Anything that can compete with the WiiM ULTRA ?

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Hallo.
Is there anything that can compete with the WiiM Ultra without an amp,
for under 500€ ? Anything out there for this price ?

 

[Eric Larson]

Some options

Cambridge Audio MXN10
WiiM Pro Plus: If you do not need the screen, HDMI ARC, or phono input of the Ultra
Arylic S50 Pro+
FiiO SR11 + External DAC

 

[staticV3]

Fosi S3 and S3 Lite were recently announced as well.

However, the WiiM is fully transparent and has by far the best App and the most active developer team.

So even if there is a competing product which has imperceptibly better noise and distortion, there'd be no point in putting up with the inferior App for that, since the advantage is moot.

The lack of XLR out is likely the biggest con (besides lack of AirPlay for those unfortunate enough to find themselves in Apple's walled garden), but even that can reasonably be worked around:

Pseudo-balanced RCA to XLR

I've seen some discussion on the forum of cables that can connect RCA outputs to XLR inputs in a "pseudo-balanced" way, including a thread on off-the-shelf options. It's a bit over my head, so I'm starting a noob-oriented thread on the topic. As I read the previous threads, none of the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

as a beginner, WiiM is probably a wise first step.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

wiim ultra with the 3E 7A

 

[Ruediger]

Is there anything that can compete with the WiiM Ultra without an amp,
for under 500€ ? Anything out there for this price ?

The other WiiM streamers, if you don't need the Ultra.

Software/app is really great. To my knowledge nobody else can compete there for these prices.

 

[chips666]

as a beginner, WiiM is probably a wise first step.

Wiim Amp Ultra has all you need Same amp board as 3e audio A7 (TPA3255)
Enjoy...

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Amp Ultra stereo streaming amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $529. I was surprised how heavy and solid feeling the Ultra is for its size. I upgraded its firmware which went smoothly and rather fast. I was pleasantly...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Chanur]

The problem with the Cambridge Audio that is keeping me from trying it is the lack of EQ. All the WiiM products have that which makes them unbeatable IMO.

 

[Paul7777x]

As mentioned above.

Any amp without EQ is damned in the modern hifi world.

The Various Wiims that include it have to be considered top of the pile.

 

[melomane13]

Hallo.
Is there anything that can compete with the WiiM Ultra without an amp,
for under 500€ ? Anything out there for this price ?

Raspberrypi , hifiberry dac8 , camilladsp, lyrion streamer, under 200€

 

[AgarWave]

If you're considering the Arylic route mentioned earlier, I'd actually point you toward their newer LP10 streamer rather than the older S50 Pro+. It's a very cost-effective way to get Google Cast and AirPlay 2. Just a quick technical note for anyone looking into it: the LP10 uses their newer "Go Control" app, not the legacy 4stream app. It's a much-needed step in the right direction for software stability. It might not measure quite as flawlessly as the Ultra, but for casual listening, it's a solid piece of gear.