WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Ralph_Cramden]

New roadmap includes “Adaptive dynamic loudness using Fletcher-Munson curves to preserve bass and treble at low volumes.”

Thread 'Updated WiiM Ultra and Amp Ultra Roadmaps Are Here'
https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/updated-wiim-ultra-and-amp-ultra-roadmaps-are-here.8935/

 

[Chaos01]

New roadmap includes “Adaptive dynamic loudness using Fletcher-Munson curves to preserve bass and treble at low volumes.”

Thread 'Updated WiiM Ultra and Amp Ultra Roadmaps Are Here'
https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/updated-wiim-ultra-and-amp-ultra-roadmaps-are-here.8935/

Thats sooo cool for Low Level TV listening/watching!!! Thanks for the informations.

 

[Power Pop 23]

'These roadmaps focus on the Ultra and Amp Ultra first. They're our flagship devices with the hardware to support more advanced features.'

Much appreciated.

As a 'flagship device', I wish WiiM would bring better performance to the phono preamp and headphone amp in the WiiM Ultra preamp than was measured by Amir.

 

[Sam Ash]

Love the WiiM Ultra in terms of its overall performance and functionality. I cannot distinctly hear the difference between the DAC settings but have resorted to Minimum Phase Fast Roll-Off as it tends to tame the treble frequencies and reduces the crunch in the highs a bit which I prefer. Although the difference was not readily apparent, I found that I enjoyed listening to music for longer periods.

I Know there is a volume steps setting but it seems to be for the remote control unit only. Is it possible to apply it to the volume via the app? - I need the ability to be able to adjust the volume from within Spotify with accuracy as opposed to preset jumps per button press. Is there a way to have a full phone height volume slider within Spotify for more accurate volume control? or a - and + button that controls the volume in 0.5dB steps?

 

[pat355]

I have an iFi Zen Stream that I've been happy with so far, using Tidal Connect and connected to an external DAC via USB. It's 4 years old now. Would a switch to a Wiim Ultra used as a streaming transport only bring anything more in terms of sound performance or not really?
My question is only related to sound quality and not functionalities/outputs/software. I'm not sure how the tech has evolved during that time - if at all for streamers - hence my question.

 

[somebodyelse]

I have an iFi Zen Stream that I've been happy with so far, using Tidal Connect and connected to an external DAC via USB. It's 4 years old now. Would a switch to a Wiim Ultra used as a streaming transport only bring anything more in terms of sound performance or not really?
My question is only related to sound quality and not functionalities/outputs/software. I'm not sure how the tech has evolved during that time - if at all for streamers - hence my question.

Unlikely - the streaming transport just has to deliver the data intact, and in computer networking terms that's been easy for 20+ years. The changes come in support for new protocols, and new capabilities like EQ and automated room correction. If you don't already have room correction downstream from your streamer that's something that will make a significant difference to sound quality.

 

[pat355]

Unlikely - the streaming transport just has to deliver the data intact, and in computer networking terms that's been easy for years. The changes come in support for new protocols, and new capabilities like EQ and automated room correction. If you don't already have room correction downstream from your streamer that's something that will make a significant difference to sound quality.

Thank you that’s very helpful. I don’t have any room correction yet. Which would the better job in room correction between Wiim Ultra vs an Eversolo DMP-A6 gen 2 ?

 

[somebodyelse]

Which would the better job in room correction between Wiim Ultra vs an Eversolo DMP-A6 gen 2 ?

I can't help you there - no experience of the Eversolo. Wiim's room correction is a moving target as they keep improving it. Maybe @Purité Audio can help? I think they've used both. Also it probably depends whether you're using their app to generate the correction, or something external like REW in which case they'd probably be the same. And if you are using the app you'll want a measurement mic with Android whereas you'll probably be ok with Apple's built in mic - Apple have kept the response of the mics in their products consistent, while on Android there's a lot of variation between makes and models. A Dayton iMM-6 would do, although a USB one like the iMM-6C or MiniDSP UMIC-1 might be better in case the manufacturer has chosen to EQ the headset mic input.

 

[pat355]

I can't help you there - no experience of the Eversolo. Wiim's room correction is a moving target as they keep improving it. Maybe @Purité Audio can help? I think they've used both. Also it probably depends whether you're using their app to generate the correction, or something external like REW in which case they'd probably be the same. And if you are using the app you'll want a measurement mic with Android whereas you'll probably be ok with Apple's built in mic - Apple have kept the response of the mics in their products consistent, while on Android there's a lot of variation between makes and models. A Dayton iMM-6 would do, although a USB one like the iMM-6C or MiniDSP UMIC-1 might be better in case the manufacturer has chosen to EQ the headset mic input.

many thanks indeed!

 

[serhii_o]

I have my. Wiim Ultra connected to my JBL 4329P with Toslink. That's all I need. What speakers are you using?

Could you tell me if the Wiim Ultra provides better sound quality for 4329P when used as a digital transport compared to streaming via Google Cast?

 

[Sharkdrive]

Could you tell me if the Wiim Ultra provides better sound quality for 4329P when used as a digital transport compared to streaming via Google Cast?

I cant speak to the subjective sound quality (my set up is also Ultra to 4329p) I use the Ultra as a preamp, room correction and to enable squeezelite functionality, no issues, sounds great, also have an RSL 10' inch sub in the system directly to the 4329P.

 

[serhii_o]

Я не могу судить о субъективном качестве звука (у меня тоже Ultra и 4329p). Я использую Ultra в качестве предусилителя, для коррекции акустики помещения и для активации функции SqueezeLite, никаких проблем, звучит отлично. Также в системе есть 10-дюймовый сабвуфер RSL, подключенный напрямую к 4329P.

If I understand correctly, you have the Ultra connected to the 4329P via the aux port? Does the double conversion (digital-to-analog-to-digital) negatively affect the sound? Do you hear a difference when listening with the built-in streamer?

 

[Sharkdrive]

If I understand correctly, you have the Ultra connected to the 4329P via the aux port? Does the double conversion (digital-to-analog-to-digital) negatively affect the sound? Do you hear a difference when listening with the built-in streamer?

digital out to the 4329p, no delay or deterioration of sound that i can detect

 

[serhii_o]

Цифровой вывод на 4329p, задержек или ухудшения звука я не обнаружил.

So, the Ultra can control the volume of a 4329p if it's connected via a digital output? For some reason, I thought that was impossible—I have a Samsung S95D TV connected to the JBL, and the volume can only be controlled via the JBL remote.

 

[Sharkdrive]

So, the Ultra can control the volume of a 4329p if it's connected via a digital output? For some reason, I thought that was impossible—I have a Samsung S95D TV connected to the JBL, and the volume can only be controlled via the JBL remote.

I have the Wiim at fixed output and use the JBL remote to control the volume

 

[ATB]

So, the Ultra can control the volume of a 4329p if it's connected via a digital output? For some reason, I thought that was impossible—I have a Samsung S95D TV connected to the JBL, and the volume can only be controlled via the JBL remote.

Yes the Ultra can/does adjust the volume of the digital out. This is how I have mine configured outputting via digital to a Vibelink amp.

 

[jareinertson]

There’s no reason to use an external DAC with the WiiM, unless you have very long cables and need balanced outputs.

WiiM improves DAC section with respect to Pro Plus for using as an all-in-one unit.

Not sure if you can use the term “improved” with regard to the DAC in the Ultra vs. the Pro+. I have the Pro+ and an SMSL RAW MDA with dual ESS chips. I have compared the sound when using the Pro+ analog outs vs. using the Pro+ (using Toslink) SMSL analog outs and am unable to consistently hear a difference or have a preference. They both sound great to me. I’m using Tidal Connect for playback media. I switch between them both every few days and am happy with both.

 

[Miguelón]

Not sure if you can use the term “improved” with regard to the DAC in the Ultra vs. the Pro+. I have the Pro+ and an SMSL RAW MDA with dual ESS chips. I have compared the sound when using the Pro+ analog outs vs. using the Pro+ (using Toslink) SMSL analog outs and am unable to consistently hear a difference or have a preference. They both sound great to me. I’m using Tidal Connect for playback media. I switch between them both every few days and am happy with both.

I was talking just about the numbers, both are transparent.

WiiM has a very useful sub output and another digital input, but more or less is the same things.

What I use the most is the sub output, the screen is too little to me.

 

[jareinertson]

That's actually their entry level
Their top of the line :
View attachment 405206View attachment 405207

A perfect example “more money then sense”.
This is beyond ridiculous…

 

[Miguelón]

A perfect example “more money then sense”.
This is beyond ridiculous…

Never seen this brand (quite logical, is more expensive than my appartement).

I wonder if, each time they sell a unit, the members of the brand get laughing and making jokes about the customer...

Then going dinner to a good restaurant to celebrate the scam.