It seems the Wiim does most of what the Node does, while underperforming in the built in DAC department. Any thoughts on what DAC we'd need to tie or outperform the one in the Node?
Whats interesting is that the NODE and the WiiM Mini/Pro use very similar Texas Instruments DAC chipsets, in fact nearly identical in the case of the Node 2i (PCM5121 vs. PCM5122), and a newer but not entirely dissimilar version (PCM5242 which has differential outputs) in the revamped for 2021 NODE (Gen. 3).
Some people think the onboard DAC in the NODE (and even the earlier Node 2i) sounds just fine, while others have always considered it the weak point, so I'd be curious just how different the NODE and WiiM Mini/Pro will really sound at their analog output, understanding the sound is not just that of the specific chipset in use, but really it's entire implementation in the circuit including the analog output for example, and the power supply.
I'm not too jazzed by the sound of the WiiM Mini's analog output. It's not terrible, but likewise it is far from fantastic. Paired with a portable speaker like my Marshall Kilburn, or my Cambridge SoundWorks Model 88 bedroom clock radio, it sounds just fine, but in any more ambitious setup an external DAC is the way to go.
The folks at WiiM readily admit they feel most people will use their devices with an external DAC, they even say so on their support forum in describing the chipset they use as fully competent, when answering questions about it.
I'd have expected the additional real estate available in the larger enclosure of the WiiM Pro would have allowed for a better circuit layout and revised local power power supply scheme resulting in better sound at the analog output as compared to the Mini. However in watching Darko's initial review of the Pro, he was once again underwhelmed with the SQ of the analog output. One guy's subjective opinion of course, but I think if he thought it truly sounded better than the Mini, he'd have said that.
If I'm remembering it right the measured spec difference between the NODE and Mini was actually equivalent to 18-bit vs. 16-bit SNR at the analog output, which is a potentially not insignificant 12dB if accurate.
I'm no measurements or chipset snob of course, far from it, and it's worth noting that the very same TI PCM5122 found in the Node 2i, sounds rather superb in the Raspberry Pi-based
Allo Boss 1.2 Player's attention to detail laden implementation:
Our BOSS DAC is unique, because of the way we have implemented the design. First we separate the power on 3 channels and filter it: one for the digital side, the second for analog and third for the clocks themselves. Then we take the filtered power and use a second filter (LDOs) to further quiet the noise. Note that we use some of the best LDOs on the market (LT3042 from Linear). In addition, we use Japanese oscillators from NDK for a very low jitter clock - almost as good as famous Crystek.
Finally, on the analog stage we are using a film capacitor (not ceramic) for a quiet DC to feed the TI IC (ceramic exhibit some piezo distortion, not what you want in analog stage). Not happy with this, we have added a supercapacitor for an extra kick when the analog stage is asking (like deep bass).
What we have achieved, in our opinion, is the best analog implementation of the PCM5122 on the market.
Yes we live in a society obsessed with the latest gadgets. The BOSS however, is a very solid implementation of the PCM IC that will give you the greatest bang for your buck. It will sound great no matter what you throw at it - this was our goal and promise to you.
They definitely hit the mark with that particular design, a prime example of it's not all about the chipset.
