Spotify completely dropped the ball on the launch of Spotify Hi-Fi and it definitely feels like a lost opportunity to push mainstream music listeners back towards CD playback quality or higher. TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music HD, and Apple Music have done a much better job offering Hi-Resolution Audio to the masses and there is no question that consumers are dipping their toes into the massive ocean of music that exists. There’s no guarantee that they will pay more each month for access to it — but they certainly know that it exists.
One of the biggest obstacles for a lot of these people is the high price of network players; most consumers are not going to spend over $1,000 for an audiophile streamer or network player; especially when they already own a very expensive smartphone.
The Bluesound NODE has been the benchmark in the “affordable” category for most audiophiles, but 2023 has already seen the introduction of entry-level network streamers from NAD and Cambridge Audio that offer comparable performance for less money.
The new WiiM Pro Network Player is even more affordable at $149 USD and our review sample is already in-house. We plan on publishing our results on March 10th.
Background
In 2014, Linkplay Technology was established by a core team of high caliber technology entrepreneurs from Google, Broadcom, InterVideo, & Harman. Developing cutting-edge wireless technology, software, hardware, and user-experience features for a variety of voice and smart products in multiple markets was the goal.
Realizing there was a void in smart products, since many customers still had older, functional legacy audio devices (think two-channel) WiiM developed the Mini for $99. Legacy users did not want to give up their two-channel system, the WiiM Mini afforded the connection of those legacy devices to the net for streaming purposes. The best of both worlds.
Following this success, the release of their new streamer, the Pro builds on the many positives of the Mini, while adding the newest technology out. Adding an ethernet port as well as Chromecast compatibility, the Pro also combines many streaming platforms with ease of use and integration with the users existing system.
Capable of 24-bit/192 kHz audio output with a TI integrated stereo DAC, the Pro provides high-quality analog audio output with 106 dB SNR, -92 dB THD+N performance plus connectivity via ethernet, WiFi, RCA cables, TOSLINK and Coax output options for bit-perfect sound and gapless playback.
Compatible with AirPlay2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, TunIn, iHeartRadio; the Pro also sports a 10-band digital EQ, a graphic EQ and more. You can stream YouTube Music, TV audio, radio stations, podcasts along with local content directly from your favorite Chromecast-enabled App.
A straightforward in-App guide allows easy setup in pretty much any system in less than two minutes, once connected. Frequent software updates keeps the Pro up-to-date with the latest, ensuring it will not be out of date.
Comparison
| WiiM Mini | WiiM Pro | |
| MSRP | $99 | $149 |
| Ethernet | – | Y |
| Chromecast Audio | – | Y |
| Group with Nest speakers and Display | – | Y |
| Group with Echo speakers and Display | Y | Y |
| Alexa Multiroom with UHD | – | Y |
| Group with HomePods | Y | Y |
| Works with Alexa | Y | Y |
| Works with Google | – | Y |
| Works with Siri | Y | Y |
| Group with WiiM or LinkPlay devices | Y | Y |
| AirPlay 2 | Y | Y |
| DLNA | Y | Y |
| Spotify Connect | Y | Y |
| TIDAL Connect | Y | Y |
| Gapless Playback | Y | Y |
| PEQ | Y | Y |
| 10-band Graphics EQ | Y | Y |
| LinkPlay Music Streaming Platform | Y | Y |
| CPU | Dualcore A7 | Quadcore A53 |
| DRAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Audio Input Port | Aux | Line-in, Optical |
| Audio Output Port | Aux, Optical | Line-Out, Optical, Coax |
Price & Availability
The WiiM Pro is now available $149 at Amazon.
Related reading: The $99 Wiim Mini Network Streamer May Be All You Need
Denis
March 2, 2023 at 11:56 pm
don’t understand- if it support windows network, smb coonection. Lot of people, how use NAS in local network use smb sharing.