WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[vkvedam]

Thanks @amirm.
Isn't DAC Pro Plus a better buy if you don't require the display?

 

[morillon]

Thank you, Amir !

Even if it means having a screen, as much as it indicates, as Amir notices, whether the parametric equalization is active and also whether the output volume is active as well.
Even if it means putting a phono input, it might as well be up to par with the other performances. But basically, I wonder what is the point of putting an MC input on a device of this price which will never be taken seriously by audiophiles who are LP fans who still use this type of cell, more expensive than this Wiim ultra...
I would prefer additional toslink and coaxial inputs and XLR outputs since it seems that this has become necessary due to the proliferation of monitoring speakers. But in this case an AES-EBU digital output would not be useless either.
And also the possibility of streaming multichannel music.
But hey, as a French advertisement said for a small car which did not socially distinguish its owner despite its popularity: "It has everything a big guy"... and even more than streamers worth ten times their price... and without a doubt an application that outperforms just about them all...

yes...

(aes or) the sym output have already been greatly regretted on the "plus"..but the absence in ultra is more damaging when we see that in the minds of many it was perceived as a preamp-streamer...( cheap of course)
(we have never had any information since June on the charges and capacitance on the phono inputs..and I recognize that from the start I have been wondering whether or not the riaa is done via peq (announced) or passive... I was surprised, because it seemed to me that if done via DSP it should be much more rigorous (?))

 

[binaryblaze]

Nice, thanks for the testing Amir.

Some pics;

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This is using a ES9038 Q2M DAC.


JSmith

It’s interesting how they sanded (lasered?) the Mornsun brand name off the PSU… Just switch to Mean Well at this point

 

[GXAlan]

Thanks @amirm.
Isn't DAC Pro Plus a better buy if you don't require the display?

This one has HDMI ARC.

I want a WiiM Ultra Balanced with XLR outputs and input. Pairing this with active speakers seems like a good way to build a premium 2.1 setup for movies.

 

[Koeitje]

I like what WiiM is doing. Plenty of features, good performance, and decent pricing. Just an all round solid product.

 

[Scytales]

And also the possibility of streaming multichannel music.

Yes, multichannel has become the poor relation of musical home reproduction.

The Hi-Fi industry is at a standstill if not going backward...

Especially compared to recording practices, primarily in classical music production, where multichannel is generally considered the most significant improvement in natural sound fidelity.

 

[morillon]

I like what WiiM is doing. Plenty of features, good performance, and decent pricing. Just an all round solid product.

it's first of all interesting ( and cheap ) streamers ( roon plex lms etc etc), with now interesting dsp peq rc etc solutions "to dig into"...

and that’s already a lot

the functions, headset -phono -adc are modeste, in addition...
and it's very respectable as well... you just have to put things into perspective

;-)

 

[kyuu]

Thanks @amirm.
Isn't DAC Pro Plus a better buy if you don't require the display?

Pro Plus doesn't have HDMI ARC, USB, or subwoofer out. If you don't care about those features then yeah, no reason not to go with the Pro Plus.

 

[Saponetto]

Interesting device, and for sure this is a long waited review.

Instrumental result is peace of mind for many users, perhaps i'll give soon a try.

Thanks a lot for this appreciated review @amirm!

 

[Pasnin]

Does the WiiM Ultra accept HDMI ARC in -> SPDIF out, with volume control? Have been looking for a HDMI volume control to digital out for ages... Other suggestions on how to enable TV volume for SPDIF in (MiniDSP SHD) are appreciated!

 

[holbob]

it's first of all interesting ( and cheap ) streamers ( roon plex lms etc etc), with now interesting dsp peq rc etc solutions "to dig into"...

and that’s already a lot

the functions, headset -phono -adc are modeste, in addition...
and it's very respectable as well... you just have to put things into perspective

;-)

Name them.

 

[morillon]

Name them.

?
i m not understand...
I'm talking about Wiim Mini, Pro, Pro-Plus ,Ultra (not amp and amp "pro")

 

[Jeromeof]

Pity about the headphone performance but you can plugin a usb-c headphone DAC into the USB connection on the back and have a simple way to get better performance -e g. this is a FiiO Dongle with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm output and appears inside the WiiM audio output options when I plug it in.

 

[Dennis_FL]

Does the WiiM Ultra accept HDMI ARC in -> SPDIF out, with volume control? Have been looking for a HDMI volume control to digital out for ages... Other suggestions on how to enable TV volume for SPDIF in (MiniDSP SHD) are appreciated!

Yes --- it has CDC volume control through ARC. I'm using USB out to a DAC but I assume Opt will be the same.

 

[Dennis_FL]

Pity about the headphone performance but you can plugin a usb-c headphone DAC into the USB connection on the back and have a simple way to get better performance -e g. this is a FiiO Dongle with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm output and appears inside the WiiM audio output options when I plug it in.

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That's what I do...I have a headphone app on my DAC line out (see pic in my next post below)

 

[welwynnick]

I'm not sure it's for me, but it does seem like an interesting product. In particular, I'm interested in the HDMI ARC input. HDMI is usually the kiss of death for performance in any other product. SINAD usually plunges just by connecting an active HDMI cable, even if a different source is selected. Does that happen here?

 

[Tovarich007]

All in all, a good product, with beautiful esthetics, very good build quality, a very good dac and very good steaming qualities (except for Airplay). But I'm disappointed compared to other Wiim products. In the end, it adds nothing really useful to their range of products. This is certainly not an real "Ultra" product. Wiim stopped his progresion towards top quality midway, quite frustating and commercially a mistake, IMO.

The screen is nice but not convenient. As Amir pointed out, it lacks useful informations. As for performances, phono input and headphone output are underengineered and their level is quite poor. It all looks like Wiim added a lot of features without great care, just to show "hey, you see, this model has it all !". Maybe, but at serious loss of quality.

I was hesitating to buy one in order to replace both my topping DX7s DAC/head amp and my phono preamp, but I won't. Thanks Amir for this review, you made me save money ! The Topping headphone section is much better, my basic phono preamp too, and this Wiim Ultra lacks balanced outputs., so for the moment i keep what I get and that's fine, I don't miss that much a streamer and Bluetooth.

I suggest people who want a good integrated streamer to buy the Amp Pro Amp and buy a good budget head amp and phono preamp alongside.

Hope they'll release a better device soon, more expensice certainly, but it would be worth the price and the wait.

 

[AdamG]

Hi Amir,

Great review as usual. This unit has been highly requested for review and the performance is outstanding as expected. WiiM is throwing down the gauntlet for the high quality Network Music Streaming Device segment. In a performance and price comparison WiiM is moving the needle and making a bold statement. The value here is plain to see and all the competition in this market are in store for a lot of lost sales. Incredible value and functionality for the entry price. These will fly off the shelves.

I know many members are be excited to read this review. Amazing little device. Thanks for the work and confirming the rumors about how good this is. Exciting times for the Streamers out there.

 

[welwynnick]

Hi Amir,

Great review as usual. This unit has been highly requested for review and the performance is outstanding as expected. WiiM is throwing down the gauntlet for the high quality Network Music Streaming Device segment. In a performance and price comparison WiiM is moving the needle and making a bold statement. The value here is plain to see and all the competition in this market are in store for a lot of lost sales. Incredible value and functionality for the entry price. These will fly off the shelves.

I know many members are be excited to read this review. Amazing little device. Thanks for the work and confirming the rumors about how good this is. Exciting times for the Streamers out there.

Are they paying you?

 

[Burnside]

Are they paying you?

Are they not paying you?