WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[pieterv1]

"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.

 

[asibbald]

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?

 

[pieterv1]

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?

 

[asibbald]

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.

 

[asibbald]

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.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

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

 

[asibbald]

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.

 

[pieterv1]

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.

 

[SMc]

Setting Up a WiiM Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound System

The WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Ultra support Dolby Digital Audio, making them perfect for building a 5.1 surround sound system. A 5.1 system creates an immersive audio experience by delivering sound from multiple directions. This setup is ideal f...

faq.wiimhome.com

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.

 

[kyuu]

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?

 

[GXAlan]

Setting Up a WiiM Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound System

The WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Ultra support Dolby Digital Audio, making them perfect for building a 5.1 surround sound system. A 5.1 system creates an immersive audio experience by delivering sound from multiple directions. This setup is ideal f...

faq.wiimhome.com

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…

 

[SMc]

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.

 

[kyuu]

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.

 

[asibbald]

Setting Up a WiiM Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound System

The WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Ultra support Dolby Digital Audio, making them perfect for building a 5.1 surround sound system. A 5.1 system creates an immersive audio experience by delivering sound from multiple directions. This setup is ideal f...

faq.wiimhome.com

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.

 

[kyuu]

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.

Well it says you can configure the rears as "surround left", "surround right", or just "surround". I was under the impression that the "surround" option passes both surround channels, so you could use a single Wiim Amp (or Wiim Ultra/Pro/Plus/Mini) to handle both surround speakers. Could be wrong.

For the fronts, it claims that you can still have the subwoofer working with the Amp Pro/Ultra handling the three front channels, so I'm not sure how it could be using the subwoofer out for the center. Unless perhaps they're expecting you to have a subwoofer that can pass through the signal (which would include the center channel's signal as well as the signal for all speakers below the sub crossover as well as the LFE channel?) and use the sub's low pass filter? I dunno seems a bit weird to me. Not enough information in that article.

 

[darth]

Curious, why one each for surround? Why not just one Wiim for surround? Since each Wiim can handle 2 channels + sub

 

[kyuu]

Curious, why one each for surround? Why not just one Wiim for surround? Since each Wiim can handle 2 channels + sub

I think it's just to have the option to, if you're using one of the Wiim speakers or you can't or don't want to run wiring from one central device to the two speakers but want/need to have one device immediately next to the speaker.

 

[pogo]

Which DAC is installed for the sub out?

 

[90sNintendoKid]

Setting Up a WiiM Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound System

The WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Ultra support Dolby Digital Audio, making them perfect for building a 5.1 surround sound system. A 5.1 system creates an immersive audio experience by delivering sound from multiple directions. This setup is ideal f...

faq.wiimhome.com

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.

Thanks posting! My ideal situation would be for WiiM to release 5.1 output via usb.

I interpret this as WiiM eventually releasing an AVR which is a good way of taking my money.

 

[Romario]

Thanks posting! My ideal situation would be for WiiM to release 5.1 output via usb.

I interpret this as WiiM eventually releasing an AVR which is a good way of taking my money.

Certainly not. Wireless is the key!