• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

DAC/receiver - Bluetooth aptX plus WiFi

Raphaz

Raphaz

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Any recommendation for a good DAC that does both, WiFi as well as Bluetooth aptX? Is there such a thing?
Or should I not bother with WiFi - is aptX Bluetooth now comparable to WiFi in terms of sound quality (all given a fast, reliable network)?

Debating between either adding a DAC between my MacBook and my receiver, or skipping the laptop and connecting a DAC directly to my receiver (controlling/playing via phone).
I’m not even sure if the Mac’s built-in DAC is really inferior to a good external DAC?

The goal is to improve the sound quality (and maybe also to add convenience).

Would be great if there was a DAC that has the capability to do all of the above, but not sure if that exists.
I guess that’d make it “streaming receiver DAC”?
When I use a DAC between my laptop and receiver, does it matter if it’s a DAC that’s meant for headphones?

I hope this all makes sense - you can probably tell that I’m relatively new to the DAC/wireless audio universe so my terminology may not be accurate.

Right now I use my old MacBook Pro connected to my vintage receiver - mainly to play Spotify (but I may add other streaming services in the future). I use my iPhone and my other MacBook to play/control.
I’d like to keep my old receiver to play records and CDs.
So far no need for theater/surround.

If some of the above is doable, what are the tech/quality criteria I have to look out for? Any brands/models you can recommend?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
WiiM Pro Plus is the current champ overall features/quality/price, good built in DAC (the Plus version), but no AptX sadly, streaming over WiFi is better anyway than BT.
 
Last edited:
It sounds to me as if what you are really looking for is a streamer with a built-in DAC?

Look at the Wiim Pro or Pro Plus, or the Bluesound Node. They both have Bluetooth receiver capabilities, though it is there primarily for situational use...for example, when a visitor wants to play a file that is on his phone but not avaiilable from your streaming service.

Other than this case, why would you want to use Bluetooth (which even in its most recent iterations cannot deliver a lossless signal)?

You also said that you might want to connect a DAC directly to your receiver/amplifier. What would be feeding the DAC? Your phone and/or computer? There are plenty of Bluetooth DACs available, such as Audioengine B! or iFi Zen Blue. But again, why not use the phone/computer as a remote control but let a streamer, such as Wiim or Bluesound, retrieve the signal (from an internet streaming source, or from local files attached to your local network...for example, files stored on your computer or a hard drive).

The streaming device's DAC takes the digital stream and converts it to analog. The analog outputs of the streaming device are connected to your receiver. Alternatively, the DAC in the streaming device can be "bypassed", in which case you would feed its digital output to an external DAC, which in turn would be connected to your receiver.

Streaming devices can connect to your local network via WiFi (wirelessly) or Ethernet (wired). Bit-perfect, lossless performance.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like it comes down to a WiFi streamer.
Do I understand correctly? Do the Bluesound Node and Wiim Pro (Plus) streamers both offer WiFi (Ethernet and wireless) streaming?
Any other brands/models I should consider? Shiit, Audioengine, Peachtree…? Just asking as I may consider used devices.
 
The Wiims and the Bluesound Node can connect to (and stream from) your local network, and from there to the internet. Network side connectivity is WiFi or Ethernet, your choice.

On the output side, you can do analog (via the device's internal DAC) to any available input on your receiver, or digital (coax, optical, USB) to a different DAC.

You can also output to Bluetooth wireless speakers.

These streamers can be "linked" to others of their kind via their user interface apps, which can run on your phone, laptop, tablet, etc. So if you have multiple systems, you can choose to have the same music stream to them all.

I am only familiar with the Wiim and Bluesound products (I own both), so don't have much to offer as regards other alternatives. In my experience, they are pretty much plug and play, they are reliable and well -supported (especially Wiim), and they sound quite good. And Wiim's streamers are so inexpensive that I would probably not even consider used models.

BTW, Wiim recently introduced a very nice integrated amplifier/streamer/DAC device. All you need for a complete system is speakers. $300!!
 
Last edited:
My streamer is a cheap mini PC running Daphile into an external DAC. If you have an old PC your can load Daphile on it, all free. You may also want to look into Raspberry Pi based streaming solutions such as Volumio. There are also plug and play RPi streamers with built in DAC such as Allo Boss2 player. The discontinued Google Chromecast Audio is still a viable option, you can cast Spotify to it through the Spotify app, it has a built in DAC but you can also connect it to a better external DAC using an optical cable.
 
Last edited:
spark1 said:
Other than this case, why would you want to use Bluetooth (which even in its most recent iterations cannot deliver a lossless signal)?
Click to expand...
Yeah. I was going to suggest a Wiim, but, although it has BT 5.2, it only seems to support very basic SBC and AAC codecs.

But your question 'why do you want Bluetooth' is a very good one: what is the OP trying to achieve, and would this be better via WiFi/Ethernet?
 
cpt_paranoia said:
Yeah. I was going to suggest a Wiim, but, although it has BT 5.2, it only seems to support very basic SBC and AAC codecs.

But your question 'why do you want Bluetooth' is a very good one: what is the OP trying to achieve, and would this be better via WiFi/Ethernet?
Click to expand...

It does seem odd that as good as Wiim is otherwise, they would choose not to deploy a better Bluetooth codec. Perhaps there are license fees and/or other added costs which contributed to that decision?
 
Last edited:
Sounds like it comes down to a WiFi streamer.
If I understand correctly, the recommended Bluesound Node and Wiim Pro (Plus) streamers both have WiFi (Ethernet and wireless) capabilities, but the Wiim’s specs are not as good as the Node’s?

Any other brands/models I should consider (I may look into used devices also).
What specs do I look for (bitrate, codec, SBC, AAC, aptX and such - I’m not familiar with the terms).
 
Last edited:
Your question about network-side connectivity of the Wiim and Node streamers has now been answered several times. See my posts above.

BTW, Ethernet is not a wireless technology.

Between Wiim and Node, to what specs are you referring? I find the Wiim to perform at least as well as the Node...but I don't use Bluetooth. If that's critical to you, the Node uses a later, better version of Bluetooth.
 
Last edited:
Raphaz said:
Sounds like it comes down to a WiFi streamer.
If I understand correctly, the recommended Bluesound Node and Wiim Pro (Plus) streamers both have WiFi (Ethernet and wireless) capabilities, but the Wiim’s specs are not as good as the Node’s?

Any other brands/models I should consider (I may look into used devices also).
What specs do I look for (bitrate, codec, SBC, AAC, aptX and such - I’m not familiar with the terms).
Click to expand...

The WiiM Pro Plus technically has a better built in DAC than the Node, but it probably doesn’t matter for practical purposes.

There are so many features these days so it’s hard to give a meaningful recommendation. I suggest you focus on what your actual needs are at the moment and then look for a solution, why pay for something you’ll never use. For your current use case I’d pair an inexpensive quality non-streaming DAC with a used Chromecast Audio puck, it will solve your current needs for under $150 and you’ll have a DAC for the future when you’re ready to get a different streaming solution. For a bit more you can get a non-Pro WiiM instead of the CCA for streaming duties. Based on what you described I don’t think you need Bluetooth.
 
Last edited:
Yes, it certainly comes down to what he's trying to accomplish.

If he doesn't mind physically connecting his laptop to his stereo system, then he really doesn't need to add anything.

Sticking a $100-150 DAC between his laptop and his stereo system probably won't get much of an improvement in sound quality vs DAC in his laptop, especially if he plans to continue using Spotify (lossy) vs a lossless service.

If he wants a simple, one box, currently-supported, plug and play device to eliminate the connection between his laptop and his stereo system, the basic Wiim Mini will do the job. FYI for the OP; it connects to the network via WiFi, has an internal DAC, or can be used with an external DAC (optical output only). $89 list price, and often on sale. The WIim Pro adds coax output and a few other things.

The Chromecast option is "limited" to 24/96, vs 24/192 for the Wiims...but this is pretty much a non-issue unless you have an extremely well-resolving stereo system. Both Chromecast and Wiim have apps for your phone, tablet, etc by which you can control the device and your music.

The Wiim Pro has the same internal DAC as the Wiim Mini, while the Pro Plus has an upgraded DAC. The Pro is available with a voice-controllable remote control (an extra $10), while the remote is included with the Pro Plus.

The Bluesoud Node is 2.5 times the price of the Wiim Pro Plus, 4 time the price of the Wiim Pro, and 5 times the price of the Wiim mini.
 
Last edited:
The OP ended up getting a Wiim Pro Plus, which is currently connected to the receiver via Line Out and sources Spotify via WiFi.

I skipped the laptop. Convenient enough controlling from my phone and/or via the remote.
Not sure yet if I can tell much of a difference in sound quality. Slightly ”cleaner” I’d say though.

My WiFi is usually pretty fast and stable, but changing/skipping songs in Spotify takes a lot longer then it used to via BLT. But I need to familiarize myself a bit more with options and setting.

I was also able to connect to a BLT speaker but haven’t managed to do both BLT and WiFi at the same time, not yet.

The Pro Plus is obviously slightly over my initial budget but seemed to be a good value for the money, with decent built quality, lots of options and a pretty good DAC.
That way I have options and can customize things to whatever setup I want in the future - unless I win the jackpot and decide to go all high-end separates or with a TOTL all-in-one receiver.

I’ll report more on my experience with this new toy soon.

Thank you all for your advice!
 
Are you controlling Spotify through the native Spotify app or the WiiM app? Make sure Spotify is set to highest quality on the WiiM, if there’s a setting for that.
 
Through the Wiim app I think, but I’ll need to check, and I’ll check the quality.
Thank you!
 
Raphaz said:
Through the Wiim app I think, but I’ll need to check, and I’ll check the quality.
Thank you!
Click to expand...

Try the Spotify app on your phone or computer.
faq.wiimhome.com

Spotify on WiiM

Spotify is a digital music, podcast, and video service that gives you access to millions of songs and other content from creators all over the world. Spotify and WiiM will allow access to all of your existing Spotify playlists and their enti...
faq.wiimhome.com faq.wiimhome.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom