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WiiM Ultra

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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...
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JSmith
 
Does the WiiM Ultra accept HDMI ARC in -> SPDIF out, with volume control? Have been looking for a HDMI volume control to digital out for ages... Other suggestions on how to enable TV volume for SPDIF in (MiniDSP SHD) are appreciated!
 
Pasnin said:
Does the WiiM Ultra accept HDMI ARC in -> SPDIF out, with volume control? Have been looking for a HDMI volume control to digital out for ages... Other suggestions on how to enable TV volume for SPDIF in (MiniDSP SHD) are appreciated!
Click to expand...
Yes. It's how I use it.
 
Does anybody use the Ultra with the Topping D70?

I'm curious how that combo looks together.
 
5onderling said:
Please keep it on topic in here guys. No one of you has said anything really extreme and I guess you can fight in you're dm's if you really want to.

I am personally not sure if a USB-C input would widen the audience for that product that much. Sure, I would appreciate it but I'm not sure about the mass market. I can see this being a product people that don't even have a computer buy.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t want to lose any of the inputs (though I currently don’t use the phono input), but I think a USB-C input would be ideal for a desktop setup. I use a Hi Disz DAC and connect to the analog inputs ( via a preamp) and that fills that role. A USB-C could also work for iPhone/iPad users as a way to directly connect them to the Ultra DAC, as well. It would be useful in many setups, not just PCs.

I still bought one, since I already have other stuff to make it work, but it would be a nice addition to Ultra Max or whatever they call it.
 
uofmtiger said:
I wouldn’t want to lose any of the inputs (though I currently don’t use the phono input), but I think a USB-C input would be ideal for a desktop setup. I use a Hi Disz DAC and connect to the analog inputs ( via a preamp) and that fills that role. A USB-C could also work for iPhone/iPad users as a way to directly connect them to the Ultra DAC, as well. It would be useful in many setups, not just PCs.

I still bought one, since I already have other stuff to make it work, but it would be a nice addition to Ultra Max or whatever they call it.
Click to expand...

I demand that unicorns dance and prance on sunny uplands while I view from a thatched cottage with beautiful maidens attending to my every need.

Hear that, Wiim? You have severely let me down!!! All I got was a bloody overspecced streamer with loads of extras for a very reasonable price (even in the UK).

Shame on you!
 
Most of us should have a usb to usb c cable or a small adapter. They’re cheap and work perfectly. While the various industries transition into usb c as a standard I don’t think there’s any reason to be upset with a company for not using usb c
 
Th0805 said:
Most of us should have a usb to usb c cable or a small adapter. They’re cheap and work perfectly. While the various industries transition into usb c as a standard I don’t think there’s any reason to be upset with a company for not using usb c
Click to expand...
?
 
Is your ultra different from the other ultras?
IMG_1355.jpeg
IMG_1358.jpeg
 
Th0805 said:
Most of us should have a usb to usb c cable or a small adapter. They’re cheap and work perfectly. While the various industries transition into usb c as a standard I don’t think there’s any reason to be upset with a company for not using usb c
Click to expand...
I am personally talking about USB access to the DAC. It’s not a huge feature that is at all esoteric. I don’t care if it’s USB or USB-C. I would like to see the next version work with computers, iPads, or iPhones via USB.

Wiim has added a lot of features with each new version, so I think it’s just a matter of time before they add it to a version down the road. No, I am not crying about it. I have DACs laying around, so just go through the analog inputs. iPad to Topping D10, Mac Mini through Hi Dizs DAC, and both go through a preamp along with a Sony radio and a turntable. The RCA input on the Ultra is very useful for my use, so happy they put those in there.
 
uofmtiger said:
I am personally talking about USB access to the DAC. It’s not a huge feature that is at all esoteric. I don’t care if it’s USB or USB-C. I would like to see the next version work with computers, iPads, or iPhones via USB.

Wiim has added a lot of features with each new version, so I think it’s just a matter of time before they add it to a version down the road. No, I am not crying about it. I have DACs laying around, so just go through the analog inputs. iPad to Topping D10, Mac Mini through Hi Dizs DAC, and both go through a preamp along with a Sony radio and a turntable. The RCA input on the Ultra is very useful for my use, so happy they put those in there.
Click to expand...
I get you, but it’s just another feature that would drive up price. When in all reality most streaming options exist within the unit itself, so they probably don’t feel like adding even another $50 to the cost of the unit would worth while for a feature they don’t think would drive enough sales.

Also, if I had to guess I would say that AirPlay and chromcast was their answer to some of that. But they lost out on the AirPlay so that created a problem.

But you’re right. The next version will probably have that feature… and AirPlay lol
 
Th0805 said:
I get you, but it’s just another feature that would drive up price. When in all reality most streaming options exist within the unit itself, so they probably don’t feel like adding even another $50 to the cost of the unit would worth while for a feature they don’t think would drive enough sales.

Also, if I had to guess I would say that AirPlay and chromcast was their answer to some of that. But they lost out on the AirPlay so that created a problem.

But you’re right. The next version will probably have that feature… and AirPlay lol
Click to expand...
I think USB would have been a nice trade off for one of the digital outputs. More people use computers/ipads/iphones/ than need 3 separate digital outputs. That isn’t a typical consumer need at all.

The issue with Airplay2 ( even if it had it) is that it’s lossy (with AirPlay 2 apps like Apple Music). USB input would allow hi res with Apple Music.

As we said, it will be in a future version. Honestly, if the thing got into the over $400 range ( I would pay $50 for USB in, though), I probably would have skipped it, so I am fine with the trade offs. Just seems like USB to DAC would be the one thing that would have made it ideal in a desktop setup.
 
Last edited:
5onderling said:
So today I tried using my old simple coax to aes/ebu cable. Sadly with the same result. Dropouts when directly connected to WiiM and no problems connected to the FiiO K3 that is connected to the WiiM. So, I'll create a thread in the WiiM forum now and then I guess I'll maybe update you on that topic when I made some "final" decision.
Click to expand...
Okay. I returned the WiiM Ultra about a week ago due to the problems. Some other user on the WiiM forum has gotten a response from WiiM support now that states that the WiiM Ultra does not touch the signal with the digital outputs in any way and so the exact signal from the TV gets send to the Genelec's and the problem lies in their DAC or processing or something. Which I can pretty much confirm since I had the same issue when having the speakers basically directly connected to the TV's optical out, just with a optical to coaxial converter. Some more details in the thread on the WiiM forum here: https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/dropouts-on-coaxial-output-with-arc-input.4971/
 
Is there a DAC/streamer that's better than the Ultra at about the same price?
 
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