WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[tsfreo]

I don’t see any issue, WiiM App allows you to control another WiiM device which is connected to the speaker, being Ultra the controller in your case, the Pro will act as a receiver. All features remain the same.

I did test it and the practical functionality was great.
BUT one clever observation that came from elsewhere was that Wiim streamer groupings are limited to 48khz. So that may be a factor for some users.
In my test the 48 khz limit on grouped WiiMs was a thing.
I also did run cable direct from the Ultra instead and could get 192khz out of tracks with that sample rate.
Does it matter? For me, probably just FOMO about high sample rate tracks without really properly having tested whether it matters to what I hear in my system.
So, because I am weak, I have stuck with the long cable run.

 

[Miguelón]

I did test it and the practical functionality was great.
BUT one clever observation that came from elsewhere was that Wiim streamer groupings are limited to 48khz. So that may be a factor for some users.
In my test the 48 khz limit on grouped WiiMs was a thing.
I also did run cable direct from the Ultra instead and could get 192khz out of tracks with that sample rate.
Does it matter? For me, probably just FOMO about high sample rate tracks without really properly having tested whether it matters to what I hear in my system.
So, because I am weak, I have stuck with the long cable run.

No audible difference between 48 kHz and 192 kHz, but if you prefer like this is also ok

 

[JeremyFife]

It means if everything is working, not having problems up to the present moment then it's good.

There's also a hint of doom, of the problems yet to come, of not getting too comfortable with the status quo.
Of course, I'm a Scot and so naturally pessimistic

 

[antcollinet]

There's also a hint of doom, of the problems yet to come, of not getting too comfortable with the status quo.
Of course, I'm a Scot and so naturally pessimistic

Yes, there is an implied "Let's wait and see" as in "everything has been OK up to now, who knows what comes next" And you don't even need to be a Scot.

 

[Miguelón]

Yes, there is an implied "Let's wait and see" as in "everything has been OK up to now, who knows what comes next" And you don't even need to be a Scot.

I’m Galician, pessimism is idiosyncratic to our culture. The most often phrase (today is getting lost, fortunately) in our infancy was “hasta mañana si dios quiere” to say good night (“see you tomorrow if God wants”).

Uncertainty principle was apparently invented in Galicia and copied by Heissemberg without authorization

 

[tsfreo]

No audible difference between 48 kHz and 192 kHz, but if you prefer like this is also ok

Cheers. I will end up giving it a proper listen both ways and see where I end up.

 

[Miguelón]

Cheers. I will end up giving it a proper listen both ways and see where I end up.

Should not be any difference unless basic adjustments, only possibility can be ground loops or interference from cable connection between the DAC and the master WiiM. Wireless connection, by default should be cleaner.

 

[tsfreo]

unless basic adjustments

I get your core point about wireless being cleaner. Not too sure what 'unless basic adjustments' means though?

 

[Miguelón]

I get your core point about wireless being cleaner. Not too sure what 'unless basic adjustments' means though?

Ensure voltage output is in 2 Vrms, same EQ sent wireless than by cable, volume setting are the same… not the first time I perceive “big differences” due to change on basic settings. It should be the same just by changing output, but for example voltage line output is not preserved by SPDIF.

Maybe other values non preserved by changing output. An advantage of cabled connection can be the sub output of Ultra, but not sure you can send mains by coaxial and sub by RCA.

 

[tsfreo]

Ensure voltage output is in 2 Vrms, same EQ sent wireless than by cable, volume setting are the same… not the first time I perceive “big differences” due to change on basic settings. It should be the same just by changing output, but for example voltage line output is not preserved by SPDIF.

Maybe other values non preserved by changing output. An advantage of cabled connection can be the sub output of Ultra, but not sure you can send mains by coaxial and sub by RCA.

Ah. Thanks. That makes sense.

 

[Abdo]

5.2.634663 (In Progress)​

Release date:

11 / 5 / 2024

What's New:

1. Auto Timing Alignment: Syncs main speakers and subwoofer automatically for optimal audio timing (requires app version 2.12.2+).
2. USB Disk Ejection: Added manual USB ejection (coming in next app update).
3. Bluetooth Sound Control: Disabled connection notifications when not in Bluetooth input mode.
4. Google Cast Upgrade: Fixed Output Resolution support and improved sync with Google Speaker Groups.
5. New Clock Faces: Two clock face options for display (coming in next app update).
6. Playback Fixes: Improved metadata, fixed skipping issues, added WMA lossless support, and reduced Preset latency.

Bug Fixes:

1. Offline Responsiveness: Improved response without internet.
2. General Enhancements: Various performance boosts and bug fixes.

 

[Romario]

Oh wow, subwoofer and speaker synch is just added in the subwoofer menu. Something I looked forward to. Playing time this weekend.

 

[Miguelón]

Oh wow, subwoofer and speaker synch is just added in the subwoofer menu. Something I looked forward to. Playing time this weekend.

What is the advantage? I’m curious, don’t have a subwoofer yet

 

[JeremyFife]

What is the advantage? I’m curious, don’t have a subwoofer yet

Subwoofer integration (speaking as a novice, and I could be wrong!) is more than just the frequency crossover and PEQ, which is what WiiM offered until now. Different drivers in different places in your room (i.e. your subwoofer) are slightly out of time and better integration tools adjust for that - that's the new functionality.

As I understand it, the next things to look for are crossover slope and phase adjustment ... that's getting into 'proper' territory.

Pretty impressive for such inexpensive boxes

 

[Romario]

What is the advantage? I’m curious, don’t have a subwoofer yet

One could already manually delay the main speakers from the subwoofer but now it can measure the time alignment. I just needed an excuse to get the mic out anyway and this is it haha.

 

[Fmazevedo]

I have an excellent tube preamplifier. it only has analog inputs. How can I connect it to the Wiim ultra? Is there any way to bypass the Wiim's internal preamp? thanks

 

[mlsstl]

I have an excellent tube preamplifier. it only has analog inputs. How can I connect it to the Wiim ultra? Is there any way to bypass the Wiim's internal preamp? thanks

Pretty simple -- use the RCA line output from the Ultra to the preamp. Then, in your WiiM app, set the output to fixed level. You can choose fixed output levels of 2 volts, 1 volt, 800 mv, 500 mv or 200 mv. Choose the one that is the best match for volume level compared to the other sources hooked into the preamp. The fixed level output bypasses the Ultra's volume control (knob, remote and app.)

 

[56suited]

I've owned an Ultra for a couple of months now, and the Ultra is spectacular. No real significant complaints. I think I hear what Amir is talking about with noise on the phono input though. Here's my set-up:

• Technics SL-1210GR with Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge
• WiiM Ultra
• Neumann KH 120 II monitors

I have less than 1m interconnects.

I enjoy listening to vinyl, but I find the need to boost the low and high end of the room correction occasionally to get things sounding close to digital quality--and I often get there. Although I think the quality of the pressing matters greatly, I do hear some fuzziness at low volume (I suppose that is the 'noise')...but I also hear a bit of that when I am streaming.

Curious if that is dirty power, and I am better off getting a power conditioner rather than a phono stage...although I'm likely going to purchase an external phono stage anyway to up-level the sound quality of vinyl and have more control of gain and other settings, but also so I can eventually upgrade to a MC cartridge.

 

[Emlin]

I've owned an Ultra for a couple of months now, and the Ultra is spectacular. No real significant complaints. I think I hear what Amir is talking about with noise on the phono input though. Here's my set-up:

• Technics SL-1210GR with Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge
• WiiM Ultra
• Neumann KH 120 II monitors

I have less than 1m interconnects.

I enjoy listening to vinyl, but I find the need to boost the low and high end of the room correction occasionally to get things sounding close to digital quality--and I often get there. Although I think the quality of the pressing matters greatly, I do hear some fuzziness at low volume (I suppose that is the 'noise')...but I also hear a bit of that when I am streaming.

Curious if that is dirty power, and I am better off getting a power conditioner rather than a phono stage...although I'm likely going to purchase an external phono stage anyway to up-level the sound quality of vinyl and have more control of gain and other settings, but also so I can eventually upgrade to a MC cartridge.

Leave the so-called upgrades alone and sit back and enjoy the music.

 

[manudrz]

Nice product, and it has EQ for my 2.1 system !! I'd like to simplify and all-digital my filter and equalizer. I'm done for DIY and active systems, need simple things now...

I have actually SMSL D6 => Behringer FBQ3102hd => Topping PA5II via xlr and a mono Aiyima A3001 for my sub. The FBQ has a basic SW output, but it's really poor.

I have a few sources but I 'm now mainly listening threw my windows PC over USB dac, a soundcard in fact. Can I use the USB port like any external DAC for my PC ? What other options ? Toslink input seems not perfect... I'm afraid it lacks good bluetooth and Xmos interface for my personnal needs :/