WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[VientoB]

Are you including things like a Pi Zero W?

I suppose so, yes

 

[somebodyelse]

I suppose so, yes

I think the Zero W is the cheapest board with an easy to use image (piCorePlayer). There are cheaper boards, but you would have to roll your own software. piCorePlayer needs LMS (Lyrion Music Server, formerly Logitech Media Server) running somewhere on your network, and I don't think the Zero can run it, so you might need a step up to a Zero 2W. That might open it up to other Pi streamer images too. Then there's a case, PSU and uSD card, and probably a USB mini-B to A socket adapter. If you don't have them already that adds to the cost.

 

[VientoB]

I think the Zero W is the cheapest board with an easy to use image (piCorePlayer). There are cheaper boards, but you would have to roll your own software. piCorePlayer needs LMS (Lyrion Music Server, formerly Logitech Media Server) running somewhere on your network, and I don't think the Zero can run it, so you might need a step up to a Zero 2W. That might open it up to other Pi streamer images too. Then there's a case, PSU and uSD card, and probably a USB mini-B to A socket adapter. If you don't have them already that adds to the cost.

Why does Raspberry Pi still use mini-B USB rather than USB-C? I dont see the point of A anymore.

 

[Pritaudio]

the usb port being multifunctional may mean noise or distortion. so not ideal for link to an external dac.

 

[antcollinet]

the usb port being multifunctional may mean noise or distortion.

Why? You can't get more multi functional than ethernet & TCP/IP. It carries all the data for all the applications in the world - yet it can still transport music perfectly.

And distortion of what?
If the bits get distorted - they still either work or not. The music is either as intended, or grossly disturbed (Pops, clicks, dropouts or complete loss)

Sure - just as with any other electrical interface, digital or analogue, you can get ground noise. But that has nothing to do with USB being multifunctional. In fact it has nothing to do with it being USB.

 

[Pritaudio]

USB has bus power which may not be sufficiently clean.

How about galvanic isolation. Do you deny the effects of this?

 

[BillH]

USB has bus power which may not be sufficiently clean.

How about galvanic isolation. Do you deny the effects of this?

Absolutely
Audiophoolery!

 

[pogo]

Has anyone tried reclocking?

 

[bachatero]

Has anyone tried reclocking?

Looks like FUD

 

[antcollinet]

USB has bus power which may not be sufficiently clean.

How about galvanic isolation. Do you deny the effects of this?

Sure - galvanic isolation breaks a ground loop (if there is one, and it is causing audible issues). You know: the ground loops I mentioned in my post? But, again, is nothing to do with USB being multifunctional, and, incidentally, rarely to do with USB power being insufficiently clean. Nearly all (or all) instances of people describing "noisy USB power" are actually experiencing ground loop noise.

 

[antcollinet]

Has anyone tried reclocking?

Utter pointless nonsense.

 

[pogo]

Utter pointless nonsense.

Has this been cross-checked and refuted with the Ultra?

 

[VientoB]

Has this been cross-checked and refuted with the Ultra?

Has what?

 

[pogo]

I mean, has an Ultra with a PO100 PRO been measured/heard against a standalone Ultra, as described in YT?
Could the video in YT be refuted?

 

[antcollinet]

I mean, has an Ultra with a PO100 PRO been measured/heard against a standalone Ultra, as described in YT?
Could the video in YT be refuted?

It doesn't need to be. The Ultra already measures as audibly transparent (flat FR, & inaudble noise and distortion). Even if the re-clccker makes a measurable improvement - which is itself unlikely - it can't make the distortion "even more inaudible"

Re-clocking is about jitter - but jitter has been a solved problem for decades now and doesn't need to be improved. The only reason for re-clocking today is where you have multiple devices that need to be synchronised : typically only a studio application.

And fundamentally - you are asking the wrong question. When someone starts promoting this sort of nonsense they are the ones that should be verifying audibility with measurements. You should not be asking someone else to disprove all the nonsense that can be fabricated by anyone anywhere.

Instead of asking if it has been verified that this doesn't work, ask cheapaudioman where his measurements are. If he can't provide any, then you can reasonably discount what he is saying.

 

[Sokel]

I wonder about the urge for such "updates".
Don't you like what you hear?What more (or less) are you trying to achieve through those hacks?

Upgrades have to have a goal,a specific one.I mean,one wants more bass or so,or more SLP,or a nice gain structure.
What's the hope here?

 

[Mort]

What's the hope here?

Improved measurements, regardless of audibility, is a goal in itself. Lots of us do it. It might be pointless to some of you but... it's our money right? We are collectors of nice measuring gear.

I'm not defending that you tube video which is likely bunk.

The trick is to be honest about what we are actually accomplishing with these better but inaudibly different measurements - arguably nothing. It's a hobby.

 

[Sokel]

Improved measurements, regardless of audibility, is a goal in itself. Lots of us do it. It might be pointless to some of you but... it's our money right? We are collectors of nice measuring gear.

I'm not defending that you tube video which is likely bunk.

The trick is to be honest about what we are actually accomplishing with these better but inaudibly different measurements - arguably nothing. It's a hobby.

I don't disagree at all,good measuring gear are nice.I measure them all the time,I admit that.
Even better,are good measuring chains,I mean the whole thing straight to the amps.

That's what is meaningful to measure at real conditions,real levels,etc.
I'll say it once again.The best audio investment ever is a measuring system.Doesn't have to be an AP,a cheap nice ADC along with Multitone Analyzer or REW can do the trick just fine for sanity checks.
I urge people to try it,they will be VERY surprised with the results.

 

[pogo]

verifying audibility with measurements

That would also be my approach. Perhaps a measurement with DeltaWave could help. I can't say whether the usual subset of measurements is sufficient, and I wouldn't know who could do it.
For example, I think Benchmark's approach is very good: Link

 

[antcollinet]

That would also be my approach. Perhaps a measurement with DeltaWave could help. I can't say whether the usual subset of measurements is sufficient, and I wouldn't know who could do it.
For example, I think Benchmark's approach is very good: Link

Right - but in a world where there is well understood engineering that says there is no benefit from re-clocking, it is still incumbent on the person suggesting there is a benefit.... to demonstrate it.

Or if you have doubts, demonstrate it for yourself. And yes, deltawave would be a good way in this case. All you need is the kit to test, and a good transparent ADC.