WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[harkpabst]

I get frequent (every few minutes) millisecond skips of TV audio/dialog using HDMI from a recently purchased HiSense TV via earc into my Wiim ultra.

Also make sure the TV is not configured for eARC, since the WiiM Ultra doesn't support it. Make sure it's configured for ARC instead.

A review thread is generally not the best place to ask for help and support. The manufacturer's own forum and the feedback function in the WiiM Home app are more likely to get you going.

No issues here with a 2023 Samsung TV.

 

[artishard116]

I get frequent (every few minutes) millisecond skips of TV audio/dialog using HDMI from a recently purchased HiSense TV via earc into my Wiim ultra. I do not get it from the same TV with my MiniDSP Flex. I even switched out the ultra for a second unit and it's still there. No, I haven't opened a ticket with wiim.

Anyone experienced anything like this with the Ultra? I was kinda hoping it would just go away but it seems persistent.

Are you listening via a digital output of the Wiim? I've been struggling with dropouts as well but they go away when using the dac/analog outs.

 

[Mort]

Are you listening via a digital output of the Wiim? I've been struggling with dropouts as well but they go away when using the dac/analog outs.

Coax yeah. I guess it could be that. It only happens with HDMI input though! Does yours?

 

[Smislov]

Do you use the room correction feature of the WiiM Ultra with your turntable as well?

 

[harkpabst]

Do you use the room correction feature of the WiiM Ultra with your turntable as well?

Whom are you asking? Everybody?

If so, yes I do,.of course. I manually changes the filters a little to better suite the sound of the turntable.

WiiM are currently working on a feature where room correction and EQ are separated. There's a beta firmware available, but it's not yet mature enough to make it pluvlically available. This would be really helpful for me.

 

[somebodyelse]

WiiM are currently working on a feature where room correction and EQ are separated. There's a beta firmware available, but it's not yet mature enough to make it pluvlically available. This would be really helpful for me.

I had assumed that the per-source EQ settings would provide that separation already. Is that not how it works? Tempted by an Ultra but haven't taken the plunge yet.

 

[HakanC]

I get frequent (every few minutes) millisecond skips of TV audio/dialog using HDMI from a recently purchased HiSense TV via earc into my Wiim ultra.

I have no problems at all with my HiSense TV connected to my WiiM Ultra
But I use the optocable supplied by WiiM and use analog out from my Ultra.

 

[obsessive9119]

WiiM are currently working on a feature where room correction and EQ are separated. There's a beta firmware available, but it's not yet mature enough to make it pluvlically available. This would be really helpful for me.

I have no idea why they decided to tie EQ to inputs rather than outputs, hopefully this will correct that?

If I want to switch from speakers to headphones, currently I have to change both the audio output and EQ separately which is annoying. I usually forgot the EQ and end up wondering why everything sounds terrible.

 

[harkpabst]

I had assumed that the per-source EQ settings would provide that separation already. Is that not how it works? Tempted by an Ultra but haven't taken the plunge yet.

The trouble is, even with per-source EQ I cannot have one fixed RC setting and then apply EQ based on different sources (turntable or certain radio stations might benefit from slightly different settings) or mood (gimme some bass now) or time of the day (loudness for night time listening). I always have to take the result.of RC and manually modify it. This is not intuitive or flexible, nor even always possible.

I have no idea why they decided to tie EQ to inputs rather than outputs, hopefully this will correct that?

If I want to switch from speakers to headphones, currently I have to change both the audio output and EQ separately which is annoying. I usually forgot the EQ and end up wondering why everything sounds terrible.

Actually there's nothing wrong with having EQ settings per input. As I said before, analoge sources or certain radio stations may really call for custom EQ.

The core issue is that RC should be separated from general EQ. The headphone is probably the only output that will never need RC (I fully agree). But it might benefit from EQ.

WiiM should take a good look at how Lyngdorf handle this. Their approach is close to perfection.

 

[artishard116]

Coax yeah. I guess it could be that. It only happens with HDMI input though! Does yours?

Yup same situation. I’ve submitted tickets many months ago, not holding my breath for a fix. In the audio settings, try playing with the coax out sample rate and the variable rate toggle. I seem to get them far less since I changed to 24/192 and turned on constant bit rate.

 

[harkpabst]

I seem to get them far less since I changed to 24/192 and turned on constant bit rate.

Indicates to me that your external DAC is the culprit.

 

[Soniclife]

If I want to switch from speakers to headphones, currently I have to change both the audio output and EQ separately which is annoying. I usually forgot the EQ and end up wondering why everything sounds terrible.

Isn't this what the smart presets are designed to do? The can switch input, output and EQ in one click.

 

[obsessive9119]

Isn't this what the smart presets are designed to do? The can switch input, output and EQ in one click.

I didn’t know about smart presets - is this a new thing? Or is it only on the Ultra (I have a mini, pro and pro plus, but no ultra (yet)).

 

[Soniclife]

I didn’t know about smart presets - is this a new thing? Or is it only on the Ultra (I have a mini, pro and pro plus, but no ultra (yet)).

Fairy new, it's on all devices as far as I know.

 

[obsessive9119]

Fairy new, it's on all devices as far as I know.

This is very cool - thanks. When I last looked at presets they was pretty useless to me.

One of the things I love about WiiM is how much they keep improving their products after sale. The recent updates to DLNA and room correction have been great, too.

 

[darth]

Coax yeah. I guess it could be that. It only happens with HDMI input though! Does yours?

Guessing you are sending it to your Genelecs? I avoided coax and just went with USB out, and a USB to AES converter. Not seeing issues, but I am on an LG TV.

 

[Mort]

Guessing you are sending it to your Genelecs? I avoided coax and just went with USB out, and a USB to AES converter. Not seeing issues, but I am on an LG TV.

Actually in this case I'm still analog with the MiniDsp doing DAC duties. The Wiim is just streaming and stereo HDMI.

 

[darth]

Actually in this case I'm still analog with the MiniDsp doing DAC duties. The Wiim is just streaming and stereo HDMI.

Does USB out to minidsp help?

 

[Soniclife]

One of the things I love about WiiM is how much they keep improving their products after sale. The recent updates to DLNA and room correction have been great, too.

They are doing great work, really improving the product the way so many devices have promised to, but so few delivered. Arguably the only area they are weak in is keeping documentation up to date so the users know what they are capable of.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

I wonder if the Wiim room correction is good or bad. I use Magic Beans to EQ my speakers and subwoofers and I apply the speaker EQ on a Wiim Ultra and the LFE EQ on my SVS 3000 micros.