Correct -- I have both. The black one has a plastic case and uses 2 AAA batteries. The Remote 2 has an aluminum case and can be recharged via its USB C connection. Otherwise, the features are identical (though the voice button is on the top front of the black version and the top right side of the new version.)
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WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review
- Thread starter amirm
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Just nice to have
EJ3
Master Contributor
I NEVER want a built in rechargeable (because at some point, it won't work). And if I have bought a second one to have on hand, it won't recharge, either. Planned landfill is what they are. When I could throw a new set of batteries in and keep on using it.
I have very few things that use a remote because I won't buy it if the remote is rechargeable (unless it is just rechargeable normally accessible batteries. And I NEVER buy anything that has functions that are only accessible by the remote. The argument is "convenience".
It's pretty damned inconvenient when the internal, non-replaceable batteries die. It's good for the industry though, because to continue that convenience you need to buy a whole new unit.
Because it is pre-planned landfill, and that's why they did it. The "convenience" is just a ruse.
somebodyelse
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I'm not so hard line on it - if I can get in there to replace it and it's a standard size then it's fine. Some manufacturers have been working with ifixit for documentation and parts distribution, while others (fairphone, framework, pine64) have all the docs you need and sell the parts on their site. Fairphone even have user replaceable batteries for their earbuds. I've come to this via replacing standard NiCd and NiMH cells in older stuff without the benefit of documentation.
this thread is about the WiiM Ultra. the useless YT review in question is about the WiiM Ultra. NOT the WiiM Amp Ultra which is a completely different product and that as far as I know, ships with the "remote 2" new white remote. The ULTRA on the other hand, ships with 'remote 1" black plastic remote. seriously , it's like all of a sudden only none owners of the Ultra reply here
The metal one looks almost identical to the apple TV remote, which has such sharp edges I need to buy a cover for it. Stupid anti human design for an object designed to be held. The apple one is very slippery as well.
Are you sure it's easy for them to do? I expect the whole product is based around a multi function chipset that includes the adc, and changing to a different chipset would possibly require re-enginering the whole thing.
morillon
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No, they have a dedicated ADC chip, etc. (Seem Ultra pcm1863 , or 1861 for "plus " etc)
Yeah, ask them to take another ingenering their input stage in the future... maybe based on the Pocket's ess chip or something similar... (not necessarily the more expensive ess chip used in the adept etc).
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Silence is generally positive especially for such a high volume bestseller
Improvements are always possible, but personally I think inaudible ones just raise the price unnecessarily
cheap and cheerful is a more sustainable path
wut. That is not true. You know you can go higher in Settings right?
Karl_in_Chicago
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I have both the Wiim Ultra and Wiim Amp Ultra so have both remotes. I have difficulty finding any edge on the metal remote that I would characterize as sharp, or even close to it. I'll try it on the next Amazon box just to see, though, as replacing those box cutter blades gets tiresome.
Same here. Not sure what is considered sharp there, frankly seems reasonably blunt, albeit not smooth. My chefs knives are significantly sharper.I have both the Wiim Ultra and Wiim Amp Ultra so have both remotes. I have difficulty finding any edge on the metal remote that I would characterize as sharp, or even close to it. I'll try it on the next Amazon box just to see, though, as replacing those box cutter blades gets tiresome.
morillon
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You don't understand... It has nothing to do with the settings...
(In terms of quality, it doesn't even reach a 16-bit ENOB. Just 14bit)
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EJ3
Master Contributor
Yes, as long as I can replace it. But 10-20 years down the line. can I replace it. With the possible exception of a TV (which, at my wife's suggestion, we haven't had since 2007) and my oPPo 205 UDP, I find remotes totally useless.
I have gear in my system from 1975, 1977, 1983, 4 & 5, 1990-1, & some new purchases in the last 7 years. No remotes (except the oPPO I had a Denon AVR with a remote [that most functions could be done from a flip down panel if you wanted too]). I got rid of it after about 4 years.
All of my gear has gone to repair shops for a good checkup, up dating, recalibration (FM alignment, mainly) & preventive maintenance about every 10 years or so.
And I rarely get rid of gear (because I rarely discover that what I bought is not something that I want).
qirex
Member
I don't expect any device with the level of computer, software and streaming integration in it like a Wiim Ultra is to work for more than maybe 10 years, let alone 20. That's one of the good things about Wiim stuff, it's performant but also small and cheap. There's "high end" streamers that cost 10x or more with just dire software support (eg Play-Fi) that are currently turning into 30 pound, 17" bricks. Hifi Rose is basically a side project for its parent company, what happens when they get tired of funding that?
I will say going no-remotes as a way of future proofing sure is an unusual take, since it's trivially easy to replace IR emitter hardware with something else and there's free databases of pretty much every remote code.
I will say going no-remotes as a way of future proofing sure is an unusual take, since it's trivially easy to replace IR emitter hardware with something else and there's free databases of pretty much every remote code.
I have both also. I have run into frustration when the battery goes soft in the fancy remote and I have to charge it to get it working again. The cheapo plastic remote that uses AAA batteries hasn't required a replacement in the year or so that I've had it, and when it eventually needs fresh batteries, I'll swap them in seconds, without having to wait for it to charge. If they made a fancy remote that accepts AAA batteries, it would be ideal.I have both the Wiim Ultra and Wiim Amp Ultra so have both remotes. I have difficulty finding any edge on the metal remote that I would characterize as sharp, or even close to it. I'll try it on the next Amazon box just to see, though, as replacing those box cutter blades gets tiresome.
EJ3
Master Contributor
Well, for one, I don't stream (not really an option at my main home anyway, you may be able to get a few seconds of cell signal if you stand on one leg, with the other leg in the air, bent at the knee (like Ian Anderson, the lead and flute player of Jethro Tull) with the phone in the air with one hand and the other arm held out for balance. And, then again, you may not.
And I chose not to stream at my other places.
So, have no use for this particular gear anyway (aside from an interest in how it can do EQing).
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