dood64 Posted January 12 Posted January 12 Apologies if this has been covered but I haven't managed to find a related thread. I currently have a few sonos devices, used for internet radio and spotify streaming. My main hifi is sonos, wadia 12 dac, MF M6i, and an old pair of kef reference speakers. I am considering changing the sonos to a WiiM (probably Ultra) for the following reasons: 1. I want to switch to Tidal, Qoobuz or Deezer to get better quality source music. I'll post another thread on help with which to go for. 2. I don't use the Kef Kube any more as it introduced a hum. So I can't switch off the bass extension and the midrange of the speakers is a bit exaggerated. The bass and treble settings on the sonos aren't good enough and I'm hoping the equaliser in the Wiim will do the trick. 3. Having to use the sonos app to control it is very cumbersome and not spontaneous, so the idea of a remote is appealing. 4. The 2 way Bluetooth on the Wiim is a plus, but in reality it is unlikely that I'll use it. Questions: 1. Will the Wiim actually be sonically better? A hifi dealer told me it would be a backward step. 2. The sonos dac will be able to deal with 1411, as does the wadia. But I'm thinking of hires streaming becoming more accessible. 3. For hires, the wadia will be limited and on paper the wiim dacs are better, so the ultra may make the wadia redundant. The hifi chap told me the sonos dac is better than the wadia(as far as numbers go) but to my ears the wadia is way better for spotify streaming. It is also better for CD listening compared to the dac in my old arcam CD player. So am I expecting too much of the ultra or should I settle for a pro plus and still use the wadia even for Tidal or hi res streaming? 4. I know there are lots of other streamer and dac options, but I'm not intending on splashing out. My system is old and I only listen intently infrequently. 5. Whilst I'm happy with sonos in the bedroom and kitchen, I do group zones, so I would have to get a wiim amp and a pro too. 6. Is the Wiim app interface easy to use? I have read that you cannot to global searches as you can with sonos. I will still keep my spotify account after getting Tidal or whatever. Any responses or advice welcome. 1
Hi-Fi Whipped Posted January 14 Posted January 14 I have limited experience with Wiim products but I do use Sonos daily and given no one else has chimed in ill try and offer some feedback. Are your Sonos products S1 or S2 complaint? Could make a difference to the answers below, if S2 it could open up an Airplay option which you could use across both Sonos and Wiim products at the same time. Questions: 1. Will the Wiim actually be sonically better? A hifi dealer told me it would be a backward step. A: Id actually expect the Wiim products to be better transports than Sonos, Sonos have never put sound quality first but they do the job. 2. The sonos dac will be able to deal with 1411, as does the wadia. But I'm thinking of hires streaming becoming more accessible. A: Many people would say don't bother with hi-res but treat it as a bonus if your streaming service offers it. 3. For hires, the wadia will be limited and on paper the wiim dacs are better, so the ultra may make the wadia redundant. The hifi chap told me the sonos dac is better than the wadia(as far as numbers go) but to my ears the wadia is way better for spotify streaming. It is also better for CD listening compared to the dac in my old arcam CD player. So am I expecting too much of the ultra or should I settle for a pro plus and still use the wadia even for Tidal or hi res streaming? A: Id agree with you, the Wadia should be better than the Sonos from a DAC perception and if you like the sound of the Wadia thats all the proof you need. 4. I know there are lots of other streamer and dac options, but I'm not intending on splashing out. My system is old and I only listen intently infrequently. A: Smart to not run down the rabbit hole, WIIM products will be all you need. 5. Whilst I'm happy with Sonos in the bedroom and kitchen, I do group zones, so I would have to get a wiim amp and a pro too. A: Assuming when you group the zones that you won't be doing any critical listening maybe keep your Sonos connected to the Wadia alongside a WIIM streamer for this type of listening? Or as you say invest in other devices. 6. Is the Wiim app interface easy to use? I have read that you cannot to global searches as you can with sonos. I will still keep my spotify account after getting Tidal or whatever. A: If going Tidal and even with your Spotify you'd prob be using their "Connect" feature which means you don't need to use the Wiim app but I've also heard its very good if you need to. 2
Snoopy8 Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Sorry, but I have more questions than answers. Not sure why you want to change? Sonos can already access Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer. And when accessing a music streaming service, you tend to use an App a lot more than a remote. You have already said you are not likely to use Bluetooth. This leaves no. 2 On 12/01/2025 at 4:06 PM, dood64 said: 2. I don't use the Kef Kube any more as it introduced a hum. So I can't switch off the bass extension and the midrange of the speakers is a bit exaggerated. The bass and treble settings on the sonos aren't good enough and I'm hoping the equaliser in the Wiim will do the trick. Don't understand what you mean by switching off the bass extension? Your sub (Kube) is not working, so where is the bass coming from? Yes, the Wiim has room correction which may help. Rather than getting a Wiim immediately, I suspect you can improve things by looking at your room acoustics and positioning of speakers etc. And are your old speakers the limitation? 1
dood64 Posted January 15 Author Posted January 15 Thank you for your responses. 21 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said: Are your Sonos products S1 or S2 complaint? Could make a difference to the answers below, if S2 it could open up an Airplay option which you could use across both Sonos and Wiim products at the same time. S1. And I use Android, not Apple. 21 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said: A: Assuming when you group the zones that you won't be doing any critical listening maybe keep your Sonos connected to the Wadia alongside a WIIM streamer for this type of listening? Or as you say invest in other devices. That's a reasonable suggestion. Use Tidal on Wiim for the main hifi, and stick with sonos if grouping zones. I'm assuming I can log into Tidal on the Wiim and Sonos, but am I limited to the number of devices I can have Tidal on? I will want it on at least 2 phones too. 21 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said: A: If going Tidal and even with your Spotify you'd prob be using their "Connect" feature which means you don't need to use the Wiim app but I've also heard its very good if you need to. By global search I was referring to searching a song or album eg on sonos app, and it will find it wherever it is eg on local device, Spotify or Tidal. I believe on Wiim it only seaches one source at a time, and Connect will only search within its own app.
dood64 Posted January 15 Author Posted January 15 16 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: when accessing a music streaming service, you tend to use an App a lot more than a remote. True. But if you want to change track or volume or mute with the app on your phone, you need to unlock it, go to the app and then adjust. And the phone might be in another room. Having a remote always in the room allows for instantaneous access. 16 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: Don't understand what you mean by switching off the bass extension? Your sub (Kube) is not working, so where is the bass coming from? Yes, the Wiim has room correction which may help. Apologies for the confusion. Funny how over the years Kef used the same name for 2 totally different devices. I'm referring to the Kube crossover adjuster / equaliser, not the Kube subwoofer. The Kube came with the old reference speakers. My 103/3 speakers have 8 inch down facing woofers and the kube allows you to extend or not extend the bass. By not using the kube, the tonal balance of the speakers changes, hence the need to use an equaliser, which is better in the Wiim than the sonos. 16 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: 1
wasabijim Posted January 15 Posted January 15 I'm at the other end in that I use Wiim but no Sonos experince. I do have a similar Yamaha WXC-50 which should help hi-light pros n cons. Questions: 1. Will the Wiim actually be sonically better? A hifi dealer told me it would be a backward step. I would hazard it will be much for muchness unless you have acute hearing and sensitivities in this space. Sure, I wouldn't say it's a step up in performance/SQ, but I wouldn't say it's a backward step either. 2. The sonos dac will be able to deal with 1411, as does the wadia. But I'm thinking of hires streaming becoming more accessible. On paper they can "handle" hi-res. fortunately, if you do get some hi-res going you can readily switch output from digital to analogue and see for yourself. 3. For hires, the wadia will be limited and on paper the wiim dacs are better, so the ultra may make the wadia redundant. The hifi chap told me the sonos dac is better than the wadia(as far as numbers go) but to my ears the wadia is way better for spotify streaming. It is also better for CD listening compared to the dac in my old arcam CD player. So am I expecting too much of the ultra or should I settle for a pro plus and still use the wadia even for Tidal or hi res streaming? Hard question! I settled with Pro as it was always going to be for a headphone set-up, first with a simple HP amp(only) unit then I got a HP amp-dac combo. Also many HP amp/dac options support line out so this might be a consideration for you. Fortunately, you can get a Wiim as is and with no other dependencies having it playing in the chain to see for yourself. If it helps I don't miss having a remote. As pointed out, I typically 'connect' from the source app - this includes Spotify but also where "Chromecast" is in the mix which opens up a few more options. You can initiate playback directly from the unit but this just picks up from what was last connected/playing, and sometimes you can't jump start it this way. 4. I know there are lots of other streamer and dac options, but I'm not intending on splashing out. My system is old and I only listen intently infrequently. ... 5. Whilst I'm happy with sonos in the bedroom and kitchen, I do group zones, so I would have to get a wiim amp and a pro too. ... 6. Is the Wiim app interface easy to use? I have read that you cannot to global searches as you can with sonos. I will still keep my spotify account after getting Tidal or whatever. As pointed out to get music going you would typically go into the source app then connect to the Wiim. I'm not familiar with global search and this hasn't been a problem. You can save playlists, radio stations, etc. if that helps. Also if you are a Plex person, you can stream content via this through the Wiim. I'm not using it for multiple rooms/devices but the app is easy enough to use. I do use the EQ feature to get a more neutral balance from my cans. I've not played with the Parametric EQ or the new room correction feature it has. The app is not really for discovering music or moving thru albums, artist, genres, etc. 1
Snoopy8 Posted January 15 Posted January 15 You seem to have your heart set out for a Wiim, even though people do not buy a streamer / DAC just for the remote and EQ (but please check which model because they vary in functionality). No problems with that because they are very good, value for money products. Will you get better sound? Maybe and it does depend on how you you configure it in your setup. It does make for a complicated setup having both Sonos and Wiim, especially if you use multi room.
drumrudiments Posted January 28 Posted January 28 The Wiim sounds good and the room correction makes a huge difference IMO. Compared to your Sonos set up it's definitely not a step backwards
crisis Posted February 2 Posted February 2 My brief experience with WIIM. Dont let the title confuse you..
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