WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[jareinertson]

I just ordered a DSPeaker Anti-Mode X2D, so soon I need not worry about any of these issues with WiiM’s room correction methodology.

-Ed

Hopefully you can share your experience with the DSspeaker product. It might be what I have been looking for to place in a balanced connection between my Levinson pre-amp and poweramp.

 

[JustJones]

Hopefully you can share your experience with the DSspeaker product. It might be what I have been looking for to place in a balanced connection between my Levinson pre-amp and poweramp.

Well, you're asking (deleted member 72219) for his or her experiences?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Hopefully you can share your experience with the DSspeaker product. It might be what I have been looking for to place in a balanced connection between my Levinson pre-amp and poweramp.

You’re probably better off with something like a miniDSP, which does DIRAC Live correction. You should also consider putting it before the preamp using digital input from one of WiiM Ultra’s numerous digital outputs so that you’re not putting your signal through a double-conversion (ADC->DSP->DAC).

 

[jareinertson]

Humm, microwave ovens have other danger inside…

View attachment 420586

My hand after treacherous attack of a cream of vegetables heated in the MW oven…

Ouch! Beware the Vegetables!

 

[Mort]

You’re probably better off with something like a miniDSP,

Yeah Either a Flex Digital or SHD studio have digital outs.

(Regular Flex (rca or balanced) do not.)

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Yeah Either a Flex Digital or SHD studio have digital outs.

(Regular Flex (rca or balanced) do not.)

Correct, in case an external DAC is desired. All models have digital inputs.

 

[jareinertson]

I’ve also found the ultra when doing a separate L/r correction to be far better using flat,it audibly distorts my rh speaker using harman,on the other hand the pro when doing it in stereo was better using harman,what a great device both are tho.

I agree. My L/R speaker environments are significantly different. L in a corner, R with no wall behind. The Wiim L/R room correction made significantly different corrections for each, resulting in what think is a good sounding stereo presentation.

 

[jareinertson]

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

So VERY, VERY true.

 

[jareinertson]

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...

You could use an Eve Play connected via Toslink or Coax to the Ultra to get Apple Music lossless.

 

[jareinertson]

Well, you're asking (deleted member 72219) for his or her experiences?

Yup. I should have noticed that..,

 

[jareinertson]

You’re probably better off with something like a miniDSP, which does DIRAC Live correction. You should also consider putting it before the preamp using digital input from one of WiiM Ultra’s numerous digital outputs so that you’re not putting your signal through a double-conversion (ADC->DSP->DAC).

Thanks for the feedback. I have a “legacy” analog system of Mark Levinson equipment. The preamp is connected to a CD player and a cassette deck. I want to retain this connectivity and the use of the preamp as the control center hence the desire to insert the room correction device after the preamp.

 

[jareinertson]

Arylic LP10 looks like a great way to add lossless AirPlay 2 to Wiim products missing that, via its TOSlink or analog output

although a fair bit of duplicated features, e.g. LAN or WiFi streaming from NAS, USB stick, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect directly

web control don't need the app

it isn't expensive, maybe iFruit aficionados just carry it to use wherever needed?

Arylic LP10 AirPlay 2 and Google Cast Streamer

https://www.arylic.com/products/lp10-music-streamer Looks like a great way to add lossless AirPlay 2 to Wiim products missing that although a fair bit of duplicated features, e.g. DAC, LAN or WiFi streaming from NAS, USB stick, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect directly it isn't expensive...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Also worth considering is the Eve Play which adds Airplay connectivity and lossless Apple Music capability.

 

[jareinertson]

What’s the best workaround for Apple Music lossless.
Also, which device is cheapest to add airplay lossless to the toslink input of the wiim ultra.

I also want to know whether settings are lost if the Wiim ultra shuts down all of a sudden due to power failure.
Is it worthwhile connecting my Wiim ultra to an ups power supply.
I don’t think there will be sonic benefits to the automatic voltage regulator, as the Wiim circuitary should in theory provide stability.

Eve Play

 

[Owis]

Since when is Airplay 2 Lossless?

 

[gasolin75]

can it be used between pre out and main in + what ever out on the streamer that match what you have on your amp, either analog or digital ?

like an audiolab 6000a (both versions)

and you can use it with all sources you connect to the amp

 

[jareinertson]

Since when is Airplay 2 Lossless?

When using the Eve Play (or Apple TV 4K) it provides Apple Music “connect” functionality similar to Tidal Connect thus is capable of CD level digital performance, 16/44.1. This connect capability gets around the AirPlay 2 limitations imposed by Apple. I suspect this is because Eve implemented (and licensed?) Apples allowed method to receive lossless music like the iOS devices are able to receive.

 

[gasolin75]

Didn't know the phono in was that noisy (low sinad 65db), is it still possible to use it just to play music like from youtube, not critally listening like listening to a cd or tidal,roon or another lossless streaming service

 

[Mort]

Didn't know the phono in was that noisy (low sinad 65db), is it still possible to use it just to play music like from youtube, not critally listening like listening to a cd or tidal,roon or another lossless streaming service

I think you want to use Line In for that. Phono input will be messy.

 

[gasolin75]

I think you want to use Line In for that. Phono input will be messy.

Why ? That's not a line in for a turntable and where do i connect my cd player ?

 

[JeremyFife]

Why ? That's not a line in for a turntable and where do i connect my cd player ?

The phono input has an additional pre-amp stage to lift a weak TT signal up to Line-In, plus RIAA filtering of course, you can't use it as a Line-In ... apologies if I missed what you meant