WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Deleted member 72219]

If I can get the Ultra for close to about the same price as Wiim Pro Plus, should I get the Ultra over the Pro Plus?

The only thing the Pro Plus has that the Ultra does not is Apple AirPlay support. If you don't need AirPlay, given you can get the Ultra for barely more money than the Pro Plus, you absolutely should.

-Ed

 

[honn]

The only thing the Pro Plus has that the Ultra does not is Apple AirPlay support. If you don't need AirPlay, given you can get the Ultra for barely more money than the Pro Plus, you absolutely should.

-Ed

I thought I need AirPlay thinking that it’d be at least lossless 16/44.1 kHz streaming, but most airplay would be downsampled to 256 kbps AAC… except when used from Plexamp and Qobuz app. There doesn’t seem to be an easy way with Apple Music from Apple devices…

 

[Deleted member 72219]

I thought I need AirPlay thinking that it’d be at least lossless 16/44.1 kHz streaming, but most airplay would be downsampled to 256 kbps AAC… except when used from Plexamp and Qobuz app. There doesn’t seem to be an easy way with Apple Music from Apple devices…

If you have an Apple TV, attach it to the TV via HDMI, then attach the TV's ARC output to the WiiM Ultra. This will let you get lossless Apple Music from the WiiM system.

-Ed

 

[honn]

If you have an Apple TV, attach it to the TV via HDMI, then attach the TV's ARC output to the WiiM Ultra. This will let you get lossless Apple Music from the WiiM system.

-Ed

Yeah, no I don't have Apple TV. It's just unbelievable how Apple makes it that difficult for people to enjoy their lossless offering lol

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Yeah, no I don't have Apple TV. It's just unbelievable how Apple makes it that difficult for people to enjoy their lossless offering lol

Another option is to attach a DDC like an SMSL PO100 Pro to the USB output of an iPad or a modern iPhone w/USB-C, then optical from the PO100 Pro to the WiiM Ultra's optical input.

-Ed

 

[honn]

Another option is to attach a DDC like an SMSL PO100 Pro to the USB output of an iPad or a modern iPhone w/USB-C, then optical from the PO100 Pro to the WiiM Ultra's optical input.

-Ed

I just gave up Apple Music for now and use Qobuz and my own FLAC library.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

I just gave up Apple Music for now and use Qobuz and my own FLAC library.

Same. My dad and I both used Soundiiz to convert to Qobuz. Extremely happy with it.

-Ed

 

[stormobile]

I just gave up Apple Music for now and use Qobuz and my own FLAC library.

I am trying the same but it just doesn't work for me. I find Qobuz hard to use on the go with headphones and the CarPlay integration is terrible, I am also annoyed by the latency of Qobuz on Ultra - switching tracks takes 3-4 seconds for me. I am thinking of going Eversolo to get Apple Music support...

 

[mlsstl]

I am trying the same but it just doesn't work for me. I find Qobuz hard to use on the go with headphones and the CarPlay integration is terrible, I am also annoyed by the latency of Qobuz on Ultra - switching tracks takes 3-4 seconds for me. I am thinking of going Eversolo to get Apple Music support...

Interesting -- I also have an Ultra and use Qobuz as my streaming service. Zero delay when selecting music to play. Sounds more like an internet service provider issue than anything to do with the Ultra.

 

[stormobile]

Interesting -- I also have an Ultra and use Qobuz as my streaming service. Zero delay when selecting music to play. Sounds more like an internet service provider issue than anything to do with the Ultra.

This is not a defining factor. I wouldn't like Qobuz experience outside streamer even if it was snappy

 

[mlsstl]

This is not a defining factor. I wouldn't like Qobuz experience outside streamer even if it was snappy

Apologies for misunderstanding -- I thought the delayed start of playback was an issue for you. Was just trying to point out that since I also have both an Ultra and Qobuz and have no playback start issues, that the issue must lie somewhere else. But, sounds like you just don't like Qobuz. Fortunately, there are plenty of other streaming options for you!

 

[Pritaudio]

Is there any way someone without expensive equipment can check the noise distortion and balance of the stereo output on the Wiim ultra.
I have read of a few people who have claimed this.

I am not sure I have this problem too. But do suspect.
Should I just send it for repair without proof?

 

[Otac0n89]

Hello there,
I have another question regarding the Line Out Vrms Settings. My Signal Chain is the following:

- Wiim Ultra -> RCA Line Out -> Project-Audio DS2 Amp Box -> Polk ES60 Speaker

The Data Sheet of the Project Power Amp says Input Sensitivity is 550mv (4 Ohm, 100Watt). In the Wiim App I have different Vrms Setting possibilities. What is the correct one for the Power Amp ? 200, 500 or 800 mVrms ?

Sorry for my bad english

 

[fbirch]

Got the WiiM Ultra, and interfaced it to my AVR via analog out/RCA. My AVR is a 2009 Sony 2400ES. Initial impressions are that sound quality is good. I have a USB thumb drive loaded with my CD collection also connected to the WiiM. A few questions:

1. My AVR has a software-adjustable crossover for the subwoofer/mains, which I’m using with a 70 Hz setting. Wouldn’t that imply the AVR is re-digitizing the analog inputs in order to implement any such SW-adjustable crossover function? If so, it means there is an extra ADC/DAC conversion cycle happening in there using 2009 hardware.
2. If so, wouldn’t it be better to feed the AVR with digital out (e.g., optical) from the WU? The AVR would still have to apply its own 2009 DAC to the final output signal, but it would eliminate one DAC (in the WU) and one ADC (in the AVR). I realize I could just use the WU’s own subwoofer crossover to drive the sub directly, but if my AVR is digitizing its analog inputs as a routine practice, that doesn’t get rid of the extra conversions in the AVR for the signal being sent to the main speakers.
3. My AVR can handle a maximum of 24/96KHz for digital audio input. If I set the WU to send 24/96 to the AVR via optical, what precautions do I need to observe to avoid digital clipping when I later apply room correction? Should the pre gain be set to some negative value? There is no option to set pre gains for USB in the WiiM app.
4. The WU app is good overall, but I’ve had some issues navigating my USB music library. When I select “USB” as the input source in the “Audio Input” menu, it then shows me a screen where I can select songs by Artitst, Album, etc. If I select “Artist” it shows me all the songs by a given artist. If I choose one, it plays no problem. But if I then try to page back to the search by Artist screen, it sends me back all the way at the top level. I then have to select “Audio Input”, then “USB” as an input source and back down to search by Artist again. Is there any way to page back from a given song to the search by Artist/Album/Etc. menu, without going all the way back to the top?

 

[testp]

Got the WiiM Ultra, and interfaced it to my AVR via analog out/RCA. My AVR is a 2009 Sony 2400ES. Initial impressions are that sound quality is good. I have a USB thumb drive loaded with my CD collection also connected to the WiiM. A few questions:

1. My AVR has a software-adjustable crossover for the subwoofer/mains, which I’m using with a 70 Hz setting. Wouldn’t that imply the AVR is re-digitizing the analog inputs in order to implement any such SW-adjustable crossover function? If so, it means there is an extra ADC/DAC conversion cycle happening in there using 2009 hardware.
2. If so, wouldn’t it be better to feed the AVR with digital out (e.g., optical) from the WU? The AVR would still have to apply its own 2009 DAC to the final output signal, but it would eliminate one DAC (in the WU) and one ADC (in the AVR). I realize I could just use the WU’s own subwoofer crossover to drive the sub directly, but if my AVR is digitizing its analog inputs as a routine practice, that doesn’t get rid of the extra conversions in the AVR for the signal being sent to the main speakers.
3. My AVR can handle a maximum of 24/96KHz for digital audio input. If I set the WU to send 24/96 to the AVR via optical, what precautions do I need to observe to avoid digital clipping when I later apply room correction? Should the pre gain be set to some negative value? There is no option to set pre gains for USB in the WiiM app.
4. The WU app is good overall, but I’ve had some issues navigating my USB music library. When I select “USB” as the input source in the “Audio Input” menu, it then shows me a screen where I can select songs by Artitst, Album, etc. If I select “Artist” it shows me all the songs by a given artist. If I choose one, it plays no problem. But if I then try to page back to the search by Artist screen, it sends me back all the way at the top level. I then have to select “Audio Input”, then “USB” as an input source and back down to search by Artist again. Is there any way to page back from a given song to the search by Artist/Album/Etc. menu, without going all the way back to the top?

1. yes, very likely
2. try both, but wiim ultra sub directly looks better -> but avr sub off then
3. look some posts up, i asked the same question
4. unfortunately can't help

 

[antcollinet]

Is there any way someone without expensive equipment can check the noise distortion and balance of the stereo output on the Wiim ultra.
I have read of a few people who have claimed this.

who have claimed what?

I am not sure I have this problem too. But do suspect.

Not sure what problem you mean - but if you think you have a poorly performing ultra, that is pretty unlikely.

What makes you suspect?

Should I just send it for repair without proof?

No, you'll just waste everyones time. No-one can fix something that isn't broken.

 

[antcollinet]

The Data Sheet of the Project Power Amp says Input Sensitivity is 550mv (4 Ohm, 100Watt). In the Wiim App I have different Vrms Setting possibilities. What is the correct one for the Power Amp ? 200, 500 or 800 mVrms ?

If you want to be able to drive the amp to full power then you'll need 800mV setting.

Sorry for my bad english

Your English is fine.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[antcollinet]

My AVR has a software-adjustable crossover for the subwoofer/mains, which I’m using with a 70 Hz setting. Wouldn’t that imply the AVR is re-digitizing the analog inputs in order to implement any such SW-adjustable crossover function? If so, it means there is an extra ADC/DAC conversion cycle happening in there using 2009 hardware.

Yes

If so, wouldn’t it be better to feed the AVR with digital out (e.g., optical) from the WU? The AVR would still have to apply its own 2009 DAC to the final output signal, but it would eliminate one DAC (in the WU) and one ADC (in the AVR). I realize I could just use the WU’s own subwoofer crossover to drive the sub directly, but if my AVR is digitizing its analog inputs as a routine practice, that doesn’t get rid of the extra conversions in the AVR for the signal being sent to the main speakers.

I would connect digitally from the ultra to the AVR.

My AVR can handle a maximum of 24/96KHz for digital audio input. If I set the WU to send 24/96 to the AVR via optical, what precautions do I need to observe to avoid digital clipping when I later apply room correction? Should the pre gain be set to some negative value? There is no option to set pre gains for USB in the WiiM app.

In theory yes. But it depends where you are doing the room correction AVR or Ultra, and if you are allowing the filters to generate positive peaks or not.

Plus I've never knowingly heard the results of digital clipping with room correction. I tend to dial in -3dB just as a precaution, but this is less than most would suggest.

Last point - no idea.

 

[fbirch]

Thanks for the replies. USB as a music source within the Ultra doesn't have quite the same functionality as the other inputs. There is no front panel option to select USB, only thru the app, and there is no pre-gain option for USB, unlike the other inputs. It's still a great little device with so much capability for such a small price. It's also great to see that WiiM is constantly updating it. I plan to migrate away from the AVR to a new amp at some point soon, but figured I'd play around with the Ultra on the old setup for a bit.

 

[JeremyFife]

Is there any way someone without expensive equipment can check the noise distortion and balance of the stereo output on the Wiim ultra.
I have read of a few people who have claimed this.

I am not sure I have this problem too. But do suspect.
Should I just send it for repair without proof?

Certainly not: do not send anything for repair when all you want is free measurements ... that's just wasting people's time.

If you go looking for a problem, you tend to find one - that's confirmation bias.

What makes you think you have distortion and channel imbalance? Can you describe it?
There are good listening tests for distortion, give this a try;

Distortion Listening Test

Ran into this interesting listening test by Klippel with regards to how much distortion you can hear. This is the link: http://www.klippel.de/listeningtest/lt/ Just casually wanting to see the test, I went with the defaults and for some reason, the levels were exceptionally low. I had to set...

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