Joined in 2023 
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For the Mini to become my everyday streamer, a system comprising a Chord Mojo DAC, a NAD C316BEE integrated amplifier and Q Acoustics 3030i loudspeakers would be more price- and performance-appropriate. Here I’d use the Wiim’s Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect inputs and point my Roon server at its AirPlay 2 input. The Mini is very well-specified for a consumer-grade product with zero setup demands. A major plus. The app has two primary menu items. “Browse” accesses your local library and music services. It’s also where you select WiFi, Bluetooth, or Line In. That stumped me because it seemingly belongs under “Device,” which contains all audio settings, presets, and alarms (yes, WiiM can wake you to Karol G).
Roon is a platform many swear to, and I am one of them. It's tempting to say that there are three different availability levels for streamers, with Roon Ready being the highest level, and which also ensures RAAT. Here we find, among other things, Bluesound's NODE streamers. The next level is Roon Tested , and this applies to my Linn Akurate DS streamer, among others. The lowest level is the category which in the Roon overview is listed as " Other network devices " and which it is tempting to call Roon Available . Here we find pretty much everything that exists among streamers, and the music is delivered either via Chromecast or via Airplay 2. Want the same audio quality as that of an artist's recording in the studio? The WiiM Mini has got you covered, supporting up to 192kHz, 24-bit audio output. Additionally, the integrated TI stereo DAC provides high-quality analogue audio output with 106-dB SNR, dynamic range, and -92dB THD+N performance.
Conclusion
The WiiM Mini is the ultimate music streamer. Not only is the device compact and lightweight, it provides a host of features. Take advantage of its wireless multi-room and multi-channel features whilst streaming hi-res audio. With both devices sitting on my Victrola cabinet and connected to my Heavenly Soundworks 517 speakers, I can get a feel for both systems leisurely.
Switching to CNET's reference system of the Q Acoustics 3050i and the Onkyo TX-RZ50, the WiiM was equally enjoyable. What was expressed as detail on my Klipsch system presented itself as midrange forwardness on the 30350is, and it required a little 10-band EQ tweaking inside the WiiM interface to make it more listenable. When I connected the device up to a separate DAC -- an Oppo UDP-205-- it put a stop to that instantly. On both my home system and the reference, I enjoyed listening to this device's digital output the most, though the analog output is more than respectable.The WiiM app (iOS, Android) is a Linkplay Technology specialty: It’s the foundation for apps used by Andover, Audioengine, and many others. The Songbird app, in fact, works with the WiiM Mini. The WiiM app serves only as a remote control. All music is streamed from the WiiM device, not your phone. Topping E50: The Topping DAC does not exactly embellish the slim sound balance. But the detailing is a joy As with all other streamers, this one works by being shown to Spotify's original app. From a purely practical point of view, this is a big advantage, and means that the streaming of the music actually takes place directly from the web to the streamer, and the combined app that you are used to works in exactly the same way as always.
The WiiM can stream in full 24-bit 192kHz audio quality, ensuring that your home is filled with studio-grade sound. It's one of the few receivers capable of this quality and offers affordability.
Under Audio settings, you may choose between "fixed" or "variable" volume, and you can also define the level of the analog output, with the variants 2 Vrms, 1 Vrms, 800 mVrms or 500 mVrms. You can also define the resolution of the optical output, with a choice of sample rate of 48, 96 or 192 kHz, and a bit depth of 16 or 24 bit. You can also set the audio sync to manual or auto, and then you have to manually choose whether to use analogue or optical audio output. Surprisingly, you cannot select both outputs at the same time. This is not a problem except for us geeks who find it a little more cumbersome when we have to make frequent comparisons of the analogue and digital output. But in normal use, you make this choice once and for all. Or at least for a longer period.
Akurate DS: Quite similar to Wiim/Topping. Good dynamics and with a musical bass. Akurate DS is perceived as slightly more precise. The box comes with a generous number of cables of apparently good physical quality. Already here it can be suspected that a significant part of the budget has been burned - kinda relief that no money has also been spent on an accompanying power supply. Today, the Transporter hardware is not supportable. That is the risk I take on by acquiring it. For future reference, I would like to know if one can obtain parts or if the community can fix a failed unit.
An EQ consists of 22 different presets, and is rather uninteresting for audio enthusiasts. But Wiim Audio has pre-announced that they will come with an update on July 15, where the EQ will also have the option of bass, midrange and treble, plus a 10-band parametric equalizer. Then we are talking...
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