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WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

Rate this streamer/DAC/Preamp:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 5 1.2%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 43 10.4%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 161 38.9%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 205 49.5%

  • Total voters
    414
I recently received and am impressed by the Ultra however, when I bought it, I didn’t realise the USB port could not be used to connect a laptop. Connecting a laptop via USB is an important feature to me, is there perhaps something I can buy and connect to the WiiM to give me this connectivity? I am hoping there will be a relatively cheap yet competent solution.
I have USB from my computer into a SMSL PO100 Pro then optical into a Wiim Ultra.
 
I recently received and am impressed by the Ultra however, when I bought it, I didn’t realise the USB port could not be used to connect a laptop. Connecting a laptop via USB is an important feature to me, is there perhaps something I can buy and connect to the WiiM to give me this connectivity? I am hoping there will be a relatively cheap yet competent solution.
@EddNog has my preferred solution. Skip USB and connect with Toslink. Lots of those, cubilux makes a reputable one.

You could connect another DAC to the USB and go from there. I've done that but it's kludgy.
 
@EddNog has my preferred solution. Skip USB and connect with Toslink. Lots of those, cubilux makes a reputable one.

You could connect another DAC to the USB and go from there. I've done that but it's kludgy.
Yeah, I use a Topping D10 Dac for this, but I already had it in my possession, so the added expense was zero. It does occupy more space than some of the other options, but not a big deal in my setup.
 
@EddNog has my preferred solution. Skip USB and connect with Toslink. Lots of those, cubilux makes a reputable one.

You could connect another DAC to the USB and go from there. I've done that but it's kludgy.
Thanks for all responses.

I see the SMSL PO100 Pro has been impressively measured on here and seems like a good option. The cubilux is more wallet friendly and has a smaller footprint, will it maintain a high quality audio signal? Do you know if it has been tested anywhere?
 
Someone wanting a stereo might read this thread and get the impression that things are complicated, so I just wanted to describe that I have a WiiM Ultra connected to a stereo amplifier that powers a pair of speakers. Simple.
 
Do I need a separate pre-amp in my stereo system if running all my sources through the Wiim Ultra? This has been touched on several times in this thread, but wanted to make sure I am understanding things correctly. My chain is the Wiim Ultra --> Denon AVR --> Linkwitz Orion speaker system (powered by analog crossover and Rotel 1048 8ch amp with 1V input sensitivity). Since I'm not using the Denon AVR for anything but volume control, I'd like to remove it from the chain.

It sounds like I could simply connect the Ultra directly to the analog crossover / Rotel and limit the output to 1V in the settings. Different people have different opinions on the efficacy of using the Ultra's digital volume control in terms of sound quality, but the view on this forum is that the digital volume control is fine. That aside, I do have concerns about one day running into a software bug that causes full volume to be input into my Orions.

So wondering if perhaps something like a Schiit Sys would do the trick or whether a full-on preamp that can buffer the output signal is needed.

Thanks all.
 
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Do I need a separate pre-amp in my stereo system if running all my sources through the Wiim Ultra? This has been touched on several times in this thread, but wanted to make sure I am understanding things correctly. My chain is the Wiim Ultra --> Denon AVR --> Linkwitz Orion speaker system (powered by analog crossover and Rotel 1048 8ch amp with 1V input sensitivity). Since I'm not using the Denon AVR for anything but volume control, I'd like to remove it from the chain.

It sounds like I could simply connect the Ultra directly to the analog crossover / Rotel and limit the output to 1V in the settings. Different people have different opinions on the efficacy of using the Ultra's digital volume control in terms of sound quality, but the view on this forum is that the digital volume control is fine. That aside, I do have concerns about one day running into a software bug that causes full volume to be input into my Orions.

So wondering if perhaps something like a Schiit Sys would do the trick or whether a full-on preamp that can buffer the output signal is needed.

Thanks all.
Just use the Wood Ultra as pre. It's designed to be used like that. There's no need for any additional component that is just used for volume control. Should sound better too.
 
Have Wiim stated whether or not they will allow the usb port to be connected to a computer for signal output.
I know I cannot send signal via usb unless it is a drive of some sort.

I have an rme adi2 dac.
I believe I can record the optical/ coaxial digital signals via usb port.
Has there been any discussion on this feature possibly coming out on the Wiim ultra in the future.
 
Have Wiim stated whether or not they will allow the usb port to be connected to a computer for signal output.
I know I cannot send signal via usb unless it is a drive of some sort.

I have an rme adi2 dac.
I believe I can record the optical/ coaxial digital signals via usb port.
Has there been any discussion on this feature possibly coming out on the Wiim ultra in the future.
The USB port cannot accept digital audio signal IN; it only does digital audio OUT (to external DACs) or attached storage (flash drive, SSD, etc.).

-Ed
 
Not sure if this has been answered already...

When using the Wiim Ultra as pre, can I connect a separate DAC via e.g. toslink/spdif and still use the volume control of the Ultra? If so, can I then just set the volume level on the other DAC (assumed it has one) to 100% or use the fixed output of this DAC? Would the x-over function of the Ultra still work in this case and would the digital out only play the high passed signal AND the sub out (analog out!) would play the low passed signal?

I know the Ultra is already fully transparent, but using another DAC with balanced outputs I could use the XLR inputs of my power amp.

Thanks for clarification!
 
When using the Wiim Ultra as pre, can I connect a separate DAC via e.g. toslink/spdif and still use the volume control of the Ultra? If so, can I then just set the volume level on the other DAC (assumed it has one) to 100% or use the fixed output of this DAC? Would the x-over function of the Ultra still work in this case and would the digital out only play the high passed signal AND the sub out (analog out!) would play the low passed signal?
Yes absolutely it will handle this via Toslink or coax. At one point the USB out did not work with subwoofer. That may have been fixed.

I use line out to a Topping A70 pro Amp for an extra XLR out - same concept.
 
Yes absolutely it will handle this via Toslink or coax. At one point the USB out did not work with subwoofer. That may have been fixed.

I use line out to a Topping A70 pro Amp for an extra XLR out - same concept.
Ah, thanks! So you're also using the volume control on the Wiim and have the Topping set to full volume?
 
Ah, thanks! So you're also using the volume control on the Wiim and have the Topping set to full volume?


Correct. I don't control volume at all with my downstream amp - only the Wiim for volume which preserves the bass management features. DAC would be the same (assuming it was doing nothing more than the conversion).
 
Correct. I don't control volume at all with my downstream amp - only the Wiim for volume which preserves the bass management features. DAC would be the same (assuming it was doing nothing more than the conversion).
Exactly! That would be my use case as well. Thanks for clarification!
 
but using another DAC with balanced outputs I could use the XLR inputs of my power amp.

Just as a hint - if you don't already have audible noise in your system picked up between DAC and Amp, then using XLR will not bring further benefits, and you can save some money on a DAC and cabling. You can always change this later if (for example) you get active speakers that need long line level wires which may be more susceptible to noise pickup.
 
Hello. This thread is sooo long…
Can I connect CD player to spdif (I also use Roon) and use USB to my DDC connected via AES to Genelec speakers ( or even directly Wiim spdif output to AES with short cable) - and I can change volume of CD in digital domain?
I use both CD and Roon but was not able to connect player to Genelec - Wiim ultra looks very promising
 
Hello. This thread is sooo long…
Can I connect CD player to spdif (I also use Roon) and use USB to my DDC connected via AES to Genelec speakers ( or even directly Wiim spdif output to AES with short cable) - and I can change volume of CD in digital domain?
I use both CD and Roon but was not able to connect player to Genelec - Wiim ultra looks very promising
Have you asked the kind folks at the Wiim owners forum?
 
Hello. This thread is sooo long…
Can I connect CD player to spdif (I also use Roon) and use USB to my DDC connected via AES to Genelec speakers ( or even directly Wiim spdif output to AES with short cable) - and I can change volume of CD in digital domain?
I use both CD and Roon but was not able to connect player to Genelec - Wiim ultra looks very promising
Yes you can connect a cd player and use the Wiim as a preamp and the volume control is done in the digital domain (as is the EQ).
 
Hello. This thread is sooo long…
Can I connect CD player to spdif (I also use Roon) and use USB to my DDC connected via AES to Genelec speakers ( or even directly Wiim spdif output to AES with short cable) - and I can change volume of CD in digital domain?
I use both CD and Roon but was not able to connect player to Genelec - Wiim ultra looks very promising
Yes you can.

-Ed
 
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