Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra

[Pritaudio]

The issue here is airplay 2 being ‘lossless’.
Can someone confirm this for Apple Music.

 

[john61ct]

AirPlay 2 CAN support lossless audio up to 24-bit/48kHz, depending on the specific app and the developer's implementation.

many Apple Music streams are re-encoded to a lower-quality AAC format

Apps can choose to stream through AirPlay 2 mode or an older "AirPlay 1 mode" (lossless, 16-bit/44.1kHz).

 

[elvis_skywalker]

Yes, Arylic streamers are discovered in Wiim app and vice-versa with 4Stream app.

This Arylic LP10 appears to run different software than the rest of their product lineup and requires a different app, so I would not expect this one to work with the Wiim app.

From the product page:
"LP10 uses advanced streaming technology and does not support sync with other Arylic streaming devices by Arylic-native multiroom."
and
"*Control LP10 via GO CONTROL APP(4STREAM APP unavailable)"

4stream is their rebranded linkplay (Wiim) app.

 

[BillG]

So I took a second look at Room Fit last night and I'm now more satisfied with the results.

I used the sweep method and only allowed it to apply correction up to 250 Hertz. It appears to have tamed two room modes I had, and I'm now enjoying less boomy bass as a result.

I'll try the moving microphone method later to see if it makes a big difference. If so, I'll stick with its results instead.

 

[staticV3]

So I took a second look at Room Fit last night and I'm now more satisfied with the results.

I used the sweep method and only allowed it to apply correction up to 250 Hertz. It appears to have tamed two room modes I had, and I'm now enjoying less boomy bass as a result.

I'll try the moving microphone method later to see if it makes a big difference. If so, I'll stick with its results instead.

View attachment 486244

That looks suspiciously low in amplitude for cutting room modes.

I'd suspect excessive smoothing has been applied to the measurement prior to the EQ generation. (Afaik this can be configured in the App)

FYI, here's an unsmoothed MMM measurement using REW:


IIRC I maxed out WiiM's PEQ filter amplitude at -12dB to tame them.

 

[kyuu]

They're backed up quite close to the wall, as in 0.4 to 0.5 m from it. This supposedly reduces the SBI significantly.

SBIR and room modes are not the same thing.

 

[BillG]

SBIR and room modes are not the same thing

Since I'm not having a problem with either it doesn't really matter to me...

 

[ENG]

Am I the only one on ASR who awaits Amir's review of Wiim Amp Ultra?
And if Wiim also read here, sendt a specimen til Amir, please.

 

[Shrek6]

I often wonder why WiiM doesn’t just add a USB-C input to their devices. It feels like such a simple upgrade that could make desktop setups cleaner, more modern, and far more convenient.

There’s already so much competition for desktop audio between small class-d amps, active monitors, desktop DACs, etc., and then they’d be compelled to add a headphone out too.
And they use built-in power supplies which make their products larger and less desktop-friendly

 

[chelgrian]

It is my understanding one can use a WiiM Mini to add support for AirPlay 2 to a WiiM device that does not support AirPlay 2.

As I understand it, one can physically connect a WiiM Mini to the other WiiM device, or use the WiiM Home App to 'group' playback of the Mini with the other WiiM device.

Has anyone actually got to the bottom of what the ‘hardware limitation’ is that prevents the newer products supporting AirPlay, WiiM refuse to go in to any detail.

 

[Burnside]

Has anyone actually got to the bottom of what the ‘hardware limitation’ is that prevents the newer products supporting AirPlay, WiiM refuse to go in to any detail.

No, and the whole AirPlay situation is likely covered by NDAs. This is the best summary of the situation I’ve read :
https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/what-products-youd-like-to-see-wiim-produce.725/post-126825

 

[staticV3]

Has anyone actually got to the bottom of what the ‘hardware limitation’ is that prevents the newer products supporting AirPlay, WiiM refuse to go in to any detail.

Pure conjecture:

WiiM don't have an AirPlay license and their newer products are missing the technically required Apple license chips.

AirPlay works w/o license, but is not technically legal that way.

While WiiM was still small, they got away with it, but once sales picked up, Apple took note and enforced their license requirements.

WiiM was unwilling to comply and so AirPlay support was dropped going forward.

One thing I'm not clear on is why WiiM was not forced to patch AirPlay support out of previous WiiM products as well (e.g. Mini, Pro).

 

[Burnside]

That doesn’t explain why the previous models appear on the Apple MFi website as certified which would suggest “technically legal” status…

I still stand by that link being the most accurate (public) summary of events…

 

[Power Pop 23]

As I understand it......

A WiiM streamer that supports Dolby Digital 5.1 playback is not compatible with Airplay


A WiiM streamer with no support for Dolby Digital 5.1 playback supports Airplay.


My speculation is Sonos paid Apple for exclusive rights to this combination of features.

 

[Burnside]

As I understand it......

A WiiM streamer that supports Dolby Digital 5.1 playback is not compatible with Airplay


A WiiM streamer with no support for Dolby Digital 5.1 playback supports Airplay.


My speculation is Sonos paid Apple for exclusive rights to this combination of features.

That’s a fanciful twist on the matter

I don’t recall the availability of DD5.1 being mentioned around the time of the fallout around AirPlay, think that came a good bit later.

Anyway, just more speculation that can’t/won’t be proved.

 

[hipoagu]

Do we have Amir's review of Wiim Amp Ultra?

 

[staticV3]

Do we have Amir's review of Wiim Amp Ultra?

Input this into the search box to see all WiiM reviews published by Amir to date:

 

[Inertiaman]

Do we have Amir's review of Wiim Amp Ultra?

A more direct answer than @staticV3's helpful search guidance: NO.

 

[chelgrian]

Pure conjecture:

WiiM don't have an AirPlay license and their newer products are missing the technically required Apple license chips.

AirPlay works w/o license, but is not technically legal that way.

While WiiM was still small, they got away with it, but once sales picked up, Apple took note and enforced their license requirements.

WiiM was unwilling to comply and so AirPlay support was dropped going forward.

One thing I'm not clear on is why WiiM was not forced to patch AirPlay support out of previous WiiM products as well (e.g. Mini, Pro).

One very interesting thing is that Ayrlic have said on their forums that Linkplay have entirely stopped supporting their older modules which means they can’t properly support their older products. They have been forced to pivot to alternative modules.

 

[Inertiaman]

One very interesting thing is that Ayrlic have said on their forums that Linkplay have entirely stopped supporting their older modules which means they can’t properly support their older products. They have been forced to pivot to alternative modules.

Personally I wouldn't put too much faith in Arylic's characterization, or let it lead to speculative concern about Wiim product longevity. Who knows what sort of support contract may/may-not have been negotiated, who knows how the chip vendor's firmware stack might play into it, etc.

But I do worry that these networked audio devices are inherently vulnerable to defacto obsolescence sooner or later. I doubt anyone will be buying an old Wiim amp at a thrift store in 2065 and having it "just work", as is commonplace today with amps and receivers from the 80's.