WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[somebodyelse]

Partitions think they are physical disks, and the operating system sees them as such. The file system is what governs organization within the partition. To the average user the distinction is pretty immaterial, they'll simply see (or not, some partitions can be hidden to users) physical disks managed by the file system.

I was confused until I remembered Windows presents them like that - and DOS before it. And hides a lot of things from users. In linux you see both the raw disk and its partitions,

 

[Petrushka]

I was confused until I remembered Windows presents them like that - and DOS before it. And hides a lot of things from users. In linux you see both the raw disk and its partitions,

You can see this in Windows if you look.

 

[pablolie]

I was confused until I remembered Windows presents them like that - and DOS before it. And hides a lot of things from users. In linux you see both the raw disk and its partitions,

True indeed. But even in Linux you don't see the swap partition on an everyday basis and such unless you invoke a - admittedly easy to start- tool. Which also exists in Windows, albeit not by default unless you're command line versed.

Even as a power user, I very seldom deal with partitioning after initial setup... especially these days, when there's so much storage there that dealing with that seems unnecessary.

 

[khuntim]

Back to the lack of inputs on the Ultra. I have a Schiit Modi+ plugged into the line in rca jacks. That gives me a USB C for my main pc, an optical for another pc and a coax for my CD player.

Interesting. I know little about Linux, maybe use an open source DLNA server? I have used both Jriver and Plex and works well for local playback.

a bit confusing.. so you are still using the line-out on the Ultra, using it's DAC?

 

[amirm]

would be nice to observe thd+n/freq ( and smtp/level) 96/24 in sweep on the ana input...not just 1khz..
;-)

There is high sample rate and more than one frequency in Multitone:

And full frequency sweep:

 

[morillon]

There is high sample rate and more than one frequency in Multitone:

And full frequency sweep:

"ana input" ... (" analog input ")....not this...
(just to know a little more about this entry... the sweep being obviously more informative of 1k, and it's easy now to share it)

 

[FLS3]

I think I'm the only one who was surprised at how well the screen works on a ~$300 device that includes so much. Lol. The main benefit for me is it makes physically interacting with the device a *breeze* compared to the click sequence and scroll ordeals found on units like my Topping E70.

My main gripe is not that the sort of "bonus" phono stage is just "ok," but that the Bluetooth support isn't better. I *think* they can add better bt support with the hardware on board, not sure. So, fingers crossed. They sure do stay on top of updates and community input (huge bonus, imo).

The streamer/DAC aspect is golfing panther for me, the analog inputs are gravy. This thing does *a lot*.

 

[Miguelón]

One of the best settings that helped me is the possibility of change output voltage.

Having Genelecs (8030 and G Two) which sensitivity is too high, the 1V line out matches perfectly the 96 dB @ 1V of the G Two or the 94 dB @ 1V minimum gain of the 8030, while keeping the DAC volume on sweet not to low-not to high region.

 

[morillon]

One of the best settings that helped me is the possibility of change output voltage.

Having Genelecs (8030 and G Two) which sensitivity is too high, the 1V line out matches perfectly the 96 dB @ 1V of the G Two or the 94 dB @ 1V minimum gain of the 8030, while keeping the DAC volume on sweet not to low-not to high region.

in fact the function present on the different wiim products can be quite practical...

 

[ICantHearYou]

I am quite enjoying my WiiM ultra so far. It is connected to a Bel Canto dac/amp via spdif so using the dac from the Bel Canto. Very usable Wiim app on Android and decent interface directly on the device itself.

 

[morillon]

I am quite enjoying my WiiM ultra so far. It is connected to a Bel Canto dac/amp via spdif so using the dac from the Bel Canto. Very usable Wiim app on Android and decent interface directly on the device itself.

(just that, even if the digital output of the ultra has been improved a little, we can think that a "pro" (or a "plus") would have done the trick for your specific use..and same app etc ;-) )

 

[ICantHearYou]

(just that, even if the digital output of the ultra has been improved a little, we can think that a "pro" (or a "plus") would have done the trick for your specific use..and same app etc ;-) )

True but I prefer the flexibility of changing my setup later if I choose

 

[Joffy1780]

(just that, even if the digital output of the ultra has been improved a little, we can think that a "pro" (or a "plus") would have done the trick for your specific use..and same app etc ;-) )

How do you know he is not using the ARC or phono input? Plus he has also mentioned he uses the interface on the actual device as well.

 

[Miguelón]

True but I prefer the flexibility of changing my setup later if I choose

I did the same choice, the possibility of using even the usb output (I have an audio interface that hasn’t other digital input than usb), or the RCA excellent DAC directly with active monitors, or SPDIF if going to another DAC in the future decided me towards the Ultra.

Also the screen is lovely detail: I never used it but I like to see whats going on there, the album images

 

[morillon]

How do you know he is not using the ARC or phono input? Plus he has also mentioned he uses the interface on the actual device as well.

indeed....my simplistic statement just in reaction to the message that I cited....it was just a small reminder that in certain cases-use, a pro or"plus" ( or mini!) can be enough.."streamer-num output"...
(they have a fairly limited line input of the same type as the ultra...but in fact no arc...and the belcanto made me think perhaps stupidly that more audio oriented than "video tv etc")
just that ;-)
(recognize that there can be a very consumerist temptation that makes us throw away fashionable things while, for use, "the old" continues to correspond to our needs... the question can be asked often... ;-) )

 

[Miguelón]

indeed....my simplistic statement just in reaction to the message that I cited....it was just a small reminder that in certain cases-use, a pro or"plus" ( or mini!) can be enough.."streamer-num output"...
(they have a fairly limited line input of the same type as the ultra...but in fact no arc...and the belcanto made me think perhaps stupidly that more audio oriented than "video tv etc")
just that ;-)
(recognize that there can be a very consumerist temptation that makes us throw away fashionable things while, for use, "the old" continues to correspond to our needs... the question can be asked often... ;-) )

I understood also you were talking about that consumerist attitude… mainly induced by smart marketing tactics

In my case I hesitated a lot, talking to myself if saving 150€ was more practical than investing in a gadget that will be not different than the other Pro Plus model.

But for most cases, Ultra has inputs that were demanded on their forums by lots of audiophiles: ARC input, usb output, sub dedicated output…

The company doesn’t present typical “Apple” profile with aggressive marketing (where they sold the same computer or smartphone again and again with usefulness improvements).

Finally I found justified the extra money, by rational reasons, and perhaps a little bit of “happy new product” irrational component.

 

[morillon]

I understood also you were talking about that consumerist attitude… mainly induced by smart marketing tactics

In my case I hesitated a lot, talking to myself if saving 150€ was more practical than investing in a gadget that will be not different than the other Pro Plus model.

But for most cases, Ultra has inputs that were demanded on their forums by lots of audiophiles: ARC input, usb output, sub dedicated output…

The company doesn’t present typical “Apple” profile with aggressive marketing (where they sold the same computer or smartphone again and again with usefulness improvements).

Finally I found justified the extra money, by rational reasons, and perhaps a little bit of “happy new product” irrational component.

there's almost a little irony for me... I would be tempted to think that in a somewhat "ambitious" audiophile use...
a "plus" or a pro vers dac would find its place just as much or even more...
the ana inputs are modest, the phono will not really concern enthusiasts, the sub will often not be used , just like the arc... and the screen rather turned off whether for audio or even visual disturbances * (and a fragility and slight obsolescence to come)..
my words just for the exchange
;-)
*(often hdg equipment allows you to vary the brightness...see turning off in digital equipment mainly)

 

[Miguelón]

there's almost a little irony for me... I would be tempted to think that in a somewhat "ambitious" audiophile use...
a "plus" or a pro vers dac would find its place just as much or even more...
the ana inputs are modest, the phono will not really concern enthusiasts, the sub will often not be used , just like the arc... and the screen rather turned off whether for audio or even visual disturbances * (and a fragility and slight obsolescence to come)..
my words just for the exchange
;-)
*(often hdg equipment allows you to vary the brightness...see turning off in digital equipment mainly)

Absolutely agree: in fact I had the Plus from Amazon some days, and didn’t noticed any improvement in audio.

But having active monitors, from time to time I watch operas on my TV, and enjoy the arc connection.

Or as I mentioned, I have a DAC with balance connections and it worths to connect it by usb (don’t have any other digital input), to benefit by interference free signal.

I don’t have a sub yet, but in a year or so I will get one, sub out will be helpful (not totally needed because I will purchase a sub with its own high shelving filter, but I was told that is better to control all on the computer).

The screen is pure aesthetic, but some aesthetic make part of the pleasure

 

[morillon]

glass surfaces such as large screens...between the speakers...are...the devil....

 

[lowkeyoperations]

The scary thing is the phono preamp is probably as good as a lot of mid priced phono preamps.

It is as good as the little NAD phono stage I’m using now. Which cost about 50% of the Ultra :lol: