WiiM Ultra

[Yorkshire Mouth]

For me, it's definitely the inclusion of PEQ and the whole sub/bass management side if things.

You can't get that anywhere else for even remotely the same price, and ease of use. I'm guessing price-wise, what's the next best thing going to cost? £500? £1,000?

Look at mini-dsp. That's not a consumer-friendly piece of hi-fi kit, that's something you have to use in conjunction with a PC, for starters.

 

[Romario]

For me, it's definitely the inclusion of PEQ and the whole sub/bass management side if things.

You can't get that anywhere else for even remotely the same price, and ease of use. I'm guessing price-wise, what's the next best thing going to cost? £500? £1,000?

Marantz NR1510, Marantz cinema 70 to name a few

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Marantz NR1510, Marantz cinema 70 to name a few

No screen, bulky, heavy, wasteful, unsuitable for desktop use, both DAC and amp stage are not the best.

I think perhaps I might have added the caveat that any suggestions need to be transparent to the source.

I have one, by the way.

 

[Romario]

No screen, bulky, heavy, wasteful, unsuitable for desktop use, both DAC and amp stage are not the best.

I think perhaps I might have added the caveat that any suggestions need to be transparent to the source.

I have one, by the way.

That's fair. I thought it was about the features only, my bad.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

That's fair. I thought it was about the features only, my bad.

No, not at all - a fair point, well made.

 

[monkey4054]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how this compares to the SMSL DP5 SE?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how this compares to the SMSL DP5 SE?

SMSL DP5 Music Streamer and DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DP5 music streaming player and DAC. It was kindly sent to me by shenzhenaudio. The DP5 costs US $599.99. The DP5 sports a very nice, high resolution display: Alas, I am not a fan of the rotary control. It has sharp edges and generally...

audiosciencereview.com

Aside from the negatives in the review, there’s no sub out, bass management or PEQ.

There are balanced outs, though.

 

[monkey4054]

SMSL DP5 Music Streamer and DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SMSL DP5 music streaming player and DAC. It was kindly sent to me by shenzhenaudio. The DP5 costs US $599.99. The DP5 sports a very nice, high resolution display: Alas, I am not a fan of the rotary control. It has sharp edges and generally...

audiosciencereview.com

Aside from the negatives in the review, there’s no sub out, bass management or PEQ.

There are balanced outs, though.

Thanks. Any concerns about using the Ultra straight into a power amp? Any benefit or would it be safer to use an additional passive/analogue pre-amp in between? I'm worried about the digital volume resetting to 0 or something and blowing my speakers, ear drums, or both.

 

[staticV3]

Thanks. Any concerns about using the Ultra straight into a power amp? Any benefit or would it be safer to use an additional passive/analogue pre-amp in between? I'm worried about the digital volume resetting to 0 or something and blowing my speakers, ear drums, or both.

Haven't heard a single report of that with the Ultra, though you could double-ckeck on the WiiM Forum.

For now, I'd assume safe to use.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks. Any concerns about using the Ultra straight into a power amp? Any benefit or would it be safer to use an additional passive/analogue pre-amp in between? I'm worried about the digital volume resetting to 0 or something and blowing my speakers, ear drums, or both.

If still worried - an alternative to an analogue volume control would be a pair of fixed passive attenuators, selected such that the output at 0dB on the wiim is just a little louder than the maximum you might want to listen to. Or alternatively - the maximum safe level for your ears/speakers.

 

[monkey4054]

If still worried - an alternative to an analogue volume control would be a pair of fixed passive attenuators, selected such that the output at 0dB on the wiim is just a little louder than the maximum you might want to listen to. Or alternatively - the maximum safe level for your ears/speakers.

How would you do this in practice? The passive attenuators. Is this like the Schiit Sys? Thanks.

 

[antcollinet]

How would you do this in practice? The passive attenuators. Is this like the Schiit Sys? Thanks.

No, something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stageline-21-2840-Passive-Level-Attenuator/dp/B0057G44WM

Alternatively, if you can solder and calculate resistor networks, you could build a resistor U pad into an XLR connector, or make an in line attenuator heatshrinked into an RCA Cable.

 

[Owis]

Or just set a volume limit in the WiiM app

 

[monkey4054]

Thanks all, good options. Shouldn't be a problem it seems.

 

[ivanj]

Just seems like USB to DAC would be the one thing that would have made it ideal in a desktop setup.

Perhaps I don't understand. From ethernet wire in, my WiiM Ultra streams/transmits via USB into my Benchmark Media DAC 3B.

(Cute new form factors in old ' impress your guest equipment' racks, or maybe because of shrinking housing size....)

 

[uofmtiger]

Perhaps I don't understand. From ethernet wire in, my WiiM Ultra streams/transmits via USB into my Benchmark Media DAC 3B

USB in from a computer so the Ultra’s DAC can be used without work arounds….

 

[monkey4054]

USB in from a computer so the Ultra’s DAC can be used without work arounds….

That's the only advantage I see to something like the new and more expensive Bluesound Node Icon (USB in). The only way I see to do PC > Ultra is either a separate DDC (Matrix X-SPDIF or Topping U90 etc.) or some janky USB to optical converter/cable. Unless I'm missing something?

 

[uofmtiger]

That's the only advantage I see to something like the new and more expensive Bluesound Node Icon (USB in). The only way I see to do PC > Ultra is either a separate DDC (Matrix X-SPDIF or Topping U90 etc.) or some janky USB to optical converter/cable. Unless I'm missing something?

I am going PC - DAC - preamp - ultra (RCA inputs). I have an iPad connected the same way. A direct USB input would be ideal, but this sounds good and it allows me some flexibility, so I am still enjoying it.

 

[monkey4054]

I am going PC - DAC - preamp - ultra (RCA inputs). I have an iPad connected the same way. A direct USB input would be ideal, but this sounds good and it allows me some flexibility, so I am still enjoying it.

Interesting, what are you using the Ultra for in this configuration? Are you controlling volume with the Ultra? Could you instead go DAC > Ultra and skip the preamp? Are you using the preamp to change between multiple outputs?

 

[uofmtiger]

Interesting, what are you using the Ultra for in this configuration? Are you controlling volume with the Ultra? Could you instead go DAC > Ultra and skip the preamp? Are you using the preamp to change between multiple outputs?

Yes, I also have the iPad (via a Topping D10 DAC) and a Sony HD Radio go through the preamp. The preamp also has a phono input that I am using ( rather than the input of the Ultra).

The preamp has a splitter feeding my receiver directly and it also feeds the Ultra for EQ or when I want to use headphones or go through my Little Dot tube amp. I wanted the option to keep everything in the analog domain or send it through the Ultra’s DAC.