Windows 7 & WiiM mini?

[REDJEEP22]

I've heard that you can use a PC as a streamer for the mini. Is Windows 7 compatible? TIA

 

[simbun]

The WiiM mini is a streamer so I'm not entirely sure what you're asking.
I use foobar2000 with the UPnP MediaRenderer Output component which is still supported on Windows 7, so you could use that to index and play your music to the mini.

 

[REDJEEP22]

I'm completely new to this whole world of streaming audio. I haven't even opened the box of my mini yet.
I'm planning to use the mini with my vintage Sansui 881 receiver and output through a pair of KEF bookshelf speakers.
One guy told me to use my PC as the streamer. Connect the PC to the mini and then connect the mini to my Sansui receiver. I'm assuming he was suggesting I control my streaming via Qobuz through my laptop. I'm open to any suggestions at this point.

 

[D1N0]

You can stream Qobuz with the WIIM Home smartphone app. No need for a PC. The entire Idea of a streamer is that you do not have to use a pc or laptop hooked up to your audio. A streamer is a small computer. (well some of them are, there are also streamers that are a big computer).

 

[REDJEEP22]

You can stream Qobuz with the WIIM Home smartphone app. No need for a PC. The entire Idea of a streamer is that you do not have to use a pc or laptop hooked up to your audio. A streamer is a small computer. (well some of them are, there are also streamers that are a big computer).

Streaming from the smartphone app would be Bluetooth though wouldn't it? I've heard the music is much cleaner through Wi-Fi. THX

 

[simbun]

The WiiM Home App just controls what the WiiM Mini plays, the WiiM Mini will reach out to Qobuz directly when playing the streams.

Given the WiiM mini only has an analogue input - as does your receiver I believe - if you connected it directly to your computer, the mini would need to perform an analogue to digital conversion from the computer then a digital to analogue conversion to the receiver, and given both aren't particularly competent chips sound quality will suffer.

 

[D1N0]

Streaming from the smartphone app would be Bluetooth though wouldn't it? I've heard the music is much cleaner through Wi-Fi. THX

No. you use WiFi. Your phone app tells the WIIM the url to the stream and then the stream plays that independently from your phone.

 

[REDJEEP22]

No. you use WiFi. Your phone app tells the WIIM the url to the stream and then the stream plays that independently from your phone.

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

[REDJEEP22]

No. you use WiFi. Your phone app tells the WIIM the url to the stream and then the stream plays that independently from your phone.

Suppose i

Thanks for clarifying that.

Will I need one of these to bridge between the mini & my vintage Sansui?
PROZOR 192KHz Digital to Analog Audio Converter DAC Digital SPDIF Optical to Analog L/R RCA Converter Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Jack Adapter for PS3 HD DVD PS4 Amp Apple TV Home Cinema https://a.co/d/1ffvPhB

 

[D1N0]

Suppose i

Will I need one of these to bridge between the mini & my vintage Sansui?
PROZOR 192KHz Digital to Analog Audio Converter DAC Digital SPDIF Optical to Analog L/R RCA Converter Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Jack Adapter for PS3 HD DVD PS4 Amp Apple TV Home Cinema https://a.co/d/1ffvPhB

Those cheap dac's are no better than the One in the WIIM. Just use the 3.5mm to rca cable. When looking for an improvement over the internal DAC look at something like this. https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-MQA-CD-Decoder-AK4493S-768kHz/dp/B0C1Y7C9HH/

 

[REDJEEP22]

Those cheap dac's are no better than the One in the WIIM. Just use the 3.5mm to rca cable. When looking for an improvement over the internal DAC look at something like this. https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-MQA-CD-Decoder-AK4493S-768kHz/dp/B0C1Y7C9HH/

At $80, maybe I should just send the mini back and buy this one... or is the mini still required?

 

[D1N0]

At $80, maybe I should just send the mini back and buy this one... or is the mini still required?

DAC doesn't stream. It can just convert digital to analog. So you'd need to connect a streamer or another digital source to it. PC or smartphone, or tablet or WIIM.

 

[REDJEEP22]

THX. So, if I can use my smartphone or PC as a streamer, it seems I wouldn't need the WiiM mini... just this $80 DAC?

 

[D1N0]

Sure. Any computer can be a streamer. You don't even need a dac, because that is also already in those devices. It is more a question of practicality and comfort and sound quality.

 

[REDJEEP22]

Thanks for your time D1N0. Right now my Sansui is in the shop being recapped. I should get it back in 3 to 4 weeks. When I get it back I think I'll try using my laptop and then try simply using an older (spare) Samsung smartphone, both with the WIIM mini to the Sansui.
See if I can tell any difference. I don't always have my PC on, so the smartphone might be a faster/easier controller, if it sounds as good. THX again.

 

[ram148280]

Yes, you can use a streamer on a Windows 7 computer. However, you will need a device capable of streaming media such as a computer or laptop with a USB port. thank you

 

[d6jg]

Going back to basics (because it has got confusing)

Setup the WiiM Mini using the WiiM Home App on your phone.
Connect the WiiM to your Sansui using the 3.5mm to 2xRCA cable supplied. 3.5mm in WiiM’s Line Out, 2 x RCA into any input on Sansui EXCEPT Phono (Turntable).
Use the WiiM Home App to control the WiiM.

You will not need your PC on at all.