I know thosr makes the purist cringe ! Almost as controversial as lamp cord vs cable or digital vs analog ! LolWhat are those?
Wifi streaming vs hard-wired connection
- Thread starter PCV57
- Start date
PCV57
Active Member
I ordered the mini on Amazon, decided to upgrade to the Pro so I canceled it within the hour. I then read about the upgraded DAC in the Pro Plus and canceled the Pro also within the hour. I just got confirmation all 3 are showing up this morning . I guess I have some decisions to make! I am “clueless” about more recent technology developments like streamers but I’ve been buying and selling audio components for 40 years. My days as an audio engineer and sound man for a rock band in the 80’s has created a bit of hearing loss but I’ve always enjoyed and appreciated good sound and the components that provide that. I don’t have an unlimited budget so most of what I have is used, affordable, middle of the road audiophile equipment. Bluetooth and Sonos type speakers have their place but no substitute for component hifi stereo
I find the differences between DAC's, taking into consideration the different DAC "cost tiers", to be subtle. And I suspect the audible difference between the Pro and Pro-Plus will, accordingly, be subtle.
I suggest you buy the Mini or Pro, depending on whether you need Chromecast and LMS support, then go down the path of acquiring an external DAC at a later stage ... with maybe some DAC auditioning in the meantime.
PCV57
Active Member
I agree that differences between DACs will be subtle…especially for me. I am somewhat disappointed that there’s no native support for Apple Music in the app. My whole goal was to play hi-res music through the WIIM streamer. I do have Amazon Music but don’t like the user interface as much
That's interesting - on the WiiM forum and Bluesound forum I recall seeing the reverse complaint about TIDAL - users were often complaining about how TIDAL was integrated within the WiiM Home/BluOS apps, and lobbied instead for full native Tidal app support, via Tidal-Connect.
The absence of Apple Music integration within the WiiM Home app is Apple's fault, not the streamers' fault. Apple firmly limits how much third-party devices can access their streaming and library services.
Bear in mind the official method of streaming Apple Music to a separate endpoint is via AirPlay, and of course WiiM supports this ... however, AirPlay(2) is a complicated technical mess, and at this point in time it will not pass hi-res streams. Wait, I hear you cry, the AirPlay standard officially supports hi-resolution audio. Yes, but not as implemented on present day macOS and iOS devices. Period. There's an excellent technical deep-dive into this messy situation here -
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits-and-bytes/apple-music-lossless-mess-part-2-airplay-r1026/
Generally speaking the way to get true hi-res Apple Music is a (USB) cable connection from macOS or iOS device to an external DAC.
Presently there are two streamers which do offer true hi-res Apple Music - the EverSolo DMP-A6 and FIIO R7. That's because these are Android-based devices, and apparently they run a full version of Apple Music - so they actually take over the role of primary acquisition/control device - there's no need for a smartphone at all. In this mode I believe they should not even be labelled "streamer".
What's interesting is that if you do wish to control the Apple Music playback from your smartphone, I don't believe you can do it with the Apple Music app - instead you must do it with FiiO's own app, or a third-party "iTunes remote" style app.
WiiM setup for Alexa Cast -
https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support...with-amazon-music-casting-on-your-wiim-device
Last edited:
Gigantic
A big, big love
I just purchased a Wiim and have switched from Apple Music to Tidal, in spite of having used Apple Music/Itunes since it was introduced, 25 years ago. I was using A with my laptop and usb into my DAC and it was okay, but I feel like the Remote app really leaves room for improvement and only works some of the time. Going wireless via my Apple TV was better than Airplay for SQ, iirc, it's redwood quality, however, I had constant connectivity issues, everything I tried to change music. IT has been increasingly frustrating. Tidal, on the other hand, just works on the Wiim, but my one complaint is that their music recommendation is absolutely terrible compared to Apple Music, which has given me a tone of great recs. So, for the time being, I'm continuing to pay for and use Apple Music for playing in my car and at work, as well as for discovery, but using Tidal for everything at home. I get Apple Music in a package with Apple TV, iCloud and other services, so I'm not paying the full amount, which takes the sting out pf paying for a second service.