WiimPro Arrived Today-- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!

[WillVT]

I set up Amazon casting to run the WiiM with the Amazon app (via Android phone).

Certainly not intuitive, but I get the sense that Amazon doesn't put much effort into integrating with third part apps and hardware.

After getting it working, I cued up a playlist and let it run. After about 40 mins, I wanted to get the artist name for the song that was playing. Picked up my phone and found that the app was not synching with the content...app was showing the 3rd song on the playlist and seemed frozen, but WiiM was playing the 16th song. I gave up, closed the app (song kept playing), and opened up the WiiM app instead. Had to start playlist over again and scroll down to where I was.

User error? WiiM error? Amazon error?

I'd prefer running it in "connect" mode (that is, via the Amazon app) so that I can tag songs, add them to playlists, etc. I'll keep messing with it.

I think issues like these are mostly the Amazon Music app. I come across the same thing all the time. It seems to be the poorest design of all the streaming apps, both in it's user interface and general buggy-ness. Even the desktop browser version which I use sometimes at work stinks. If I have it open in a tab while I am working, then switch back to that tab, it's just an unresponsive white page. It will eventually load, but takes a while and sometimes needs reopening.
Spotify rarely has any of these problems, with Wiim integration or otherwise.

 

[jayvis]

This item is marketed as an affordable entry level device for people who want to experience hi-res streaming in their systems for the first time. Based on user reviews and a review from a close friend, I'll bet that the vast majority of WiiM users who adopt streaming as a hi-res music source will eventually upgrade to a higher quality feature filled streaming device. The Wiim provides a very basic feature set for, by today's standards, a very low price point. And its introductory price will most likely rise significantly in the near future. So, get 'em while they're cheap and hot. But if you have serious coin invested in your system and are serious about maintaining or elevating the high standards you expect from it, the WiiM will not be your end-all streaming component.

 

[GChief]

IYO

 

[DesertRatt]

Damn clouds

Ha ha.... and get off my lawn!

 

[jayvis]

IYO

ABSOLUTELY.

 

[spark1]

I think issues like these are mostly the Amazon Music app. I come across the same thing all the time. It seems to be the poorest design of all the streaming apps, both in it's user interface and general buggy-ness. Even the desktop browser version which I use sometimes at work stinks. If I have it open in a tab while I am working, then switch back to that tab, it's just an unresponsive white page. It will eventually load, but takes a while and sometimes needs reopening.
Spotify rarely has any of these problems, with Wiim integration or otherwise.

Agree. They want you to use their products. Unfortunately, Spotify doesn't sound as good.

I also use Qobuz. But from what I can tell it doesn't have a "connect" capability. I'll look further into that today.

 

[jayvis]

So you don't have any actual experience with one.

Only in my friend's system.

 

[spark1]

Only in my friend's system.

Does he think it's crap as well?

If so, tell him I'll save him from its inevitable and looming failure by taking it off his hands right now.

What streamer meets your standards?

 

[chicks]

This item is marketed as an affordable entry level device for people who want to experience hi-res streaming in their systems for the first time. Based on user reviews and a review from a close friend, I'll bet that the vast majority of WiiM users who adopt streaming as a hi-res music source will eventually upgrade to a higher quality feature filled streaming device. The Wiim provides a very basic feature set for, by today's standards, a very low price point. And its introductory price will most likely rise significantly in the near future. So, get 'em while they're cheap and hot. But if you have serious coin invested in your system and are serious about maintaining or elevating the high standards you expect from it, the WiiM will not be your end-all streaming component.

Huh. Which other streamer, pray tell, can stream at full resolution, bit-perfectly, using the Amazon Music app? Which other streamer can do "better" than bit-perfect streaming at 24/192, which is already well beyond any human's range of hearing? You could go spend a whole lot more for fancy packaging and connectors, but you won't get an "upgrade" in sound quality, sorry. Many, if not most "high end" HiFi manufacturers are pretty poor at engineering.

 

[RickB]

I'll buy a WiiM Pro as soon as it is LMS compliant as a back-up to the aging SB Touch.

 

[jayvis]

Does he think it's crap as well?

If so, tell him I'll save him from its inevitable and looming failure by taking it off his hands right now.

What streamer meets your standards?

Never said or suggested that it is "crap". Some of you guys get your panties twisted over the silliest things. My buddy is currently using his WiiM Pro while he researches other streamers. The WiiM is his first streamer and thanks to it, he's now all-in on hi-res music streaming. He's well aware of the WiiM's limitations and is learning about the advantages of higher end streamers by auditioning them in his system. Since you already have one, he'll probably give it to his sister, which was his plan from the start. He always saw it as a financially disposable item. Maybe you could list the streamers that you've tried in your system before settling on the WiiM. Maybe then I'll better understand where you're coming from. Never meant for my experiences and opinions to offend anyone.

 

[uofmtiger]

I think the secret to Amazon not losing the playlist is just leaving Amazon open, at least on iOS. When I do this is keeps real time on music being played and shows it in the “control center”, dynamic island, and Lock Screen. If you close the app, it could just be iOS or Android dumping the stream since it essentially streaming directly to the Wiim.

I don’t know another streamer that can beat bit perfect digital out to a DAC of my choice. There are some with fancier cases, including my WXC-50, but I care more about sound quality and features that the WXC-50 can’t compete with. I plan to get another Wiim down the road to use with the WXC-50, but it is in a system I don’t use very often, so no hurry.

 

[spark1]

Never said or suggested that it is "crap". Some of you guys get your panties twisted over the silliest things. My buddy is currently using his WiiM Pro while he researches other streamers. The WiiM is his first streamer and thanks to it, he's now all-in on hi-res music streaming. He's well aware of the WiiM's limitations and is learning about the advantages of higher end streamers by auditioning them in his system. Since you already have one, he'll probably give it to his sister, which was his plan from the start. He always saw it as a financially disposable item. Maybe you could list the streamers that you've tried in your system before settling on the WiiM. Maybe then I'll better understand where you're coming from. Never meant for my experiences and opinions to offend anyone.

Never meant to offend? Sure you did. Heck, you even called yourself a professional agitator in another thread. Odd choice of occupations, but if that's what floats your boat...

Again, what streamer do you recommend, and why?

How is it better than the WiiM, from an objective performance standpoint?

Do you even understand what a streamer fundamentally is? What are the key points of differentiation between streamers (DAC sections aside).

 

[spark1]

I think the secret to Amazon not losing the playlist is just leaving Amazon open, at least on iOS. When I do this is keeps real time on music being played and shows it in the “control center”, dynamic island, and Lock Screen. If you close the app, it could just be iOS or Android dumping the stream since it essentially streaming directly to the Wiim.

I don’t know another streamer that can beat bit perfect digital out to a DAC of my choice. There are some with fancier cases, including my WXC-50, but I care more about sound quality and features that the WXC-50 can’t compete with. I plan to get another Wiim down the road to use with the WXC-50, but it is in a system I don’t use very often, so no hurry.

It was open.

Going to mess with it more today.

 

[jayvis]

Never meant to offend? Sure you did. Heck, you even called yourself a professional agitator in another thread. Odd choice of occupations, but if that's what floats your boat...

Again, what streamer do you recommend, and why?

How is it better than the WiiM, from an objective performance standpoint?

Do you even understand what a streamer fundamentally is? What are the key points of differentiation between streamers (DAC sections aside).

And I'll repeat: Sounds a lot like a rerun response from an Adioholics forum, so I won't bother debating it. We likes what we likes for our own prioritized reasons.

 

[chicks]

And I'll repeat: Sounds a lot like a rerun response from an Adioholics forum, so I won't bother debating it. We likes what we likes for our own prioritized reasons.

So objective performance isn't a priority for you? I can only imagine what your system sounds like.

 

[northpaw]

If you close the app, it could just be iOS or Android dumping the stream since it essentially streaming directly to the Wiim.

Makes sense. I, for one, consider this a feature of the WiiM devices (and the Chromecast Audio), not a bug, as my major use is to stream a radio station for many hours at a time and I will often shut the tablet or phone I initiated the stream from. However I can see why other users might not like this feature.

It was open.

Perhaps it was power management on your device that curtailed what it considered unnecessary background activity by the app? Perhaps there is a way to defeat that, perhaps even on a per-app basis.

 

[cpt_paranoia]

So what streamer(s) do you like, and for what reasons?

Those that cost 'serious coin', perhaps...?

 

[chicks]

Here's a "high(er) end" streamer/DAC that pushes a lot of subjective buttons, but also has superb technical performance. I would consider it if I didn't already have the RME DAC. It's a nice all-in-one package, with a metal case and display, but the WiiM Pro matches its digital performance, and offers more services. It isn't silly expensive, but a pretty decent price for what it offers. The WiiM though, with a decent external DAC, is a "better" option for most.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...udio-element-i-usb-dac-streamer-review.10360/

 

[ehoove]

Let calm down and cut out the argumentative post back and forth.
Thanks,
ehoove