My WiiM Pro Plus (+) tests

[onlyoneme]

For me anything added during a conversion is harmful. The open question is if it's also audible. Being measurable doesn't mean being audible.

Another thing is that we do like some harmonics by nature. It's like a makeup.

 

[steadyshot]

For me anything added during a conversion is harmful. The open question is if it's also audible. Being measurable doesn't mean being audible.

Another thing is that we do like some harmonics by nature. It's like a makeup.

Yes but these harmonics let’s say of a musical instrument such as a piano or violin are not affected by the added harmonics of the dac. Dac harmonics are something extra … But if their existence is given due to technical constraints then if they can be “managed “ somehow to be more pleasant, then why not …

 

[onlyoneme]

Yes but these harmonics let’s say of a musical instrument such as a piano or violin are not affected by the added harmonics of the dac. Dac harmonics are something extra …

Every instrument adds some harmonics and this is something expected. That's why they differ, pure sines are not a thing I would like to listen to.
But still, additional harmonics can be audible or not. And it can be welcome by some people with a pleasure, or not. Tube amps or DACs are far from perfect in terms of high fidelity, but listening pleasure also matters.

 

[onlyoneme]

Well, I'm drunk a bit. Time to go to bed

 

[steadyshot]

Well, I'm drunk a bit. Time to go to bed

Get some sleep! Kudos for your serious effort!

 

[adias]

I bet a current Pro and the Schiit Modi+ is a much better combo than this Pro+ for about the same price. All Schiit DACs sound musical.

 

[WiiM Support]

I bet a current Pro and the Schiit Modi+ is a much better combo than this Pro+ for about the same price. All Schiit DACs sound musical.

Hi Adias,

I appreciate your perspective and mean no disrespect. However, we've had beta users test the exact setup you're mentioning above, and their findings were quite different. That being said, personal preferences can vary, and we respect your right to conduct your own listening tests. Cheers!

 

[adias]

Hi Adias,

I appreciate your perspective and mean no disrespect. However, we've had beta users test the exact setup you're mentioning above, and their findings were quite different. That being said, personal preferences can vary, and we respect your right to conduct your own listening tests. Cheers!

View attachment 1475

Yes, personal preferences do vary.

And I did not suggest the Modi3+ mentioned in the comments. I suggested the current Modi+, a very different DAC.

 

[canard]

I bet a current Pro and the Schiit Modi+ is a much better combo than this Pro+ for about the same price. All Schiit DACs sound musical.

what is surprising in your statement is that if I'm not mistaken...you don't have a beta pro+ ...right?
;-)

 

[cc_rider]

Yes, personal preferences do vary.

And I did not suggest the Modi3+ mentioned in the comments. I suggested the current Modi+, a very different DAC.

Not terribly different. A competent DAC, about the same performance as the new WiiM Pro+, looks like. Doubt anyone would notice a difference in a DBT.

Schiit Modi+ DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Modi+ stereo USB DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $129. There are three inputs and are nicely stepped through using the momentary switch. The white LED that indicates the selected input is nice but alas, there is some...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Mr Ee]

Three! Checked all my available filters during the afternoon. Not even a feeling although I tried quite hard to find one

You need to try again with a certain Boston song.

 

[adias]

Not terribly different. A competent DAC, about the same performance as the new WiiM Pro+, looks like. Doubt anyone would notice a difference in a DBT.

Schiit Modi+ DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Modi+ stereo USB DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $129. There are three inputs and are nicely stepped through using the momentary switch. The white LED that indicates the selected input is nice but alas, there is some...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Maybe I should not have suggested it as I have nothing at stake here. My experience and others’ is that Schiit DACs do sound musical and real even if they may measure worse. Listen to what pleases you.

 

[onlyoneme]

Maybe I should not have suggested it as I have nothing at stake here. My experience and others’ is that Schiit DACs do sound musical and real even if they may measure worse. Listen to what pleases you.

So your statement about "much better combo" was in fact about being more enjoyable to listen to, based on no experience with the Pro Plus.

 

[adias]

So your statement about "much better combo" was in fact about being more enjoyable to listen to, based on no experience with the Pro Plus.

Yes. Easy bet.

There’s more to D-to-A than using a given dac chip, notwithstanding how it measures.

 

[steadyshot]

@adias Sorry but saying that you like x over y without hearing first show bias and zero objectivity. Even when you guess that something is better you have to have some arguments.

 

[steadyshot]

@onlyoneme do you hear exaggerated or fat/tubby uncontrollable bass ? How could this translate to measurements if it is a correct impression ? Low distortion in some low frequencies maybe?

Try the bunker analog bass tests. ( whole album can be found at tidal/Apple music/YouTube music and other streaming services

 

[Maurizio]

Sorry all, I tried with the two DACs I have already here at hand.
The little SMSL has:
FL1 (Sharp Roll-off filter) FL2 (Slow Roll-off filter) FL3 (Short Delay Sharp Roll-off filter) FL4（Short Delay Slow Roll-off filter) FL5（Super Slow Roll-off filter) FL6（Low Dispersion Short Delay filter)
The Cambridge DacMagic M200 only three: Fast - Slow - Short Delay.
Default settings are always the first named options.
Listened to ripped FLACs from a Western Digital NAS with a Sennheiser HD820.
I wanted and tried strongly and honestly to hear at least a tiny difference. I failed. So I fear I have to concede: My ears are only silver

Mhhhh...
I think your or our ears have nothing to do with it. The differences, if there are any, are so imperceptible that by ear, unless you are a bat or a Paganini, you cannot perceive them. On the other hand, many reviewers I've read said not to worry about these filters precisely because the difference is less than minimal and to enjoy the music.
I did like you, trying in every way to perceive a difference. Never succeeded, so I left the filter in my SMSL's default location. Fast linear

 

[onlyoneme]

Headroom section added to the main post.

 

[Smartplug]

Is the pro plus sound different on regular pro?

 

[Mr Ee]

I certainly hope so!
Of 5 dacs I 'tested', one of which being the pro's analog out, and all with the pro as the digital source, the only one I could tell apart instantly was the pro. It was that "different" from all the others. And by different, let's just say that was the one and only time I've used the analog outs.