WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[BolusOfDoom]

See this Wiim forum thread re: subwoofer gain calibration to match the mains:

Beta Test: Subwoofer calibration

Hi WiiM Community, We’re looking for beta testers to try our latest Subwoofer Calibration feature. This beta is currently available for WiiM Ultra only. What’s included in this beta Automatically aligns the volume level between the subwoofer and main speakers at the listening position...

forum.wiimhome.com

 

[thcdru2k]

See this Wiim forum thread re: subwoofer gain calibration to match the mains:

Beta Test: Subwoofer calibration

Hi WiiM Community, We’re looking for beta testers to try our latest Subwoofer Calibration feature. This beta is currently available for WiiM Ultra only. What’s included in this beta Automatically aligns the volume level between the subwoofer and main speakers at the listening position...

forum.wiimhome.com

Thank you for confirmation but also WiiM continues to impress every day. I've never seen a product gain so many new features from release date.

 

[Matias]

WiiM Ultra is my 2nd WiiM streamer purchase, and I am a happy customer, hardware and software are impressive. Long live WiiM.

 

[Romario]

Note that I am replacing a Yamaha RX-V663 receiver with the WiiM Ultra, now feeding into a Technics SU-8077 integrated amplifier. Given that the Technics' input sensitivity is rated at 200mVrms, achieving a distortion-free setup is quite complex. This is especially true when trying to balance the WiiM's output with the subwoofer's independent gain level.

You can lower the volume of the integrated amplifier to add more bass relatively to the mains and let the Ultra take care of total SPL. That works for me because some (older) album masters are just bass shy. The integrated amp volume increments are not as rough as the subwoofer settings in the app.

 

[harkpabst]

If you want more bass for certain recordings, then EQ is the way to go.

But Subwoofer Management: Integration can prove challenging. There is a noticeable gain disparity between the Sub out and the Main Line outs (Column speakers). Meticulous manual calibration is required to prevent the subwoofer from being either "buried" in the mix or, conversely, overbearing when switching between output voltage settings.

Note that I am replacing a Yamaha RX-V663 receiver with the WiiM Ultra, now feeding into a Technics SU-8077 integrated amplifier. Given that the Technics' input sensitivity is rated at 200mVrms, achieving a distortion-free setup is quite complex. This is especially true when trying to balance the WiiM's output with the subwoofer's independent gain level.

Setting this up is a one-time process. Set the output voltage that best matches your amplifier's input sensitivity (the Ultra supports values between 0.2 V and 2.0 V), adjust the subwoofer level (+/- 15 dB relative to the setting you chose on your sub), run RoomFit, done.

Generally, pure power amplifiers have a much lower input sensitivity (higher voltage number) than integrated amplifiers.

I just hope you don't think you could be using the WiiM Ultra's subwoofer output when setting the Ultra to a fixed output level of 100 % and controlling the volume from the SU-8077. This cannot work! The Ultra's subwoofer level is always relative to its own output! If you set the Ultra to 100 % volume, this is what goes to the sub out (+/- 15 dB). The Ultra does not and cannot know about you changing the volume on the SU-8077.

 

[rjp]

I am really loving the WiiM Ultra. It’s hard to believe it provides so much for so little. Not just the sound, which is perfect, but the UI. It has everything I’d want to adjust available. Room fit works well, and since all of the filtering is done in the digital domain I can even use eq when needed without worrying about degradation.

Also their online forums and help are detailed and up to date. I am no longer using my Cambridge Audio cnx v2 because it doesn’t do anything the ultra can’t.

Way to go WiiM!

 

[Romario]

Indeed, the integrated amp should be close to max volume (distortion free) and the Ultra is used to change total volume.

 

[Nc26]

If you want more bass for certain recordings, then EQ is the way to go.


Setting this up is a one-time process. Set the output voltage that best matches your amplifier's input sensitivity (the Ultra supports values between 0.2 V and 2.0 V), adjust the subwoofer level (+/- 15 dB relative to the setting you chose on your sub), run RoomFit, done.

Generally, pure power amplifiers have a much lower input sensitivity (higher voltage number) than integrated amplifiers.

I just hope you don't think you could be using the WiiM Ultra's subwoofer output when setting the Ultra to a fixed output level of 100 % and controlling the volume from the SU-8077. This cannot work! The Ultra's subwoofer level is always relative to its own output! If you set the Ultra to 100 % volume, this is what goes to the sub out (+/- 15 dB). The Ultra does not and cannot know about you changing the volume on the SU-8077.

I control the volume with Wiim ultra
At 200mvrms on Wiim, my subwoofer is about 5% ans subwoofee setting is at -13db. So the subwoofer dont work at his best.

I have to set the output at 1vmrs ans reduce the setting at 70%. And the Technics amplifier at 40%. Then subwoofee can be at a normal level.

 

[Romario]

The Technics should be at 80-90% and you can up the sub output.
And/or reduce the volume of the sub itself.

 

[harkpabst]

I have to set the output at 1vmrs ans reduce the setting at 70%. And the Technics amplifier at 40%. Then subwoofee can be at a normal level.

Admittedly, I don't understand why you have to set the output to 1 Vrms and what you call a normal level.

The default output voltage of the sub out is 2 Vrms, and that's fine with most any active subwoofer. Which subwoofer model do you own and how is it set up?

Edit:
Just to be perfectly clear, once you set up the balance between mains and sub you must not touch the volume control on the integrated amplifier. I'm not sure about your amp .but usually the input labelled CD should have a lower input sensitivity of around 2 V.

Here is a link to WiiM's latest subwoofer setup guide:

Tutorial: Tuning Subwoofer Settings on WiiM Devices for Optimal Sound Quality

TABLE OF CONTENTS Step 1: Place Your Subwoofer Properly Step 2: Start with Default Subwoofer Settings Step 3: Use the LFE Input Step 4: Adjust Subwoofer Level in the WiiM Home App Step 5: Test the Phase Switch Step 6: Set Subwoofer Cross...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[john61ct]

So, you mean the Wiim sub channel output volume adjustment has adequate "scale" for your rig, but it is not continuous, and not "granular" enough when fine control is needed?

Don't most subs these days have a continuous input gain control?

 

[mrehorst]

SoundStage just did a comprehensive set of measurements on the Wiim Ultra.

 

[EXDJF]

But let me clarify something: it's an excellent DAC streamer, almost everyone buys it but then uses it with an external DAC

What did I miss in the reviews ?

Is its ESS ES9038 Q2M chip bad ?

 

[harkpabst]

SoundStage just did a comprehensive set of measurements on the Wiim Ultra.

Actually they published this data one year ago.

But let me clarify something: it's an excellent DAC streamer, almost everyone buys it but then uses it with an external DAC

Those who just use the WiiM Ultra as is with no external simply keep quiet and listen to music.

 

[Power Pop 23]

But let me clarify something: it's an excellent DAC streamer, almost everyone buys it but then uses it with an external DAC

What did I miss in the reviews ?

Is its ESS ES9038 Q2M chip bad ?

Welcome to ASR !

No, the ESS ES9038 Q2M chip is not bad

It may be more convenient (and involve less processing of the signal) for some WiiM Ultra owners to use a digital output than the Line output.

 

[Bwaslo]

Welcome to ASR !

No, the ESS ES9038 Q2M chip is not bad

It may be more convenient (and involve less processing of the signal) for some WiiM Ultra owners to use a digital output than the Line output.

And some use digital out and extra dsp (and then an external dac). The dsp built into the Wiim is quite good, but is only IIR. FIR is also needed if you want to eq phase response.

 

[rjp]

SoundStage just did a comprehensive set of measurements on the Wiim Ultra.

Wow, that's some serious analysis! Going to take me a while to get through it all.

 

[mlsstl]

But let me clarify something: it's an excellent DAC streamer, almost everyone buys it but then uses it with an external DAC

What did I miss in the reviews ?

Is its ESS ES9038 Q2M chip bad ?

Not me. I sold my Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC after getting the Ultra. I couldn't tell any difference in sound quality, but then I just happen to like my music to sound good. I don't want to be considered an "audiophile" with all the silly baggage attached to that term.

 

[Pausi]

But let me clarify something: it's an excellent DAC streamer, almost everyone buys it but then uses it with an external DAC

What did I miss in the reviews ?

Is its ESS ES9038 Q2M chip bad ?

Not me either. I tried 5 different external DACs, both top ESS, AKM and R2R. I returned or sold them all. Impossible to hear any audible difference when gain levels are matched.

 

[thcdru2k]

A lot of people have balanced amps or active speakers with balanced connects. External DAC not necessary for auditory improvement but just electronic cleanliness.