WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Paffi]

Was thinking the same at first, but then the more I thought about it, the more I realized that pushing mere LS50 Metas, I probably would not be able to hear any difference between nCore 252 and the nCoreX 500 or Purifi, especially since I run a subwoofer and high-pass filter the signal to my standmounts.

-Ed

Same for me - LS50metas crossed at 140hz to subs. But I simply don´t like that old technology - it´s the inner monk. And I have already the Purifi, which was expensive

 

[Pritaudio]

Can I use rca out to xlr adaptor to connect my active speakers.
Will there be problems with compatibility or signal fidelity if I then try to change voltage output accordingly.

 

[Pritaudio]

Was thinking the same at first, but then the more I thought about it, the more I realized that pushing mere LS50 Metas, I probably would not be able to hear any difference between nCore 252 and the nCoreX 500 or Purifi, especially since I run a subwoofer and high-pass filter the signal to my standmounts.

-Ed

What sort of speakers would make use of the newer improved amps then.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

What sort of speakers would make use of the newer improved amps then.

Maybe something with a sensitivity below 84dB. Really not as much the speaker design as listening level, room size, and seated distance from the speakers. I don’t listen that loud, I only sit about 3 meters away, and my room is perhaps medium sized. Furthermore, I am not even driving my speakers full range since I’m high-pass filtering the signal to them and using a subwoofer for the bottom end, where the real power is needed.

A passive subwoofer would make great use of something like the nCoreX 500 or bigger modules, actually.

-Ed

 

[Pritaudio]

Maybe something with a sensitivity below 84dB. Really not as much the speaker design as listening level, room size, and seated distance from the speakers. I don’t listen that loud, I only sit about 3 meters away, and my room is perhaps medium sized. Furthermore, I am not even driving my speakers full range since I’m high-pass filtering the signal to them and using a subwoofer for the bottom end, where the real power is needed.

A passive subwoofer would make great use of something like the nCoreX 500 or bigger modules, actually.

-Ed

Are you using dual subs. What is your sub roll off frequency.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Are you using dual subs. What is your sub roll off frequency.

One sub, placed precisely midway between the two loudspeakers, crossed at 100Hz.

-Ed

 

[Pritaudio]

One sub, placed precisely midway between the two loudspeakers, crossed at 100Hz.

-Ed

Is it the same distance from you as the mains.
How about time alignment with the mains.
Do you use the Wiim ultra for this. Or does the sub have dsp features.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Is it the same distance from you as the mains.
How about time alignment with the mains.
Do you use the Wiim ultra for this. Or does the sub have dsp features.

The leading edge of the speaker driver surround of the subwoofer and the mid/bass drivers of the LS50 Metas is the same distance from the listening position within 1/4" (arc measurement, although loudspeakers are only partially toed-in).

I use the WiiM Ultra's bass management and automatic sync function for time alignment; the subwoofer is an SVS SB-3000, so it has DSP functionality, but I mostly use the volume control for level matching to the speakers, PEQ, and room gain compensation (high-pass filter for bottom roll-off).

-Ed

 

[Pritaudio]

Can I use rca out to xlr adaptor to connect my active speakers.
Will there be problems with compatibility or signal fidelity if I then try to change voltage output accordingly.

Is there any difference between the preamp rca outputs and using my rme adi 2 dac with preouts instead.
Both seem to have similar sinad. both can vary output voltage. But rme has xlr choice also.

Wiim has 10 band eq while rme only has 5 band.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Is there any difference between the preamp rca outputs and using my rme adi 2 dac with preouts instead.
Both seem to have similar sinad. both can vary output voltage. But rme has xlr choice also.

Wiim has 10 band eq while rme only has 5 band.

The EQ of the WiiM still works even when using external DAC. It applies PEQ adjustments to the digital signal before sending it to the external DAC.

-Ed

 

[Pritaudio]

The EQ of the WiiM still works even when using external DAC. It applies PEQ adjustments to the digital signal before sending it to the external DAC.

-Ed

It doesn’t answer the rest of the question. Comparing dac sinad, voltage output, preamp quality.

 

[antcollinet]

It doesn’t answer the rest of the question. Comparing dac sinad, voltage output, preamp quality.

The audio quality difference between the built in DAC, and the external DAC will not be audible. In the unlikely event you have audible ground loop noise with RCA on the Wiim, then the XLR outputs of the RME should eliminate that.

 

[pogo]

The audio quality difference between the built in DAC, and the external DAC will not be audible.

Is there any evidence?

 

[Brian Hall]

Is there any evidence?

The first post in this thread. This is the review thread for the Ultra.

 

[pogo]

From my point of view, you can't base this on a subset of possible measurements.
Missing measurement, for example, intersample clipping behavior, ...

 

[Brian Hall]

From my point of view, you can't base this on a subset of possible measurements.

Well, you also like the Blue sound MQA stuff so...

 

[bachatero]

MQA? More like Music Quality, Absolutely not

 

[Emlin]

MQA? More like Music Quality, Absolutely not

(Very) Manipulative and (very) Questionable Audibility?

 

[antcollinet]

The first post in this thread. This is the review thread for the Ultra.

Exactly

Is there any evidence?

The defects in the built in DAC are already inaudible. The RME might have slightly better measurements (I've not looked) but even if it does the defects cannot be "more" inaudible.

 

[antcollinet]

From my point of view, you can't base this on a subset of possible measurements.
Missing measurement, for example, intersample clipping behavior, ...

Please feel free to show evidence of things not measured resulting in audible artefacts with real music.