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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 38.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 206 49.6%

  • Total voters
    415
The headphone output is also perfectly fine if you use headphones with a low ohm rating.
The Sundara closed back, for example, with its 20 ohms can be operated well and the PEQ helps with the individual optimum setting.
I think Steven was talking about the phono input, not about headphones.

EDIT: For me personally, the Wiim Ultra would fit my needs much better if would also allow my laptop to connect to it through USB. Maybe for a future update to the product…
 
I think Steven was talking about the phono input, not about headphones.

EDIT: For me personally, the Wiim Ultra would fit my needs much better if would also allow my laptop to connect to it through USB. Maybe for a future update to the product…
Yuppp hope to see this coming to future products...

Anyways, It's been 3 months since I got the Ultra and it's been a brilliant device so far. It's used as a full-on preamp, sounding great, directly connected to a Rotel RB-06 power amplifier (also using its 12v trigger input). I don't want to exaggerate, but it has has really changed the way we enjoy music at home. I know this forum is probably a sound quality-first environment, but the ease of use played a big role in this as well ;)

HDMI CEC works great. Phono input sounds totally fine compared to my previous preamp's analog input (Rotel RC-06). I was a bit worried at first about connecting a streaming device directly to my power amp - afraid of it running into a bug and jumping to max volume. On-board volume control works like a charm though and the level is always maintained, no matter which type of streaming service or audio source I switch from/to. I'm very impressed!
 
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Yuppp hope to see this coming to future products...

Anyways, It's been 3 months since I got the Ultra and it's been a brilliant device so far. It's used as a full-on preamp, directly connected to a Rotel RB-06 power amplifier (also using its 12v trigger input). I don't want to exaggerate, but it has has really changed the way we enjoy music at home. I know this forum is probably a sound quality-first environment, but the ease of use played a big role in this as well ;)

HDMI CEC works great. Phono input sounds totally fine compared to my previous preamp's analog input (Rotel RC-06). I was a bit worried at first about connecting a streaming device directly to my power amp - afraid of it running into a bug and jumping to max volume. On-board volume control works like a charm though and the level is always maintained, no matter which type of streaming service or audio source I switch from/to. I'm very impressed!
I have no doubt that Wiim will change the way audio products are designed. They’ve created a whole new category.
 
I think Steven was talking about the phono input, not about headphones.
That may be misleading because English is not my mother tongue.
I wanted to make it clear that the headphone amplifier of the WiiM Ultra is also quite usable (at low impedance) .
Neither the phono pre nor the headphone amplifier came off particularly well in Amir's test.
 
I know this forum is probably a sound quality-first environment
Only really when it comes to speakers.

As far as electronics is concerned we're more an "almost everything you can buy has better sound than you need" environment.

With (of course) a few outlier exceptions.

"better than you need" definitely applies to the Ultra, and to your Rotel if used within power limits.
 
... I don't want to exaggerate, but it has has really changed the way we enjoy music at home. I know this forum is probably a sound quality-first environment, but the ease of use played a big role in this as well ;)
I agree. While sound quality is important to me, the WiiM not only sounds great but is one of the easiest devices ever to setup and use. My stereo had previously been frustrating for my wife to use but now it is a breeze with the voice remote and Amazon Music for her. And, I find I am using the system more often for short periods, where in the past I would have skipped listening because of the multiple components that needed to be switched on and then off. The old streamer, separate DAC, separate preamp and separate power amp are now gone, replaced by a WiiM Ultra and a power amp controlled by the 12V trigger. Click the remote or open the phone app, and... music! And it all still sounds great.
 
"better than you need" definitely applies to the Ultra, and to your Rotel if used within power limits.
Funny you say that as I've been very tempted recently to upgrade to the 3E Audio A5 ;)
However, it seems to have some issues with the auto-sensing feature and doesn't have a 12v trigger input (likely to come with a later model so I'll wait).

My speakers are the Wharfedale Linton Heritage, so the Rotel doesn't break a sweat actually. It's more a matter of being able to sell the RC-06 and RB-06 as a matching set.
 
I have the Ultra, feeding two Fosi V3 Monos which drive my KEF Reference 3 Metas. I'm very happy with the Fosi V3s.
The V3s have both 12v triggers and auto-on/off. I don't use the 12v trigger, but the auto on/off works very well.
Whilst the 3E Audio may measure a little better than the V3 Monos, I doubt very much that the difference is audible.
Perhaps the V3 Monos may fit your requirement better than the curret iteration of the 3E for this reason?
 
I have the Ultra, feeding two Fosi V3 Monos which drive my KEF Reference 3 Metas. I'm very happy with the Fosi V3s.
The V3s have both 12v triggers and auto-on/off. I don't use the 12v trigger, but the auto on/off works very well.
Whilst the 3E Audio may measure a little better than the V3 Monos, I doubt very much that the difference is audible.
Perhaps the V3 Monos may fit your requirement better than the curret iteration of the 3E for this reason?
I just checked the cost of a pair and it seems that there's a good deal for them on Amazon locally - a pair incl 48V/10A PSU and filter for €230 incl VAT...

Don't these tend to get a little hot?
 
I just checked the cost of a pair and it seems that there's a good deal for them on Amazon locally - a pair incl 48V/10A PSU and filter for €230 incl VAT...

Don't these tend to get a little hot?
Not in my experience.
I recall reports of thm getting hot - but if my memory serves, these were by people testing them with sinewaves and the like.
I've certainly never had any issue with mine, which I got some time ago as a Kickstarter backer.
 
I just checked the cost of a pair and it seems that there's a good deal for them on Amazon locally - a pair incl 48V/10A PSU and filter for €230 incl VAT...

Don't these tend to get a little hot?
One other thing - I've seen credible reports that using a pair with a single 10A PSU can have the occasional issue. This issue may have been resolved by now - but for the sake of peace of mind, I think I'd purchase them with separate 5A PSUs. This may put the price up a little, but they're still excellent value.
 
I have the Ultra, feeding two Fosi V3 Monos which drive my KEF Reference 3 Metas. I'm very happy with the Fosi V3s.
The V3s have both 12v triggers and auto-on/off. I don't use the 12v trigger, but the auto on/off works very well.
Whilst the 3E Audio may measure a little better than the V3 Monos, I doubt very much that the difference is audible.
Perhaps the V3 Monos may fit your requirement better than the curret iteration of the 3E for this reason?
The ZA3s have 12V trigger and the V3 Monos only have auto-on/off. Or did Fosi add 12V triggers to V3 Mono later in production?

-Ed
 
The ZA3s have 12V trigger and the V3 Monos only have auto-on/off. Or did Fosi add 12V triggers to V3 Mono later in production?

-Ed
Ed, you are correct. I've just been to have a look at my V3s and indeed, they do NOT have 12v trigger inputs - only auto on/off.
Pieter, I apologise for my incorrect information earlier. If 12v trigger input is important for you, the Fosi V3s will not be suitable.
 
Ed, you are correct. I've just been to have a look at my V3s and indeed, they do NOT have 12v trigger inputs - only auto on/off.
Pieter, I apologise for my incorrect information earlier. If 12v trigger input is important for you, the Fosi V3s will not be suitable.
Ah yes, think I already knew this :) As the auto-sensing feature seems well implemented on the Fosi's, 12v trig is not crucial.
I'll wait for what 3E still have in store for us though.
 
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Looks like the Ultra can be part of a 5.1 system by partnering with another Wiim device. There are some obvious questions about channel assignments, eq, room correction, etc but this is an intriguing development.
 
I'm confused as to how a Wiim Ultra or Amp Pro can handle the front three channels, considering they only have stereo outputs as far as I'm aware. Am I missing something?
 

Looks like the Ultra can be part of a 5.1 system by partnering with another Wiim device. There are some obvious questions about channel assignments, eq, room correction, etc but this is an intriguing development.

Sonos and Bluesound are losing pace with WiiM…
 
I'm confused as to how a Wiim Ultra or Amp Pro can handle the front three channels, considering they only have stereo outputs as far as I'm aware. Am I missing something?
From the link: The WiiM device connected to your TV and subwoofer acts as the master speaker. It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm.

Definitely an obvious question! Unless the center (or any other) channel can be assigned to a digital output, I don't see where it would come from. Of course, I'd be happy if it could down-mix to four channels, especially with width controls.
 
Technically the Ultra has coax/optical SPDIF, and they both have USB. However, I'm not seeing how to use that to get three speakers working out of them without an outboard multichannel DAC. I guess the Amp Pro could use passives for the L/R and an active speaker with USB for the center? I dunno.
 

Looks like the Ultra can be part of a 5.1 system by partnering with another Wiim device. There are some obvious questions about channel assignments, eq, room correction, etc but this is an intriguing development.
Very interesting - although, on reading the instructions, it seems that the "surround" speakers have to each be driven by a specific WiiM amp - even though such amps have two stereo channels. Perhaps WiiM is re-using their whole home "rooms" as surround channels. This would get rather expensive, so hopefully I've misunderstood their rather sparse (for now) instructions.
It looks like they may have re-purposed the "sub" out on the Ultra as a centre out in this config.
 
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