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WiiM Ultra
- Thread starter MKR
- Start date
Not true. It sounds just like the Pro Plus and the Eversolo DMP-A6. The people saying that are probably mad that it is just as good or better than their overpriced dacs/streamers.
I couldn't tell any difference between the filters. I set it back to the default.
I agree, you need to be very careful with your emotions and appearance. I don't see a problem with paying more for aesthetic reasons, but be aware that you won't play better.
I think the Wiim Ultra looks great in addition to being a great streamer, dac, headphone amp and preamp.
sealpin
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Question: apart from price would you prefer the Eversolo DMP-A8 over WiiM Ultra?
I am struggling which to use in future. My complete cable setup is symmetrical and using the DMP-A8 would avoid a RCA - XLR device (Funk SAM 1C).
rcstevensonaz
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There will be a few technology jumps in the coming years. I know you said "apart from price", but one aspect of price is the ability to more easily jump up to a newer iteration after 2 to 3 turns of the respective product. The drastically lower cost of the WiiM Ultra allows you to much more easily make that next jump in 2 to 4 years since your sunk cost basis will be much lower.
sealpin
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Good point. But to be honest, my setup is quite static. I lived happily with a SONOS Port for years until they screwed the software recently and I now want to switch to another brand.
So both WiiM and Eversolo have far more than I need.
Not sure about upcoming software improvements from either companies, but I guess both will have some kind of SW lifecycle plan. And as long as there are no real flaws which they do not solve, I would be fine with the existing features.
Big advantage of the DMP-A8 is the ability to add a SSD internally which could host all my audio files, so no need of any NAS based settings.
Second advantage are XLR outputs.
Of course I coud add USB harddisk to the WiiM as well as RCA2XLR converter, but this adds physical devices, more cabling and add. power supplies.
So from the pont of reducing complexity my heart goes to DMP-A8 but I do like the WiiM for size and price.
Sorry for beeing offtopic…
So both WiiM and Eversolo have far more than I need.
Not sure about upcoming software improvements from either companies, but I guess both will have some kind of SW lifecycle plan. And as long as there are no real flaws which they do not solve, I would be fine with the existing features.
Big advantage of the DMP-A8 is the ability to add a SSD internally which could host all my audio files, so no need of any NAS based settings.
Second advantage are XLR outputs.
Of course I coud add USB harddisk to the WiiM as well as RCA2XLR converter, but this adds physical devices, more cabling and add. power supplies.
So from the pont of reducing complexity my heart goes to DMP-A8 but I do like the WiiM for size and price.
Sorry for beeing offtopic…
Yorkshire Mouth
Major Contributor
Just to flip the discussion, what more could the Ultra do?
Maybe balanced outs, and better room correction, but I think we’re clutching at straws after that.
Maybe balanced outs, and better room correction, but I think we’re clutching at straws after that.
It’s a big deal for Roon users, LMS users maybe not so much
antcollinet
Grand Contributor
Its' a big deal for any Roon (or want to be) Users. It's Meh for everyone else.
antcollinet
Grand Contributor
Choose for your self, based on the features and functionality. Ignore sound quality which is indistinguishable.
It sounds to me like the balanced output of the DMP is one of those. But if you currently have nither - then you *have* to take price into account. Is the extra cost of the DMP worth it for the features you want. Only you can answer that.
rcstevensonaz
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The next thing may be WiiM adding internal SSD and XLR. Or, the next thing may come from an entirely different company that isn't even on your radar today. Or, this may not even be relevant for you in the first place, since your style is to purchase and then enjoy what you have for years on end.
If both are within your budget, and you have done your due diligence, then often the right answer is to follow your heart since that is your internal voice speaking your preference of the available options for your situation and your approach. And then enjoy it!!! If you later come to think you chose wrong, you can always course correct down the road.
If you're considering the DMP-A8, I'm assuming price isn't your biggest factor.
It also sounds like you'd like a cleaner setup without any extra cables/converters etc, so I'd go for the A8.
The only thing that would hold me back, keeping in mind I've never used either product, is that one review I saw roasted the UI of Eversolo products:
No idea if this guy knows what he's talking about, but it popped up in my feed awhile back and stuck in my head.
In products like these where sound difference is negligible, software and interface becomes a big deal in your day to day enjoyment of the product. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about WiiM's interface.
Other option would be buy the WiiM now, knowing that at some point in the not too distant future, someone, maybe Wiim, will come out with one with balanced outs and maybe a drive bay. How you feel about planned obsolescence is up to you.
It also sounds like you'd like a cleaner setup without any extra cables/converters etc, so I'd go for the A8.
The only thing that would hold me back, keeping in mind I've never used either product, is that one review I saw roasted the UI of Eversolo products:
No idea if this guy knows what he's talking about, but it popped up in my feed awhile back and stuck in my head.
In products like these where sound difference is negligible, software and interface becomes a big deal in your day to day enjoyment of the product. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about WiiM's interface.
Other option would be buy the WiiM now, knowing that at some point in the not too distant future, someone, maybe Wiim, will come out with one with balanced outs and maybe a drive bay. How you feel about planned obsolescence is up to you.
somebodyelse
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On the hardware front:
- Balanced outputs for both main and sub
- Probably phono stage improvements like switchable loading for MM - currently even the input capacitance is unspecified. Arguably a bit niche and better left to an external unit though.
- Separate DSP and volume profiles for different outputs - headphones vs. speakers being the most obvious reason.
- JiveLite-like local control of LMS (I gather you have to use phone app or browser)
- More DSP options for phono input similar to Puffin/Waxwing (can partly be covered by current per-input PEQ but not entirely)
- USB audio inputs for those needing more inputs than natively available - like the USB DAC output they recently added support for.
- Import PEQ settings from AutoEQ and similar sources for headphone/speaker correction
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The DMP-A8 does not add anything I need over the Wiim Ultra. I have a DMP-A6 in my main system and it is great, but it does lack an HDMI input so I'm considering selling it and replacing it with another Wiim Ultra. The DMP-A6 has no advantages over the Ultra unless you insist on XLR which isn't really important. The bigger screen is nice, but the screen on the Ultra is big enough to see what's playing.
If the Ultra didn't exist and the A8 was priced like the A6, I would have considered getting one. The Ultra does exist and I don't think the price of the A8 is justifiable now for what little it adds.
I wish the Ultra had included a coax input and a USB C input instead of a phono input.
Pity the Ultra doesn’t have xlr, perhaps next iteration.
Keith
Keith
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