Getting the Hi-Fi Mojo Back

[Macca]

I think you quickly get used to whatever screen size you have. #.

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.

[Alex_UK]

hasn’t cost me a penny… …yet!

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.

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:



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?

[Tim]

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?

[Barry]

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.

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:



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?

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?

[Alex_UK]

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?

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.

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.

[Pigmy Pony]

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.

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.

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

[Tim]

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

[Alex_UK]

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.

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

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.

[Alex_UK]

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

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.

I’ve not really looked at the video side much, but it seems like it is pretty good.

[Tim]

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/