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WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

Rate this streamer/DAC/Preamp:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 7 1.2%

  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 47 8.3%

  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 204 36.2%

  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 306 54.3%
  • Total voters
    564
Read this again, maybe English is not your first language?

> I would sell everything but the Ultra nothing else is really needed unless you have some connection issues we're not aware of. The Gustards and Aune look to be extra stuff tossed in with no benefit.

Just sell the Gustards and Aune, they are not needed, not useful with the Ultra.

If you have powered speakers then you only need the Ultra, and speaker wires.
 
JustJones said:
Are you connecting the Ultra to your network ?
Is the R26 connected to an amplifier or powered speakers?

Myself? I would sell everything but the Ultra nothing else is really needed unless you have some connection issues we're not aware of. The Gustards and Aune look to be extra stuff tossed in with no benefit.
Click to expand...
Seconded.

Ultra direct to amp active speakers is all you need. Get your money back as much as you can on the other stuff.
 
BC00 said:
The Nines from Klipsch.
Click to expand...
The Nines have toslink in so the Wiim is all you need. The main reason I got the WiiM Ultra is for the PEQ and ability to connect my external drive to the USB. My network storage died so instead of setting up another the ability to use the WiiM Ultra was an extra. If not for that I would have probably just gotten the Pro as I was using the digital out.
 
Last edited:
Good morning.

I purchased a Nuprime Ida 16 integrated amplifier (the last one, discontinued, in a box and with a warranty, worth €1,000).

I need to connect the Wiim Ultra to it, not as a preamplifier, but simply as an audio source.

I connect my phono, CD, and TV to the Wiim, and set the volume output to fixed. Is that OK?

This way, I can use the subwoofer equalizer and audio correction on each connected source.

With the Nuprime, it uses its preamplifier and remote control to raise the volume.

My question is:
What's the best way to connect the Wiim Ultra to the integrated amplifier?

Using an RCA cable (I think Nuprime does digital conversion anyway), a coaxial/optical cable, or a USB cable? (I've never used a USB connection in my life, so I have no idea if it's a good or bad connection.)

Additionally, if I get the Nuprime ST-10, I have some advantages (it's exclusively for final audio).

Thanks so much for your help.
 
@Alexx
my understandig is:
- wiim RCA uses the wiim internal dac and eq. This signal from this port is analog.
- wiim optical, output is digital, but if you use eq/room correction in wiim, the output is not bit perfect anymore. Still uses the wiim internal DAC
- wiim via usb seems to bypass internal DAC. You should get bit perfect stream to your external DAC with this. Usb is really easy, just get a cheap cable

So it all depends on your needs
 
Alexx said:
Good morning.

I purchased a Nuprime Ida 16 integrated amplifier (the last one, discontinued, in a box and with a warranty, worth €1,000).

I need to connect the Wiim Ultra to it, not as a preamplifier, but simply as an audio source.

I connect my phono, CD, and TV to the Wiim, and set the volume output to fixed. Is that OK?

This way, I can use the subwoofer equalizer and audio correction on each connected source.

With the Nuprime, it uses its preamplifier and remote control to raise the volume.

My question is:
What's the best way to connect the Wiim Ultra to the integrated amplifier?

Using an RCA cable (I think Nuprime does digital conversion anyway), a coaxial/optical cable, or a USB cable? (I've never used a USB connection in my life, so I have no idea if it's a good or bad connection.)

Additionally, if I get the Nuprime ST-10, I have some advantages (it's exclusively for final audio).

Thanks so much for your help.
Click to expand...
If the Nuprime digitises the analogue inputs then connect your WiiM digitally to avoid unnecessary conversion/re-conversion. You won't hear the difference but it makes sense.
There's no difference between the digital connections so use whatever you have a cable for. There is a possibility that you'll get ground noise using USB, but that would be immediately obvious. Optical connections don't have ground issues.

Where is your subwoofer connected? If it's the WiiM then you will have to use the WiiM for volume control.
 
Thank you so much for your replies.

You've made me realize there can only be one problem: the subwoofer!

I have to use the Wiim with a fixed volume because I use the volume control on the Nuprime integrated amplifier (the Wiim as a simple source). I can't do otherwise.

I don't know if the Nuprime can function solely as a power amplifier. Using the subwoofer is essential because I also need to reduce the low-frequency output on the small speakers (Monitor Audio Studio 89) and route it to the subwoofer.

Do you have any solutions?

Otherwise, I'll have to get a power amplifier, not an integrated one (for example, the Nuprime ST-10), on sale for €700.

Thanks in advance.
 
Alexx said:
Thank you so much for your replies.

You've made me realize there can only be one problem: the subwoofer!

I have to use the Wiim with a fixed volume because I use the volume control on the Nuprime integrated amplifier (the Wiim as a simple source). I can't do otherwise.

I don't know if the Nuprime can function solely as a power amplifier. Using the subwoofer is essential because I also need to reduce the low-frequency output on the small speakers (Monitor Audio Studio 89) and route it to the subwoofer.

Do you have any solutions?

Otherwise, I'll have to get a power amplifier, not an integrated one (for example, the Nuprime ST-10), on sale for €700.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Others can chime in. I believe you can 'functionally use' your Nuprime amp as a 'power amp' and control the volume from the WiiM Ultra.
 
You're probably right.

I'd like to try downloading the manual online to see if it has a bypass/poweramp function or something similar.

The dealer is closed until September 2nd, and I can't contact them.

Since it's the last one available right now, I bought it online, but it will ship next week.

If there are any problems with this type of use, I can always convert the order to the Nuprime STA-10.

However, I hope you can use the "Ida 16" model.

I'll let you know as I have news. If anyone can find more information, I'd be very grateful for your help.
 
Power Pop 23 said:
Others can chime in. I believe you can 'functionally use' your Nuprime amp as a 'power amp' and control the volume from the WiiM Ultra.
Click to expand...
I have an Ultra with a Vibelink amp and use the Vibelink as a power amp. I simply leave the Vibelink's volume control at 3 o'clock (about 80% of max volume) and control the playback volume with the Ultra's volume control. This has several advantages. First, it allows the Ultra's sub-out connection to be used with the sub's volume now tracking with the overall volume level. Second, it also allows me to use either my phone and the WiiM remote to control the volume so I don't have to walk over to the amp everytime I want to adjust things. You can do the same with the Nuprime -- just set the Nuprime's volume control at or near max and leave it there.

Another option is that some subs will take the input signal from the speaker leads running to the main speakers. Just run a second set of wires from the amp's speaker connections to the sub (if it has that configuration option.)
 
Alexx said:
Thank you so much for your replies.

You've made me realize there can only be one problem: the subwoofer!

I have to use the Wiim with a fixed volume because I use the volume control on the Nuprime integrated amplifier (the Wiim as a simple source). I can't do otherwise.

I don't know if the Nuprime can function solely as a power amplifier. Using the subwoofer is essential because I also need to reduce the low-frequency output on the small speakers (Monitor Audio Studio 89) and route it to the subwoofer.

Do you have any solutions?

Otherwise, I'll have to get a power amplifier, not an integrated one (for example, the Nuprime ST-10), on sale for €700.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Just set the Nuprime volume to max and control volume upstream of it in the WiiM. That's what I do with my amp which is a 'sort of' integrated and has a volume control.
Actually, experiment with listening levels and set your Nuprime to a lower level that is still loud enough. That's a handy safety feature.

Nothing special needed
 
Okay.
A sort of double "preamp," but I think it works without distortion.

You're right about the Vibelink; that's exactly what I'd do without losing any of the Ultra's features.

Am I probably losing the bit perfect? I honestly don't even know what that means -:)

Then I'll let you know what I think.
Thank you very much.
 
Alexx said:
A sort of double "preamp," but I think it works without distortion.
Click to expand...
Don't worry. There's no additional pre-amplification going on in the digital domain, anyway. Even the analog input of the WiiM Ultra is digitized straight away, so there is no additional pre-amp stage, even in this case.

With the IDA 16 in Theater-Mode you're effectively using it as a pure power amp. Personally I'm not sure if it's worth the price but that's a different story.

Alexx said:
Am I probably losing the bit perfect? I honestly don't even know what that means -:)
Click to expand...
A signal can be "bit perfect" only as long as it is in the digital domain. The definition of bit perfect ends as soon as you're behind any DAC. Be it the DAC built into the WiiM Ultra (when using the RCA connection) or the DAC built into the IDA 16 (when using any digital connection).

Apart from that, any use of EQ or room correction puts and end to "bit perfect". For the better.
 
Provide a clean digital input to Wiim Ultra from sources that only have USB output
 
Wahoo, thank you so much everyone!

You explained everything perfectly and taught me things I didn't know.

Thanks also so much for the link to the manual.

I know there are many other solutions out there (see the various DIY builds with NC502MP modules), but I preferred to try this after finding this great deal on the Nuprime Ida 16 for just a little more than the cost of other models.

It should ship on Monday; as soon as I receive it, I'll let you know what I think.

If I have any problems, the website specifies that I have 14 days to return it, which gives me peace of mind to give this a try.

Thanks again for your help!
 
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