If you're looking for a network player to give your setup a quality boost, the WiiU Pro and WiiU Pro Plus have become two of the most popular names among enthusiasts and audiophiles. In this guide, we'll tell you in great detail what each one offers, what's different compared to the WiiU Mini, and how they fit into different systems to take advantage of music streaming. a quality-price ratio that is very difficult to beat.
The WiiM offering is born from Linkplay Technology and relies on its WiiM OS operating system and the WiiM Home app to transform traditional devices into "smart" solutions. With next-generation connectivity, compatibility with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, DLNA and major music services, in addition to top-level technical figures, these streamers promise High-resolution sound, easy handling and full integration with your home ecosystem.
What are WiiM Pro and WiiM Pro Plus and who are they for?
WiiM Pro and WiiM Pro Plus are two network audio players designed to add high-fidelity streaming to any computer. They sit above the compact WiiM Mini and are designed for users who require more. Full analog and digital connections, voice control, and improved D/A conversion.
The WiiM Pro is aimed at audiophiles and enthusiasts who want a versatile and stable hub with a variety of inputs and outputs, multiroom support, and full app and protocol compatibility. It features a Burr-Brown PCM5121 DAC and delivers solid performance. Sampling rate up to 192 kHz/24-bit and THD of 0,009% (-81 dB).
The Wii Pro Plus raises the bar with a premium AKM 4493SEQ DAC and a Texas Instruments ADC (PCM1861) for digitizing analog sources at 32-bit/192kHz. This makes it ideal for those looking for Audiophile quality, improved noise and distortion figures, and they also want to transmit in multiple rooms with the greatest possible transparency.
The family is completed by the Wii Mini, an ultra-compact and affordable streamer with AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth 5.2 (SBC/AAC), perfect for beginners or for secondary equipment. However, the focus of this comparison is on the two higher-end models, which concentrate the most advanced features and the most complete finishes in the range.
Wii Mini, Wii Pro, and Wii Pro Plus: What each offers
Wii Mini has been described as the most affordable model, with a very small format and four side connectors: USB-C power (5 W), optical output, 3,5 mm analog output and 3,5 mm analog input with integrated A/D conversion. On the top it has a minimalist touch panel for volume and playback, a status LED for settings and a base with a non-slip ring.
In terms of compatibility, the Wii Mini plays services such as Spotify, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, Apple Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and LinkPlay Radio. It also supports Spotify Connect and TIDAL to control playback from its native apps. Included in the box is a USB-A to USB-C cable, a stereo RCA to 3,5mm mini-jack, a mini-jack to 3,5mm mini-jack, and a Toslink S/PDIF optical cable.
Wii Pro has made the leap to a 140 x 140 x 42 mm, 330 g chassis with front-facing capacitive controls (play/pause, volume, and a preset button). It integrates a DAC Burr Brown PCM5121, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX and a range of approximately 30 meters, and to better understand how wireless headphones work, handles signals up to 192 kHz/24-bit. Supports MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, and OGG files.
The Wii Pro features analog RCA inputs and an optical digital input (up to 192/24 bit), as well as analog RCA, optical Toslink S/PDIF, and coaxial S/PDIF outputs. Network-wise, it boasts an arsenal of features: AirPlay 2, Chromecast Audio, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Amazon Music Casting, Qplay 2.0, and Roon ReadyIn addition to the services already mentioned, it also includes SoundCloud, iHeartRadio, vTuner, Napster, and SoundMachine; and it works with Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant.
Wii Pro Plus shares the Pro's form factor (140 x 140 x 42 mm) but increases the weight to 400 g due to its improved electronics. The heart of the Wii Pro is a DAC. AKM4493SEQ latest-generation and a Burr-Brown PCM1861 A/D converter for the line input. Its figures are more ambitious: THD of 0,00032% (-110 dB), high SNR and digital outputs with resolutions up to PCM 768 kHz/32-bit and DSD512, as well as dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 aptX.
Physical and network connectivity
Physically, the Wii Pro and Pro Plus share a very complete rear: USB-C for power, Ethernet port (100M), optical input and output, digital coaxial output, and stereo RCA analog inputs/outputs. The presence of optical input and bidirectional RCA allows integrate external sources and distribute their audio throughout the house with very low latency.
On the Mini, the connectors are concentrated on the side due to its compact size, but it still has very useful options like the optical output and analog input. For simple installations (a stereo amplifier, a sound bar with optical input, or powered speakers), it's a truly versatile plug & play solution.
On the network side, the Pro and Pro Plus offer dual-band Wi-Fi with 802.11 b/g/n/ac support, Bluetooth 5.1, and 100Mbps Ethernet. This combination ensures stability, low latency, and sufficient performance for high-resolution audio, as well as ensuring quick control from the app and platforms compatible.
WiiM connectivity is designed to coexist with Apple, Google, and Amazon ecosystems. Thus, it is possible to group devices via AirPlay 2, Chromecast Audio, or Alexa Cast, or create your own multi-room groupings with other WiiMs to cover several rooms with maximum flexibility.
Streaming services, protocols and multiroom
Both Wii U Pro and Pro Plus integrate a wide catalog into the Wii U Home app: Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TIDAL, TuneIn, Napster, Deezer and Qobuz, among others. Added to this is compatibility with Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect to use their official apps as a "remote control", freeing up the phone for other tasks and improving the quality compared to traditional Bluetooth.
In the Apple ecosystem, both act as AirPlay 2 receivers: you can send audio from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and even sound from your Apple TV. Note: the Pro/Pro Plus are receivers, not AirPlay 2 transmitters, i.e. They do not forward the signal to other destinations through that protocol.
If you're on Android or your home revolves around Google, Chromecast Audio lets you cast music, radio, podcasts, and TV audio from compatible apps to one or more devices at once. You can also pair Wii with Google Home or Alexa speakers to make true multiroom without complications.
Wii's multiroom feature is agnostic: it accepts audio from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the Aux/SPDIF input, and distributes it to different zones based on your setup. This makes it very convenient for having the same song in the living room and kitchen, or for separating playlists and volumes based on each room.
Sound quality: DAC/ADC, sampling and key figures
The Pro Plus stands out for its AKM 4493SEQ DAC, capable of handling audio up to 768 kHz/32-bit and DSD512, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB (A-weighted) and THD+N at 1 kHz of -110 dB. These figures translate into less noise, more detail and better microdynamics when you connect it via its analog line output.
In addition, the Pro Plus features the Burr-Brown PCM1861 ADC (32-bit/192 kHz) on the line input, allowing analog sources (e.g., a phono preamp) to be digitized and sent wirelessly to multiple rooms. With a typical input level of 2 Vrms, high reference SNR, and a extremely contained distortion, is ideal for those who combine vinyl with streaming.
The Wii Pro, with its Burr-Brown PCM5121 and 192 kHz/24-bit support, offers very clean sound, with THD of 0,009% (-81 dB) and a fully “Hi-Fi” experience when you use it through its analog outputs or as a bit-perfect digital transport by optical/coaxial.
As for digital outputs, the Pro Plus can deliver up to 768 kHz/32-bit PCM and DSD512, while the Pro goes up to 384 kHz/32-bit via S/PDIF. If you already have an external DAC at the level, either one can act as a transport and leave the conversion to that DAC, achieving update your system without renewing everything.
There are variations in SNR figures depending on the route and measurement: some specifications quote 120 dB for the Pro Plus DAC, while others speak of maximum values of 102 dB or 106 dB under certain input/output conditions. In practice, the Pro Plus offers a noticeably low background silence and a transparency that can be appreciated with Hi-Res recordings.
Formats, buttons, voice control and Wii Home app
All three models play MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, and OGG, covering both lossy and lossless formats and high-resolution formats. The Pro and Pro Plus include capacitive controls to play/pause, increase/decrease volume and recall a favorite preset, which is very useful if you don't have your phone at hand.
The Wii Home app centralizes everything from accessing services to the equalizer, music alarms, routines, and room settings. It's a lightweight and fast app, so initial setup can be completed in just a few seconds. couple of minutes. In addition, WiiM OS receives regular updates that add features and refine the experience.
If you prefer voice, the devices are compatible with Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant. Request songs, playlists, raise/lower the volume, or group zones using your Echo, HomePod, or Google Home speaker, or from your phone and sync headphones with your mobile. The integration is designed so that don't change your way of listening, but rather extend it to new scenarios.
An interesting piece is the Wii Voice Remote, a remote control with a microphone for Alexa that doesn't require an additional Alexa speaker. It pairs very easily from Wii Home and allows control playback, volume, mute and presets with a single button. It is compatible with Wii Mini and Wii Pro Plus.
Gapless playback, 10-band EQ and more features
Gapless playback is critical for linked and direct albums. WiiM addresses this with a careful implementation that uses two decoders to remove padding samples at the beginning and end of files and combine them accurately, so that playback time is identical to the source on supported services and at your local or online library.
It also features a 10-band graphic equalizer and 26 presets: genre profiles, bass/treble boost, loudness, cinema, gaming, or voice enhancement, among others. You can adjust it to your liking or adapt it to the room to achieve the desired sound. a more refined tonal balance in each room or type of listening.
In terms of output, the WiiM boasts bit-perfect performance up to 192 kHz/24-bit when used as a digital transport, so the delivered signal matches the format of the input source. This is key if your external DAC supports high frequencies and you want to extract the maximum detail on your chain.
As an important note, WiiM specifies a limitation: it does not support retransmitting the audio from the Aux-in input to AirPlay 2, Echo or Google Home destinations. That is, you can use the line input for digitizing and distributing in multiroom with WiiM devices, but not forward that input to speakers in those ecosystems via their own protocols.
Highlighted specifications and compatibility
For those who want to see the keys at a glance, this is the most relevant of WiiM Pro Plus (and very similar in large part to WiiM Pro, except for the DAC/ADC and maximum resolutions): Full connectivity, broad format support and comprehensive control.
| Wireless connectivity | Dual band Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, 100M Ethernet |
| Inputs / Outputs | Line out, coaxial out, optical out / Line in, optical in |
| Formats | MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, OGG |
| input resolution | Up to 192 kHz / 24 bits |
| Digital output resolution | Pro Plus: up to PCM 768 kHz/32-bit and DSD512; Pro: up to 384 kHz/32 bit |
| Family | AirPlay 2, Chromecast Audio, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Amazon Music Casting, Roon Ready |
| Control | WiiM Home App (iOS/Android), Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, preset button on the device |
In the Pro Plus box, you'll find a USB power adapter, a USB-C cable, an RCA to RCA cable, an optical cable, and the user guide. Additionally, some configurations include a premium RCA cable for line output and the Wii Voice Remote (consult your retailer).
Dimensions and weight: Pro and Pro Plus share 140 x 140 x 42 mm; the Pro weighs 330 g and the Pro Plus 400 g. The Mini, on the other hand, is the smallest, ideal when space is at a premium. a critical factor.
User experience and sound performance
The app is very agile to use: quick network detection, connecting to services in seconds, and minimal latency when changing tracks or sources. The app has clear navigation for those who want to use it. all in one place and also respects those who prefer to stick with native apps with Connect/Cast.
In tests with a high-fidelity integrated amplifier, a turntable with a preamp, and good sensitivity cabinets, the Pro Plus delivered striking background silence and rich micro-information with Hi-Res files. The soundstage is wide, with clean contours and an inviting tonality. to long listening sessions without fatigue.
The WiiM Pro, acting as a digital transport to an external DAC, behaves very stable and transparently. If you don't need the improved ADC or the maximum resolutions of the Pro Plus, the Pro already represents a clear leap over basic streamers or the Bluetooth shipping From the phone.
For tight budgets or secondary equipment, the Mini surprises with its ease of “waking up” a system with just an optical cable or a minijack, and scores points with its analog input for legacy sources. It's a fantastic gateway to the WiiU ecosystem.
Indicative price, availability and alternatives
The Wii U Pro Plus has been listed for around €249 at specialist retailers, a very attractive price considering what it offers in terms of DAC/ADC, connectivity, and features. The Wii U Pro is usually priced lower, so it's a sensible purchase if you prioritize versatility and price before the “top” figures of the Plus.
All models (Mini, Pro, and Pro Plus) are available at various retailers and hi-fi stores. For reference, some Spanish distributors regularly keep them in stock, while the brand itself continues to expand support with software updates.
If you look at the market, there are alternatives with integrated streamers in compact third-party amplifiers, such as the ArtSound Smart Evo (with Bluetooth 5.2, multiple inputs including phono and ARC, and support for Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect, DLNA, UPnP, and radios). Even so, the WiiU ecosystem stands out for its its software maturity, speed and price.
Two compatibility notes to keep in mind: 1) WiiMs act as AirPlay 2 receivers (they do not broadcast over AirPlay 2 to other devices) and 2) it is not possible to stream Aux-in audio directly to AirPlay 2 speakers, Echo or Google Home; for multiroom with analog inputs, it is advisable stay within the WiiU ecosystem.
For features, ease of use, and sound quality, the Wii U Pro and Pro Plus are safe bets for upgrading a classic setup or creating a modern multi-zone system. Those looking for maximum detail and top-of-the-line digitalization should opt for the Pro Plus; if price and versatility are priorities, the Pro more than delivers; and if you just want something small and reliable, the Mini will put a smile on your face. very little effort.
