WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[MingChops]

I asked the question on the Wiim forum just now and got answers within minutes.
It’s good news - the DSP runs at 32bit and incoming sample rate. Volume control uses 8-bit therefore retaining resolution of up to 24bit audio streams.

Interesting, besides the fact they clearly employ chimps to answer their emails..., they choose to retain the sample frequency (which avoids non-integer scaling issues), and up the bit depth, meaning a massive amount of values to apply EQ with much higher accuracy, which is what you chiefly want.

I think I generally agree with that approach, as I'm not sure there's a need to increase the resolution by up sampling the frequency... Given most PEQ is going to be used for fixing bass issues, and then maybe applying a low shelf from say 10khz, it's probably a sensible way.

I guess the best approach might be to up sample and retain integer consistency, but, I don't know any system that does that! - This is now sounding like it is more than enough and better than the Eversolo DSP for sure that operates at 24/48.

Thanks, good to resolve this one!

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Hi Ed, got a few questions about the IOM Ultra:
1. How much extra did it cost for the xlr inputs? They aren't mentioned on their website. Did you just ask for them to be added when you placed the order?
2. How long did it take for you to receive the amp? I'm also in the U.S.
3. Is it ok to stack the two components? Do they recommend that it is ok for sound and/or ventilation?
4. I also have the LS50 Metas, so I'm curious about how they sound with the IOM Ultra.

Thanks, Jimmy

1. Sipko charges 10EUR extra for dual inputs. I emailed him about this before ordering to confirm.
2. Shipping was supposed to be under a week, but DHL held the package up for 2 days in their Cincinnati sort, maybe due to weather issues. As for delays prior to shipping, it took Sipko a a couple of weeks to source the dual input buffer components and then another couple of weeks to get the amp painted space grey (what he normally has on hand are silver). This all occurred during the holiday season, so Christmas and New Years both played into adding to the delays. Your best bet is to email IOM and ask how long would it take since for all I know he now has some of the dual input boards on hand from building mine.
3. No issues at all stacking them--that's how I believe almost everyone who bought this amp so far is running theirs. The Hypex NC252MP is somewhere around 90% efficient. I've had my system playing for hours today behind me as I worked and I just touched it and it's just luke warm to the touch.
4. They sound amazing with this amp. I don't know if you use a subwoofer or not, but I have my LS50 Metas high-pass filtered/crossed over at 100Hz with an SVS SB-3000 and I was able to play some classical concerto music earlier today at what felt like reference levels with no effort at all. According to DecibelX, I was averaging about 76dB and hit a peak 94dB from my listening position about 10 feet away in my moderate sized room. Just breathtaking performance!

-Ed

 

[Deleted member 72219]

I have a query regarding Room Correction. My phone has been in too many dusty pockets to trust its microphone for calibration purposes. I have been considering buying an umik-1 Microphone. I am wondering if anyone has done the same and can comment on the results? Is it worth it?

I have been using a UMIK-1 to perform WiiM room correction for weeks now. It works very well, probably as well as it can possibly be with WiiM's room correction algorithm. I consider it more accurate than using the mic built into either my iPhone or my iPad.

-Ed

 

[Good Vibes]

I have been using a UMIK-1 to perform WiiM room correction for weeks now. It works very well, probably as well as it can possibly be with WiiM's room correction algorithm. I consider it more accurate than using the mic built into either my iPhone or my iPad.

-Ed

Thanks Ed, Mic will very possibly my next purchase.

 

[Soniclife]

I guess the best approach might be to up sample and retain integer consistency, but, I don't know any system that does that! -

Roon has the option to do this, I tried it last night, guess how much better it sounded.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Thanks Ed, Mic will very possibly my next purchase.

Yes and even better yet, WiiM developers are already working on an enhancement so that the WiiM can apply calibration files from the microphone manufacturer for even greater accuracy!

-Ed

 

[MingChops]

Roon has the option to do this, I tried it last night, guess how much better it sounded.

I would guess that you heard it 60% of the time, every time

 

[Dako]

I have a query regarding Room Correction. My phone has been in too many dusty pockets to trust its microphone for calibration purposes. I have been considering buying an umik-1 Microphone. I am wondering if anyone has done the same and can comment on the results? Is it worth it?

For a detailed overview of my experiences with the Umik-1 and WiiM RC, you can find my latest measurements and analysis here: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-ls60-room-correction-showdown-rew-mmm-vs-wiim-ultra—a-data-driven-analysis.59795/post-2194722
Once WiiM implements support for calibration files, I believe it will become a remarkably capable and cost-effective room correction solution—almost too good to be true at the WiiM Ultra’s price point. Even without a calibration file, WiiM RC is already performing quite well below 300 Hz, but using the iPhone 13 microphone for correction remains underwhelming, often doing more harm than good at both lower and higher frequencies.

 

[Good Vibes]

For a detailed overview of my experiences with the Umik-1 and WiiM RC, you can find my latest measurements and analysis here: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-ls60-room-correction-showdown-rew-mmm-vs-wiim-ultra—a-data-driven-analysis.59795/post-2194722
Once WiiM implements support for calibration files, I believe it will become a remarkably capable and cost-effective room correction solution—almost too good to be true at the WiiM Ultra’s price point. Even without a calibration file, WiiM RC is already performing quite well below 300 Hz, but using the iPhone 13 microphone for correction remains underwhelming, often doing more harm than good at both lower and higher frequencies.

Wow, this is excellent! Great work! Thank you.

 

[Miguelón]

Hope in the next WiiM Ultra Max Plus they will include balanced outputs, apart form this is a wonderful barely-all-in-one

 

[darth]

Hope in the next WiiM Ultra Max Plus they will include balanced outputs, apart form this is a wonderful barely-all-in-one

Hope they add an AES out too, and can call it Wiim Ultra Max Plus Digital.

 

[fmdelight]

Silly question - does Wiim Ultra stream online radio via LAN? And can it play music from an USB flash drive? Thank you

 

[Miguelón]

Silly question - does Wiim Ultra stream online radio via LAN? And can it play music from an USB flash drive? Thank you

You have vTuner on the menu, can access to local and by location radios (I always find any radio station I want no matter the continent). Also can access to flash drive audio files via USB.

 

[fmdelight]

Thank you!
I am glad to hear LAN can be used, I try to stay away from wifi ...

 

[Miguelón]

Thank you!
I am glad to hear LAN can be used, I try to stay away from wifi ...

Why? I’m curious…
(Have an Ethernet port on back panel, look at pictures in website)

 

[Miguelón]

For a detailed overview of my experiences with the Umik-1 and WiiM RC, you can find my latest measurements and analysis here: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-ls60-room-correction-showdown-rew-mmm-vs-wiim-ultra—a-data-driven-analysis.59795/post-2194722
Once WiiM implements support for calibration files, I believe it will become a remarkably capable and cost-effective room correction solution—almost too good to be true at the WiiM Ultra’s price point. Even without a calibration file, WiiM RC is already performing quite well below 300 Hz, but using the iPhone 13 microphone for correction remains underwhelming, often doing more harm than good at both lower and higher frequencies.

I have imperatively to buy an Umik, I don’t think my iphone 16 has better mic than your 13.

For the couple of modes I corrected for instance may work, but I believe is a good investment.

 

[fmdelight]

Why? I’m curious…
(Have an Ethernet port on back panel, look at pictures in website)

Eh, not worth mentioning it, I just believe the radiation is bad for us, I have a streamer without LAN, I never use it for internet radio, I only use the USB ...

 

[antcollinet]

Eh, not worth mentioning it, I just believe the radiation is bad for us, I have a streamer without LAN, I never use it for internet radio, I only use the USB ...

Hope you've also banned microwave ovens from your home - also mobile (cell) phones.

 

[Miguelón]

Eh, not worth mentioning it, I just believe the radiation is bad for us, I have a streamer without LAN, I never use it for internet radio, I only use the USB ...

Ok, no worry for you in this case, not only you can plug directly the WiiM to the router but also the radio player works perfectly.

 

[Miguelón]

Hope you've also banned microwave ovens from your home - also mobile (cell) phones.

Humm, microwave ovens have other danger inside…

My hand after treacherous attack of a cream of vegetables heated in the MW oven…