A new beginning

[Zillyinc]

Hello Guys and Gals !
I'm new here and trying to find som gudiens on my new ideas for a setup so I'm hoping you guys can help push me in the right direction.

My Bluesound system collapse a week ago and I realised that I felt trapped in the all in one box game, so now I'm looking to upgrade to a more flexible system but with the same or even better future fi connections and functionality.

Right now I have my eyes on this set up and I would like to here your thoughts on it?

New Amplifier: Rotel A14 MKII stereo(2x 80W, 8 Ohm)
New Streamer: WiiM Ultra
Old Speakers: B&W 685s2
Old Subwoofer: Argon bass 10 mk

I have read som post about a " Wiim hack" to take the Wiim ultra to the next levl by just adding a devise like this :SMSL PO100 "reclocker... So if that true and only adds 60$ to the bill then I throwing that in ther as well. But do any of you have eksperience with adding a reclocker to a similar system?

 

[danielha]

Zillyinc,

There is no interest in trying to change the internal clock of the streamer, just loss of time and money,

I could choose the same amp if I had the need for a new one. And the WiiM Ultra seems to have quite a nice features list. Maybe have a look at Yamaha amps which are also popular. But this won't be a game changer when it comes to sound.

Daniel

 

[Timcognito]

Focus budget towards speakers and sub. Maybe WiiM Amp and skip the Rotel.

 

[Doodski]

a " Wiim hack" to take the Wiim ultra to the next levl by just adding a devise like this :SMSL PO100 "reclocker... So if that true and only adds 60$ to the bill then I throwing that in ther as well. But do any of you have eksperience with adding a reclocker to a similar system?

This is pure snake oil and will have absolutely zero effect on your system. Don't waste your money on this.

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi,
Nothing really wrong with your choices but you will end up with an integrated amplifier (preamp functionality plus a DAC included) plus an additional streaming DAC that is also a preamp. You have a lot of redundant features that way which is a waste.

WiiM Ultra plus a decent power amplifier would make more sense: plenty of good Hypex implementations will also give you more power

What are you looking for? What sort of features do you want?

 

[JeremyFife]

Oh ... agree that the "Wiim Hack" is nonsense - don't worry about that

 

[Doodski]

This Wiim Amp Pro is what you need and then take the Rotel out of the system.

WiiM Amp | Versatile Streaming Amplifier: Stream Elegance, Amplify Brilliance

Discover the WiiM Amp, a state-of-the-art streaming amplifier designed to refine the way you experience music, movie, and more, WiiM Amp combines power, versatility, and simplicity like never before. Whether you are an audiophile or a home theater enthusiast, WiiM Amp delivers exceptional sound...

www.wiimhome.com

 

[radix]

You could also add a umik-1 and learn basic REW so you can properly integrate the sub with the speakers and see how the speakers are performing in your room. Those effects are many times greater than any tweeks you could make on the electronics.

 

[Apesbrain]

New Streamer: WiiM Ultra

Fine choice, but you could save a few $ with a WiiM Pro connected via coax to DAC section in the Rotel.

I also like the alternative idea of using a WiiM Amp Pro and eliminating a box.

 

[Zillyinc]

Focus budget towards speakers and sub. Maybe WiiM Amp and skip the Rotel.

Good point, but for now i just have to focus on getting an new robust amp and streamer since my Powernode broke down last week. The Wiim pro amp is a all in one box solution like the bluesound powernode i just had. This time i would like to create a more flexible system where i can upgrade different parts down the line if that makes sense.

 

[Zillyinc]

This Wiim Amp Pro is what you need and then take the Rotel out of the system.

WiiM Amp | Versatile Streaming Amplifier: Stream Elegance, Amplify Brilliance

Discover the WiiM Amp, a state-of-the-art streaming amplifier designed to refine the way you experience music, movie, and more, WiiM Amp combines power, versatility, and simplicity like never before. Whether you are an audiophile or a home theater enthusiast, WiiM Amp delivers exceptional sound...

www.wiimhome.com

Yeah it was the first think i looked at, but since i just had a Bluesound powernode, which i heard had better sound and specs, it doesn't really make a lot of sense. And i also want to create a more flexible system where i can upgrade / add different parts to it down the line.

 

[Timcognito]

Includes Dirac at the price of the Rotel

SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - miniDSP SHD Power Integrated Amplifier-DAC

www.soundstagehifi.com

 

[Zillyinc]

You could also add a umik-1 and learn basic REW so you can properly integrate the sub with the speakers and see how the speakers are performing in your room. Those effects are many times greater than any tweeks you could make on the electronics.

Its defiantly some thing i will be getting into down the line but for now I'm in desperate need of and amp and streamer since my powernode broke down. I know its not the same but i think i read that the Wiim Ultra had some kind of room correction function you can run in you room?

 

[ZolaIII]

@Zillyinc where are you from (county)?
Try to find new or close to Yamaha A-S 700 or RS700. New A-S 700 should be about 500$ (hard to find as new) and half of that used and R-S as it's earlier discontinued can be found and for 150$. New last about 20 years. If you want to spend money spend it on mic (preferably UMIK-1) and independent DSP with optical Toslink input like MiniDSP models. And then get a WiiM mini and plug it in to DSP trough Toslink.

 

[kemmler3D]

This time i would like to create a more flexible system where i can upgrade different parts down the line if that makes sense.

WiiM Pro plus any given amp (not the rotel IA) will give you a lot of functionality with less redundancy. Amir just reviewed a small amp by 3E that gives really good performance (and more power) for about $200.

i read that the Wiim Ultra had some kind of room correction function you can run in you room?

All of the WiiM units do since a firmware update a few months ago. They use the mic on your phone though. It's worth getting a UMIK-1 and connecting it to your phone for that process, because it's a lot more accurate.

 

[Zillyinc]

@Zillyinc where are you from (county)?
Try to find new or close to Yamaha A-S 700 or RS700. New A-S 700 should be about 500$ (hard to find as new) and half of that used and R-S as it's earlier discontinued can be found and for 150$. New last about 20 years. If you want to spend money spend it on mic (preferably UMIK-1) and independent DSP with optical Toslink input like MiniDSP models. And then get a WiiM mini and plug it in to DSP trough Toslink.

I'm from Denmark, unfortunately there are not many used great amps for sale here. I can buy a new yamaha-S701 MKII 200 bucks cheaper then the Rotel. Hmm i think i have some study to do regarding the independent DSP.

 

[Timcognito]

Did you talk with these guys. They are often helpful.

Topics – The Bluesound Support Crew

support1.bluesound.com

 

[Rednaxela]

For anyone wondering, the 'reclocking hack' has been discussed multiple times before.

WiiM Pro - Review & Measurements (Streamer)

cheapaudioman has a new video in which he vaguely alleges without evidence that the Wiim Pro and Ultra digital outputs suffer from digital jitter to a degree that is audibly problematic. He says you can clean it up only on the Wiim Ultra because it has USB output you can run through a DDC to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Pro - Review & Measurements (Streamer)

cheapaudioman has a new video in which he vaguely alleges without evidence that the Wiim Pro and Ultra digital outputs suffer from digital jitter to a degree that is audibly problematic. He says you can clean it up only on the Wiim Ultra because it has USB output you can run through a DDC to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

Heh, yes... this could be the final step to get full use of this USB port. Worth to toss a ticket on their support page .

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

Heh, yes... this could be the final step to get full use of this USB port. Worth to toss a ticket on their support page .

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

Heh, yes... this could be the final step to get full use of this USB port. Worth to toss a ticket on their support page .

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra

Teardown and component explanation youtube video with all the specs of all IC chips used in the Ultra. 22 minutes, poster yesterday

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra

Teardown and component explanation youtube video with all the specs of all IC chips used in the Ultra. 22 minutes, poster yesterday

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra

Teardown and component explanation youtube video with all the specs of all IC chips used in the Ultra. 22 minutes, poster yesterday

www.audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra

Teardown and component explanation youtube video with all the specs of all IC chips used in the Ultra. 22 minutes, poster yesterday

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Mark1]

I probably am not qualified for giving advice, but how about something like a Yamaha R-N800A? I realize it's an all in one unit that I think you were trying to get away from but, not meaning to knock streaming amps, seems like a different maybe more robust way than the bluesound that died on you. With preouts, several analog and digital inputs you wouldn't really be limited to the box. Again, not meaning to question the durability of these newer streamer amps, I've had these "old school" receivers playing 20-30 years old and none ever completely died on me. I know sample of one.