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Air vs dedicated streamer - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Air vs dedicated streamer (/Thread-Air-vs-dedicated-streamer)

Air vs dedicated streamer - audioaddict9 - 13-Jan-2026

Hi all.

Hoping for some wisdom!

I have a Devialet expert 250 pro.

I stream from my phone via AIR directly to the amplifier using the Tidal app.

I was considering getting a dedicated streamer (Wiim Ultra in particular), and connecting to the amp using a digital coax cable.

 Now I understand that I would still need to stream, but now to the Wiim instead of directly to the Devialet amp.

Has anyone done this exercise? Are there audible benefits to having this setup?

It seems like there would just be another link in the chain, so maybe a downgrade?

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - thumb5 - 13-Jan-2026

Hello @audioaddict9, and welcome.

I think there is another argument for moving away from AIR, which is that it is increasingly unlikely to be maintained to work with the latest releases of iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, etc.  However, that doesn't mean you'd need to buy an external streamer, because there other software options to stream Tidal directly to your 250 Pro: the one that first comes to my mind is Roon.  It may or may not be cheaper than a Wiim - I haven't checked pricing, and it would depend on whether you are happy with subscriptions or prefer an outright "lifetime" licence - but at least it's not an extra box.  Worth considering, I'd say.

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - Gerronwithit - 13-Jan-2026

I use a WiiM Ultra which was transformative as far as I am concerned. I bought it to stick my toes into the world of streaming and was pleasantly surprised as to how good it is. Qobuz now has a direct link to the WiiM from its own app that makes the process even easier.

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - audioaddict9 - 14-Jan-2026

(13-Jan-2026, 16:56)Gerronwithit Wrote: I use a WiiM Ultra which was transformative as far as I am concerned. I bought it to stick my toes into the world of streaming and was pleasantly surprised as to how good it is. Qobuz now has a direct link to the WiiM from its own app that makes the process even easier.


Thanks for the reply. Were you previously using Air as your source?

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - Gerronwithit - 14-Jan-2026

(14-Jan-2026, 09:24)audioaddict9 Wrote:
(13-Jan-2026, 16:56)Gerronwithit Wrote: I use a WiiM Ultra which was transformative as far as I am concerned. I bought it to stick my toes into the world of streaming and was pleasantly surprised as to how good it is. Qobuz now has a direct link to the WiiM from its own app that makes the process even easier.


Thanks for the reply. Were you previously using Air as your source?

Yes! WiiM is a lot better. Not sure about other streamers.

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - spater - 14-Jan-2026

(13-Jan-2026, 15:46)Eaudioaddict9 Wrote: Hi all.

Hoping for some wisdom!

I have a Devialet expert 250 pro.

I stream from my phone via AIR directly to the amplifier using the Tidal app.

I was considering getting a dedicated streamer (Wiim Ultra in particular), and connecting to the amp using a digital coax cable.

 Now I understand that I would still need to stream, but now to the Wiim instead of directly to the Devialet amp.

Has anyone done this exercise? Are there audible benefits to having this setup?

It seems like there would just be another link in the chain, so maybe a downgrade?
I’m a bit confused. How are you streaming to the amp from your phone via Air? I didn’t think that was possible. Do you mean AirPlay?

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - audioaddict9 - 15-Jan-2026

(14-Jan-2026, 20:47)spater Wrote:
(13-Jan-2026, 15:46)Eaudioaddict9 Wrote: Hi all.

Hoping for some wisdom!

I have a Devialet expert 250 pro.

I stream from my phone via AIR directly to the amplifier using the Tidal app.

I was considering getting a dedicated streamer (Wiim Ultra in particular), and connecting to the amp using a digital coax cable.

 Now I understand that I would still need to stream, but now to the Wiim instead of directly to the Devialet amp.

Has anyone done this exercise? Are there audible benefits to having this setup?

It seems like there would just be another link in the chain, so maybe a downgrade?
I’m a bit confused. How are you streaming to the amp from your phone via Air? I didn’t think that was possible. Do you mean AirPlay?

Apologies. Seems i have the jargon mixed up. So yes, it would be Airplay streaming from my phone…

RE: Air vs dedicated streamer - spater - 15-Jan-2026

(15-Jan-2026, 16:57)audioaddict9 Wrote:
(14-Jan-2026, 20:47)spater Wrote:
(13-Jan-2026, 15:46)Eaudioaddict9 Wrote: Hi all.

Hoping for some wisdom!

I have a Devialet expert 250 pro.

I stream from my phone via AIR directly to the amplifier using the Tidal app.

I was considering getting a dedicated streamer (Wiim Ultra in particular), and connecting to the amp using a digital coax cable.

 Now I understand that I would still need to stream, but now to the Wiim instead of directly to the Devialet amp.

Has anyone done this exercise? Are there audible benefits to having this setup?

It seems like there would just be another link in the chain, so maybe a downgrade?
I’m a bit confused. How are you streaming to the amp from your phone via Air? I didn’t think that was possible. Do you mean AirPlay?

Apologies. Seems i have the jargon mixed up. So yes, it would be Airplay streaming from my phone…
Ah, makes sense. I am streaming exactly as you, with Tidal over iOS. But seems we are sacrificing some sound quality with this approach. Will research the Wiim as being suggested.