Wiim Ultra vs Wiim Pro + Musical Fidelity M1 Dac with the Aikido Tube pre from Glass Audio

[qguy]

I have the Wiim pro connected to a Musical Fidelity M1 Dac with the Aikido Tube pre from Glass Audio, thinking of replacing these with the Wiim Ultra, is this a good direction?

 

[DVDdoug]

Do you need the functions of a preamp? Does the WiiM have everything you need?

I don't know anything about your preamp but generally a preamp is a "control center" that allows you to select from different inputs and it has volume & tone controls, etc. Also, maybe a phono preamp stage. Some modern preamps have a DAC and s crossover with subwoofer output. It's basically a receiver without a tuner or power amp, or an integrated amp without the power amp...

IMO- Tubes are silly. This is 2025, not 1955.

 

[kemmler3D]

I have the Wiim pro connected to a Musical Fidelity M1 Dac with the Aikido Tube pre from Glass Audio, thinking of replacing these with the Wiim Ultra, is this a good direction?

What do you need from the WiiM Ultra that you are not getting from the current setup?

If everything is working right and sounds good to you, I would keep what you have.

I think the WiiM Ultra will have slightly lower noise and distortion than your current setup. But nothing that would really change the listening experience, since the M1 already has good performance, such that noise and distortion should already be inaudible.

 

[qguy]

My pre-amp has one input and a volume control. Source selection is handled by the M1 Dac

Goal is simpler setup, I like the sound signature of my current setup, but has three small boxes, the Wiim Ultra will be a one box solution with a few modern features like subwoofer control