WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[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.

 

[pogo]

ADC?
I would compare the digital outputs with DeltaWave.

 

[antcollinet]

ADC?
I would compare the digital outputs with DeltaWave.

But then the reclocker is doing nothing. It will only have any impact as part of the conversion to analogue.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

I am currently using a WiiM Pro plus which has been fantastic, but only has optical out. The Ultra is on sale and has a USB out. I know the USB is the more "correct" way, but would it be worth going to the Ultra just for USB output?

 

[tw99]

I am currently using a WiiM Pro plus which has been fantastic, but only has optical out. The Ultra is on sale and has a USB out. I know the USB is the more "correct" way, but would it be worth going to the Ultra just for USB output?

There shouldn't be any detectable difference if you have a competent DAC.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

There shouldn't be any detectable difference if you have a competent DAC.

Thanks, that was my thoughts but I just got a JDS Labs Element 4 and the OCD of feeding it optical is killing me! Sometimes just need a reality check from an outside voice

 

[VientoB]

Thanks, that was my thoughts but I just got a JDS Labs Element 4 and the OCD of feeding it optical is killing me! Sometimes just need a reality check from an outside voice

Optical is fine.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks, that was my thoughts but I just got a JDS Labs Element 4 and the OCD of feeding it optical is killing me! Sometimes just need a reality check from an outside voice

Optical can feed digital audio at way better quality than your ears are able to detect. Simply : don't worry about it. Nothing USB can offer will sound better.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Optical can feed digital audio at way better quality than your ears are able to detect. Simply : don't worry about it. Nothing USB can offer will sound better.

Thanks, From what I understand USB uses the Dacs clock and optical uses the sources clock...either way they have to be in sync so not sure why one would be better than the other if they have to be in sync

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks, From what I understand USB uses the Dacs clock and optical uses the sources clock...either way they have to be in sync so not sure why one would be better than the other if they have to be in sync

Well in theory using the DAC clock (USB) is better since the DAC doesn't have to sync its clock to the source and jitter is lower. In practice this doesn't matter since even when using clock recovery competent dacs jitter performance is an order of magnitude or two below audibility.

 

[Romario]

USB out to the Moondrop Dawn.

This dongle dac amp contains a led that changes colour depending the sampling rate. But not with the Ultra. It stays on Red (lowest sampling rate) while my tablet turns it to blue (Tidal High Res).
Uhmm, I don't know why, but this 42 bucks 117 db Sinad ( vendor spec) thingy is an upgrade for the Ultra onboard HP amp nonetheless.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

USB out to the Moondrop Dawn.
View attachment 410905
This dongle dac amp contains a led that changes colour depending the sampling rate. But not with the Ultra. It stays on Red (lowest sampling rate) while my tablet turns it to blue (Tidal High Res).
Uhmm, I don't know why, but this 42 bucks 117 db Sinad ( vendor spec) thingy is an upgrade for the Ultra onboard HP amp nonetheless

I am using the pro plus but I would imagine the Ultra would be similar. If you go in to the output settings for your device and select your current output, there should be a way to select max bits and sample rate. Also there is a toggle for "fixed" rate. Make sure your Mac sample and bit rate is 24/192 and that fixed rate is off.

 

[Romario]

I am using the pro plus but I would imagine the Ultra would be similar. If you go in to the output settings for your device and select your current output, there should be a way to select max bits and sample rate. Also there is a toggle for "fixed" rate. Make sure your Mac sample and bit rate is 24/192 and that fixed rate is off.

Thanks for troubleshooting. I checked it but it's off for both spdif and coaxial. For USB there is no seperate section to change any setting. The Moondrop is connected to USB.

 

[mags65]

For a good-looking, matching Hypex companion poweramp:

The IOM Ultra is special designed for the Wiim® Ultra

The IOM Ultra is a high-end stereo power amplifier. It's housed in a compact full aluminium chassis with trigger on/off control.

internetofmusic.nl

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Thanks for troubleshooting. I checked it but it's off for both spdif and coaxial. For USB there is no seperate section to change any setting. The Moondrop is connected to USB.

Ah...no USB be on pro plus. Nothing in the WiiM forum?

 

[EddNog]

For a good-looking, matching Hypex companion poweramp:

The IOM Ultra is special designed for the Wiim® Ultra

The IOM Ultra is a high-end stereo power amplifier. It's housed in a compact full aluminium chassis with trigger on/off control.

internetofmusic.nl

Spoke to Sipko at IOM and he can do XLR-only for 10EUR extra, or both, RCA and XLR for 35EUR extra.

He can't do Space Gray though, only Silver. My WiiM is Space Gray, so I suppose I will instead seek out Purifi options since it's not going to be proper match regardless.

-Ed