Why this little box is the best 'real value' upgrade for your hi-fi system in Singapore.
Friends, let's talk about a modern travel problem—not for your body, but for your music.
You've done the smart thing. You saved up, you read the reviews, and you invested in a fantastic, "grown-up" hi-fi system. Maybe it's a brilliant integrated amplifier, a real workhorse with a heart of gold. But now you face a dilemma. All your music—your playlists, your discovery channels, your musical life—lives on Spotify.
How do you get that music from your phone to your big speakers?
For years, the "budget" option was a clunky Bluetooth receiver. It works, but it's a compromise, isn't it? Your phone's battery drains, the sound quality is compressed, and heaven forbid you get a phone call—the entire party comes to a screeching halt. On the other end of the spectrum are the "first-class" audiophile streamers that cost more than your amplifier.
This is the gap where I, a savvy value-seeker, have been searching. And I’m thrilled to report I’ve found the solution. It’s the "smart traveler's" choice, the travel hack for your audio journey. It’s called the WiiM Pro Plus, and it's the missing link you’ve been waiting for.
What Exactly is the WiiM Pro Plus, and Why Should You Care?
Think of the WiiM Pro Plus as a universal translator for your stereo. It’s a small, unassuming box that connects to your home Wi-Fi and then plugs directly into your amplifier. Its one job: to pull high-quality music from the internet (or your local network) and play it through your system.
It’s not just a simple receiver; it's a fully-fledged network music streamer. But "WiiM Pro Plus" is a mouthful, so what’s in a name?
The "Plus" is the Real Value
You might see its sibling, the regular "WiiM Pro." The "Plus," my friends, is where the magic lies, especially if you're connecting to an older amp. The Pro Plus includes a vastly superior internal Digital-to-Analog Converter, or DAC.
In simple terms, the DAC is the engine that translates the digital 1s and 0s of your Spotify stream into the rich, analog sound wave your amplifier and speakers understand. The DAC in the Pro Plus is a high-performance AKM 4493SEQ chip—a piece of kit you’d normally find in components costing two or three times as much. This means the sound you get right out of its RCA analog outputs is clean, detailed, and incredibly musical.
Your Passport to Every Service
While we're here for Spotify Connect, this little box is like an all-inclusive travel pass. It also supports:
Apple AirPlay 2: Effortless streaming from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Chromecast Audio: Perfect for Android users and casting from any compatible app.
TIDAL Connect: For the high-resolution audio enthusiasts.
Roon Ready: A high-end certification for serious digital librarians.
Bluetooth 5.1: Yes, it still has Bluetooth for when a guest just needs to play a quick YouTube clip.
This isn't a one-trick pony; it's a full-service travel hub for all your digital audio.
The "Spotify Connect" Experience: Is It Really That Simple?
In a word: yes. This is the part that will change your daily listening habits forever.
The Old Way (Bluetooth) vs. The WiiM Way (Spotify Connect)
Let's paint a picture.
With Bluetooth: You pair your phone. You open Spotify and press play. Your phone is now streaming the music, using its own battery and processing power to send a compressed signal to the receiver. You're tethered. If you walk out of the room, the music sputters and dies.
With Spotify Connect: You open your Spotify app. You play a song. You tap the "Devices" icon (it looks like a little speaker and a screen). You see "WiiM Pro Plus" on the list. You tap it.
Now, the magic happens. Your phone is no longer streaming anything. It has simply acted as a remote control, telling the WiiM to fetch the music stream directly from Spotify's servers over your Wi-Fi.
Your phone is now just a remote. You can take calls, watch videos, or even turn your phone off completely. The music will continue to play, glorious and uninterrupted. This is the difference between a backpacker's hostel and a five-star hotel. It’s simple, stable, and sounds worlds better.
A 2-Minute Setup
Getting started is blissfully simple. I had it running in less time than it takes to brew a cup of Kopi.
Plug in the WiiM Pro Plus (power and to your amp).
Open the "WiiM Home" app on your phone.
The app automatically finds the device.
You enter your Wi-Fi password.
...That's it. It’s done. It will now and forever appear as a target in your Spotify app.
My Real-World Test: The Pro Plus in a "Real Value" Hi-Fi System
A good travel report needs on-the-ground experience, right? I didn't just read the brochure. I plugged the WiiM Pro Plus into my own, carefully curated system here in Singapore.
The Setup
My rig is a classic "real value" champion: the brilliant Cambridge Audio CXA 61 integrated amplifier. This amp has power, poise, and a wonderful, engaging sound. For speakers, I’m using the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G bookshelves, which are wonderfully clear and reveal everything.
This setup created a fascinating test. The CXA 61 has its own very good internal DAC. This gave me two ways to "travel" to my speakers:
The Analog Route: WiiM (RCA Out) → CXA 61 (RCA In). This uses the WiiM's new, fancy AKM DAC.
The Digital Route: WiiM (Optical Out) → CXA 61 (Optical In). This bypasses the WiiM's DAC and uses the Cambridge's internal DAC.
The Verdict: A Shockingly Good Performer
Friends, I was stunned.
Listening to a "Spotify Very High" quality stream of Florence + The Machine's "Dog Days Are Over," I switched between the two inputs. The internal DAC on the WiiM Pro Plus isn't just "good for the price." It's just plain good.
It held its own against the excellent DAC in the $1000+ Cambridge amplifier. The sound was wide, the percussion was crisp, and there was a delightful sense of space. The CXA 61's DAC was perhaps a touch warmer, but the WiiM's DAC was incredibly detailed and clean.
The fact that I was even having this debate—that a sub-$300 box was competing at this level—is the entire story. The "Plus" is no marketing gimmick. It’s the real deal. It turns a convenient gadget into a true audiophile component.
The Final Verdict: Is This the Best Value Upgrade for Your Hi-Fi?
In my years of searching for travel deals and audio bargains, you learn to spot the difference between "cheap" and "value." The WiiM Pro Plus is one of the greatest values in modern hi-fi, period.
It solves the single biggest problem for the modern music lover: how to bridge the gap between the convenience of streaming and the quality of a true hi-fi system.
It’s not just a streamer; it’s an upgrade. It’s the passport that opens your expensive, "analog" system to the entire digital world, and it does so with a quality that respects the investment you’ve already made. For the price of a decent dinner for two in Singapore, you can fundamentally improve your entire listening experience.
Don't hesitate. Just as you wouldn't visit Europe without a good pair of walking shoes, you shouldn't run a modern hi-fi system without this. It’s an essential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need a Spotify Premium account to use Spotify Connect with the WiiM Pro Plus?
A1: No, you don't! This is a fantastic "value" feature. Spotify Connect works with both Spotify Free and Spotify Premium accounts, allowing you to control playback and stream directly to the WiiM.
Q2: Is the WiiM Pro Plus really that much better than the cheaper WiiM Pro?
A2: If you plan to use the analog (RCA) outputs to connect to your amplifier, then yes, the "Plus" is absolutely worth the small extra cost. The upgraded AKM DAC and improved internal components deliver a significantly cleaner, more detailed, and higher-fidelity sound. If you plan to only use the digital (optical/coax) output to an external DAC, the regular Pro is a fine choice.
Q3: Can I use the WiiM Pro Plus with services other than Spotify?
A3: Absolutely. The WiiM Pro Plus is a multi-talented device. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, DLNA (for playing your own music files), and internet radio, all controlled from the excellent WiiM Home app.
No comments:
Post a Comment