Actually, WiiM Mini is a hi res streamer

Рет қаралды 10,977

2 жыл бұрын

This is a response to a recent video that claims that the WiiM is not a hi res streamer. I demonstrate the WiiM playing hi res with Qobuz in the WiiM app. As I mention, they say that Tidal and Amazon will hopefully be Hi Res by April month end (Note: they have changed the estimate on this update to 05/15). I also show it playing, what I believe is gapless audio.
Be aware, that I just wanted to get this video up ASAP, so please forgive the unrehearsed feel of it. Sorry about the square blur in the video. It doesn't affect anything you need to see. First and last time trying to use the tracking blur feature in KZfaq. LOL
I hope to put up a more polished video after the Amazon update in May, so stay tuned.
My Review
www.uofmtiger.com/blog/februa...
Darko's video:
• RUN TO the Wiim Mini: ...
WiiM FAQ
wiim.freshdesk.com/support/so...
WiiM Mini on Amazon
amzn.to/36DgvOu'
Note: I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page. Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon.
WiiM firmware I am using 4.6.410354

Пікірлер: 62

@stewp.3298 2 жыл бұрын

I just set up my WiiM Mimi using an early 1990s Harmon Kardon receiver for power and a pair Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ speakers for sound and it passed the PinkFloyd Animals sound test with ease. I'm streaming from Spotifly which works flawlessly. Thank you for putting your stamp of approval on this budget device that exceeds my expectations.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it is working for you! Thank you for the comment!

@MarkShafi 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I updated my WiiM and it works flawlessly, sounds fantastic. I'm definitely getting 24/192 hi-res output. Looking forward to their updates end of April including MQA support, sometime later. Great device as far as "cost per performance" goes!

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! Enjoy your WiiM, I know I am!

@Reno4u2 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for an honest review. The Wiim is definitely in my near future. My opinion of Darko is that of a man consumed by his own ego. The fact that he deletes comments that disagrees with him proves it to me. If you can't stand the heat don't play in the fire!

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t mind him deleting it, but it would have been nice if he took another look to be sure he didn’t have a setting wrong or something.

@obdtm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I am getting a couple of Wiim minis after watching this video.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy!

@cristobalmartinezquesada3827 2 жыл бұрын

You're right. I sent a message to Darko that was erased too. I'm a wiim mini owner from Spain.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Hopefully, someone over there reads the stuff they delete so he can update his statements.

@kobezcarz4558 Жыл бұрын

Thanks man

@joeldrubin9832 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great insight. I'm a 70 year old just getting my toes wet with the new technology. Its been my observation that despite the Wiim's ability to output hi-res, people like yourself are still using external DAC's. Why? Higher bit rate? Second, Wiim advertises that you can connect a turntable to the Wiim without mention of going through a phono stage. That doesn't seem like it would be correct. Am I missing something? Having ability to stream my record collection through the house would be a game changer. Thanks in advance.

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear you are getting your toes wet! The external DAC offers better performance than the internal DAC of the Wiim. Some record players have a built in phono stage, so perhaps they were referring to something like that. My cheaper turntable has a switch allowing you to use its phono stage or sending the output to an outboard phono stage.

@danielinhetvin416 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your clarification. I was surprised when I saw his video, because I saw in other places that qobuz would indeed work correctly on wiim with the new firmware

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, he also said this on his podcast, but I wasn't too worried because I assume more people watch his videos. However, with this incorrect info being in both places now, I felt compelled to respond.

@andrewfaulkner7313 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your video. I recently got the Wii Mini and it's working great. I'm using Tidal with a hifi subscription but the highest res the Wii App says I'm getting is (MASTER) 24/48khz but it sounds as good or better that Amazon Music or Qobuz at 192. My Schitt dac doesn't do MQA. Is that what it is? Should I go with Qobuz because the numbers are higher? I'm paying 20/mo to Tidal for high res so I want to make sure I'm getting the highest.

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

I don’t use Tidal for a few reasons. First, when I tried it, I just hated the app. I am sure it has changed, but it just didn’t focus on my tastes like other apps. 2. They went with MQA. I don’t need them to push me into buying new equipment when it isn’t necessary. 3. Amazon also has hi res and it’s cheaper ( I already have Prime)and works fabulously with the Wiim. 4. I like the way Amazon works with the Echo Show in my office. It allows me to play and pause music while I am working by voice. I also use it in the living room that way, but not as often. If you like Tidal, I am not advocating for you to change, but I recommend giving Amazon a free trial if you have similar needs and Prime.

@1jhnpennington 2 жыл бұрын

Superb. Subscribed.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@johngutmanis3204 Жыл бұрын

You are correct, it is gapless play back, and yes it does play HiRez, you have to allow the WiiM to output HiRez

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

It is always interesting to see reviews of stuff I actually have experience with, but unfortunately it often leads to me trusting reviewers less. I also had this type of experience with the HomePod and the Audioscience review, so sad to say this isn’t an isolated case.

@theedgeofbreakup5192 Жыл бұрын

Great explanation.....So if I understand correctly if the DAC in my Yamaha receiver is up to 192 kHz / 24 bits, that's what I should set my resolution to in the Wiim mini? I will perform the test as well. thanks, for the video.

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

Yes, just be aware that some receivers will not accept 24/192 via optical. I had to get an optical to coax adapter to take advantage of 24/192 with my Denon Receiver.

@user-kx2yo7ve9w Жыл бұрын

Hi ! Can you tell me what charger must buy to be working good the streamer ? With good cable type c and with good charger are the sound better ?

@bmj4052 2 жыл бұрын

your opinion please. at the moment i use bluetooth from my phone to audio engine b1 to amplifier to speakers at home. would i get an audible difference using a streamer, wiim mini, bluesound node, etc? I only use Spotify Premium. Thanks in advance for any answer.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I can't say how much difference it would make, but the Wiim has Spotify Connect available which would eliminate the Bluetooth compression you are currently experiencing.

@muzammelhaquemukul7089 2 жыл бұрын

Can you use AirPlay 2 for KZfaq video app audio (not KZfaq music) from phone to wiim?

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I tested it and this works.

@davidttk Жыл бұрын

How is the sound quality compare to ifi Zen Stream and Bluesound Node 2i?

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

The optical output is bit perfect (measures well), so in that case it would depend on the DAC. Stereophile has a review with measurements of both the analog and optical out. Audioscience forum also has measurements. All in all, you are best off to connect it to a DAC that has optical in and does 24/192 through that input. There are some products that only allow 24/96 via optical ( which I show in the video). I picked up a Sanskrit DAC which I like with it.

@don7680 2 жыл бұрын

Darko produced his video before their firmware upgrade that allowed it to play hi res. What was the name of the DLNA app?

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

He dropped that video over a month after the update, so I doubt it. Audirvana, Logitech Media Server will do DLNA.

@slistone1940 Жыл бұрын

Does it support Tidal MQA or Amazon hd audio?

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

It does work with Amazon HD. I have a separate video on the beta… but it is now live. This month they also added gapless to their (up to) 24/192 Alexa casting feature ( meaning you use the Amazon app instead of a third party app). I believe it has Tidal connect. Which is similar, but I am not sure about MQA.

@keungy1065 2 жыл бұрын

Wondering if perhaps there are/were regional differences that prevented Darko from getting Qobuz high res to play on the WiiM?

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

As I mentioned in the video, he may not have the most recent firmware. However, given the channel’s popularity in the USA, he should have contacted WiiM and let people know there was some issue since he lives in Berlin (if that was the issue). He didn’t do that, so a large portion of his audience got incorrect information.

@pongada 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, Can it play lossless files on my mobile local storage in their native resolution?

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t used the device in a while, but plan to do an updated video soon, so I will look into it and include in that video.

@15therock 2 жыл бұрын

Does the wiim mini streamer do gapless playback via local library music on a NaS etc?

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I would assume it does, but can’t test on a NAS at the moment. I did test their “home server” built into the Wiim app and it could access Plex running on a Mac Mini. I played DSOTM and it was gapless.

@direhavok8732 2 жыл бұрын

Has this been tried thru Roon? Was wondering if Roon offkey supports it.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t use Roon, so I am not sure what “offkey” refers to. Roon is currently supported via AirPlay. They had a future firmware upgrade at one point that would add Roon native support, but I wouldn’t buy it based on a projected possible feature.

@daveborchard2019 Жыл бұрын

Can the Wiim be used to play locally stored music files on an iPhone using the Apple Music app, connecting the Wiim to amplified portable speakers, using the 3.5mm output of the Wiim. The portable amplified speaker’s doesn’t have an optical audio input. I heard reports that the 3.5mm output jack on the Wiim does not have good audio quality. I want to be able to wirelessly connect my iPhone to the portable amplified speakers. I heard that using Bluetooth for the wireless connection has muffled audio quality. Is WiFi required for the iPhone to connect to the Wiim? I would like to connect to the Wiim at locations where there isn’t WiFi. If WiFi is required, I would also need a WiFi device to connect the iPhone to the Wiim. Most users of the Wiim would be connecting it to their home stereo system and their home WIFi. But my situation is to use the Wiim at various locations for dance music.

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

For normal use with this device you need wifi or Bluetooth. For wifi, you could use AirPlay to send any audio from your phone to the device. You could do the same with Bluetooth. Bluetooth compressed audio, so it probably won’t sound as good as wifi, but i wouldn’t call it “muffled”. As for its aux out, it is pretty good. Stereophile reviewed that aspect of the Wiim and they were pleasantly surprised. You could add a DAC down the road if you wanted to get more resolution. Should also note that I believe the Wiim needs wifi just to open the app. I am not sure Bluetooth would work without it getting wifi. You may want to check with Wiim on that.

@MatSmithLondon Жыл бұрын

Can I stream from KZfaq music over Wi-Fi to this device?

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

If you are using iOS, you can AirPlay KZfaq Music to it. If on Android, you would need to use Bluetooth.

@lovethemusic4933 2 жыл бұрын

Please let me know about built-in EQ. Thanks

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I don't really use EQ. Is there something in particular you want to know about? I can pul it up and take a look if I know more about your question.

@mat.b. 2 жыл бұрын

Would not recommend this for Apple Airplay lossless, streaming audio has constant stuttering / skipping, which on their patch notes is a common issue across the board. Honestly, just wouldnt recommend this to any audiophile, especially since their customer support is nonexistent.

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

I use it for AirPlay quite a bit and have not had issues. AirPlay, in general, has issues on a lot of wifi setups out there, so devices that have it as an option feel the brunt of bad/archaic wifi setups or general static in busy areas. I have also spoken with their customer service many times, so I haven’t shared your experience on either front. I would recommend anyone interested to buy from a place with a generous return policy for any tech… especially those reliant on your wifi signal.

@pallas787 Жыл бұрын

My Friend...Darko is a "Marketing Man" (not an Audio Expert) and always don't accept any comment that isn't of appreciation for his Videos and disturb his "Marketing Plan"..💵 If WIIM for Darko isn't a Hi-Res Streamer, he can "suggest" to his follower hight price products that stream all file types (DSD, PCM HI-Res etc.) and earn something by this suggestions. That's all.. don't loose time and efforts. Greetings from Verona-Italy

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

I am less concerned about Darko than the incorrect information he put out in that video that may steer people away from an amazing ( for the price) product. He is obviously doing okay in the KZfaq reviewer world, so this video was more about getting the correct information out. Thanks for commenting. It is always appreciated.

@rogertrigoperez467 Жыл бұрын

Does the Xiaomi Mi Box do the same?

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

I don’t have any direct experience, but I believe that is an Android box and resamples audio to 48k, but maybe someone else can confirm this.

@leonardopapantoniou4227 Жыл бұрын

What about gapless? Is it truly gapless with all apps?

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

I can’t comment on every app. I only tested those that were mentioned in the video. Obviously, every app that plays gapless on the phone will play gapless with AirPlay, so I guess you could say they all have potential to be gapless. May just depend on how you get audio to the Wiim.

@duilawyr Жыл бұрын

The real issue is, “SFW?”😢 You can’t hear difference. Nor can I? The Emperor’s New Clothes. Wi should eradicate all software used in decoding high res; and convert it to 5.1. That you CAN hear a difference!!! Anyone know of a player for Roon that won’t financially Rune me?

@uofmtigertech1316 Жыл бұрын

No test is set up to prove you can’t hear a difference. They are setup to prove you can hear a difference. Let’s say you are 50/50 on an ABX test. You could have actually heard a difference 50 percent time, but no test is setup to prove that. Secondly, 5.1s main limit is the mastering. It is hit and miss. If Wiim processed a 2 channel signal to 5.1, you aren’t getting a true master… more like a DSP mode on receiver. Not my thing. Also, I could care less about Roon, but Wiim has Roon support on their future roadmap. Thank you for the comment.

@tonym8358 2 жыл бұрын

The only benefits of wiim is gapless play but if you compare to rasberrypi 3b+ with a teradack dac hat for about same money using Moode experimental @ 64 bits...you will never used the wiim again

@uofmtigertech1316 2 жыл бұрын

Plenty of different uses for Wiim and the list is growing. I am testing an Amazon Ultra HD beta right now. As for Pi, it isn’t for everyone. It isn’t plug in play. It’s great for those that want to take the initiative and time, but this is a plug and play solution that gives you many of the same benefits. You can also choose whatever DAC has an optical input.