My sister went from a mini to the ultra was very happy with the results of the ultra. And Lucky for us it’s prime day and there is quite a nice discount on the ultra and the mini, but let’s shoot for an ultra and be done.
https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Streamer-Touchscreen-Compatible-Headphone/dp/B0D41YCLW8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=160GDV7KNJBTS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FmwjlB7gKGWmsrnv-_52Ubww0J35kDKxXc4H5mvon-068227W0mfBbtRlRsCEPmEGnHW-z260h6KkfyVO_UthBGTJkmeM8KnP83CFmeIn4n83S2fviXGTD9APP6ydv25aUM4mKmsSVwimX8LAKxOlnymSBSrlXg5-
good part is you can return if not an upgrade to your HEOS.
to answer the second part of your question of saving up for a better player is a good idea, yes, it is. Take a look at this
https://innuos.com/pulse-mini/
I ran HEOS In a Marantz SR5015, Got the mini and completely blew me away. So much so that I saved up and got the Pulse.
you mentioned that it needs to be Wi-Fi pretty sure(please someone comment if I’m wrong)this will be a fix that way The INNUOS can come into way much easier. For some reason these players like to have an ethernet cable over Wi-Fi and I have heard people find that this gives you the option of having a wired cable.
https://www.amazon.com/Wifi-Extender-Booster-Wireless-Repeater/dp/B08RHD97QY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=158140137965&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fifnjhvhytJ3HM5o8Te4mX2biPlfoK-0aTr-iShwWzz6ify5rQDw95nMo220eSdyFtWbuC6G0jp4d7X_20c_sjXPgVDu_UBRtDOBWcFShyvJPEAbXQiH55-Z92oAsMYVgudJmCAq4-a0Wr6A0Ftcs4jDoXgFNEM_0CxexN85YLLjOrj2c8sVwZlqe7n2UcPDejPLjLS4yL0741GH7A9Ejg.JGvnccIPFtD0rhHFm_prryuAQ5eulpafwXUNeHga27c&dib_tag=se&hvadid=693116455428&hvdev=m&hvexpln=68&hvlocphy=9033780&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=5495983912417938652--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=5495983912417938652&hvtargid=kwd-303948549054&hydadcr=20076_13445620&keywords=wifi%2Bto%2Bwired%2Bethernet%2Badapter&mcid=a05afde04b8039e49b38f73224c4d6b2&qid=1752000045&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1
hope this makes sense and I haven’t given you too much