Sound quality difference when using Wiim products as a streamer only and bypassing the internal DAC
- Thread starter Sotjas
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- external dac
Welcome.
In my sighted testing of a mini, a pro and an ultra all optical out to the same dac I couldn't tell them apart.
At one point in one song I thought the mini sounded ever so slightly inferior, but that could have been because I knew it was the mini.
The jitter between those 3 models gets better (in that order) which might have an effect depending on the dac.
Why do you ask?
Given the small price difference between the mini and the pro and the limitations / restrictions the mini has (due to its hardware, cpu, ram) I'd suggest skipping the mini, unless it currently meets all your needs.
This test by @onlyoneme might be helpful.
Let's talk about the jitter over digital outputs. I will use the Holo Audio Spring 3 DAC which is a true NOS DAC and has an unique ability to turn off its PLL. This way I can compare a raw performance of the outputs in j-test.
Ultra, toslink:
Ultra, coaxial:
Pro, toslink:
Pro, coaxial:
Mini, toslink:
Non-WiiM device for a quick comparison, SMSL PO100 Pro, coaxial:
All WiiMs have similar random jitter level, which is reflected by the noise floor, but they differ a lot with the periodic jitter, which is...
Ultra, toslink:
Ultra, coaxial:
Pro, toslink:
Pro, coaxial:
Mini, toslink:
Non-WiiM device for a quick comparison, SMSL PO100 Pro, coaxial:
All WiiMs have similar random jitter level, which is reflected by the noise floor, but they differ a lot with the periodic jitter, which is...
Btw, I can't hear the difference..
Thanks, I appreciate your response. I’m thinking about getting the pro plus for an input into my Arcam a15+ amp. I really only need the streaming “smarts” to get Spotify connect and hence lossless streaming. Else I would have to use Bluetooth from my iPhone which doesn’t support the higher bit rate.
I would ultimately like to buy into the Wiim ecosystem to stream across other speakers in my house to get all house audio. I just wondered there was minimal difference in just the streaming part of wiim products then I might save a little.
Thanks again for your input
If I was starting afresh, I'd probably go for at least a Pro, or a Pro Plus rather than a Mini as the latter isn't as future-proof in terms of new features given its relatively limited connectivity, ram and cpu power compared to its siblings,
This is good to know. No huge difference between the pro and ultra. I guess the result also look like the toslink is the better option …. Or am I being to “finnicky” and sound difference will be imperceptible. Thanks for the input.This test by @onlyoneme might be helpful.
Let's talk about the jitter over digital outputs. I will use the Holo Audio Spring 3 DAC which is a true NOS DAC and has an unique ability to turn off its PLL. This way I can compare a raw performance of the outputs in j-test.
Ultra, toslink:
Ultra, coaxial:
Pro, toslink:
Pro, coaxial:
Mini, toslink:
Non-WiiM device for a quick comparison, SMSL PO100 Pro, coaxial:
All WiiMs have similar random jitter level, which is reflected by the noise floor, but they differ a lot with the periodic jitter, which is...
Btw, I can't hear the difference..
The difference between the Pro and the Pro Plus is the quality of the analog I/O (no actual need for an external DAC with the Plus). The difference between the Mini and the Pro is processing capabilities because any properly designed DAC will zero the jitter differences between the Mini and the Pro.
hipoagumol
Active Member
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- Sep 6, 2025
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Hello,
Is the amplifier's DAC any better or must say audibly better than your wiim device's DAC?
If not, which is most probably the case, you'd also be perfectly fine just usin Wiim's analog out to the amp.
Then just chose the Wiim streamer that best fits your budget/needs. Ultra being the most featured one, Pro-Plus probably the sweet spot in terms of specs/prize.
Is the amplifier's DAC any better or must say audibly better than your wiim device's DAC?
If not, which is most probably the case, you'd also be perfectly fine just usin Wiim's analog out to the amp.
Then just chose the Wiim streamer that best fits your budget/needs. Ultra being the most featured one, Pro-Plus probably the sweet spot in terms of specs/prize.
