to a listen later to see how it sounds but looks like a winner on the functionality front so far. (And it’s tiny - how do they pack everything in it?)
Everything it does is probably all on one tiny chip.
That looks about right!Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/t...uested.393202/
Well it’s time to turn it down and return to the near-field system, but in the couple of hours listening to the Wiim with the Sony/Spendors my gast is well and truly flabbered. I wasn’t expecting the Wiim to be massively better than the iPhone/Fiio, or the iPad headphone jack but it most certainly is. Soundstage, separation, tone, clarity - everything is just much much bigger and better. It’s definitely not placebo because I wasn’t expecting it to be that good - unless reverse placebo effect is a thing? This is definitely getting the hifi mojo back!
Yup, you get a lot of bang for your buck from a WiiM :)
Well I’ve had a month now with the Sony/Spendor combo, and three weeks since I added the Wiim, and I can’t stop listening to it, so I must have got the mojo back!
I’m loving the Wiim Home app, really easy to seamlessly move between streaming from Spotify, playing my own rips via Plex or internet radio, and whilst I have previously avoided any kind of equalisation, using the “RoomFit” app has tuned the system to the room a treat, or using a preset EQ such as “Acoustic” for low volume late night listening makes it more listenable without going too loud.
I’m still just using the analog output of the Wiim Mini and therefore it’s own internal DAC, will be tempted to either upgrade to a better Wiim product or look for an external DAC or amp with a DAC but at the moment I’m just enjoying the scale of getting the bigger speakers back playing, can’t believe I allowed them to hibernate for so long but at least they are back now!
What were you using before the Spendors came back?
Nothing in the living room apart from Roth actives either side of the telly. Various other setups around the house, but all little boxes, Wharfedale actives in kitchen, Diamond 220s with a Tangent amp in the dining room, and the powered Triangle AIOs in the study. (Which are still brilliant as a near-field system.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
The Spendors were in the spare room which became a music room with electric piano and stuff so it got a bit crowded in there so I swapped them for original “Super” Diamonds to save space and that’s when they got mothballed.
:yay:Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
My WiiM Pro has the same DAC chip as your mini Alex, plugging it into an external DAC is not an insignificant improvement. I love my WiiM as well, one of the best bargains in HiFi I reckon, if you still enjoy exploring music.
Good to see those Spendors back, they are great.
Gosh, look what arrived today, DPD driver must have got the wrong address? [emoji2369] [emoji6]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5fe114f6a5.jpg
:lol: I love it . . . don't tell Sue :sofa: (hopefully I've got the name right, but I am getting old!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
We'll expect a report in due course obviously.
The plan is, well, was, to use it in the dining room, as the Tangent amp in there is fine with the TV but just doesn’t sound quite right with music. Partly like all the rooms in this house, too many reflections, and it needs to be small as the gear in there is all hidden away in the sideboard. The WiiM Roomfit has worked wonders in the living room, so I reckon will do the same in the dining room.
But to test it I’ve plugged it into the Spendors in the living room and I don’t know whether it’s the amp or the DAC (or both) but first impressions are that it is massively better than the Mini/Sony combo, and would actually work in here to create a minimal streaming system.
We’ll have to see how it goes, but I suspect I might be buying another one!
The WiiM Mini is fantastic Alex, but it's DAC is it's weak point in a decent system, so that doesn't surprise me at all. I've been pondering one for my desktop system actually, the Amp Ultra into a pair of LS50 Meta's should make a decent near-field desktop player. Currently I have an ageing Amptastic Mini-1 with a Topping DAC - an Ultra would I reckon be quite an improvement, as well as being a lot tidier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
I reckon it would be superb as a desktop amp, and very neat and stylish.
Just had a “eureka” moment, the Tangent amp in the dining room has optical in, so I will try the Mini into that and see how it sounds…. Once I can drag myself away from listening to the Ultra!
Happy days, those WiiM's punch well above their weight :)
Well, WiiM Mini all installed via the optical input on the Tangent in the dining room and that’s sorted - it sounds miles better than it did than using the laptop, very listenable, so it looks like the Amp Ultra can stay in the living room…. Happy days indeed!
Decided to put the WiiM Ultra Amp in the TV cabinet, so all out of the way, neat and tidy. Now, just need to find a disc player with an optical output.
Hang on. What’s that on the bottom shelf!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0922693f8e.jpg
Before anyone else says it - "dust"! All tidied up now! This sounds just as good as streaming (as you'd expect, just bits from a disc instead of the internet into the same DAC/Amp.) Another happy day! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Those Wiim devices are amazing for the money just a shame about the looks. If they were full width and had proper controls instead of a menu, I'd be there.
Funny, isn't it - horses for courses, the fact they are so diminutive and everything can be accessed by the (very good, by the way) App is precisely what drew me to it in the first place!Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Differences aside, the build quality is really good, too - heavy, well engineered connectors, nice aluminium case and the touchscreen (not that I'll use it much) is top-notch. Even the remote is aluminium, and not just an aluminium cover, it feels like it's milled from a billet of metal, it is also rechargeable via USB-C so no batteries required. It doesn't need to, but the packaging feels premium, very much like an Apple product. It really is amazing how they can do it all for so little dough. I'm almost disappointed I don't need to buy another one now!
Not wanting you to be disappointed Alex, just put my address on the order :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
I love that amp. Small components are the way to go these days; there's little reason to have a pile of goliath boxes on shelves.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
My system is very simple. The RME ADI DAC is absolutely fantastic and has more features than a dozen faces, the Echo Link is wired to the network and is pure digital (ethernet in, coaxial out), and will stream at full resolution from anything its fed rather than compressing; the bewilderingly good value-for-money Emotiva A2+ (which, like the DAC, is fully balanced); and then a pair of the teeny but absolutely mind-bendingly capable Neat Motive SX1s. They stand at just under a metre tall, 160mm across with tiny drivers, but go down to 25Hz! Deep, controlled bass, startling mids and crisp, unfatiguing highs. Tiny boxes (except the amp), massive sound.
My Hi-Fi mojo is back, but not my 'upgraditis'. I'm very happy with this charming and capable set up.
https://i.ibb.co/j93RsFFw/IMG-3565.jpg
There are some advantages to putting electronics in larger cases. Thermal control is one, and also it's easier to separate power supplies from the signal electronics.Quote:
Originally Posted by Filterlab
Not always the situation but if you look at Rega for example their products often have noise bleeding in from the power supply which is partly due to having to cram it all into a little box.
The Wiim amps with them being Class D it isn't an issue but I'd like them full width to visually match the 'goliath boxes' (mostly 2 and 3 VU size which really isn't that big) I already have.
Of course, many components have external power supplies these days. Great for isolation.
Looks really "Neat" Rob! I love your cabinet!
Kallax-Fi . . . it's the future :)
:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Thanks.
Well I’ve finally got round to looking at how the Wiim’s integrate with Alexa/Echo devices, and I’m really impressed!
I’ve created a “Downstairs” speaker group, which has the Kitchen and Study Echo Shows, and the Living Room Wiim Amp Ultra and the Dining Room Wiim Mini - and essentially I can now have music on all through the downstairs at the same time, and it all syncs perfectly so it is seamless moving from room to room. Through the Alexa app I can tweak the volume (not on the Wiim Mini though, as that is using the optical out) and select “Downstairs” in Spotify to play to the new group.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4884e65246.jpg
So now the kids have my “Ring of Fire” in every room, whether they like it or not! :lol:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4d6e5c1706.jpg
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
You could put some musak on - say, a pan-pipe version of 'Strawberry Fayre', and then pretend you're wandering around a shopping mall.
Johnny Cash in every room gets my vote old bean :)