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WiiM and IOM Ultra, blessed companionship

Would you mind testing the amp’s unbalanced inputs from your Ultra’s analogue output?
Just tried it; there's an extremely minor hiss/high-frequency buzz, but the volume is so low that I have to have my ear within a foot of the speaker to hear it. Possibly more of an issue with more sensitive speakers is my guess, but definitely a 100% nonissue for LS50 Meta. This is with the volume turned up enough to play average about 65dB from 10 feet away, but then paused.

-Ed
 
Just tried it; there's an extremely minor hiss/high-frequency buzz, but the volume is so low that I have to have my ear within a foot of the speaker to hear it. Possibly more of an issue with more sensitive speakers is my guess, but definitely a 100% nonissue for LS50 Meta. This is with the volume turned up enough to play average about 65dB from 10 feet away, but then paused.

-Ed
Thanks!

By the way can you post a photo of the back of your amp?
 
Thanks!

By the way can you post a photo of the back of your amp?
IMG_5409.jpeg



-Ed
 
Thanks again!
God knows why they didn’t make it with balanced as well a standard.
 
Thanks again!
God knows why they didn’t make it with balanced as well a standard.
Are you talking about the WiiM Ultra, or the IOM Ultra? They made the IOM Ultra as RCA-only by default because the WiiM Ultra doesn’t have balanced outputs. As for why the WiiM Ultra doesn’t have balanced outs, my guess is they’re holding fire for a more premium model down the line.

-Ed
 
Are you talking about the WiiM Ultra, or the IOM Ultra? They made the IOM Ultra as RCA-only by default because the WiiM Ultra doesn’t have balanced outputs. As for why the WiiM Ultra doesn’t have balanced outs, my guess is they’re holding fire for a more premium model down the line.

-Ed
I was talking about the IOM amp. I know the Ultra only has unbalanced but the amp still has a wider market and balanced inputs would help that.

I agree that Wiim will likely make a more premium Ultra with balanced outputs.
 
A couple of slightly annoying things have popped up. Firstly, the IOM must be turned on by the trigger cable - there is no on/off switch. Ideally there should have been the ability to do this manually in order for the amp to be useful with non-trigger DAC/preamps. Secondly, there is a marked hiss/buzz from the speakers (94db sensitivity according to company specs) compared to my standard setup (RME/NCx500 with balanced connection). Admittedly this is only noticeable within 30-40cm or so from the speaker elements, but it is nevertheless annoying. Maybe I am oversensitive to this. Am chalking it down to having to use RCA between the Ultras.
So you are connecting to the RCA ports on the Wim Ultra?

If so, confirm that the cable itself (entire length) is balanced not just that the cable terminates into an XLR connector and port. (Check cable "fine" print.)
 
Thanks again!
God knows why they didn’t make it with balanced as well a standard.
, FYI you can purchase balanced cables that have an RCA connector on one end and an XLR connector on the other end
 
I was talking about the IOM amp. I know the Ultra only has unbalanced but the amp still has a wider market and balanced inputs would help that.

I agree that Wiim will likely make a more premium Ultra with balanced outputs.
He already had a prior NC252MP build with XLR before making this one to match WiiM Ultra, so I’m guessing he figures people who want to buy an amp to go with WiiM Ultra just want the RCA and otherwise people who want XLR would stick with the older build in the black case with the power button on the front.

-Ed
 
What is the advantage of this combo over Wiim Amp Pro?

Power? Features?
 
What is the advantage of this combo over Wiim Amp Pro?

Power? Features?
Much more power for sure, so for less sensitive speakers, a real benefit. WiiM Ultra does also have some features that are not present in WiiM Amp Pro, including but not limited to the touchscreen display on the front (personally not a big deal, as it’s almost useless since I listen from 10 feet away), a phono input (completely useless to me, to be honest), a headphone out (again, useless to me, but it’s there), line level RCA outputs (of course), and S/PDIF outputs (both coax and optical/TosLink), allowing you to use an external DAC, which, in turn, can allow for balanced/XLR connection to a power amplifier.

-Ed

Edit: WiiM Amp Pro does have a USB port that can be used to output do an external DAC with USB input. It just doesn’t have S/PDIF output, for DACs that lack USB input.
 
So you are connecting to the RCA ports on the Wim Ultra?

If so, confirm that the cable itself (entire length) is balanced not just that the cable terminates into an XLR connector and port. (Check cable "fine" print.)

? Both Ultras are RCA only. My comment was in relation to RCA likely being slightly noisier than XLR, which is what I normally use with my RME/Nord combo.
 
Run my WiiM Ultra through the IOM Ultra to Thiel 1.6 speakers. Works like a charm, plenty of power and dead quiet so far. I really like the combo.

Also, the IOM site now lets you choose between 125 and 250 watts along with selecting either RCA or RCA & XLR inputs for the Ultra......
 
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