Wiim Pro Plus questions before purchase

thomasriise · Nov 28, 2023

I am considering buying a Pro Plus. I have iPhone 15 and Apple Music subscription. What will the audio quality be, if I use Airplay and the quality is set to lossless in settings? Will it be AAC 256?
also

How do I connect my iPhone 15 (USB-C) to the Pro Plus with a cable in order to utilize the DAC inside the Pro Plus and also to use High Res Lossless streaming from Apple Music?

Cheers,

Purité Audio · Nov 28, 2023

Well apart from Bluetooth and wireless there is optical ‘in’ and LAN.
Keith

thomasriise · Nov 28, 2023

Purité Audio said:
Well apart from Bluetooth and wireless there is optical ‘in’ and LAN.
Keith

Is USB-C -> Optical in doable?

Purité Audio · Nov 28, 2023

I believe converters exist, do you need a physical connection, I must admit I prefer a wired hard connection of some sort if possible.
Keith

thomasriise · Nov 28, 2023

I am asking on how to (if possible) connect iPhone 15 to the Wiim Pro Plus with a cable? Is there a cable for this?

staticV3 · Nov 28, 2023

thomasriise said:
I am asking on how to (if possible) connect iPhone 15 to the Wiim Pro Plus with a cable? Is there a cable for this?

There are USB-C to Toslink converters that are compatible with the iPhone 15. Here's one: https://www.amazon.de/Cubilux-TOSLINK-Optisches-Converter-Kompatibel/dp/B09QFYNB7Y

OldTimer · Nov 28, 2023

If you only use Apple Music and low-level volume (small room) then an Apple HomePod helped by surrounding airplay speakers is enough. Just 1 homepod, don’t buy 2. Put her at center of the room. Just tell her: “Hey Siri, play everywhere.”

JSmith · Nov 28, 2023

thomasriise said:
iPhone 15 to the Wiim Pro Plus

Hello, welcome to ASR.

You may wish to have a look at this in addition to the basic cheap converters...

PO100 Pro

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S.M.S.L PO100, PO100 PRO & PO100 AK - Measurements (Digital Interfaces & DAC)

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JSmith

thomasriise · Nov 28, 2023

also: I am considering buying a Wiim Pro Plus. I have iPhone 15 and Apple Music subscription. What will the audio quality be, if I use Airplay and the quality is set to lossless in settings? Will it be AAC 256? Anyone knows this?

staticV3 · Nov 28, 2023

thomasriise said:
also: I am considering buying a Wiim Pro Plus. I have iPhone 15 and Apple Music subscription. What will the audio quality be, if I use Airplay and the quality is set to lossless in settings? Will it be AAC 256? Anyone knows this?

When you stream Apple Music from your iPhone to the WiiM via Airplay, then all audio will be downsampled to 16/44.1. This is how Apple designed their tech.

If you want higher sample rates, then you need to use a wired connection via Toslink, or another streaming service.

Btw, higher sample rates does not mean better audio quality.

thomasriise · Nov 28, 2023

staticV3 said:
When you stream Apple Music from your iPhone to the WiiM via Airplay, then all audio will be downsampled to 16/44.1. This is how Apple designed their tech.

If you want higher sample rates, then you need to use a wired connection via Toslink, or another streaming service.

Btw, higher sample rates does not mean better audio quality.

I actually just saw, that it's actually only 256 AAC with Airplay 2, and 16/44.1 with Apple Airplay 1!

OldTimer · Nov 28, 2023

staticV3 said:
When you stream Apple Music from your iPhone to the WiiM via Airplay, then all audio will be downsampled to 16/44.1. This is how Apple designed their tech.

If you want higher sample rates, then you need to use a wired connection via Toslink, or another streaming service.

Btw, higher sample rates does not mean better audio quality.

HomePod to HomePod can play Dolby Atmos without any cable. Meanwhile HomePod to AirPlay 2 speakers can be 24 bit /48 khz. HomePod do the streaming from Apple Music, not your phone. No iphone in the network, just HomePod along with Airplay 2 speakers.

staticV3 · Nov 28, 2023

OldTimer said:
HomePod to HomePod can play Dolby Atmos without any cable. Meanwhile HomePod to AirPlay 2 speakers can be 24 bit /48 khz. HomePod do the streaming from Apple Music, not your phone. No iphone in the network, just HomePod along with Airplay 2 speakers.

OP doesn't use a Homepod afaik. Just iPhone->WiiM.

OldTimer · Nov 28, 2023

staticV3 said:
OP doesn't use a Homepod afaik. Just iPhone->WiiM.

That’s why I told him for Apple Music only just use HomePod. But if not the case, I’m sorry.

telemike · Nov 28, 2023

For direct connection of an iPhone or Ipad for Apple Lossless, just connect to a USB DAC directly. No need for a streamer. I did that with my iPad.

OldTimer · Nov 29, 2023

telemike said:
For direct connection of an iPhone or Ipad for Apple Lossless, just connect to a USB DAC directly. No need for a streamer. I did that with my iPad.

The problem I found with using iPad is the battery drain become faster. Ipad battery is still more expensive than using dedicated streamer which plug direct to the wall socket and independently (no need other device).

ZoydWheeler · Jan 24, 2024

Hi Thomas

Thanks for asking this question. I've been using Apple Music for a while now, as I really like a few of the spatial audio mixes (listening via a Cobalt DAC and decent open backed headphones). And I've just bought a wiiM Pro Plus box to plug into my hi-fi. As such, I was considering switching from Apple Music to Tidal, so that I can use Tidal Connect. However, on first listen to Apple Music playing via wiim Pro Plus on my lounge hi-fi, the music quality sounds great! So I may just stick with Apple Music.

What I will probably do is take a month subscription to Tidal and play around with both that and Apple Music - on both headphones and hi-fi - and unless I can really hear a very clear improvement in audio quality with Tidal Connect via the wiiM Pro Plus - I will most likely stick with Apple Music.

Really keen to hear what other folk with the wiiM Pro Plus's experience is with Apple Music, Tidal Connect etc.!

Best,
Adam

aciii · Jan 24, 2024

OldTimer said:
The problem I found with using iPad is the battery drain become faster. Ipad battery is still more expensive than using dedicated streamer which plug direct to the wall socket and independently (no need other device).

Consider an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter to power the iPad while connecting USB A to DAC. https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter.

ZoydWheeler · Jan 26, 2024

Update. After using the wiiM Pro Plus for 3 days I’ve decided to ditch Apple Music and use Tidal hi-fi instead. As it costs the same (£10.99 a month) and the sound quality is noticeably better and the user experience with Tidal Connect is fantastic. Problem solved!

VintageFlanker · Jan 26, 2024

thomasriise said:
Will it be AAC 256? Anyone knows this?

It's transparent for a WAV 1411Kbps 16b/44kHz.

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