“Micro-systems are so last year!”

Hi folks, this month we are looking at a modern alternative to an old stalwart of yesteryear - the ubiquitous micro-system. Using a WiiM Pro streamer or the newer WiiM Pro Plus and a pair of active Ruark MR1 speakers, we are going to look at a twist on the old micro-system option.

The venerable micro-system has been the vanguard of the student dorm for many a year, but as with all older technologies, we must adapt and move forward with the times whilst maintaining an eye on the purse strings, especially for the cash-strapped student or for that matter, most savvy members of the public!

WiiM Pro streamer and Ruark MR1 speakers

wiim pro streamer & ruark mr1 mk2 active speakers with a rega planar 2 turntable

As can be seen in the picture above, the WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro+ can be integrated into a small, but flexible home system with the Ruark MR1 Mk2 active speakers. Additionally, a Rega Planar 1 or Rega Planar 2 with a Rega A2D or Rega Fono MM phono stage can be used into the line(RCA) inputs on the rear of the WiiM Pro. A Rega Planar 1 Plus adds even easier integration with its built-in phono stage.

Let’s have a closer look at what each of the individual components offer in facilities and sound:

Ruark MR1 Mk 2 active speakers...

The Ruark MR1 Mk2s are a very dinky set of speakers indeed. Offering a big sound out of a small package, with a built in optical DAC input and 3.5mm analogue jack, along with a subwoofer output, these little marvels can really belt it out! All you need is a source signal, which can come from: a mobile phone via bluetooth, or as in our use case, digital input via our WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro+ streamer and a 3.5mm analogue via an adaptor cable for turntable/CD player playback. A separate CD player can also be used via the analogue/optical inputs and we would urge you to read our blog on Marantz CD players should you want advice in that direction.

the ruark MR1 mk2’s are a worthy t.v. speaker upgrade

Designed primarily as desktop speakers, the Ruark MR1 Mk2s can be utilised in an office/bedroom system or with a TV via its optical DAC input, remembering that built-in subwoofer output can also be taken advantage of when watching movies. The only real limitation is the length of the supplied cable that connects the two speaker together allowing for use as a stereo pair.

With a sound that belies its size, the Ruark MR1 Mk2s have a lot to offer sonically, with a built-in functionality that gives some great options for a small room and when partnered with a WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro+ and a Rega turntable with a phono stage, the choice of analogue or digital playback options make this system a compelling choice.

And for those of you wanting to build on the already impressive sound of the MR1 should check out the all new Ruark RS1 Subwoofer.

WiiM Pro and WiiM Pro+ streamer...

A relatively new product to Audio T, the WiiM Pro and WiiM Pro+ streamers offer an entry level price into the world of streaming without an entry level performance or functionality.

What’s the difference?

The WiiM Pro+ streamer with remote is a brand new product and the WiiM Pro is a well establish budget streamer that has received a whole host of plaudits from the press, not only because it is a true budget device but also that it offers a high performance to price ratio.

Other than the included remote control, visually the differences between the two are small to non-existent, but the manufacturers are keen to point out the sonic enhancements offered by the WiiM Pro+ over the WiiM Pro “under the hood”

You can buy it on a WiiM...

Apologies for the dreadful pun, but this little marvel offers so much bang for the buck I couldn’t help myself.

The user input functionality, as I outlined earlier, is really quite something. This allows one to put together a really well featured system that is affordable and packs a quart into a pint-pot sonically!

Taking a look at the rear of the WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro+, connection choices allow for both analogue or digital, input and output. This may not sound like a big deal, but it allows the WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro+ to act both as a streaming source and a pass through component for connection to external devices like a Rega Planar 1+ or Marantz CD6007 using wired connections and its bluetooth facility allows Apple or Android mobile devices to connect as well, if you wish.

WiiM Pro and Pro+ app functionality...

The WiiM app is available from the Apple iOS store or Google Play store, depending on your mobile device. It is sufficient to say overall operation is intuitive, slick and easy to use, even for an old-boy like me. Connectivity is extensive and you can even set-up an Alexa to voice control your music playback.

My experience with setting up streamers over a network usually points to using wired connections where possible, however, so long as your wireless network isn’t flaky, you shouldn’t have an issue with the WiiM Pro because everything went smoothly when we set it up in our Brighton Audio T shop.

So what does the system sound like?

Well, for a system priced at the budget level, the sound quality is really rather good. Whether through the WiiM Pro’s internal DAC or via the Ruark MR1 Mk2s optical input, using its internal DAC, audio quality is wholesome and musical with good detail and clarity, offering remarkable sound for the pound!

A wealth of connectivity options allow for more choices than you can shake a stick at. Our primary streaming source listening is via Qobuz, which we have found gives the best sound quality, outside of playing ripped files via our Naim Uniti Core on our internal network.

Hooking up a Rega Planar 3 turntable with an Audio Technica VM95ML moving magnet cartridge, feeding a Rega Fono MM phono stage and outputting into the line input on the WiiM Pro, feeding the Ruark MR1 Mk2s, allowed vinyl playback to be enjoyed with similarly good results.

Summing up, the system outlined allows for the connection of multiple digital and vinyl sources and the whole world is your oyster if you include streaming services and internet radio on vTuner, all for not a lot of money. With Christmas just around the corner, this is a fine budget system to think about purchasing for your friends or family and we’d encourage you to be quick because unsurprisingly, the WiiM Pro and WiiM Pro+ are proving to be a popular product given its bargain price/performance ratio.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so get in touch to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Ade, John and Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

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