At first glance, the spacing of the plugs look VERY tight. That would bother me. Other than that, stellar performance.
-
Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
REK2575
Active Member
So, I currently have both the Ultra and the Eversolo and am going back and forth on which to keep. (In truth, given the Ultra's very competitive price point, keeping both wouldn't break the bank, but I'd rather not own another streamer that's just gathering dust... already have a pair of Bluesound Nodes that I've taken out of circulation.)
There's no question that the A-6 is a much nicer looking and more robustly built piece of equipment. The Ultra feels pretty plastic-y by comparison. The screen on the A-6 is much nicer too. Plus I do like having the XLR analog outs on the A-6.
But I'm impressed at how well the Ultra measures in Amir's review. I also like WiiM's app a lot more than Eversolo's. WiiM's app is excellent, whereas Eversolo's is adequate but not more than that.
In the end, I'll probably stick with the A-6 and recoup my $330 on the Ultra. But they're both pretty excellent options -- I prefer either to the Bluesound Node by a *lot*.
pogo
Major Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2020
- Messages
- 2,751
- Likes
- 1,072
= Bluesound Node Icon
Last edited:
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
Depends on whether you need HDMI and/or Phono input and/or sub out... if your DAC doesn't give you those options and you're starting from scratch, this is a pretty strong contender. IMO an average person building a stereo setup from scratch would need a reason not to buy this unit (or one of the WiiM Amps).
Sure, some room for improvement, but I think it's a pretty solid competitor in the space.
Don't disagree that WiiM Mini + DAC (or just a WiiM mini) should be a default option, but if you need more the Ultra is a pretty good value.
Zwepp
Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2023
- Messages
- 66
- Likes
- 113
No PEQ, No Chromecast support, Screen still too small (5") and the Bluesound products aren't well-known for their great measurements either so far. Let's have Amir test one first.= Bluesound Node Icon
pogo
Major Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2020
- Messages
- 2,751
- Likes
- 1,072
Dirac Live is better than a PEQ. But Dirac Live can also be degraded to a 'PEQ'. That's how I equalize my headphones.
With the ADC and DAC section installed in the Icon, I wouldn't worry about a measurement
I knew what the RME was—-it’s the RPI-4 that I am asking about. Thanks!
Zwepp
Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2023
- Messages
- 66
- Likes
- 113
Like NAD, Bluesound always seems to find a way to mess up a reference design. And although the forecast seems to be good for the Icon, I'll believe it when I see it. And mind you, I've had the Node N130 for a while and was really happy with it, so I have nothing against Bluesound in general or anything. I prefer a good PEQ implementation over Dirac, but that's a personal opinion, so others will likely disagree.Dirac Live is better than a PEQ. But Dirac Live can also be degraded to a 'PEQ'. That's how I equalize my headphones.
With the ADC and DAC section installed in the Icon, I wouldn't worry about a measurement
Audiobliss2
Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2024
- Messages
- 12
- Likes
- 5
Why no test of the other outputs besides the optical and line out.
What about the usb and coax . I am replacing my Pro with the Ultra mainly for the usb and nicer case, I will never use phono, hdmi arc, or sub output. I don't even need it's dac.
Maybe I should just return it and stick with the Pro.
What about the usb and coax . I am replacing my Pro with the Ultra mainly for the usb and nicer case, I will never use phono, hdmi arc, or sub output. I don't even need it's dac.
Maybe I should just return it and stick with the Pro.
I have used three AirPlay setups (gen1 AirPort Express, a consumer Klipsch speaker, KEF LSX II) and all of them have experienced dropouts with otherwise reliable WiFi. So even though I’m an Apple user I don’t miss Airplay.
I’m a little underwhelmed and I don’t know why. I wasn’t going to buy it anyway since I need an amp, don't have a turntable, and already have an HPA.
I read elsewhere that the knob was rough just like Amir's, but that it smoothed out with use over time.
I’m a little underwhelmed and I don’t know why. I wasn’t going to buy it anyway since I need an amp, don't have a turntable, and already have an HPA.
I read elsewhere that the knob was rough just like Amir's, but that it smoothed out with use over time.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #132
That reminds me. It took far more energy than I am comfortable with inserting and taking out my RCA cables. I worry about taking the connectors out with the cable!
OP
- Thread Starter
- #133
As it is, I ran a ton of tests. Either you all need to stop asking me to test Phono, BT, etc. or asking that I test every variation there is.
REK2575
Active Member
There is definitely some talk / concern about this over on the WiiM forum:
RCA ports a bit fragile?
Hi, So my cables are pretty hard to fit and a have to use a little force on the Ultra to get them to stay put. Yesterday I took one of the cables out and could se that one of the ports was draged out just a little, I had to push it back in with my finger. Do you thinks it is alright as long as...
forum.wiimhome.com
I also found inserting/removing cables from the RCA outs difficult and worried that I would damage something...
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2024
- Messages
- 1,146
- Likes
- 1,706
This is really a general Wiim question but it certainly applies to the ultra.
Why are the GEQ/PEQ by source rather than output? It's not that hard to change but I would have preferred it be by output. Source level, sure, but the whole PEQ?
Why are the GEQ/PEQ by source rather than output? It's not that hard to change but I would have preferred it be by output. Source level, sure, but the whole PEQ?
Thanks for the review, Amir. I've had a WiiM Ultra since July 22nd and am extremely pleased with it. The line output from the DAC is excellent -- as good as anything else I've tried. I currently use it for streaming only -- Qobuz, Amazon Music, internet radio and my local collection, and as a preamp to feed my Aiyima A70.
The features I like are: album cover display, included voice remote for volume, pause/play & changing tracks, sub output management (that also applies a high-pass for the main speakers), PEQ & room correction, the WiiM app, and ability to serve as a LMS player.
I've used LMS for some 20 years now but the one negative about it is that my wife has never gotten comfortable using it. The Ultra's ability to integrate with Amazon Music and Alexa has been a game changer for her. The voice remote makes it even easier for her -- you don't even have to say "Alexa" -- just pick up the remote and say "play Mozart" (or get more specific) and it plays. The main stereo is now available to my wife in a way that its never been before. And, with the 12 volt trigger on both the Ultra and A70 amp, one doesn't even have to use a power switch.
And, the Ultra's ability to serve as a LMS endpoint means I can hang on to the things that the Squeezebox system does better, like active management of the queue being played at the moment. WiiM's app has improved on this point since I first tried it but still has a ways to go.
Things that don't bother me are the volume knob -- other than trying it just to see if it works, I haven't touched it once since. The most annoying thing about the volume knob is that it takes multiple complete rotations to go from off to full, but as noted, I don't use it, so no skin off my teeth from a practical standpoint. I haven't tried any of the inputs, line or phono, so can't pass judgement on those, though it is nice to know that I could hook up something without much hassle if the need arose.
The list of things I don't like are minor annoyances at best. For example, while I like the clock display when not playing music, the background constantly changes and many of the background images make it hard to read the clock time. The headphone output is mediocre at best, but I have two other dedicated headphone setups so the Ultra's deficiency in this area is no big deal. And, the EQ presets they offer are pretty worthless, though I can see others being impressed. Finally, if used as a preamp, the lack of any gain above 2 volts may prove inadequate for some power amps, especially with material recorded at a low volume (the CD of Jennifer Warne's "Famous Blue Raincoat" is a classic example.) Fortunately, the A70 I'm using doesn't have this issue.
So, all-in-all, it is a great option for me and the way I listen to music. Fantastic for the price.
The features I like are: album cover display, included voice remote for volume, pause/play & changing tracks, sub output management (that also applies a high-pass for the main speakers), PEQ & room correction, the WiiM app, and ability to serve as a LMS player.
I've used LMS for some 20 years now but the one negative about it is that my wife has never gotten comfortable using it. The Ultra's ability to integrate with Amazon Music and Alexa has been a game changer for her. The voice remote makes it even easier for her -- you don't even have to say "Alexa" -- just pick up the remote and say "play Mozart" (or get more specific) and it plays. The main stereo is now available to my wife in a way that its never been before. And, with the 12 volt trigger on both the Ultra and A70 amp, one doesn't even have to use a power switch.
And, the Ultra's ability to serve as a LMS endpoint means I can hang on to the things that the Squeezebox system does better, like active management of the queue being played at the moment. WiiM's app has improved on this point since I first tried it but still has a ways to go.
Things that don't bother me are the volume knob -- other than trying it just to see if it works, I haven't touched it once since. The most annoying thing about the volume knob is that it takes multiple complete rotations to go from off to full, but as noted, I don't use it, so no skin off my teeth from a practical standpoint. I haven't tried any of the inputs, line or phono, so can't pass judgement on those, though it is nice to know that I could hook up something without much hassle if the need arose.
The list of things I don't like are minor annoyances at best. For example, while I like the clock display when not playing music, the background constantly changes and many of the background images make it hard to read the clock time. The headphone output is mediocre at best, but I have two other dedicated headphone setups so the Ultra's deficiency in this area is no big deal. And, the EQ presets they offer are pretty worthless, though I can see others being impressed. Finally, if used as a preamp, the lack of any gain above 2 volts may prove inadequate for some power amps, especially with material recorded at a low volume (the CD of Jennifer Warne's "Famous Blue Raincoat" is a classic example.) Fortunately, the A70 I'm using doesn't have this issue.
So, all-in-all, it is a great option for me and the way I listen to music. Fantastic for the price.
OP
OP
- Thread Starter
- #139
Ah, forgot to note this as well. It needs acceleration support. In desktop setup, I use the volume control a lot so like it to work well like an analog volume control.
audioaudio
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2023
- Messages
- 11
- Likes
- 8
Thanks @amirm . My Wiim Ultra showed up a few days ago and will be the heart of my planned system.
Tidal > Wiim Ultra > Fosi V3 Mono x 2 > Magnepan 0.7s
The Magnepans arrived a few weeks ago and for testing I was running them through:
Laptop > ifi Uno > Yorkville PX1700 (rented pro audio amp - 2 x 850 watts) > Magnepans
Swapping from the ifi Uno to the Wiim Ultra has been night and day even while still using the Yorkville amp.
Pros:
-Sounds great compared to what I was using
-Streaming Tidal with my phone as a remote
-Wiim Remote for power and volume
-Better DAC (than what I was using)
-EQ
-Room Correction (better than expected)
-Sub out
-Software
-Price
-More that I'm sure I'm forgetting
A lot of people claim smaller Magnepans benefit from a sub. I have an old Sony SA W-2500 subwoofer I plug in sometimes for 2.1 and the Wiim Ultra lets me set crossover and EQ the way I want without changing settings on the subwoofer itself, as it's already configured for my 5.1 AV receiver. I may get a RCA switcher but I may be fine using the Magnepans without a sub. Need more listening over the coming months.
The software has also been a great experience. I've only had this a few days and there have already been a few updates adding features so its good to see continuous improvements are on the way for the foreseeable future. The UI is easy to navigate and it's been a blast to play with. I wish I could use the EQ in landscape instead of forced portrait but that's okay.
I did try eARC for youtube and plex through my Roku powered TV and it was amazing to have the pre-gain volume settings on the Wiim Ultra. My default tv volume output was low so the ability to boost the eARC audio signal on the Wiim was very intersting to see and use. Switching between audio inputs and having them fairly balanced volume wise was a treat.
Cons:
-No XLR
-DAC Digital Filter Types?
-mDNS detection over the network
I wish there was more information on the DAC Digital Filter Types. I have researched this and many people say they can't hear a difference, end of story. It would be nice to have a detailed description of what each actually does.
I use a custom firewall at home where the Wiim Ultra sits on an IoT network. My phone is on a different network and doesn't have any issues seeing IoT devices except for the Wiim Ultra which sometimes takes a few tries. I recently plugged in ethernet to see if that resolves the issue.
All in all, I am entering hifi at an interesting time it seems. My 20 year old Sony system is getting a new sibling with some brand new devices (Wiim Ultra and Fosi V3 Mono's). I'm interested to see where this takes me and if I'll get the urge to upgrade this equipment in the next couple of years to get a better sound from the Magnepans?
Tidal > Wiim Ultra > Fosi V3 Mono x 2 > Magnepan 0.7s
The Magnepans arrived a few weeks ago and for testing I was running them through:
Laptop > ifi Uno > Yorkville PX1700 (rented pro audio amp - 2 x 850 watts) > Magnepans
Swapping from the ifi Uno to the Wiim Ultra has been night and day even while still using the Yorkville amp.
Pros:
-Sounds great compared to what I was using
-Streaming Tidal with my phone as a remote
-Wiim Remote for power and volume
-Better DAC (than what I was using)
-EQ
-Room Correction (better than expected)
-Sub out
-Software
-Price
-More that I'm sure I'm forgetting
A lot of people claim smaller Magnepans benefit from a sub. I have an old Sony SA W-2500 subwoofer I plug in sometimes for 2.1 and the Wiim Ultra lets me set crossover and EQ the way I want without changing settings on the subwoofer itself, as it's already configured for my 5.1 AV receiver. I may get a RCA switcher but I may be fine using the Magnepans without a sub. Need more listening over the coming months.
The software has also been a great experience. I've only had this a few days and there have already been a few updates adding features so its good to see continuous improvements are on the way for the foreseeable future. The UI is easy to navigate and it's been a blast to play with. I wish I could use the EQ in landscape instead of forced portrait but that's okay.
I did try eARC for youtube and plex through my Roku powered TV and it was amazing to have the pre-gain volume settings on the Wiim Ultra. My default tv volume output was low so the ability to boost the eARC audio signal on the Wiim was very intersting to see and use. Switching between audio inputs and having them fairly balanced volume wise was a treat.
Cons:
-No XLR
-DAC Digital Filter Types?
-mDNS detection over the network
I wish there was more information on the DAC Digital Filter Types. I have researched this and many people say they can't hear a difference, end of story. It would be nice to have a detailed description of what each actually does.
I use a custom firewall at home where the Wiim Ultra sits on an IoT network. My phone is on a different network and doesn't have any issues seeing IoT devices except for the Wiim Ultra which sometimes takes a few tries. I recently plugged in ethernet to see if that resolves the issue.
All in all, I am entering hifi at an interesting time it seems. My 20 year old Sony system is getting a new sibling with some brand new devices (Wiim Ultra and Fosi V3 Mono's). I'm interested to see where this takes me and if I'll get the urge to upgrade this equipment in the next couple of years to get a better sound from the Magnepans?
Similar threads
- Poll
