WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[JDPBILI]

Acabo de empezar a hacer streaming con este dispositivo y tengo que decir que cumple con mis más altas expectativas.
No esperaba un sonido tan amplio y resuelto.
Una grata sorpresa. Lo uso con Qubouz.
PD: Empiezo con este mensaje.

Translation by Moderator. Please post in English going forward. Thank you.

“I just started streaming with this device and I have to say that it meets my highest expectations.
I was not expecting such a wide and resolute sound.
A pleasant surprise. I use it with Qubouz.
PS: I start with this message.”

 

[amper42]

And what streamer is that? Certainly not made by Akai as stated on the VU’s!

It's an RME ADI-2 DAC FS being feed by an RPI-4 with a small screen.
@Ralph_Cramden one of ASR's members has built scripts that make it all possible.

 

[kyuu]

Wiim mini for $89 with your favorite DAC connected via optical is the best value proposition and best measurements. Everything else is upsell with no improved audio capability.

Sure, if you already have a good DAC that meets all your needs which you want to keep using. But if not there's no real advantage to getting a separate DAC.

 

[Zwepp]

Thanks for the review @amirm. Many of us (including me) have been eagerly awaiting this review. As expected it's a great streamer with equally great functionality. PEQ and base management stands out, just as the connectivity. The screen is nice for some I guess, but I'd like it to be a whole lot bigger (like the Eversolo DMP-A6 or even bigger). Maybe Wiim could merge the best of the DMP-A6 with the Wiim Ultra, which basically means to add the aforementioned bigger screen, together with XLR outputs. And while they're at it, please make the headphone output and phono stage a bit more than an afterthought. I wouldn't mind paying a premium for that (say $ 899,- to $ 1099,-). And let me dream a bit more... Why not this configuration with a set of Purifi 1ET400a modules built in?

 

[anphex]

At first glance, the spacing of the plugs look VERY tight. That would bother me. Other than that, stellar performance.

 

[REK2575]

The eversolo may be a prettier product with a bigger screen and different inputs/outputs. If you’re enticed by or need those features it would be a good choice.

But the ultra measures better and has room correction for less money. So the value is probably in the Wiim’s favor

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]

which basically means to add the aforementioned bigger screen, together with XLR outputs. And while they're at it, please make the headphone output and phono stage a bit more than an afterthought. I wouldn't mind paying a premium for that (say $ 899,- to $ 1099,-).

= Bluesound Node Icon

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

WiiM , the company, seemingly hits a Home Run for every at bat, when it is "only" a triple, we feel some sort of let down...

Damn you WiiM!

Not perfect, excellent nonetheless (as per their usual).


Perfect

 

[kemmler3D]

Wiim mini for $89 with your favorite DAC connected via optical is the best value proposition and best measurements. Everything else is upsell with no improved audio capability.

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]

= Bluesound Node Icon

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.

 

[pogo]

No PEQ

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

 

[Billy Budapest]

It's an RME ADI-2 DAC FS being feed by an RPI-4 with a small screen.
@Ralph_Cramden one of ASR's members has built scripts that make it all possible.

I knew what the RME was—-it’s the RPI-4 that I am asking about. Thanks!

 

[Zwepp]

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

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.

 

[Audiobliss2]

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.

 

[shuppatsu]

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.

 

[amirm]

At first glance, the spacing of the plugs look VERY tight.

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!

 

[amirm]

Why no test of the other outputs besides the optical and line out.

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.

 

[DEF]

amirm what the heck is with the display?
It looks really glowy and of bad quality.
Is this just your camera or is it a really low-quality part?

 

[REK2575]

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!

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...

 

[Mort]

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?