WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Sokel]

Hi guys, I don't know if it has been covered here in this thread, but I read in the discussion on the Pro Plus, that you have to make headroom, if you are using positive EQ.....

As far as I remember it was 1% for each 0,6db of positive EQ. So if using the max 12db gain on a filter you would have to make sure to limit max. volume to 80%.

Does this also apply for the Ultra?

If that correction is down low I hope you have an arc welder instead of an amp.

 

[morillon]

Hi guys, I don't know if it has been covered here in this thread, but I read in the discussion on the Pro Plus, that you have to make headroom, if you are using positive EQ.....

As far as I remember it was 1% for each 0,6db of positive EQ. So if using the max 12db gain on a filter you would have to make sure to limit max. volume to 80%.

Does this also apply for the Ultra?

yes.. (and dont use more than q 0.7 if hs ls...)

 

[Miguelón]

yes.. (and dont use more than q 0.7 if hs ls...)

Any other limits on Q factor? I was advised to not more than 5 in PK but I don’t understand why…

 

[Romario]

Hi guys, I don't know if it has been covered here in this thread, but I read in the discussion on the Pro Plus, that you have to make headroom, if you are using positive EQ.....

As far as I remember it was 1% for each 0,6db of positive EQ. So if using the max 12db gain on a filter you would have to make sure to limit max. volume to 80%.

Does this also apply for the Ultra?

If you use all the 12 db for room correction you might want to take the speaker out of the bathroom into the bedroom.

 

[Mnyb]

Hi guys, I don't know if it has been covered here in this thread, but I read in the discussion on the Pro Plus, that you have to make headroom, if you are using positive EQ.....

As far as I remember it was 1% for each 0,6db of positive EQ. So if using the max 12db gain on a filter you would have to make sure to limit max. volume to 80%.

Does this also apply for the Ultra?

Yes correct , Btw dont boost bass nulls +12dB, they are very likely some form of acoustical cancellation so you would not gain much you will just dump energy into the "hole" and blow up speakers . Dito for trying to boost sub bass out of speakers not capable, especially if the speaker or sub is bass reflex !

However subjectively it can be so that when you cut the bass peaks in the room the general sound might subjectively bee to lean so some general low shelf with low Q to "fatten up" the whole bass area by 2-3 dB as some mild loudness can be nice

 

[ah-ra]

If you use all the 12 db for room correction you might want to take the speaker out of the bathroom into the bedroom.

That was just an example with the max. possible value....

 

[Miguelón]

Yes correct , Btw dont boost bass nulls +12dB, they are very likely some form of acoustical cancellation so you would not gain much you will just dump energy into the "hole" and blow up speakers . Dito for trying to boost sub bass out of speakers not capable, especially if the speaker or sub is bass reflex !

However subjectively it can be so that when you cut the bass peaks in the room the general sound might subjectively bee to lean so some general low shelf with low Q to "fatten up" the whole bass area by 2-3 dB as some mild loudness can be nice

Nice suggestion, I have an 8 dB peak at 70 Hz and minor one of 4 dB at 40 Hz (when using sub, now is absent), easy to compensate but overall impression is a little bit “cold” after cleaning the low region. Also quite reflective surfaces cause 6 dB on 150Hz, should use +2 dB LS at 200 Hz Q 0.3 for example?

Or better avoid the reflective zone and start on 100 Hz?

 

[Audionaut]

The new display didn't do much for me and if anything, was a bit of a negative even though in general I am a fan of such things.

In my opinion, the touchscreen in particular is a real added value, as it allows a large number of complex functions to be controlled directly on the device.

If, for whatever reason, the remote control or smartphone are not nearby, you can still listen to music, just like with a hi-fi system from the 1980s.

I have experienced this differently with other streamers.

Therefore thumbs up for the touchscreen

 

[Somafunk]

If anyone has a vernier gauge could you please measure the diameter of the Wiim ultra phono ground lead plug as my mates son appears to have lost/misplaced the plug and I want to try and find a suitable replacement, ta very much

 

[Soniclife]

If anyone has a vernier gauge could you please measure the diameter of the Wiim ultra phono ground lead plug as my mates son appears to have lost/misplaced the plug and I want to try and find a suitable replacement, ta very much

Bought used Ultra, no phono grounding adapter, help with availability appreciated…

I bought a Ultra used, excellent condition, works great and it had everything with it except the phono grounding adapter. Seller can’t find it. Probably pitched it or something. Reached out to support. They said they don’t sell it individually and referred me to look for a similar product on...

forum.wiimhome.com

Only a little help, but it looks like a 3.5mm to me.

 

[Somafunk]

Bought used Ultra, no phono grounding adapter, help with availability appreciated…

I bought a Ultra used, excellent condition, works great and it had everything with it except the phono grounding adapter. Seller can’t find it. Probably pitched it or something. Reached out to support. They said they don’t sell it individually and referred me to look for a similar product on...

forum.wiimhome.com

Only a little help, but it looks like a 3.5mm to me.

That may explain why the 4mm banana plug doesn’t fit , despite folk saying on the Wiim forum that it is a 4mm.

 

[Petrushka]

That may explain why the 4mm banana plug doesn’t fit , despite folk saying on the Wiim forum that it is a 4mm.

I was wrong.

I just checked my Wiim Ultra and a normal 4mm banana plug fits the Phono ground socket. So you can just buy a simple banana plug with a screw terminal to connect your ground wire from the turntable.

From the same Wiim forum link.

 

[Somafunk]

From the same Wiim forum link.

Yeah I've read most of the Wiim forum but I'd prefer if the dia of an actual Wiim ground plug could be confirmed by someone on here with a vernier gauge or micrometer.

Apparently Wiim do not sell nor have spare plugs available.

 

[Audio Science Pal]

I'd prefer if the dia of an actual Wiim ground plug could be confirmed by someone on here with a vernier gauge or micrometer.

I can measure mine when I return home. It will be about 24 hours from now.

 

[shuppatsu]

Why pick 96hz over 192?

What advantage does 192 have over 96? all things being equal lower is better since there’s a corresponding lower incidence of dropouts. Of course the bandwidth is child’s play for modern buses but weird stuff happens occasionally.

Why not? 192 brings nothing audible to the table that isn't already in 96. Or 48 come to that.

i wrote this nearly word-for-word (including the mention of 48) before realizing I was on page 48 of 60!

 

[shinbojan]

My current setup is: pc>modi 2u (connected via usb)>magni 2u (used as pre-amp for volume control)>aleph mini>he6sev2 (connected via speaker taps).
I would like to drop the pc from the stack and start using a streamer and Ultra seems like a good option.
But I was also wondering if I can simplify it by dropping both schiits.
Is DAC in Ultra better than Modi2u? Will digital volume control be enough or will I still need Magni?

 

[Saponetto]

Welcome, this thread answers all your questions.

About the dac, the first page of this thread shows performances and data about the inner DAC of the Ultra.
Briefly, it is a good transparent DAC hence the utility of another DAC is questionable.

About digital volume control, it has a 32-bit management used to guarantee that any 24-bit content could be managed as well, also in its quietest parts.

 

[shinbojan]

Thank you for responding.
I've checked the first page and I've checked the Modi 2u thread as well. It seemed like this one was better, but just wanted to be sure.
I will probably buy Ultra and then check if I can hear any differences (don't expect to). I am a bit worried about blowing up my headphones, so volume control is the crucial part of the chain.

 

[Saponetto]

Understandable, and of course I agree with your worries, with particular regard about headphones...

 

[Audio Science Pal]

... the dia of an actual Wiim ground plug could be confirmed by someone on here with a vernier gauge or micrometer.

Apparently Wiim do not sell nor have spare plugs available.

The phono ground adapter that is supplied with the Ultra is 5/32" or 4 mm. Basically a banana plug, which I tried, with a few different brands of plug and they all fit nicely.