Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra

[qirex]

My Ultra came in today, so far works great and is plenty loud for my inefficient speakers (85dB). One question I got that I don’t know the answer to: will this thing work without a persistent internet connection? I have an acquaintance who’s looking at it for a cabin system.

 

[Alexx]

Okay, thanks for the explanations.

I'll consider how to proceed. The added convenience of having just one speaker (rather than two) is certainly worth considering.

The speakers are Monito Audio Studio 89.

@qirex
I doubt it will work with an unstable connection; it needs to be constantly connected to the network to manage the app, not just the streaming services.

 

[kyuu]

My Ultra came in today, so far works great and is plenty loud for my inefficient speakers (85dB). One question I got that I don’t know the answer to: will this thing work without a persistent internet connection? I have an acquaintance who’s looking at it for a cabin system.

As long as there's a local network, you can stream locally and manage the app. If you don't even have that, I believe you could still play from a USB drive.

 

[Alexx]

When I get home, I'll try to do some tests.

From memory, without any connection (wired or Wi-Fi), even if I turn it on, it freezes because the app doesn't recognize it. If I have a USB stick, I'll try inserting it (it would be interesting to also check the HDMI input), but I don't have a TV where I listen to music.
See you soon.

 

[john61ct]

It is important to distinguish the functionality based on good LOCAL network connections, usually WiFi between the app and the Wiim device

and which features require that that network has a good outside connection, to the internet

Obviously streaming music from any cloud source requires the latter.

Presumably with only the former, the Wiim can still play music from local sources not just the library on a directly attached USB stick but a local NAS

maybe stored on the phone?

Wired connections are much better than wireless ones for SQ

 

[kyuu]

Wired connections are much better than wireless ones for SQ

On what basis have you made this determination? AFAIK, the bits are delivered the same whether the network connection is wifi or wired.

 

[Salt]

It is important to distinguish the functionality based on good LOCAL network connections, usually WiFi between the app and the Wiim device

and which features require that that network has a good outside connection, to the internet

Obviously streaming music from any cloud source requires the latter.

Presumably with only the former, the Wiim can still play music from local sources not just the library on a directly attached USB stick but a local NAS

maybe stored on the phone?

Wired connections are much better than wireless ones for SQ

It would not do any difference in SQ if wire or-less, you would only hear dropouts if any of the connections fails to serve ....

 

[qirex]

When I get home, I'll try to do some tests.

From memory, without any connection (wired or Wi-Fi), even if I turn it on, it freezes because the app doesn't recognize it. If I have a USB stick, I'll try inserting it (it would be interesting to also check the HDMI input), but I don't have a TV where I listen to music.
See you soon.

Thanks, the person who asked will have a LAN at the cabin, just not a persistent external connection to the internet

 

[john61ct]

It would not do any difference in SQ if wire or-less, you would only hear dropouts if any of the connections fails to serve

dropouts are bad for SQ
Also wired headphones via BT, the differences are more subtle...

 

[Ajax]

I received my Wiim Amp Ultra two days ago. It costs A$899 in Australia = US$584, which includes GST (VAT), freight and distributor's mark up.

I have it driving a pair of B&W AM01 outdoor speakers (sensitivity = 86db), together with an old 12" Velodyne sub crossed over at 70hz, on my outside patio, which has a vaulted ceiling and is open on two sides. It has replaced a Sonos Connect streamer with Optical out into a Benchmark DAC 2 as a preamp for a Buckeye NC252MP (which got fried by lightning).

It is a very elegant (has an apple like feel) and simple replacement with no loss of performance as best I can tell. I used the Wiim App for set up (very easy) and have had great fun playing with the sub out, Room Fit and PEQ adjustments. I'm comfortably achieving 85db average sound levels with 95db peaks with no distortion. To my ears this is very loud, however, the voices still sound natural.

You often here the term "game changer" in our hobby, but I really think this is an exception bit of engineering that provides excellent performance and great features all at a bargain price. Most will use it for a second system, however, if you are not a head banger and don't care about hearing loss, it will easily fullfill the needs of a main system.

 

[Apesbrain]

It has replaced a Sonos Connect streamer with Optical out into a Benchmark DAC 2 as a preamp for a Buckeye NC252MP (which got fried by lightning).

You replaced all that with a WiiM and are happy. That's quite a vote of confidence! And you saved a lot of money.

 

[ScottySmallsMom]

anybody controlling volume + mute of the Ultra with an Apple TV remote (the aluminum Siri one) ?

 

[Petrushka]

You replaced all that with a WiiM and are happy. That's quite a vote of confidence! And you saved a lot of money.

I have a Port (successor to the Connect) feeding a Wiim Amp. The Amp’s DSP is marvelous, but Sonos has more streaming options, and I have a bunch of Ports. Sonos is overpriced compared to Wiim, but I’m beginning to think some of that is related to streaming.

 

[Ajax]

I have a Port (successor to the Connect) feeding a Wiim Amp. The Amp’s DSP is marvelous, but Sonos has more streaming options, and I have a bunch of Ports. Sonos is overpriced compared to Wiim, but I’m beginning to think some of that is related to streaming.

What do you mean by "streaming options"?

Also I think you will find the Sonos Port re samples the incoming data stream, whereas the original Sonos Connect and the Wiim Amp Ultra do not.

 

[Pauper]

anybody controlling volume + mute of the Ultra with an Apple TV remote (the aluminum Siri one) ?

Yes, that’ll be me

 

[F1Fan72]

anybody controlling volume + mute of the Ultra with an Apple TV remote (the aluminum Siri one) ?

Whilst you are using the Wiim App on an Apple TV?

 

[Pauper]

Whilst you are using the Wiim App on an Apple TV?

I use the Apple TV for streaming tv programs and Radio Paradise. The television is connected to the WiiM via hdmi and outputted from WiiM to Cambridge Audio cxa61via phono

 

[early rejecter]

What do you mean by "streaming options"?

Sonos has native support for over 100 different streaming services, all accessible within the Sonos app. I don’t know if the list on Wiim’s website is comprehensive, but they show 15 available within the Wiim Home app. The big one that keeps me from even considering switching to Wiim is Apple Music — Sonos is one of very few streamers with native support (I think Eversolo might have it too; I’m not aware of any others).

 

[Ajax]

Sonos has native support for over 100 different streaming services, all accessible within the Sonos app. I don’t know if the list on Wiim’s website is comprehensive, but they show 15 available within the Wiim Home app. The big one that keeps me from even considering switching to Wiim is Apple Music — Sonos is one of very few streamers with native support (I think Eversolo might have it too; I’m not aware of any others).

OK, thanks for taking the time to reply, however, I won't be affected as I use Spotify and Tidal Connect.

 

[Petrushka]

Sonos has XM and Audible. Hundreds of worldwide radio stations, all in one app.

Which works now.