WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Miguelón]

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 :/

No, the USB on WiiM Ultra is only output. I think you can organize your files in a cloud drive and WiiM get access to them.

Other way can be line input but you’ll have redundant DA-AD conversion. I don’t think have an audible impact, but I can try and tell my subjective impression.

 

[Mort]

Toslink input seems not perfect.

That's how I connect my PC, which happens to have a Toslink output but a USB to toslink adapter is cheap if yours doesn't.

 

[Burnside]

No, the USB on WiiM Ultra is only output. I think you can organize your files in a cloud drive and WiiM get access to them.

Not yet

 

[antcollinet]

Toslink input seems not perfect

In what way?

 

[Miguelón]

Not yet

Can be changed without hardware modifications?

 

[antcollinet]

Not yet

Are you saying Wiim can't stream from a DLNA Server?

Or just not from the likes of google drive/dropbox etc.

 

[Miguelón]

Are you saying Wiim can't stream from a DLNA Server?

Or just not from the likes of google drive/dropbox etc.

Ah, I thought he was talking about my first sentence, “USB is only output”. I was happy to hope that can be reversed to a USB input or output but this can only be done in USB 3 devices I remember. Am I wrong?

 

[antcollinet]

Am I wrong?

No idea.

 

[Burnside]

Are you saying Wiim can't stream from a DLNA Server?

Or just not from the likes of google drive/dropbox etc.

The latter

 

[manudrz]

In what way?

Noisy 48Khz in the test, first post.

So USB is just an output ?

 

[Burnside]

Noisy 48Khz in the test, first post.

So USB is just an output ?

The Ultra supports USB audio out or USB media support like an external drive or thumb drive, but not USB Audio in.

 

[manudrz]

The Ultra supports USB audio out or USB media support like an external drive or thumb drive, but not USB Audio in.

Yes, so not for me... I've just found this https://www.streamwhatyouhear.com/ but it's old and probably not optimal...

 

[somebodyelse]

Ah, I thought he was talking about my first sentence, “USB is only output”. I was happy to hope that can be reversed to a USB input or output but this can only be done in USB 3 devices I remember. Am I wrong?

It depends what you mean by 'USB input'
Support for a class compliant USB ADC or digital inputs like the Hifime UR23 could be added in future firmware.

A device mode input is a lot less likely, but might be possible depending on the hardware. USB2 OTG capable ports like the one on the Pi Zero or the Pi 4's USB-C port can switch between host and device mode. Usually they use mini-B, micro-B or C sockets, with autodetection of the OTG adapter to switch mode. That's how it's designed to work, and is safe. Using a Type A port and an A to A cable would be a standard violation, and would need manual switching between host and device mode. That's why I doubt they would do it, even if the port has the capability.

 

[IanForumUser]

I use a Wiim Ultra direct into a power amp. I run the amp on its lowest gain setting and have the Ultra line out set at 2Vrms (small room, lowish listening levels). I have limited the Wiim volume to 90% to provide plenty of headroom for intersample peaks and my max PEQ boost of 3db. I'm regularly listening between 30 and 65 on the Wiim volume control, rarely highly.

So here's the question for those more knowledgeable that I: Theoretically, would I be better off switching to 1Vrms output and shifting the volume control up further towards maximum? In practise I can't hear any difference in SQ, but would like to understand what is technically superior and why, and to operate my devices accordingly!

 

[Miguelón]

I use a Wiim Ultra direct into a power amp. I run the amp on its lowest gain setting and have the Ultra line out set at 2Vrms (small room, lowish listening levels). I have limited the Wiim volume to 90% to provide plenty of headroom for intersample peaks and my max PEQ boost of 3db. I'm regularly listening between 30 and 65 on the Wiim volume control, rarely highly.

So here's the question for those more knowledgeable that I: Theoretically, would I be better off switching to 1Vrms output and shifting the volume control up further towards maximum? In practise I can't hear any difference in SQ, but would like to understand what is technically superior and why, and to operate my devices accordingly!

I’m not technically superior of nobody but I posted the same question before, because theoretically is better to have higher digital volumes.

But as many DACs, WiiM operates at 32 bits depth and specifies its volume in 8 bit format, the digital noise of the signal introduced by low volumes will be under the intrinsic noise of the DAC itself.

 

[Romario]

Ah, I thought he was talking about my first sentence, “USB is only output”. I was happy to hope that can be reversed to a USB input or output but this can only be done in USB 3 devices I remember. Am I wrong?

Input as well. One can connect a hard drive or stick in the USB.

Edit: but I don't know if you can use it as an usb dac

 

[Miguelón]

Input as well. One can connect a hard drive or stick in the USB.

Edit: but I don't know if you can use it as an usb dac

Oups, I forgot it! Thanks for remember it. I’m sure that doesn’t works as an usb DAC, and wont be neither.

 

[Burnside]

Input as well. One can connect a hard drive or stick in the USB.

Edit: but I don't know if you can use it as an usb dac

Not input in the sense of usb audio input, but as usb media support. If you describe it as usb in it’s easily misconstrued as usb audio input, whereas usb media support is much clearer. Nor can you use the Ultra as a USB DAC - it’s for connecting to an external USB DAC, not to act as one.

 

[antcollinet]

Noisy 48Khz in the test, first post.

If you read further, you find the noise is out of band - ie above 20kHz, and hence inaudible. And that is even if you could hear 0.004% (-88dB) THN+N in the first place. Hint: not in real world listening.

Toslink will be fine.

 

[antcollinet]

Theoretically, would I be better off switching to 1Vrms output and shifting the volume control up further towards maximum?

Assuming the 1V/2V selection is an analogue gain setting in the output stage, then theoretically, you are better using the 1V setting and increasing the digital volume control by 6dB to compensate.

In reality - as you've found - this will be inaudible in real world listening conditions. You defintately want to leave the power amp on it's lowest gain setting though.