wiim Ultra vs Node Icon

[tomktom]

i have a Galion T75 amp and a set of taylor acoustic speakers with sb acoustic 7" concentric drivers, and a REL T7 subwoofer.
im looking to buy the wiim ultra or node icon... is there any difference in sound? im 53 and myn hearing is not acute..., lol just wondering the thoughts on this

 

[JustJones]

Measurements of WiiM

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Ultra network streamer, DAC, phono stage and preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $329. Physical attribute are modern and attractive enough. Alas, I can't say the same thing about the graphical interface. Icons seem...

audiosciencereview.com

Node Icon

Bluesound Node Icon Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Bluesound Node Icon Streamer, DAC and Preamplifier (ADC). It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $999. I can't say I am overly impressed by the design as it kind of looks plasticky. There is a nice large display but doesn't support touch...

audiosciencereview.com

There was a couple of hiccups with the Node but doesn't look like anything audible. The WiiM is less expensive and I doubt any difference in how they sound.
I have a WiiM Ultra and I like it. Took a bit to learn to navigate the UI.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @tomktom! Welcome to ASR.

I'd for sure get the Ultra.

WiiM seem to care way more about customer satisfaction, long-term support and optimizing and adding features even years after the release.

WiiM's team of developers appears quick, flexible, no-nonsense and pro consumer.

For example, right now WiiM are working on equal loudness compensation and wireless Dolby surround capabilities for the Amp Pro and Ultra.

Meanwhile, Bluesound products have had obvious bugs affecting signal fidelity for years, and seem more interested in forcing an inferior snake oil oversampling filter onto their customers:

Bluesound Node Icon (Quick User Measurements)

Bluesound Node Icon (Quick User Measurements) I know @amirm has a Node Icon in the queue, and I'll let him run the full suite of tests including the THX AAA headphone amp tests, but here are some quick measurements for everyone. The Node Icon is the flagship of the current Bluesound line-up...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Gyosa1]

I bought a WiiM ultra on Amazon …. 2 months later it went significantly on sale - 30 days past the return window . I emailed WiiM directly and they happily refunded the difference, no questions asked , after Amazon said no .

That may tell you about their customer service.

Bk

 

[Greenman]

WiMM seem to have hit that happy place (for consumers/end users) where they have enough sales and revenue to be able to employ a decent software team to work on bugs and enhancements. I bought a mini (I have no ultra experience) 2 years ago and it had a number of bugs and general connectivity issues, but regular updates of firmware and app has completely solved all these making it now a great and reliable experience.

So unless you already have a particular desire for the blueOS or it has output options that Ultra doesn’t or you really want Dirac then the WiMM is hard to beat.

 

[pogo]

is there any difference in sound?

Yes.
The ICON is the better choice (Dirac Live, MQA QRONO, ...).

 

[staticV3]

Yes.
The ICON is the better choice (Dirac Live, MQA QRONO, ...).

QRONO is a shit show:

Bluesound Node Icon (Quick User Measurements)

Bluesound Node Icon (Quick User Measurements) I know @amirm has a Node Icon in the queue, and I'll let him run the full suite of tests including the THX AAA headphone amp tests, but here are some quick measurements for everyone. The Node Icon is the flagship of the current Bluesound line-up...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Zero added value, consumers pay extra for inferior performance.
Same old marketing/licensing grift from Meridian.

 

[pogo]

Really?: Link

 

[Mort]

Really?: Link

That result may not even be audible. Even if it's not a shit show, it's pretty useless.

I don't know why I'm responding you will continue to promote bluesound on every thread you can. It's as if you are employed by them. It's odd.

 

[deltanine]

I got a node specifically for delivering bit perfect audio from Amazon hd and while it’s not the best os … it’s been great! My wife and I have the blueos app on all our devices and can control it from anywhere. The wiim is also capable of delivering bit perfect Amazon hd audio apparently - see the r/amazonmusic sticky for more details on that if interested.

Only thing I wish my node had was a high pass filter for my stereo speakers since I’m running a sub.

Anyone know if the new node or Wiim offers such a feature?

Node gets a thumbs up from me - it just works!

 

[pogo]

Your Node should also have a high-pass filter. Which Node do you have?

 

[Apesbrain]

There is a difference between the two when it comes to local music files: the Node has a built-in server, while the WiiM requires a DLNA server to be running somewhere on your network, e.g. on a PC or router.

EDIT: Sorry, note correction below. The WiiM Ultra can act as a server for attached USB; the WiiM Mini and Pro/Pro Plus streamers can not.

 

[JustJones]

There is a difference between the two when it comes to local music files: the Node has a built-in server, while the WiiM requires a DLNA server to be running somewhere on your network, e.g. on a PC or router.

I just plug a thumb drive with my Flac files on it into my WiiM Ultra which is the one asked about.

External Storage​

Access personal media library and use it as a media server for other WiiM and DLNA devices,
Support FAT32, NTFS, and EXT4 file systems.

USB Port: For connecting USB storage devices (formatted in FAT32, NTFS, or EXT4)

 

[deltanine]

Your Node should also have a high-pass filter. Which Node do you have?

N130

 

[pogo]

See here: Link
If you activate the Dirac Live option for your N130 (available this summer), this limit will also fall

 

[deltanine]

See here: Link
If you activate the Dirac Live option for your N130 (available this summer), this limit will also fall

Ooooooh NOW it’s getting interesting! Thanks for reminding me I think I saw that announcement recently. Just noticed it’s got a sub out also!!

So if I’m able to activate direc when available I can HP straight into my DAC and sub out to the sub?

Just posting in the amp upgrade thread bout how my power amp, Musical fidelity m1pwr isn’t exactly a powerhouse. Taking speakers out of full range would theoretically lighten the load on that power amp wouldn’t it? Maybe bring it a little closer to its sweet spot?

 

[pogo]

So if I’m able to activate direc when available I can HP straight into my DAC and sub out to the sub?

It is not yet known whether this will be possible for the N130.

 

[ahofer]

WiiM are working on equal loudness compensation

Great news! I hadn’t known.

 

[elmoe420]

I first owned an older generation Node and then switched over to WiiM.

The deciding factor for me was that BluOS based products like the Node don't integrate well with Alexa or natively support LMS (my choice for a local music server).

Make your choice based on device features you want and price. I don't think there will be a perceptible difference in sound quality between the two.

 

[Bfeebabes]

i have a Galion T75 amp and a set of taylor acoustic speakers with sb acoustic 7" concentric drivers, and a REL T7 subwoofer.
im looking to buy the wiim ultra or node icon... is there any difference in sound? im 53 and myn hearing is not acute..., lol just wondering the thoughts on this

Just buy the lovely little wiim. It will integrate your sub really well, you'll be able to tweak the sound through eq or room correction with out a rocket science degree. It will work well from day one and over time will gain new useful features. You'll form an emotional attachment to the brand and an appreciation of why many folks love it based on all of the above. And it's cheaper.