WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Neekomax]

How are they connecting?

The Oppo BDP-103 is connected via analog RCA, and the MiniDisc deck is connected via optical Toslink.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Yes**


Not normally. Digital volume control is normally much better at channel balance.


**some people are concerned that digital volume controls might "forget" and output full volume unexpectedly sending fulll power to the speakers. I've never experienced that on any device with digital volume control but it has been (rarely) reported.

If that is a worry for you, then the risk can be mitigated using attenuators at the amp input, so that full volume is dangerous neither to the speakers, nor your ears.

There is also a volume cap setting separate from the volume adjustment, so that helps the same way that an attenuator would. It also improves the granularity of the digital volume control because it maintains 100 steps from 0 despite the lower maximum.

-Ed

 

[antcollinet]

The Oppo BDP-103 is connected via analog RCA, and the MiniDisc deck is connected via optical Toslink.

So three separate inputs experiencing dropouts. No idea what could be causing that. Are they just brief dropouts, or longer term?

 

[Neekomax]

So three separate inputs experiencing dropouts. No idea what could be causing that. Are they just brief dropouts, or longer term?

It is weird indeed. Especially since the Wifi and Bluetooth streaming are rock solid, which kind of eliminates cabling and my outboard DAC downstream. They are super quick dropouts, less than a second, and sometimes there's a couple close together in time, and sometimes it will go 25 minutes with perfect playback. I'm wondering if I should try and return the unit for a replacement, since I really like it otherwise.

 

[Krusty09]

Quick question.

Does anyone know if the any wiim product can make a full range mono out ?

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Quick question.

Does anyone know if the any wiim product can make a full range mono out ?

Thanks.

Use the subwoofer out and turn this setting ON:

 

[Matt_Holland]

Quick question.

Does anyone know if the any wiim product can make a full range mono out ?

Thanks.

Wiim amp can. Go to Audio Settings as below. Make sure Subwoofer is either turned off or the “main speakers to output bass” setting is enabled.

 

[Krusty09]

So I guess I forgot to say I'm not interested in the wiim amp but the non amp ver. I was hoping that I could get a pro or Ultra to output thru the main outputs with the eq able to work as well. Maybe on the next version.

Thanks

 

[GXAlan]

So I guess I forgot to say I'm not interested in the wiim amp but the non amp ver. I was hoping that I could get a pro or Ultra to output thru the main outputs with the eq able to work as well. Maybe on the next version.

Thanks

There are three outputs, the L and R and the sub. The L/R will allow you EQ.

The sub is crossed over, but you could use it as a fully range L+R mono. Mine should arrive later this week and I will see if you can EQ the sub.

 

[Krusty09]

There are three outputs, the L and R and the sub. The L/R will allow you EQ.

The sub is crossed over, but you could use it as a fully range L+R mono. Mine should arrive later this week and I will see if you can EQ the sub.

Thanks for doing that.

 

[murielpeak]

I heard back from WiiM customer support. After reviewing a recording I made of the noise issue, they have offered to replace the unit. I can only assume it is some defective hardware on my unit. I’m very happy with the customer support! They even called me back within 10 mins, shocking.

Unfortunately, I have to take back my comments about WiiM customer support. After an initial promising interaction where they offered to replace my WiiM Ultra due to defective coax/optical out, it’s now been one month and I have not received a new unit and they stopped responding to my inquiries 3 weeks ago. Radio silence. So I guess I’m stuck with a WiiM Ultra with unusable coax/optical out. Instead I’m using the usb out to a dac (for the xlr connection on the dac), which means i cannot connect my usb music library. Bummer, not what I was expecting.

 

[VanTechMag]

It is weird indeed. Especially since the Wifi and Bluetooth streaming are rock solid, which kind of eliminates cabling and my outboard DAC downstream. They are super quick dropouts, less than a second, and sometimes there's a couple close together in time, and sometimes it will go 25 minutes with perfect playback. I'm wondering if I should try and return the unit for a replacement, since I really like it otherwise.

If you NOT find out why and how to fix it, should you naturally return and replace it!

 

[VanTechMag]

I can not find some vital info about the equalizer - even if I now have read everything in this tread, which took four days (!) and in many other reviews... I did also ask WiiM some hours ago, but they did not reply yet...

** How much can I adjust the 10 bands of Graphic EQ and Parametric EQ in DB??

I need minimum +-12db (to optimise bad EQ in music) and can now adjust +-15db with my dangerous old analogue Yamaha GE-40 plus +-12db with my Sansui SE-77 (that I use for my headphones) and Luxman G-100 (in my bedroom)

And I can also adjust +6-24db (practically as +-15db) in the digital 7 band parametric EQ in my Yamaha RX-A1030 AV Receiver... But that one use I for my main room setting...

-o-

Then should someone suggest (as I just did in my "DB" question to them) to WiiM that they should make a low cost hiQ top (or bottom) box, with XLR in & out, USB-A & USB-C PC inputs, 2 extra RCA line in and LAN, plus a second LAN to connect it with a short LAN cable to Ultra...

And naturally a WiiM Ultra Phono Plus, with really fine Phono spec... Which then can replace the ordinary ultra, in good time *hehe*

 

[kyuu]

** How much can I adjust the 10 bands of Graphic EQ and Parametric EQ in DB?

Gain on the PEQ filters and graphic EQ can be adjusted between plus or minus 12dB.

 

[Saponetto]

Unfortunately, I have to take back my comments about WiiM customer support. After an initial promising interaction where they offered to replace my WiiM Ultra due to defective coax/optical out, it’s now been one month and I have not received a new unit and they stopped responding to my inquiries 3 weeks ago. Radio silence. So I guess I’m stuck with a WiiM Ultra with unusable coax/optical out. Instead I’m using the usb out to a dac (for the xlr connection on the dac), which means i cannot connect my usb music library. Bummer, not what I was expecting.

Sorry to hear about the malfunction of the digital outs, hope this problem would find a fast solution.
About the USB out usage, I solved it by plugging the Ultra with a simple USB hub on which to plug DAC and external disk, and it works like a charm.

 

[Burnside]

The USB with Sub Out feature is now available for Beta testing. See https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/an-unimaginable-torture-ultra-or-amp-pro.3552/post-98893

Initially for the Ultra, with the Amp and Amp Pro to follow…

 

[MT_bassbone]

I am considering replacing my SVS Soundbase Pro with either the Wiim Amp Pro -or- the Wiim Ultra w/ two Fosi V3 mono amps. I have Totem Sttaf speakers as well as a Pro-ject CD Box as well. Any opinions? I don't have eq on the SVS Soundbase Pro and decided I cannot live without it. I have been messing around with the Wavelet EQ app on my phone but it doesn't override Play-fi.

 

[Mort]

USB with Sub Out

Looks like Ultra only for now.

Is that the feature where they add Sub out back to USB like it is with other outputs?

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Looks like Ultra only for now.

Is that the feature where they add Sub out back to USB like it is with other outputs?

Yes, it allows you to attach an external DAC to USB WHILE attaching a subwoofer to the LFE output and having it apply bass management across the two outputs (digital crossover etc.)

-Ed

 

[antcollinet]

Yes, it allows you to attach an external DAC to USB WHILE attaching a subwoofer to the LFE output and having it apply bass management across the two outputs (digital crossover etc.)

-Ed

Nice.