Not (yet?) available on the WiiM Mini nor WiiM Edition Audio Pro speakers.
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WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review
- Thread starter amirm
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obsessive9119
Active Member
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- Feb 25, 2024
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Just checked my Mini - you’re right. Doesn’t bother me because I only use it the optical out, but hopefully they add it at some point.
obsessive9119
Active Member
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Yeah I still can’t believe they for 10 band PEQ working on the mini…
Well that was easy.
The Ultra replaced a streamer/DAC that was $2000 and a preamp that was $3500 when new.
I will run Wiim room correction software soon. I'll keep in touch in this thread, as I discover all the features of this marvelous device.
- Ordered an Ultra on Thursday for $280 with an Amazon USA 'Lightning Special.'
- Ordered a Blue Jeans Cable Y-splitter to hook up my 2 subs to the Ultra's sub-out. Ordered 2 HDMI cables to replace old ones that may not be up to latest specs. Picked-up all today. (Wednesday)
- Plugged my Intel Nuc11i7 into my 75-inch TV via HDMI. Plugged TV HDMI eArc into the Ultra. Plugged Ethernet into the Ultra.
- Ran analog RCA out to my NAD C298 amp. Set the amp's input-switch to unbalanced, after a previous balanced set-up.
- Plugged in the power cable. The Wiim powered up. Downloaded the Wiim Home app onto Android phone and tablet. Ultra did a firmware update. Paired the Ultra remote.
- All devices found each other without much help. Lyrion Music Server, the PC, Spotify Connect, and the TV see the Ultra, and vice versa. I turned off Equalizer APO on the PC for now, to use the Ultra's EQ.
- On the Wiim app, turned on the sub-out, set the XO lowish for now (I have Revel F208 floorstanders, with nice bass). Turned on the equalizer and did a quick adjustment to mimic a previous curve. Set the display to the VU-meter.
- HTPC, Chromecast (HBO Max, Hulu, Disney, Paramount+, etc.), whole-house audio via old Lyrion Music Server devices all worked effortlessly.
The Ultra replaced a streamer/DAC that was $2000 and a preamp that was $3500 when new.
I will run Wiim room correction software soon. I'll keep in touch in this thread, as I discover all the features of this marvelous device.
Schiit SYN!
Looking for best wiring path for integrating these two, using Wiim for the HP-main LP-sub crossover without having to adjust volumes separately. Syn only gets used for HT simulated surround Center & Rear, and headphone amp duty.
Gross understatement, there is no USB input to the Ultra, other than serving files off an external SSD or HDD.
harkpabst
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Yeah. But all the other inputs don't quite have the functionality to accept an external SSD or HDD.
holbob
Senior Member
If you're using the syn's surround sound upmixing processing, then use toslink, because I assume the syn will be converting to digital anyway?
According to Jason the master stereo signal is "untouched" to the front pair where SQ really counts, but he probably means "audibly transparent" rather than literally no conversion?
But then again, if fed via RCA inputs, even the SYN special effects may be all-analog, I've seen no mention of DSP or other electronics aside from within the DAC stage or maybe the HPamp?
Rather than further diverting this review thread, I started a new one
WiiM Ultra integration w/ Schiit SYN, LS50 HP/LP crossover filtering
www.audiosciencereview.com
WiiM Ultra integration w/ Schiit SYN, LS50 HP/LP crossover filtering
WiiM Ultra integration w/ Schiit SYN, LS50 HP/LP crossover filtering
I picked up OG KEF LS50s pretty cheap. I have a pretty big listening space and want to get max SPL from them, within the bounds of SQ and safety. Setting aside power amp issues for now. I plan to use a Wiim Ultra for bass management, both HP filtering to protect the LS50s at high SPLs...
www.audiosciencereview.com
As the Ultra is kind of subsceptible to pick up noise / hum (never had this issue with any other preamplifier I had) I'm in need for either:
- Small USB Dac, powered via usb itself with balanced out (xlr or trs) and preferably fixed volume or physical volume knob
Or maybe
- device (symmetrizer) to convert the rca out of the WIIM Ultra to symmetrical xlr or trs out. Found a HT Switcher which also has the function of an symmetrizer at audiophonics (https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/home...iophonics-hc-trigger-switch-mkii-p-19956.html) but maybe there a better options (It's active and needs separate power supply, which I'd like to avoid)
I tested already as an usb dac my focusrite scarlett solo with trs out, which completely eliminates hum / noise, so it's effective. But I need it for my measurents, so can't use it permanently for that.
Any suggestions?
- Small USB Dac, powered via usb itself with balanced out (xlr or trs) and preferably fixed volume or physical volume knob
Or maybe
- device (symmetrizer) to convert the rca out of the WIIM Ultra to symmetrical xlr or trs out. Found a HT Switcher which also has the function of an symmetrizer at audiophonics (https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/home...iophonics-hc-trigger-switch-mkii-p-19956.html) but maybe there a better options (It's active and needs separate power supply, which I'd like to avoid)
I tested already as an usb dac my focusrite scarlett solo with trs out, which completely eliminates hum / noise, so it's effective. But I need it for my measurents, so can't use it permanently for that.
Any suggestions?
harkpabst
Addicted to Fun and Learning
If it really is the Ultra that picked up hum through any input channel, then this very same hum present on its output cannot be removed by any symmetrizer.
That's what I feared too, as the substraction of hum / noise in the balanced connection wouldn't work, as already in the rca signal, but still wanted to try. But then I skip that and look for a good dac.
If you stream Apple Music, Eversolo is really almost the only good option of the three. If you stream from any other major service, then you would want to consider what else you listen to. If you’re someone listening to vinyl, the Eversolo play and the WiiM Ultra & VibeLink combo have that phono input, which the WiiM Amp Ultra does not. Also, if you’re planning to listen using headphones, the WiiM Amp Ultra and Eversolo Play do not have their own headphone out, whereas the WiiM Ultra & VibeLink combo does. Finally if you still spin CDs, the Eversolo Play has a CD transport built in, whereas neither WiiM does.
Does eversolo have airplay?
Eversolo does not do AirPlay. The streamer itself is Android-based so you can just install the Apple Music app right on it to stream music directly.
Wiim Ultra does not make the best HPamp, especially for higher impedance headphones. But if needed the USB (or other 2 digital) output can drive a separate DAC / HPamp, or RCA to an analog HPamp
carrying the Wiim's PEQ, volume, or any other signal modifications
carrying the Wiim's PEQ, volume, or any other signal modifications
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