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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 10.2%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 161 38.3%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 211 50.2%

  • Total voters
    420
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.
 
Curious, why one each for surround? Why not just one Wiim for surround? Since each Wiim can handle 2 channels + sub
 
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.
 

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.
 
I did a Google search and have found that both line in and phono in are contained on a sub board. The phono circuit appears to be analog until it reaches, or is close to reaching, the ADC. The opamps are SA5532A, one for each channel. There is an electrolytic on each channel and are Rubycon, but the images I found aren’t of sufficient resolution to determine the values. RIAA appears to be implemented in the analog stage. Opamps on the dac itself are Opa 1611 and 1612.

Perhaps someone who knows design can describe a little more what they see in that phono stage? IMG_2004.pngIMG_2005.pngIMG_2006.jpeg
 
Would be lovely if this happens
 
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.
Actually there's now also a series of wireless speakers - the WiiM editions of the Audio Pro A10 MKII and C10 MKII - which have all the streaming capabilities and necessary processing power already on board. I suppose these would make great satellite speakers. Too bad they are not available in Europe yet. Sometimes I miss having a surround system when watching movies. This would be a great solution to quickly convert a 2.0 system to surround. I suppose you could also make it 4.0? My two main speakers in the front and two satellites in the back? Anyways, genius move!
 
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Actually there's now also a series of wireless speakers - the WiiM editions of the Audio Pro A10 MKII and C10 MKII - which have all the streaming capabilities and necessary processing power already on board. I suppose these would make great satellite speakers. Too bad they are not available in Europe yet. Sometimes I miss having a surround system when watching movies. This would be a great solution to quickly convert a 2.0 system to surround. I suppose you could also make it 4.0? My two main speakers in the front and two satellites in the back? Anyways, genius move!
Yes, I noticed it was the A10 in the example in the link provided by SMc. Was about to post that these are available already in the UK, but they are not the Wiim editions. Wiim Minis connected to some other powered speaker that has inputs for the rears would work as well.
 
That was to be expected in order to catch up with the competition.
I suppose you're referring to Sonos? There's lots of other aspects where they have a serious amount of catching up to do...
 
Not sure about 4.0, it would have to downmix. Based on this recent article, it appears not now.

As of Monday, Wiim is looking for beta testers for 5.1 wireless dolby digital on the Ultra.
It sounds like 4.1 as I read it.
It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm.
You don't need a fancy algorithm if you are just routing the audio. Hopefully you can just add more devices to get the missing channels.
 
Ed,

You've had a few different power amps connected to the WiiM as I recall (B100s, Fosi ZA3s with Burson V7 Vivids op amps, V3 Monos with Sparkos op amps, probably others).

How would you compare the sound of the IOM Ultra to your previous power amps? Was considering some of the ones you've already had but the IOM Ultra looks intriguing as it would match and be a single box, though it would deny me the fun of playing with op amps and owning mono blocks.

My IOM Ultra (Hypex NC252MP stereo power amplifier) came in this evening and as expected, the performance is high enough to be transparently comparable to my last amplifiers (a pair of Topping B100s) while providing significantly more power and being a lovely aesthetic match for my WiiM Ultra streamer.

-Ed
 
Ed,

You've had a few different power amps connected to the WiiM as I recall (B100s, Fosi ZA3s with Burson V7 Vivids op amps, V3 Monos with Sparkos op amps, probably others).

How would you compare the sound of the IOM Ultra to your previous power amps? Was considering some of the ones you've already had but the IOM Ultra looks intriguing as it would match and be a single box, though it would deny me the fun of playing with op amps and owning mono blocks.
Unless the form factor is very important to you, you can get the Audiophonics MPA-S250NC (the exact same amplifier) for quite a bit less. I much prefer its more streamlined, utilitarian form design actually ;)

I don't know why IOM chose to surround their entire amp in the (fake?) black glass... makes it look a little cheap. Personally, I would've preferred an aluminum look all-round.

*oh and compared to what Ed has to say about the 12v trigger: the Audiophonics has both an on/off button at the front + 12v trigg ;)
 
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Ed,

You've had a few different power amps connected to the WiiM as I recall (B100s, Fosi ZA3s with Burson V7 Vivids op amps, V3 Monos with Sparkos op amps, probably others).

How would you compare the sound of the IOM Ultra to your previous power amps? Was considering some of the ones you've already had but the IOM Ultra looks intriguing as it would match and be a single box, though it would deny me the fun of playing with op amps and owning mono blocks.
Being this is ASR, I can tell you they all sound transparent enough that it would be hard to consistently pick them apart blind A/B.

The build quality of the IOM is absolutely tops. No question about it. It’s built like a tank! All the components are just top quality (for example the binding posts, in amazingly thick and hefty enclosure, etc.). Power was way more than sufficient for LS50 Metas. And of course aesthetically it wins by a country mile. Plus, there’s no extra power brick to deal with, and for many, that is a huge positive. Finally, it is amazingly efficient and runs no more than lukewarm. On the negatives, I can say the IOM may or may not have a limitation down the line if you ever move away from the WiiM Ultra to another streamer or source that doesn’t have a 12V trigger out, because the IOM Ultra won’t work without a 12V trigger signal, period. The power switch next to the IEC power port doesn’t force the amp on, it simply allows the amp to be triggered on by the 12V trigger. Also, the IOM sends a mild pop to the speakers when powering on or off. It’s not loud enough to do damage to the speakers, but if you frequently turn your WiiM Ultra off and on, it may be somewhat disturbing.

The V3 Monos have an audio signal-based auto-on/off that is user-defeatable, so some would consider this an advantage for overall flexibility. It doesn’t have any speaker noise when powering on or off. In terms of negatives, some would say thermal management is poor. Some components are cheap (e.g. binding posts).

ZA3 has user-defeatable 12V trigger and I think this is great. It has better thermal management than V3 Mono. The included volume dial, while not remote operable, can come in handy (for example, if running directly from an external DAC without adjustable output voltage, the built in attenuator is perfect for implementing a safety margin for incoming voltage to the amp without requiring a separate preamp). Components, like the V3 Mono, can be cheap (again, binding posts).

B100 sounds sublime, they really do—as long as you have sensitive/efficient speakers. Quality of build and components is excellent, user-defeatable 12V triggers are great. There’s still extra power bricks to deal with. Mainly the problem is low power/headroom.

-Ed
 
I will laugh forever that they included weights inside at the year 2025 to add premium feeling.
Some VERY seasoned person in there advises them but they probably didn't expect a teardown so soon.
Embarrassing really.


Weights.PNG
 
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