I have a specific requirement concerning connection of Amazon Music/Alexa to my unity star and I can’t seem to find a solution.
My set up currently is an Echo Dot V3 with Amazon Music unlimited (per device), connected to a the Unity Star via the Bluetooth connection.
This obviously enables me to ask for songs etc via the Alexa speaker and have them sent to my Naim.
I find this convenient and fun for casual listening of music, but I am always mindful of the fact I am losing out on the HD stream quality Amazon Music Unlimited offers as this is compromised by the Bluetooth connection.
I also think i’m correct in saying that if I use the 3.5mm audio out jack to connect via a cable, it will trigger the onboard dac within the Echo Dot, which will likely make things worse…?
I have looked for Smart speakers with Alexa built in, that have an digital audio out connection (or Aptx HD), but have yet to find one, so I am wondering if you anyone can suggest a solution that will suit my needs?
Again thanks. I actually emailed WiiM to ask if any of their stuff will fit the bill, but have yet to hear anything.
One thing that confuses me (actually there are many) is how these devices work in relation to each other?
If I work back from the Naim do you: connect to WiiM or Echo Link “Box” via digital audio cable; connect said Box to the internet via wireless or ethernet cable? If so, then how does the echo dot tell the box what to play and how do you stop the echo from playing the song you requested through its own speaker, rather than through the box and to your amp/speakers?
I used to be pretty good at working this stuff out, but now it seems I need someone else’s help to suss it all out sorry.
I live in a Google environment, but I did a bit of testing with Alexa. From what I see you would need your Echo Dot to give instructions to the Link or a Wiim streamer. The Link or the Wiim would be part of your LAN. My Wiim Pro has an Ethernet port, so cable is an option. It looks like the Link has one as well.
If you go with Wiim, make sure that Wiim’s license from Amazon includes HD streaming. You should check that for the Link as well.
Wiim also has built-in support for Tidal and Qobuz should you ever decide to switch.
As in Wii Jimmy Krankie?! (sorry if you have no clue what i’m on about).
Final question. If you use a digital connection from the box to the naim, does this disable the box’s dac and if so, is the dac in the naim likley to be superior in some way?
Digital out will skip the dac and feed direct into the star; I suspect the Naim dac to be better but I guess no harm trying the one in the wiim.
I wasn’t aware the wiim streamers supported Alexa and so the Amazon one was the obvious choice to keep it all “in the family” though wiim have kind of sewn up the “starter” streamer market (£150 seems a bargain, right?!) and probably have better support.
This has all been most helpful - thanks very much folks. I will now send back my B And O beosound smart speaker I bought in error, thinking I would be able to use that in some fashion. Doh!
My Wiim Pro was a recent purchase (bought during the last discount offer), so I have yet to put it through all its paces. One remarkable thing with the Pro is the app. Frankly, it puts the Naim app to shame.
I have my Wiim Pro connected to a pair of powered bookshelf speakers that I use in my kitchen and dining area. It replaced a ChromeCast Audio puck. Works very well. I’m going to start to play with the equalizer a bit.
