Normally $219 from Amazon. Got it for $186 in a flash sale.
It's got an AKM internal DAC that can do 24/192, Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, and all the streaming services. Very nice app that got it up and running right away.
Power is through USB C with a small phone-like power brick. There's even a remote.
Using the internal dac I hear nothing offensive. Midrange is non-offensive. Cons are the bass is light, I hear some splashiness in high frequencies, and images are not as solid as I am used to. Sound is a bit unfocused and laid back.
Using the WiiM's digital output and my decade old Parasound dac via optical output using the supplied stock optical cable, I hear much better sound than what I heard streaming via USB from my PC.
Let's see how far I can take this with better cables, power supply, and a bit more burn in. But as it is, this thing is amazing for the price!
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6rYJfC2/PXL-20240124-060544568.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ryZtL75d/PXL-20240124-060617548.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sDBGfKJT/PXL-20240127-051253490.jpg)
Paul
Looks like a great bargain, Paul, and at least from the well lit top view, it's quite nice to look at. Keep us posted
Nick
I think it is, Nick. It boggles my mind how little it costs. I think your Zen probably sounds better, but at this price point there is really nothing else. I've had it constantly on the past 4 days and connectivity and streaming through wifi has not faltered or disconnected once. Very reliable so far.
I'll probably end up with a power supply double its price and another then on to another round of DAC shopping. :lol:
So to display my total ignorance of streaming, how does this work? It picks up a bluetooth signal from your router, then connects to your dac, then goes into your preamp/amp? You control it with "Alexa, play Leonard Bernstein's Copland Appalacian Spring"?
It has Wi-fi built in (which is how I use it) or it can do a wired LAN connection.
It does have Bluetooth, but I haven't checked that out yet. It can work with Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. There's a mic at the back, but you can pair it with Alexa and ask it to play from Amazon or other services, I think.
It has a built in dac, but has both a toslink and coaxial out.
(https://images.crutchfieldonline.com/ImageHandler/trim/750/457/products/2023/40/399/g399WIIMPPL-o_other4-1.jpg)
There's even a digital line in and analog in.
So:
wired or w-ifi network > internal dac > analog out to stereo; or
wired or wi-fi network > digital out > analog out to stereo; or
Bluetooth > paired bluetooth speakers or headphones
They say it is Roon ready. It can do DLNA. I do not have any DLNA software or any NAS storage on the network, but I downloaded the Wiim desktop app. This app does not have the streaming services on it, but it can access and play the local audio files on my computer on the same network.
It's even got an EQ with various presets and a parametric EQ that I haven't messed with.
The reviewer who said it is like a Swiss Army Knife was right. Tons of features I probably won't use. I just got it since it was so cheap and I received a free Qobuz family subscription.
Paul
No need to spend double the price on an LPS as these Teradak models do a great job. I've got two of them and one is almost 8 years old.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806124076333.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.6cba24b2cOIS2X&algo_pvid=48c41d74-5287-46bb-a223-1ed7731f3dd1&algo_exp_id=48c41d74-5287-46bb-a223-1ed7731f3dd1-5&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2152.98%2152.45%21%21%21378.68%21374.89%21%40210321b417064181554386889e1dd6%2112000036709843400%21sea%21US%211895687231%21&curPageLogUid=ChhUVT5pFjQd&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A
Then you'll need a cable like this from Ghent Audio with the GX16-2 connector on one end and the appropriate USB connector on the other.
https://ghentaudio.com/products/dc29?VariantsId=14436,14448,14450
Hi Jack,
Thanks for these suggestions. I've long heard of Teradak. I was thinking of going the iFi power route, but this LPS looks like it means business.
Any suggestions for a cheap digital coaxial cable? I was thinking Supra/Jenving. I am using the stock toslink.
Paul
Never used the Supra but I'm sure it's fine. I like the one from Audio Envy
Quote from: malloy on January 27, 2024, 09:19:46 PM
.......Any suggestions for a cheap digital coaxial cable? .....
Paul
:thumb:
Blue Jeans Cables. They're inexpensive, yet not "cheap". :lol: 8)
Quote from: Jack on January 28, 2024, 07:05:15 AM
Never used the Supra but I'm sure it's fine. I like the one from Audio Envy
Thanks! I'll check this out.
Quote from: GDHAL on January 28, 2024, 04:05:08 PM
Quote from: malloy on January 27, 2024, 09:19:46 PM
.......Any suggestions for a cheap digital coaxial cable? .....
Paul
:thumb:
Blue Jeans Cables. They're inexpensive, yet not "cheap". :lol: 8)
This one? https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm
Belden and Canare. I agree inexpensive, but not cheap.
Quote from: malloy on January 28, 2024, 05:59:23 PM
Quote from: GDHAL on January 28, 2024, 04:05:08 PM
Quote from: malloy on January 27, 2024, 09:19:46 PM
.......Any suggestions for a cheap digital coaxial cable? .....
Paul
:thumb:
Blue Jeans Cables. They're inexpensive, yet not "cheap". :lol: 8)
This one? https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm
Belden and Canare. I agree inexpensive, but not cheap.
Yes.
+1 on Bluejeans cables.
I have a pair of their speaker cables and a special old cellphone headphone to l/r RCA connectors to connect an old iPhone 6-plus to a pair of powered speakers. Decent quality and no complaints from me.
Congratulations on the find!
$26 from Amazon next day, free shipping.
(https://i.postimg.cc/43cTwQgJ/PXL-20240130-205824989.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NMwvn2sR/PXL-20240130-210506064.jpg)
Why, it even matches my orange-colored interconnects!
This brought the sound up another few notches. More bass, more precise imaging, dynamics, cleaner treble, etc.
Now, to hunt for that linear power supply...
Quote from: malloy on January 31, 2024, 05:56:19 PM
$26 from Amazon next day, free shipping.
(https://i.postimg.cc/43cTwQgJ/PXL-20240130-205824989.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NMwvn2sR/PXL-20240130-210506064.jpg)
Why, it even matches my orange-colored interconnects!
This brought the sound up another few notches. More bass, more precise imaging, dynamics, cleaner treble, etc.
Now, to hunt for that linear power supply...
Paul,
You are quite the bargain hunter lately! BJC makes nice quality stuff. I have one of their cables.
Nick
Quote from: Nick B on January 31, 2024, 09:33:15 PM
You are quite the bargain hunter lately! BJC makes nice quality stuff. I have one of their cables.
Hi Nick,
Yeah. Can't spring for the higher priced coax brands yet. I am turning into Audionervosa's version of "Cheapaudio Man" from YouTube :lol: By the way, I forgot what you use to power your Auralic and Zen with. Was it one of Auralic's LPSUs?
Paul
Quote from: malloy on January 31, 2024, 11:29:04 PM
Quote from: Nick B on January 31, 2024, 09:33:15 PM
You are quite the bargain hunter lately! BJC makes nice quality stuff. I have one of their cables.
Hi Nick,
Yeah. Can't spring for the higher priced coax brands yet. I am turning into Audionervosa's version of "Cheapaudio Man" from YouTube :lol: By the way, I forgot what you use to power your Auralic and Zen with. Was it one of Auralic's LPSUs?
Paul
Paul,
For the Auralic, I used a 15v from Mojo Audio and I think for the Zen as well as it had a 9-15v acceptable range. I don't think I have the Mojo anymore, but might have another one you might be able to use. What's the fixed or adjustable range on yours?
Nick
Hi Nick,
I think it is 5v. I'll check.
Paul
Update!
Finally pulled the trigger on the 'spectrum analyzer' display I've been wanting to try.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JzgtsWcF/PXL-20240406-024641686.jpg)
Got an upgraded LPSU for the streamer, coax upgraded from Belden/BJC to Geistnote Apogee Wyde Eye and Oyaide Silver.
The braided cable dc cable is a guitar effects cable also from Oyaide.
(https://i.postimg.cc/85b1m8MN/PXL-20240316-033224259.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nrcnddG7/PXL-20240401-191605043.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YZg7w0P/PXL-20240217-152410534.jpg)
Great fun! The best upgrade was the light display!
Paul
Very nice, Paul! I saw the spectrum analyzer photo and for a very brief moment, had a 60's Haight-Ashbury kinda flashback. Whew...it's gone now 😆 Have fun and enjoy!
Nick
:thumb:
It's the Summer of Love!
It brought me flashbacks to my 80s Sony mini system with the graphic equalizer and led display.