Should I upgrade to WiiM Amp Ultra from and old Onkyo TX-8511 receiver?

[Homesey]

I've had an old Onkyo TX-8511 receiver for many years. Subjectively it sounds really nice, but I've been thinking of upgrading and after reading the evaluation of the WiiM Amp Ultra here, I'm thinking that may be the way to go. Would I really hear a noticeable difference? It would be driving a pair of Elac Debut 3.0 DB63 bookshelf speakers.

I'm a bit leery of moving from a straightforward analog receiver to a digital wonder like the WiiM, but if it enhances my listening experience I'm willing. Thanks!

 

[PristineSound]

The only thing I can think of that you should beware of is how long will the software (device hardware and app) be supported. Shouldn't be a problem, but I have in the past where apps are no longer updated, so the hardware became a paperweight.

Something to consider in the bad of your head.

 

[Timcognito]

I've had an old Onkyo TX-8511 receiver for many years. Subjectively it sounds really nice, but I've been thinking of upgrading and after reading the evaluation of the WiiM Amp Ultra here, I'm thinking that may be the way to go. Would I really hear a noticeable difference? It would be driving a pair of Elac Debut 3.0 DB63 bookshelf speakers.

I'm a bit leery of moving from a straightforward analog receiver to a digital wonder like the WiiM, but if it enhances my listening experience I'm willing. Thanks!

Don't worry working with WiiM and a tablet will open up a new world of control and access via Graphical User Interface GUI. Only problem is AVRs are multichannel video and sound
Google says: No, the WiiM Amp Ultra is not a true multichannel surround sound amplifier. It is physically a 2.1-channel stereo amplifier designed to power a single pair of passive speakers along with a dedicated subwoofer. [1, 2, 3, 4]

 

[Norcal]

I've had an old Onkyo TX-8511 receiver for many years. Subjectively it sounds really nice, but I've been thinking of upgrading and after reading the evaluation of the WiiM Amp Ultra here, I'm thinking that may be the way to go. Would I really hear a noticeable difference? It would be driving a pair of Elac Debut 3.0 DB63 bookshelf speakers.

I'm a bit leery of moving from a straightforward analog receiver to a digital wonder like the WiiM, but if it enhances my listening experience I'm willing. Thanks!

The sonic improvements (if any are to be had in your particular situation) would mostly come from the WiiM's ability to perform room correction and do subwoofer integration. Both of those things, however, can make the sound actually worse if they are not done correctly.

 

[john61ct]

It will definitely be an upgrade in newfangled digital inputs, DSP features etc

The amplification section may or may not feel better to you.

Personally I would go Wiim Ultra as an input to your current set up.

Then try "upgrading" the power amp part from a source with easy return policies.

Getting rid of the Onkyo can be a "later" step once you're happy.

Only problem is AVRs are multichannel video and sound

Onkyo TX-8511 is 2ch only

 

[Ruediger]

I've had an old Onkyo TX-8511 receiver for many years. Subjectively it sounds really nice, but I've been thinking of upgrading and after reading the evaluation of the WiiM Amp Ultra here, I'm thinking that may be the way to go. Would I really hear a noticeable difference? It would be driving a pair of Elac Debut 3.0 DB63 bookshelf speakers.

I'm a bit leery of moving from a straightforward analog receiver to a digital wonder like the WiiM, but if it enhances my listening experience I'm willing. Thanks!

If you hear a (big) difference depends heavily on the source. The old Onkyo is 2ch analog and what you hear is whatever analog signal you feed it and it's pre-amp section. With the WiiM you can play high quality digital material via a superb DAC and have an also superb amp for the output. That can be very different (better) but isn't a general given. If you feed a (mediocre) analog signal to the WiiM just like the Onkyo received, you might not notice much. It's all about leveraging the possibilities. Whereas the Onkyo is instantly very limited and the WiiM can do a whole different level. RoomFit and subwoofer integration can add a lot too.

 

[Homesey]

The only thing I can think of that you should beware of is how long will the software (device hardware and app) be supported. Shouldn't be a problem, but I have in the past where apps are no longer updated, so the hardware became a paperweight.

Something to consider in the bad of your head.

That's a great point, thanks! My Onkyo is still working and at least 21 years old (they stopped making this model in 2005). Will Wiim still be updating their phone app 21 years from now? Maybe, but I doubt it.

 

[Timcognito]

WiiM is streaming amp with a GUI, sub output and room correction. When you use those three things your music will definitely sound much better. The ability see album covers, connect to the internet, make playlists of favorite songs among other features right from wherever you are in your house doing whatever you are doing will be invigorating. 21 years is a long time things have definitely improved in many ways.

 

[Bland_username42069]

if Onkyo has a tape loop you can just add a WIIM mini to give you streaming, room correction and peq.

 

[Timcognito]

if Onkyo has a tape loop you can just add a WIIM mini to give you streaming, room correction and peq.

Two things: What 42069 says is true. You can try WiiM Mini for $75 and dip your toes in the water and because its a multi room system, you can upgrade to the more featured device and use the mini somewhere else, like a garage or kitchen. Note, the biggest gains in sound improvement will come room correction not on the Mini but most UI features are.

 

[Homesey]

The sonic improvements (if any are to be had in your particular situation) would mostly come from the WiiM's ability to perform room correction and do subwoofer integration. Both of those things, however, can make the sound actually worse if they are not done correctly

It will definitely be an upgrade in newfangled digital inputs, DSP features etc

The amplification section may or may not feel better to you.

Personally I would go Wiim Ultra as an input to your current set up.

Then try "upgrading" the power amp part from a source with easy return policies.

Getting rid of the Onkyo can be a "later" step once you're happy.

Onkyo TX-8511 is 2ch only

Good suggestions, thanks! (I'm only interested in stereo. My listening/TV viewing room isn't big enough to make 5.1 practical.)

 

[Multicore]

A WiiM streamer might enhance your listening because of its stellar convenience and room compensation but I shouldn't think you'll notice a difference because of the amp. So if you like your old Onkyo, and why wouldn't you?, and aren't sure about the new tech, just add a WiiM streamer and the risk is very small.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Welcome to ASR,

What sources do you amplify with your Onkyo TX-8511 receiver ?

I doubt I would perceive a difference in how the Onkyo and a WiiM Amp Ultra 'amplify' a signal.

The WiiM Ultra may be a good choice if it offers functionality you desire that cannot be obtained with the Onkyo.

Depending on how you use the TX-8511, a WiiM device less expensive than the WiiM Amp Ultra may add the functionality of the WiiM ecosystem to your Onkyo.

 

[Homesey]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've decided to give the WiiM Amp Ultra a try. I'll post later after I've had some time with it.

 

[Ruediger]

Very good choice in my opinion. I think you will be positively surprised once quality like your 16bit/44.1khz CD-Rips plays.

 

[Homesey]

Having had some time with the new amp, I've decided that I like it. Initially it sounded a bit harsh, but after running RoomFit and adding some EQ to deal with the harshness, it sounds really good. I still have mixed feelings about the need to use a phone app to customize the EQ, but it does give me a lot more power to customize the sound to my room and listening preferences.

The streaming capability of this amp isn't something I'm currently using. I stream music from my TV to this amp's DAC. If they get around to adding Apple Music streaming to the amp, I may start using that instead of the TV.

 

[john61ct]

If you mean AirPlay, I added a Wiim Mini to my Ultra in order for my daughter to input from her iFruit

not expensive

 

[Chrispy]

For amp only, no.