Emotiva PT2 vs WiiM Ultra vs sub 1k$ Preamp

[Connor1a]

I’m in need of a decent preamp with inputs for my TT (running through a Mani 2) and a Sonos Port.

I bought a WiiM Ultra on a lark to fill the role. It was on sale. I have the TT coming in on the analog in port and the Sonos Port coming in on the toslink in port (doing a funky conversion from the Port’s coax to toslink via a cheap external signal converter). The Sonos sounds flat, but otherwise it all works brilliantly. The Ultra streams great. RC + parametric eq is useful (WiiM is still improving those functions). I’ll eventually look to use the sub out (to augment my Lintons - though I’m not 100% sure they need it - they’re 3 way). But I can’t help wondering whether there’s better.

My budget is 1k$ +/-. 2 channel only w bass out. Analog really. I have an Emotiva PT2 stereo preamp I’ve been playing with, but need to send it back next week. I could keep that. It’s a match on paper, but there are near zero reviews online. Performance has been decent though… Again, I’m wondering whether there’s better in my price range.

Would you guys have a recommendation? Both the WiiM and PT2 would work with my leaning towards the WiiM due to the RC (though I’d then start looking for a replacement DAC - any recommendations there? - I know everyone likes the Toppings - the Sonos performance is so meh on the toslink in - it’s better on the analog in).

(Edit: What are the thoughts on the DacMagic 200m?)

Sincere thanks for your thinking.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I think you could spend a crapton of money to upgrade the WiiM with outboard DAC and I would question if you would improve anything.

Few other such versatile devices will have an analog in, though your Waxwing makes that unnecessary for your TT. You should be running the Waxwing into the SPIDF input of the WiiM, not an analog in, as you are only double converting the analog to digital signal. A key reason for me getting the WiiM was its price to performance ratio, features, AND the fact I could run my TT into its ADC. If I purchased a competitive device not only would I need to pay more, but would need a Waxwing to convert my TT output to digital to input into the device vis SPDIF. Adios $1,300 instead of $329. And I only paid $263 on the Black Friday sale.

If you desire to spend more money I would look at an Eversolo streamer/pre and run the Waxwing into the SPIDF input.

If you think you want a "better" DAC for the WiiM, the manifold reviews here could provide you a long list of stellar performers for under $500. Your brain may tell you the DAC sounds better, and you could be quite content, but I am not sure any objective measurement would verify that.

 

[Connor1a]

I think you could spend a crapton of money to upgrade the WiiM with outboard DAC and I would question if you would improve anything.

Few other such versatile devices will have an analog in, though your Waxwing makes that unnecessary for your TT. You should be running the Waxwing into the SPIDF input of the WiiM, not an analog in, as you are only double converting the analog to digital signal. A key reason for me getting the WiiM was its price to performance ratio, features, AND the fact I could run my TT into its ADC. If I purchased a competitive device not only would I need to pay more, but would need a Waxwing to convert my TT output to digital to input into the device vis SPDIF. Adios $1,300 instead of $329. And I only paid $263 on the Black Friday sale.

If you desire to spend more money I would look at an Eversolo streamer/pre and run the Waxwing into the SPIDF input.

If you think you want a "better" DAC for the WiiM, the manifold reviews here could provide you a long list of stellar performers for under $500. Your brain may tell you the DAC sounds better, and you could be quite content, but I am not sure any objective measurement would verify that.

I ended up putting the money toward a new sub. I bought an SVS SB-1000 Pro. My room is fairly small. I don't think I’ll need two. Always open to learn something new though… After many replies, it seems like this will be the greatest bang for the buck as it were…

The Waxwing has proven to be quite interesting. As stated, I have it running through its Optical Out (evidently the lowest noise output) to the WiiM’s Optical In. It works like a champ / sounds great. The “magic” setting is something else. It’s taken a circa ‘80s rock album I thought lost to the ages and made it listenable again. There’s some data loss, but the Waxwing DSP compensates extremely well. It’s a great addition to my setup.

Anyway, thank you for the reply.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I ended up putting the money toward a new sub. I bought an SVS SB-1000 Pro. My room is fairly small. I don't think I’ll need two. Always open to learn something new though… After many replies, it seems like this will be the greatest bang for the buck as it were…

The Waxwing has proven to be quite interesting. As stated, I have it running through its Optical Out (evidently the lowest noise output) to the WiiM’s Optical In. It works like a champ / sounds great. The “magic” setting is something else. It’s taken a circa ‘80s rock album I thought lost to the ages and made it listenable again. There’s some data loss, but the Waxwing DSP compensates extremely well. It’s a great addition to my setup.

Anyway, thank you for the reply.

I have decent TT with built in phono pre but don't use it a lot, so it is OK through either the WiiMs analog or phono inputs, but I am intrigued by the Waxwing, and have been since he came out with it replacing the Puffin. As you indicate, I would welcome its DSP making some dull records a little more spiced up.

 

[Connor1a]

I have decent TT with built in phono pre but don't use it a lot, so it is OK through either the WiiMs analog or phono inputs, but I am intrigued by the Waxwing, and have been since he came out with it replacing the Puffin. As you indicate, I would welcome its DSP making some dull records a little more spiced up.

I think the Waxwing is brilliant. I’ve only just started playing with the features. My one gripe is that it wasn’t obvious that there was a switch setting in the app to enable the Optical Out. Otherwise,

It’s dead quiet on my system. It’s measured well here.

Stock “Magic” settings made a material difference as I stated, but there are other switches such as “Warmth”, “Air”, “FX”, “Derumble”… You get the idea. There are quite a few interesting things the DSP promises. YMMV, but I think it’s pretty cool. Just for “Magic” ... and Optical Out lol.