Just got my Wiim Ultra

[bossman150`]

I am still waiting on my Topping DX5 II, so I can't try my Hifiman Edition XS's yet. Instead I am using my Sony XM4's in passive mode using the Wiim's built in headphone amp. It sounds wonderful. I am very impressed and very happy so far. The XM4's sound very good in active mode using LDAC and bluetooth, I am very impressed that the Wiim is waking them up even more. Listening to Fleetwood Mac's Dreams I have never felt more like I was there in the middle of the band. I think I had heard the bells before, but they never popped like that. I am really looking forward to see how the topping and XS's add to it. Also curious to see if I can hear a difference in the XM4's between the Wiim and the Topping.

In my tiny living room I crammed a 75in 4k TV connected to my gaming PC, along with an old Bose 2.1 PC sound system. I am planing on connecting the TV to the Wiim via earc/hdmi and then the Wiim to the topping via USB, then from the Topping to the Bose system for gaming and watching movies. So I get more than a headphone setup, even though that is how it will mostly be used. I think I am getting my money's worth and then some.

 

[staticV3]

I am planing on connecting the TV to the Wiim via earc/hdmi and then the Wiim to the topping via USB, then from the Topping to the Bose system for gaming and watching movies

Would highly recommend you connect the Bose system to the Ultra's Line/Sub output directly, for two reasons:

1. The Ultra's DAC is fully transparent as is the DX5's so you're not gaining anything by going through the DX5 for your Stereo system. But you'd be losing the WiiM's Sub integration features which are extremely valuable for improving 2.1 playback.

2. The WiiM supports per-output DSP settings, so you can store a room correction preset for Line out and a headphone correction preset for USB out and it will automatically switch between them when you switch outputs.

Playing both your headphones and Stereo through the USB output loses that functionality.

 

[bossman150`]

Would highly recommend you connect the Bose system to the Ultra's Line/Sub output directly, for two reasons:

1. The Ultra's DAC is fully transparent as is the DX5's so you're not gaining anything by going through the DX5 for your Stereo system. But you'd be losing the WiiM's Sub integration features which are extremely valuable for improving 2.1 playback.

2. The WiiM supports per-output DSP settings, so you can store a room correction preset for Line out and a headphone correction preset for USB out and it will automatically switch between them when you switch outputs.

Playing both your headphones and Stereo through the USB output loses that functionality.

The Bose is a Companion 2 PC system, so you can't control the sub separately. The only way to connect it is with a 3.5mm aux cord, other than USB. The sub is integrated with the speakers and is also the amp. I was planning on connecting from the topping through the RCA's with an RCA to 3.5mm cord.

I never thought about using room correction on this system, can it even do anything on a system like this? A ways down the road I plan on replacing the Bose system with an amp and some decent bookshelf speakers and a sub, but that will be a while. I am fine with connecting the Bose directly to the Wiim if it will make a difference, I was going by AI suggestion (I know, not the best idea) on how to set everything up.

 

[staticV3]

I never thought about using room correction on this system, can it even do anything on a system like this?

Yes, of course.

There's no system on earth which cannot be improved with DSP.

 

[bossman150`]

Thanks, I will connect the Bose system directly to the Wiim!

 

[bossman150`]

Well I could not get the arc from my TV to work with the Wiim. I tried everything I could find online and with AI help and the Wiim refuses to see the attached hdmi cable. A little disappointing but I ordered an optical cable just in case as I saw all the issues people have had with it. The optical connection works perfect. I had to order a longer RCA to 3.5mm cable that is coming tonight so I can see how the PC/TV sound on the Bose.

I am continuing to be amazed by just the Wiim attached to my Sony XM4's. I listened to a Dave Brubeck Quartet track that just blew me away, even though that is not my normal taste in music, but I have an idea my taste is going to broaden as I plan on spending huge blocks of time listening to music.

 

[bossman150`]

Got my Topping DX5 II a day early!! Attached my Wiim to the DX5 II via USB, set the Wiim to fixed volume. I bought a balanced XLR cord for my Hifiman Edition XS's so I could use the full power of the amp/DAC. I really don't know what to say. This setup is just amazing. Its a good thing I am typing as I could not speak with my jaw resting on the floor. I have never heard recorded music like this, not even close.

I am not usually in to Jazz, but yesterday with the Wiim pushing my XM4's I heard Dave Brubeck's Take 5 for the first time and I enjoyed it, I had never really enjoyed a Jazz song that much. Today playing it through the DX5 II and the XS's was a whole new level. I didn't just enjoy it but I am fully enamoured. I put together a list of songs I found online people thought sounded great on headphones or hifi systems. There were several yesterday using the XM4's I did not enjoy at all and had to skip before finishing. For example Tool's Chocolate Chip Trip, Reckoner by Radiohead and Bubbles by Yosi Horikawa, today with the Topping and XS's I loved them all. The music stage is just HUGE compared to any I have heard before. I can't take them off my head, I am so thrilled!

 

[jimmyjames8]

Not really that much into streaming music but I got a Wiim Pro Plus for my garage system. Local college radio jazz station that I have been listening to for years sounds fantastic as does Amazon Music "hi rez" or whatever they call it. Can't justify the premium $ for something I listen to once a week but it really sounds great. I had been listening to internet radio stations via my desktop for a long time on a decent system but streaming via the Wiim thru the same amp and speakers was revelatory.

 

[Scrutable]

My Ultra which I just got last week came with both an optical and HDMI cable. This is not to be snarky but did you check the box? FYI I am using the HDMI (using the old cable) from eARC in my relatively new TV and it works better than the soundbar it is replacing.

It is quite a thing, this WiiM! I really like it. It can do everything a regular preamp can do, plus room correction, bass and sub management, USB song librarian, parametric and graphic EQ, interface with other music players including Plex and Lyrion - kind of unbelievable.

 

[Scrutable]

Also, the music is great but speaking as an audio buff, it is refreshing that all the versions of "Take Five" I've ever heard have been exceptional recordings. The perfect track to debut your new gear!