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WiiM Ultra

My LG OLED E7N outputs 24bit audio via Toslink, but truncated 16bit audio via ARC.
That may be a TV limitation, or a limitation of the ARC device.
From what I can tell, the ARC specification does not specify bit depths higher than 16bit.
I'll have to see if I can track down the docs again. From what I found it allows same sample rates and bit depths as toslink (and maybe spdif) as it's the same signalling protocol over a different electrical interface. However it only mandates base capabilities - the higher sample rates and bit depths depend on capability announcement similar to the video capability exchanges on HDMI. This stops the problem of loud noise when a source blindly sends something the receiver can't cope with.
 
The Ultra does not support eARC, so sould only be able to receive 16bit audio via HDMI.

I'm using the HDMI ARC input now, playing music from my Linux PC and the Ultra display shows 2304kbps | 24bit | 48.0khz.

Signal chain is Linux PC HDMI out -> HDMI kvm switch -> 4k monitor HDMI in. 4k monitor HDMI ARC to Ultra.

Linux PC is playing a ripped CD at 16/44.1. The monitor is probably upscaling everything to 48.
 
I have a pair of aerial 10Ts but I’ve been trying out a pair of BMR Monitors I found a fair deal on used. Now that I have the Ultra hooked up I tested out the room correction using them.

Set the max q to 10, max gain to only 4, and measured a range of 50hz to 4khz. I tried the flat curve first and found the results uninspiring. Different but not better. I switched to Harmon curve next and the results were really good! The bass response was much improved and micro details came more to the front of the presentation. The B&K curve was the one that really shined. There was a bit more bass with the Harmon curve, but it sounded more neutral with b&k. The detail was as good as the Harmon curve but the vocals seemed to become more holographic. Over all it was a much improved sense of realism in the overall presentation to not using the RC at all

Impressed so far. I’m really interested to try with my 10Ts. They’re over all better speakers, but where they play flat down to near 20hz I think the bass linearity could see some nice improvement
 
Sorry for the delay but I wanted to connect it first and listen to it with my own ears...

I didn't find anything wrong, it sounds perfect and for my tastes I also raised the highs a little from the equalizer, I can confirm that it doesn't sound "metallic as I had read".

Can you tell me if Bluetooth can be disabled if it's not needed, I ask for the one in transmission (bidirectional) in transmission can it be disabled if it's not needed, or is it disabled by default until you select the item from the menu?

Thank you very much everyone, you've been very helpful.
 
What does it do, that a laptop (Plus a DAC) cant?

(EDIT : assuming the laptop is not a locked down device belonging to someone else :) )

General answer - a laptop + DAC is a streamer + DAC. The Ultra is a digital streaming pre amp with DAC and EQ/bass management and a sub out.

Now more specifically, these days you can get a PC to do pretty much anything these days, including a lot of the above.

But one of the glories of the Ultra is one box, plug & play.

Getting a PC to do all of the above involves downloading programmes/apps, learning to use them (not always easy) possibly buying extra boxes/soundcards/miniDSP, installing, learning how to use.

You’re going to have to do quite a bit to a PC to turn it into a pre amp with line level, phono and HDMI inputs.

And ultimately, whilst possible, if you wanted to cover all bases on the in and out front, that’s not going to come cheap.

Finally, whilst we’re still waiting for Amir to review and measure the ADC on the WiiM, that’s yet another base that needs covering.

Sorry, did I say finally? Adding facility for both a remote, and control from your phone, that’s not going to be either free or plug and play either.

Hopefully I’ve covered everything.
 
I know.
It just happened for less of a couple hours, hope somebody got it that price.
I was not quick enough. :(
That's a bit suspicious, maybe some faulty unit labeled as reconditioned?It wouldn't be the first time...
 
Imho the launch of the Wiim Ultra on AMZ is too recent to already get some units returned.
It's worth noting that, at same time window, the Eversolo DMP-6 also was priced at just 759 Eur.
 
I'm using the HDMI ARC input now, playing music from my Linux PC and the Ultra display shows 2304kbps | 24bit | 48.0khz.

Signal chain is Linux PC HDMI out -> HDMI kvm switch -> 4k monitor HDMI in. 4k monitor HDMI ARC to Ultra.

Linux PC is playing a ripped CD at 16/44.1. The monitor is probably upscaling everything to 48.

I am also using the HDMI ARC input from my LG TV and my display shows the same. Nvidia Shield to TV and HDMI ARC to WiiM
 
General answer - a laptop + DAC is a streamer + DAC. The Ultra is a digital streaming pre amp with DAC and EQ/bass management and a sub out.

Now more specifically, these days you can get a PC to do pretty much anything these days, including a lot of the above.

But one of the glories of the Ultra is one box, plug & play.

Getting a PC to do all of the above involves downloading programmes/apps, learning to use them (not always easy) possibly buying extra boxes/soundcards/miniDSP, installing, learning how to use.

You’re going to have to do quite a bit to a PC to turn it into a pre amp with line level, phono and HDMI inputs.

And ultimately, whilst possible, if you wanted to cover all bases on the in and out front, that’s not going to come cheap.

Finally, whilst we’re still waiting for Amir to review and measure the ADC on the WiiM, that’s yet another base that needs covering.

Sorry, did I say finally? Adding facility for both a remote, and control from your phone, that’s not going to be either free or plug and play either.

Hopefully I’ve covered everything.
Context is everything.
 
Context is everything.
This. Is a great and lovely device, but for example in my case there is no need for it.
In my living room I have a TV connected to a MiniPC (before a laptop) and I use that for everyting. I mean, browsing in the net, listening or check youtube, mails, and also listening music and watching movies. I don't even use smart features from the TV since I prefer doing it through the computer with a wireless mouse and keyboard.
So I have the computer through a DAC through an amplifier to my speakers and is the center of everything I do when I want to relax or do stuff.
Remote control? No problem, I turn off the TV, the computer is always on 24/7, Tidal and spotify always open, I just open the apps from my phone and control from there. I can easily from other room select track, start, stop, or do whatever I want.
And the mini PC I have bought was cheaper than a Wiim device.

Again... context is everything, probably in a world where my living room won't have a TV, or TV will be in another place, and I just want to stream music, Wiim ultra will be my choice for sure.
Some day (When I dream) I would have in my living room my speakers just for music and a special room for home cinema with another kind of speakers and a projector probably, but meanwhile, the miniPC does everything I want.
 
is there lip sync delay on the hdmi or toslink optical input from tv.
It used to be a problem with Wiim pro.
And does the dsp cause any delay.

Also, Has anyone documented their experience of room correction outside eq.
By this I mean time aligning with the sub.

I have the Wiim pro, and want to connect the sub to the analogue preouts while the stereo mains can go digital to my rme adi 2 dac into active monitors. Will there be time alignment problems with this setup.
I know this isn’t ideal, but I don’t want to have to purchase the Wiim ultra for the sub out to achieve integration.
The in built dac quality of the Wiim pro preouts doesn’t matter with a sub for low frequencies only.
And I have eq on the svs sub 2000 via Bluetooth app.
Sort of like the Minidsp 2x4 hd.

Would this work Since I already have the Wiim pro.
 
is there lip sync delay on the hdmi or toslink optical input from tv.
It used to be a problem with Wiim pro.
And does the dsp cause any delay.

Also, Has anyone documented their experience of room correction outside eq.
By this I mean time aligning with the sub.

I have the Wiim pro, and want to connect the sub to the analogue preouts while the stereo mains can go digital to my rme adi 2 dac into active monitors. Will there be time alignment problems with this setup.
I know this isn’t ideal, but I don’t want to have to purchase the Wiim ultra for the sub out to achieve integration.
The in built dac quality of the Wiim pro preouts doesn’t matter with a sub for low frequencies only.
And I have eq on the svs sub 2000 via Bluetooth app.
Sort of like the Minidsp 2x4 hd.

Would this work Since I already have the Wiim pro.
The subwoofer out has a 0 or 180 degree switch. I have not tried it on the WiiM, but on other systems where I have used it, it has not worked very well. But, it is there to experiment with.

There is Room Correction in the Ultra. I have not used it, but it may be worth a try.

Also, there is a Sync Audio function for syncing the speakers. You may want to investigate that.
 
Other than the WiiM Mini, all of the products share the same CPU (Quad Core A53) and amount of RAM and Flash memory (512MB, 512MB). So other than differences specific to the HDMI processing, that should mean it is reasonable to expect same capabilities across the line.
That's the expectation - there may be differences we don't know about. The ARC (not eARC) is essentially SPDIF/toslink over a different electrical interface, with capabilities exchanged so that the source doesn't send something the receiving end can't handle.
 
I currently have a Google Chromecast Audio (picture attached) connected to a Schiit Modi 3+ DAC. This is connected to a Tandberg 3012. I'm wondering if the Wiim Ultra would be an improvement over what I current have?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
355289-660b6d017167a11520f7d0ae3d9816f2.jpg
 
Out of the box, the WiiM Ultra would not improve sound quality over your current setup.

However, if you make use of some of the Ultra's features like room correction or subwoofer integration, then you can certainly achieve higher quality sound.
 
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