WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[morillon]

Was phono overload measured?

(overload in mm (or mc), impedance and capacitance input....? since its release wiim has only informed about the gain...)

 

[Mort]

I switch between speakers and headphones often with my Wiim ultra. Each has it's own PEQ preset and I'm already fatigued switching the PEQ each time I switch the output. This is made worse because I use the Wiim ultra screen to change output at my desktop.

Seems like I have to get EQ from other sources until Wiim puts EQ on the outputs. Right?

Fortunately I was already ordering a minidsp that can handle the speakers. I just need one for headphones.

Space is a concern. I don't want a full DAC /Amp setup like the D50iii/a50. Qudelix 5k or the new Neutron player look suitable. Which would you pick? What other options should I consider?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I switch between speakers and headphones often with my Wiim ultra. Each has it's own PEQ preset and I'm already fatigued switching the PEQ each time I switch the output. This is made worse because I use the Wiim ultra screen to change output at my desktop.

Seems like I have to get EQ from other sources until Wiim puts EQ on the outputs. Right?

Fortunately I was already ordering a minidsp that can handle the speakers. I just need one for headphones.

Space is a concern. I don't want a full DAC /Amp setup like the D50iii/a50. Qudelix 5k or the new Neutron player look suitable. Which would you pick? What other options should I consider?

I’m in a similar position.

My fix is to use the Ultra for my speakers, and my old Mini to drive my Topping EX5 DAC/headphone amp.

Works perfectly.

 

[jhaider]

very good steaming qualities (except for Airplay)t.

Whoa - did WiiM (who haven’t from what I’ve seen previously put a foot wrong) really fail this badly and drop AirPlay?

Oh well, their less expensive stuff still has proper functionality.

 

[stunta]

I wish they offered trade-in. I had the original WiiM, then went to pro plus and now I want this. Reselling is just so much hassle.

Thanks for the review. This is value for money all round.

 

[uofmtiger]

I wish they offered trade-in. I had the original WiiM, then went to pro plus and now I want this. Reselling is just so much hassle.

Thanks for the review. This is value for money all round.

I am on my 4th Wiim product, but just move the old ones to different rooms. If you plan on using the Ultra with Airplay, it helps to have an old Wiim Mini to link with the Ultra to fill that void.

That being said, I have one more area I can put one, then I will be in the same boat if I upgrade. So yeah, I am all for a trade in policy.

 

[Brian Hall]

I wish they offered trade-in. I had the original WiiM, then went to pro plus and now I want this. Reselling is just so much hassle.

Thanks for the review. This is value for money all round.

I moved my pro Plus to my bedroom setup.

 

[gvl]

I wish they made an affordable barebones streamer w/out the onboard DAC that had a USB port for external DAC connection. I’m content with my DACs and don’t want to pay for hardware I don’t need. They have the technology, just a question of stripping it down.

 

[Joffy1780]

I wish they made an affordable barebones streamer w/out the onboard DAC that had a USB port for external DAC connection. I’m content with my DACs and don’t want to pay for hardware I don’t need. They have the technology, just a question of stripping it down.

Does it have to be USB output? And if so, why? The Wiim Mini is about as affordable as it gets and is a perfect little streamer for use with an external DAC.

 

[Romario]

I wish they just released an upgraded version of Wiim Pro with a USB output but I guess for you guys that do not live in a country
where you can buy the Ultra for $330 it is ok. In Sweden I the cost of an Ultra is around $450-460 and then the price is getting into Bluesound territory.
The new Node Nano is actually cheaper here than the Wiim Ultra.

The EU price is €399 incl VAT everywhere ( 441 USD). The node nano €350 ish doesn't have half of the capabilities of the Ultra. So, you pay for the extraas

 

[gvl]

Does it have to be USB output? And if so, why? The Wiim Mini is about as affordable as it gets and is a perfect little streamer for use with an external DAC.

To allow connection of USB-only DACs, and generally DACs tend to have better jitter measurements over USB. Also Toslink has sampling rate limitations.

 

[mlsstl]

I wish they made an affordable barebones streamer w/out the onboard DAC that had a USB port for external DAC connection. I’m content with my DACs and don’t want to pay for hardware I don’t need. They have the technology, just a question of stripping it down.

One thing often overlooked by those wishing for a specialized model (whether new features should be added or existing ones removed) is: what's the market for the item? One is talking about setting up a different production line, revising cirucit boards and parts, making changes to cases and connections, etc. If they do all that and then don't sell very many, the company loses money. Or, if they increase the price of an item with fewer features with the expectation of a lower sales volume, then it becomes less attractive to buyers when, for almost the same money, they can have have it all, just in case they change their setup.

I have no clue how many units of each of their current models that Wiim has sold and expects to sell, but I'm sure they've taken the above into account. It wouldn't surprise me if they've already looked at a DACless streamer option and said, no that's not our market. But, who knows, maybe they have, and its already in the pipeline or on the drawing board. Only time will tell.

 

[gvl]

One thing often overlooked by those wishing for a specialized model (whether new features should be added or existing ones removed) is: what's the market for the item? One is talking about setting up a different production line, revising cirucit boards and parts, making changes to cases and connections, etc. If they do all that and then don't sell very many, the company loses money. Or, if they increase the price of an item with fewer features with the expectation of a lower sales volume, then it becomes less attractive to buyers when, for almost the same money, they can have have it all, just in case they change their setup.

I have no clue how many units of each of their current models that Wiim has sold and expects to sell, but I'm sure they've taken the above into account. It wouldn't surprise me if they've already looked at a DACless streamer option and said, no that's not our market. But, who knows, maybe they have, and its already in the pipeline or on the drawing board. Only time will tell.

Right, but I still wish they make it

 

[Joffy1780]

To allow connection of USB-only DACs, and generally DACs tend to have better jitter measurements over USB. Also Toslink has sampling rate limitations.

I think jitter is a total non issue and none of the Wiim devices can output higher than 24/192 anyway.

 

[Joffy1780]

One thing often overlooked by those wishing for a specialized model (whether new features should be added or existing ones removed) is: what's the market for the item? One is talking about setting up a different production line, revising cirucit boards and parts, making changes to cases and connections, etc. If they do all that and then don't sell very many, the company loses money. Or, if they increase the price of an item with fewer features with the expectation of a lower sales volume, then it becomes less attractive to buyers when, for almost the same money, they can have have it all, just in case they change their setup.

I have no clue how many units of each of their current models that Wiim has sold and expects to sell, but I'm sure they've taken the above into account. It wouldn't surprise me if they've already looked at a DACless streamer option and said, no that's not our market. But, who knows, maybe they have, and its already in the pipeline or on the drawing board. Only time will tell.

Devices start to become more 'bespoke' than 'barebones' at a certain point, I think.

 

[gvl]

I think jitter is a total non issue and none of the Wiim devices can output higher than 24/192 anyway.

Most of the DAC “issues” uncovered on this forum are non-issues yet people obsess discussing them. Toslink maxes out at 96khz officially. I think there’s market for such a device, especially if it can bundle PEQ. And it would have no competition at its price point if they can sell it for around $100.

 

[Joffy1780]

Most of the DAC “issues” uncovered on this forum are non-issues yet people obsess discussing them. Toslink maxes out at 96khz officially. I think there’s market for such a device, especially if it can bundle PEQ. And it would have no competition at its price point if they can sell it for around $100.

I have no issues using toslink to output 192khz on my Wiim devices.
I don't think there is enough of a market, it seems like a very niche product. I think a standalone streamer is a very niche product to be quite honest.

 

[aagstn]

Most of the DAC “issues” uncovered on this forum are non-issues yet people obsess discussing them. Toslink maxes out at 96khz officially. I think there’s market for such a device, especially if it can bundle PEQ. And it would have no competition at its price point if they can sell it for around $100.

I'm not aware of Toslink having a 96khz limit with stereo audio. I believe it is dependent on your equipment. Toslink has enough bandwith for 24/192 but some devices will only receive 24/96.

 

[uofmtiger]

I'm not aware of Toslink having a 96khz limit with stereo audio. I believe it is dependent on your equipment. Toslink has enough bandwith for 24/192 but some devices will only receive 24/96.

My Denon receiver maxed at 24/96, so when I had a Wiim Mini in the setup, I used an optical to coax converter to play 24/192.

 

[harkpabst]

Toslink maxes out at 96khz officially.

Who says so, officially?