[tortugaranger]

Hi All,

I recently swapped out some streaming equipment I've been using for the past 2 years and thought I'd share my take on the results.

I've been streaming using a Cambridge CXN-V2 Network Player. I really don't have any complaints worth repeating about this player. I've been using it as a streamer and DAC bypassing the internal volume control and using an external Tortuga Audio preamp. Streaming works well. Sound is typical of a decent delta-sigma style digital to analog converter technology. Clean. Detailed. Perhaps a bit dry or clinical but that's personal perception and preference.

Recently, I got curious about the WiiM Pro+ which for a $220 device has been getting a lot of positive press. And indeed it works well just as advertised. Compared the $850-1000 CXN-V2, the WiiM Pro+ may be a bit dryer but very similar overall impression of sound stage and detail. Impressive for its price point in absolute terms and maybe just a few steps behind the CXN-V2 in sound quality but that's my subjective take.

Then I installed my older Schitt Yggdrasil ladder DAC which I had in storage for the last 3 years. I know the objective consensus with delta-sigma DAC technology is that the best chips today are effectively totally transparent with outstanding measurements. And conversely, that ladder DACs tend to disappoint when measured as least when compared to the best delta-sigma DACs.

And then I streamed through the WiiM Pro+ into the Yggdrasil for the first time and holy decibels Batman what a difference. A positive difference. I'm not going to get lost in a bunch of meaningless adjectives here but it just sounds more natural, less harsh, more organic, easier on the ears, and I found myself listening with satisfaction at lower volume levels. I was simply more engaged and liking it better.

A very mushy subjective take but this was not one of those subtle differences. The Yggdrasil ladder DAC walked all  over the WiiM delta-sigma DAC. Great combination if you have an Yggdrasil and are considering a new streamer to go with it.

Cheers,
Morten

[jonbee]

My experience is somewhat similar.
I don't use the dac in my Pro+. It's ok, but not as good as my Nuprime.
I find it's functionality as a streaming source switch is very handy and clean, but the room correction is a real godsend.
My room has always had a problem swallowing and muddying the lower mids through the low bass range. I've tried many fine speakers in my room, and this is an issue for all of them, including my current all time fave, Avalon Opus.
This cheap device has improved  the problem dramatically, with no downside for me.
Now the bass is deeper, much tighter, and stronger, and the balance below 250 hz. is excellent.
I started with the automated correction first, then tweaked the results by ear. Usually my settings end up within a db or so of the automated one.
Very cool results for little $.
If, like me, you can't do extensive room treatment to correct the room, this little guy is worth a look. The more expensive model mostly just uses a better dac, which I don't need.