Critique my modest WiiM journey

[tkambitsch]

I would love some feedback. I bought my first, second, and third WiiMdevices in the past few weeks. I’d love some thought as to my decisions and any changes I might make. I still have a few weeks to send product back to Amazon if I’ve made some poor choices.

For decades I’ve been listening to jazz and rock through a 1995 JVCRX-517v 80 watt per channel receiver/amp. Until recently it had three pairs of hardwired remote ceiling speakers in the kitchen, main bedroom and bath. Those are 20 to 40 years old but have been serviceable and convenient. The JVC amp also powered a pair of Sony 161 bookshelf speakers in my primarily listening room that is about 15 by 20 ft.

I started my journey by replacing an Amazon Echo with a with a WiiM Mini connected to the JVC amp via an RCA cable. I still use it for driving the remote ceiling speakers.

Next I bought the 60 watt per channel WiiM Amp and moved the Sony 161 speakers to it.

Now I have music in two groups and a much easier way to access it.

My third purchase was a 65 watt 8” Kanto SUB8 sealed subwoofer. I connected it to the WiiM Amp. Huge improvement!

Today I signed up for a 30 day trial of Qobuz. I finally have access to hi res music.

This evening I ordered an Audio Pro A10 MKII Wireless Multiroom Speaker, WiiM Edition. It arrives on Saturday. I plan to use it outdoors on the patio. I would rather have a battery powered outdoor speaker like the Sonos Move but worry about mixing the environments.

I bought the original WiiM amp instead of its newer and more capable siblings as I am a bit of an Apple fanboy, thinking I needed the AirPlay 2 feature of the WiiM Amp. However even after spending just one day with the Qobuz library and mobile/CarPlay apps I am comfortable moving on from Apple Music.

I am very pleased with what I’ve got in place for only a $900 investment. Huge upgrade in so many ways. Still I wonder if I should return the WiiM Amp for the more powerful Pro or Ultra.

Next steps might include figuring a way to integrate my AppleTV and its attached Sony soundbar. I also think about upgrading the Sony bookshelf speakers in my main listening room, thus adding to my anxiety of buying the lower powered WiiM Amp.

Any advice about next purchases, reconfiguration of gear, or possible returns/replacements? I know this a long post. Thanks for reading it.

 

[rubato]

I have that very model of the Audio Pro A10 in my kitchen and I love it there, but I don't think I would be comfortable putting it outside. Even if it was sheltered from the rain, I would worry about blowing dust. It's not really intended for outdoor use. There are lots of outdoor Bluetooth speakers available, and you could probably position a WiiM Mini or Pro nearby where it could connect easily.

 

[Doublej]

If you put credibility into this review, https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/wiim-amp-pro, the amp pro seems to be worth the extra money.

I would consider returning the WiiM Mini and getting a WiiM Pro. The Mini does not support all of the features that the rest of the WiiM family has.

However, the most immediate improvement for your money is likely, by far, to be a replacing the Sony 161 speakers. Speakers have improved immensely since the Sony 161 days. If you speaker cables are as old as your speakers, replacing your speaker cables is likely to yield an improvement too.

These days under $500 you can get a very nice pair of bookshelf or possibly floor standing speakers.

 

[tkambitsch]

I have that very model of the Audio Pro A10 in my kitchen and I love it there, but I don't think I would be comfortable putting it outside. Even if it was sheltered from the rain, I would worry about blowing dust. It's not really intended for outdoor use. There are lots of outdoor Bluetooth speakers available, and you could probably position a WiiM Mini or Pro nearby where it could connect easily.

I agree the A10 isn't outdoor worthy. I was plannjng on using it primarily for porch parties. I have convenient power outside but a portable speaker would give me addition placement options. My urban neighborhood would prevent me from leaving anything outside that wasnt bolted down. I have an office where it might place it at other tines.

 

[tkambitsch]

If you put credibility into this review, https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/wiim-amp-pro, the amp pro seems to be worth the extra money.

I would consider returning the WiiM Mini and getting a WiiM Pro. The Mini does not support all of the features that the rest of the WiiM family has.

However, the most immediate improvement for your money is likely, by far, to be a replacing the Sony 161 speakers. Speakers have improved immensely since the Sony 161 days. If you speaker cables are as old as your speakers, replacing your speaker cables is likely to yield an improvement too.

These days under $500 you can get a very nice pair of bookshelf or possibly floor standing speakers.

Thanks for the encouragement to spend more money. Correct me if I didn’t follow you properly. It is your recommendation I replace the WiiM Mini with a WiiM Pro as a streamer input to my aged JVS amp. Additionally I should consider the Amp Pro as a better value than the original WiiM Amp.

That recommendation makes even better sense now that I’ve learned Amazon Prime Days will have a 20% discount on almost everything on October 6th.

As to the 161s. I think you are right I may have outlived their usefulness.

BTW I did replace my lamp chord quality speaker cables.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Mr Ee]

imo, if you are using wiim analog out then skip both the mini and the pro unless it's very casual background listening (or very old speakers ).

 

[dominikz]

Thanks for the encouragement to spend more money. Correct me if I didn’t follow you properly. It is your recommendation I replace the WiiM Mini with a WiiM Pro as a streamer input to my aged JVS amp. Additionally I should consider the Amp Pro as a better value than the original WiiM Amp.

That recommendation makes even better sense now that I’ve learned Amazon Prime Days will have a 20% discount on almost everything on October 6th.

As to the 161s. I think you are right I may have outlived their usefulness.

BTW I did replace my lamp chord quality speaker cables.

Thanks for the advice.

I'll express the unpopular opinion and say that the WiiM Mini analogue output sounds just fine to me - if you can live with the minor click/pop that is audible when changing tracks.
The Mini does however lack some features that devices higher in range have.