WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[TimW]

Hey @amirm, Thanks for another great review! Would you be able to measure the capacitance and resistive loading of the phono input? These specs can have a significant impact on the frequency response of various cartridges and it would be good to know.

 

[mash]

Love the stuff that Wiim is producing these days and this is another nice box. Would really like to see an "Super Ultra" version that adds XLR outs and improves the phono support. As it is, I wouldn't swap out any of my devices for this. Add those improvements and I'd minimally use it for my office system.

 

[Dr. Noooooo]

Thank you for the great review, as usual.

Personally this device has everything I need for a reasonable price: Excellent DAC (as confirmed here), PEQ and subwoofer management, and of course the streaming capabilities. Maybe future upgrades will bring balanced outputs, bigger and better screen etc. but this device already has everything for a simple and yet highly performing music streaming platform.

 

[pogo]

The Bluesound Node Icon gets into AVR prices and I don’t know if it allows wireless rears.

Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats:​

Dolby Digital®

In my view, it won't stay with the typical 4.2 in the near future.
Let's see what the new streaming service will bring soon. The new MQA libraries that were rolled out this month could be a harbinger.

 

[Brian Hall]

Love the stuff that Wiim is producing these days and this is another nice box. Would really like to see an "Super Ultra" version that adds XLR outs and improves the phono support. As it is, I wouldn't swap out any of my devices for this. Add those improvements and I'd minimally use it for my office system.

I would rather have another analog in than the phono preamp. It is wasted space for most people who will already have a better phono preamp. I wouldn't replace my Waxwing with the phono input on the Ultra.

 

[morillon]

I would rather have another analog in than the phono preamp. It is wasted space for most people who will already have a better phono preamp. I wouldn't replace my Waxwing with the phono input on the Ultra.

and what would you connect to the already existing line input?

 

[drmevo]

I would rather have another analog in than the phono preamp. It is wasted space for most people who will already have a better phono preamp. I wouldn't replace my Waxwing with the phono input on the Ultra.

I agree, it should have at least been switchable to a standard line-level input (my preamp has this option on analog input 1).

If the Ultra had HT Bypass and AirPlay I'd replace my preamp without a second thought.

 

[GXAlan]

Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats:​

Dolby Digital®

In my view, it won't stay with the typical 4.2 in the near future.
Let's see what the new streaming service will bring soon. The new MQA libraries that were rolled out this month could be a harbinger.

Not sure if it has wireless rears like the NAD M10 or if it just decodes Dolby Digital for the benefits of dynamic range normalization and virtualization of the rear channels.

It would be nice to have Dolby Atmos support since virtualization of the height channels is better than no virtualization.

 

[pogo]

Not sure if it has wireless rears like the NAD M10

Even the old Node can do that.

 

[Mikig]

complete device, with good overall performance, which can represent the heart of a modern living room system, or part of a system for the most demanding enthusiast. The fact that it is Roon Ready is excellent, in fact, it could be one of the devices "approved" by Roon more affordable for the general public with more than good performance. Personally I am more attracted to the smaller brothers, which with really low prices show off incredible performance in relation.
Thanks Amirm for the test!

 

[dtaylo1066]

We all have our ideas on how to make it better. But the bottom line is that for $330 what you get here is rather amazing, thus I have to vote "terrific." Future products and iterations will only get better.

 

[Jole]

You can't apply dsp to a dsd file, I imagine that's the reason

On first point can be turned off on ROON for example ((dsp...(volume...etc)) so native dsd could be send to streamer...but why then streamer convert to pcm is question for wiim....as I saw on eversolo forum A6 do that but not with every dac....probably wiim implementation issues...whatever thank you on respond

 

[AdamG]

We all have our ideas on how to make it better. But the bottom line is that for $330 what you get here is rather amazing, thus I have to vote "terrific." Future products and iterations will only get better.

Exactly. All these added functionalities will add to cost and possibly reduced performance. This little Streamer that could. Does and it does it on a budget. It’s obviously not for everyone but it might fill a gap in the Streamer space below the $400 USD make +Taxes/shipping. Personally I’m excited to see products like this at the entry level price point that will enable many more people on a budget join the Streaming Evolution.

 

[Pinkynator]

I tried to turn Ethernet off and it warned me that I would be switching to WiFi? Why is this either or instead of both being on at the same time?

Because two network interfaces active at the same time would mean two different IP addresses and "two devices" visible on the network.

 

[harkpabst]

A modern WXA-50 with HDMI eARC would be interesting too. They had a WXC-50 which was the pre amp version. When you look at the amp section back then, you can see how it compares to the WiiM Amp.

Measuring setup is not exactly identical to what it was 5 years ago. Direct comparison is not that easy ...

 

[REK2575]

Sorry to be that guy...

Opinions welcome on which is the better value proposition: WiiM Ultra at $329, or Eversolo DMP A-6 at $769?

 

[amper42]

Sorry to be that guy...

Opinions welcome on which is the better value proposition: WiiM Ultra at $329, or Eversolo DMP A-6 at $769?

Wiim mini for $89 with your favorite DAC connected via optical is the best value proposition and best measurements. Everything else is upsell with no improved audio capability.

 

[Th0805]

Sorry to be that guy...

Opinions welcome on which is the better value proposition: WiiM Ultra at $329, or Eversolo DMP A-6 at $769?

The eversolo may be a prettier product with a bigger screen and different inputs/outputs. If you’re enticed by or need those features it would be a good choice.

But the ultra measures better and has room correction for less money. So the value is probably in the Wiim’s favor

 

[amper42]

Here's an example of a better looking streamer than either Wiim Ultra or A-6. It's certainly my preference.

 

[Billy Budapest]

Here's an example of a better looking streamer than either Wiim Ultra or A-6. It's certainly my preference.

View attachment 395730

And what streamer is that? Certainly not made by Akai as stated on the VU’s!