WiiM Ultra

[Brian Hall]

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.

I actually like the Eversolo app a little better than the Wiim app, but both get the job done.

 

[Abdo]

linear power supply, what do you think for WiiM Ultra and other streamers would it really make a noticeable difference in sound quality?

 

[Purité Audio]

You need to look at each unit’s measurements so for example the Eversolo units will not be improved.
Keith

 

[Brantome]

linear power supply, what do you think for WiiM Ultra and other streamers would it really make a noticeable difference in sound quality?

The Ultra has its own power supply so you can’t use another

 

[uofmtiger]

I wish the Ultra had included a coax input and a USB C input instead of a phono input.

I agree with these two....just more digital inputs (especially, the two you mentioned). Do most people need 3 separate digital outputs? In the same space, I would have rather seen at least a coax in. Obviously, Airplay, which I think they should have waited on prior to release (not sure why they had to rush this to market in June). More analog inputs would be nice, too. A bigger screen. Native Apple Music (though probably not possible on this platform), but Fiio has it on their streamer.

 

[Abdo]

I agree with these two....just more digital inputs (especially, the two you mentioned). Do most people need 3 separate digital outputs? In the same space, I would have rather seen at least a coax in. Obviously, Airplay, which I think they should have waited on prior to release (not sure why they had to rush this to market in June). More analog inputs would be nice, too. A bigger screen. Native Apple Music (though probably not possible on this platform), but Fiio has it on their streamer.

Everyone needs different things. I bought the Ultra precisely because it was the only one I could find with a phono input. At least I didn't find any streamer in the $2,000 range with this input. I believe that an Ultra Plus in the future will come with these ports and a larger size and a larger screen.

 

[uofmtiger]

Everyone needs different things. I bought the Ultra precisely because it was the only one I could find with a phono input. At least I didn't find any streamer in the $2,000 range with this input. I believe that an Ultra Plus in the future will come with these ports and a larger size and a larger screen.

Unlike the post I quoted, I would not get rid of the phono input. I just want the inputs increased. I think a lot more people will use one service (maybe two if they have home server) as their digital audio input and possibly the phono input, so I think these two cover a lot of people. I like having a lot of options, so more inputs are useful.

 

[sealpin]

Thanks for all valuable input.
Price it not a main issue, I got a good bargain from my HiFi dealer which saves a few bucks.

Seems that the XLR out will be the main criteria…knowing that in home use symmetrical is not a game changer, but I my complete setup is all XLR, so why change it.

Second criteria is reduction of number of units and avoid add cabeling.

Phono is not a problem. I connected my turntable to a vintage Technics setup and could connect the Tape out of the Technics PreAmp to an analog input of the DMP-A8 - that should do the trick.
TV runs over SONOS Arc, Sub amd Play:1 and this setup is ok.

Maybe I will get myself a WiiM Ultra additionaly, just to check it’s features and to compare the UI … any you guys said it: sound wise I do not expect to hear any difference (I am 62 … ) but the UI and it‘s ease of use will make the difference.

Not sure if this was already asked: could I connect my Laptop as Audio Source to the WiiM? In that case, I could use the WiiM in my office with my two KH120 (yes, I am a Neumann addictive ).

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I completely understand, and feel for, those for whom the Ultra doesn’t have enough/the right inputs.

This is not a criticism of you.

I think the Ultra has an astonishing number of inputs.

1 - Streaming
2 - Bluetooth
3 - Optical
4 - USB storage
5 - Phono
6 - Line In
7 - HDMI

I can’t think of too many instances where 7 inputs would be seen as ‘a bit lite’.

Obviously, if all the ones you need are not there, that maybe doesn’t help. But anyone who a PC with USB out, or a digital source with coax out, can buy a very cheap converter and use the optical input.

As I say, I’m not criticising anyone’s needs, just adding a bit of perspective.

For the record, I have a shedload of CD rips on my PC, which I previously fed to a DAC using the PC’s USB out. I’m now copying those rips to an external drive, which I’ll plug into the USB input on the Ultra.

 

[Saponetto]

If it could work on DLNA or via WiFi Direct all my boxes would be checked...

 

[p.trianon]

I have the DMP A8 and the Wiim Ultra. There is no difference in sound quality between them. The WiiM has a variable sub out with HPF to the mains which the Eversolo does not. WiiM also has HDMI ARC with CEC. Eversolo has USB in which WiiM does not. The functionality of the apps are the same IMO. WiiM IMO has more functionality at a lower price. If they included USB in it would be perfect.

 

[somebodyelse]

Unlike the post I quoted, I would not get rid of the phono input. I just want the inputs increased. I think a lot more people will use one service (maybe two if they have home server) as their digital audio input and possibly the phono input, so I think these two cover a lot of people. I like having a lot of options, so more inputs are useful.

It's a tricky balance given the combinations of different inputs that people might want, and the cost that they add for people who don't need them. Wiim could make USB-attached input expansion units to stack with the Ultra and control through its interface. It/they could transfer signal over USB, or just be a USB-controlled switching unit feeding the existing inputs.

 

[rgruber]

The Ultra gets a hell of a lot right, it sounds like. Don't have one myself but plan on getting one.

Nice to have would be space for an onboard hardrive or ssd (less clutter), a really good phono stage (digitally enhanced would be fine like the Waxwing comments above) and XLR outs. Add another input or two if need be (not relevant for me but why not).

But these seem like features of an "Ultra Pro" which could retail for around $500 and still be a good deal. Maybe it would be more a full size 19" wide unit with a bigger screen.

 

[Abdo]

I have the DMP A8 and the Wiim Ultra. There is no difference in sound quality between them. The WiiM has a variable sub out with HPF to the mains which the Eversolo does not. WiiM also has HDMI ARC with CEC. Eversolo has USB in which WiiM does not. The functionality of the apps are the same IMO. WiiM IMO has more functionality at a lower price. If they included USB in it would be perfect.

Well, each case is different. The A8 doesn't have a phono, it has a beautiful screen. The final point I think, and since you have both, you can say, is that there is no difference in sound quality. That's already won my day. Because I've been reading a lot about the A8 and I always had doubts about the sound quality. And now you're saying that you don't see any difference. So the WiiM suits me very well and has a phono and costs... simply 6x less.... I think the A8 is beautiful. If it had a phono input, I'd even be tempted to pay for one...

 

[uofmtiger]

I completely understand, and feel for, those for whom the Ultra doesn’t have enough/the right inputs.

This is not a criticism of you.

I think the Ultra has an astonishing number of inputs.

1 - Streaming
2 - Bluetooth
3 - Optical
4 - USB storage
5 - Phono
6 - Line In
7 - HDMI

I can’t think of too many instances where 7 inputs would be seen as ‘a bit lite’.

Obviously, if all the ones you need are not there, that maybe doesn’t help. But anyone who a PC with USB out, or a digital source with coax out, can buy a very cheap converter and use the optical input.

As I say, I’m not criticising anyone’s needs, just adding a bit of perspective.

For the record, I have a shedload of CD rips on my PC, which I previously fed to a DAC using the PC’s USB out. I’m now copying those rips to an external drive, which I’ll plug into the USB input on the Ultra.

The question was what more they could do and I offered an opinion on my own use case. It still had enough that I bought it.

The issue for me is that I have the optical input being tied up with an Airplay device, so if I want to connect a computer digitally, I have to use a switch box on top of an adapter. A USB input is, for me, is the one thing that is noticeably missing (outside of Airplay). That being said, I found workarounds via outboard DACs, preamp, etc. (luckily, I had everything already in the house, so it didn't cost me anything extra to make it compatible with all the stuff in my office)

As I said, for a lot of people, the number of ports in it now are overkill. If I used this as a headphone setup in the living room, I would only need Amazon Music, a pair of headphones, and the Ultra and be perfectly happy.

 

[Saponetto]

Just dropped to 327 Eur on AMZ...

 

[antcollinet]

linear power supply, what do you think for WiiM Ultra and other streamers would it really make a noticeable difference in sound quality?

No.

 

[antcollinet]

Not sure if this was already asked: could I connect my Laptop as Audio Source to the WiiM?

Yes, but why? - surely if your source is a laptop, you don't need a streamer.

Oh, and if you do bear in mind the Wiim doesn't have USB input, so you will need to go in on the optical input. If you don't have optical out on your laptop, then you'd want a USB to optical converter <£$30.

 

[BrooklynNick]

I hear no difference at all between the Ultra and the Pro Plus.

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.

A pentacon (4.4mm) headphone output would be handy. They are becoming very common. Having a low/medium/high gain setting for the headphone output would also be useful. I'm assuming that the headphone output already measures to be transparent, but if not, that would be nice too.

 

[uofmtiger]

Yes, but why? - surely if your source is a laptop, you don't need a streamer.

Oh, and if you do bear in mind the Wiim doesn't have USB input, so you will need to go in on the optical input. If you don't have optical out on your laptop, then you'd want a USB to optical converter <£$30.

This is more than a steamer. A WiiM Mini is more of a streamer, this one has a lot of other use cases.