WiiM Ultra

[linuxfan]

I was under the impression the analog output of the Chromecast audio was not so great?

Sadly the Chromecast Audio has gained an undeserved reputation in many circles for mediocre audio quality, due to -
i) the use of a Chrome web browser as player application - which does some sample rate mangling
ii) the "Full Dynamic range" setting of the CCA being disabled by default, for analogue output (this setting does not affect the S/PDIF output).
Avoid both of these configuration mistakes and the CCA is a great device, and even with its internal (AK4430-based) DAC it offers stupidly good audio quality.

 

[JSmith]

I was under the impression the analog output of the Chromecast audio was not so great?

Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Analog Performance

This is a follow up to my review and measurements of Google Chromecast Audio's digital performance. As mentioned there, the Chromecast audio is a streaming device with integrated DAC. In the other review, I measured its Toslink digital output for usage with an external DAC. Here, I will be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[Petrushka]

I know nothing, but I read about people using a Wiim Mini for Airplay, with an optical in to the Ultra.

 

[somebodyelse]

I was under the impression the analog output of the Chromecast audio was not so great?

Irrelevant given the OP is using its digital output into a Modi 3+ DAC.

 

[harkpabst]

Very good.

How is this combination sounding to you?

It's powering a mini TQWT with a single full range driver (Dayton Audio RS100-4) augmented by an active subwoofer as a living room system here. Hardly any stress on the V3 Mono, but they run pretty hot even in idle, so I started using the auto on feature. Sound has some really special quality to it, but I can not and will not try to separate the result from the manual room correction I have performed using REW. Luckily, the WiiM Ultra offers a lot of flexibility here.

I didn't find the time to re-do the RC with the new feature of per-channel PEQ.

Haven't purchased either but have been eagerly following both of these products and am curious to hear your impressions of them together.

 

[somebodyelse]

It is to Wiim's advantage to support as many providers as possible. Apple is predatory and wants you to be locked in to using their stuff as much as possible.

I'd say the logical conclusion is that Apple is the problem here and made unreasonable demands/changes to authorize the Wiim Ultra.

For one current example of Apple's goalpost-moving, rent-seeking behaviour:
https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/12/patreon_apple_ios/
They're apparently insisting Patreon change to using Apple's payment processing, from which Apple take a 30% cut.

 

[Xibal]

@VintageFlanker Where are you?Hands' re itching...

 

[harkpabst]

I hope you are not implying that I think it’s Wiims idea. I just said the reasoning has not been clarified. And I said that blaming Apple was unfounded, in the most literal meaning that there is no evidence to support this.

No, rest assured. I took your words for what they are, literally. As the certification process is completely under Apple's control and you can bet on them having an airtight NDA with their licensees (and prospects) it's not very likely that real evidence will ever be provided.

I’d love to know what really happened.

Everybody would. But see above.

I'd say the logical conclusion is that Apple is the problem here and made unreasonable demands/changes to authorize the Wiim Ultra.

Another thing we know for a fact is that WiiM removed the AirPlay casting feature from all their devices, which also isn't to WiiM's advantage at all. It's save to conclude that they have been forced to do so. From there on it's all speculation, but it's well possible that Apple wasn't amused and simply decided to play it hard with WiiM as far as the Ultra certification goes. Little information about the process is known to the public, but here are the four basic steps:

• 3. Certification
  Use Apple’s certification tools to help ensure optimal user experience and interoperability. Submit production-ready samples and packaging materials for review.
• 4. Mass Production
  Upon completion of certification approved by Apple, begin manufacturing and sales.

Source: https://mfi.apple.com/en/how-it-works

It's pretty obvious that WiiM had already started mass production before approval and my guess is that this is how it's often done in practice. Formally they were told not to do that, so if Apple would ever comment on the issue they could stand up and rightfully say it's been WiiM's fault.

Apple has AirPlay in nearly every single streamer on the market including those in most receivers and every other Wiim product.

This product is the odd man out. That sounds more like a Wiim issue to me.

It's not Apple having AirPlay in nearly "every single streamer". It's those streamers having AirPlay because they payed Apple for having it. Including all other WiiM streamers, as you say. So I don't see how you come to that strange conclusion. Let me repeat: The Ultra is technically capable of working as an AirPlay receiver (and probably an AirPlay cast device).

 

[harkpabst]

Review and Measurements of Chromecast Audio Analog Performance

This is a follow up to my review and measurements of Google Chromecast Audio's digital performance. As mentioned there, the Chromecast audio is a streaming device with integrated DAC. In the other review, I measured its Toslink digital output for usage with an external DAC. Here, I will be...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

You don't really believe that the Ultra would contain the hardware of the totally outdated Google Chromecast Audio device, do you?

Subtle hint: It does not.

 

[VintageFlanker]

@VintageFlanker Where are you?

Actually, in vacations in Riga, Latvia.

 

[Xibal]

Actually, in vacations in Riga, Latvia.

Oh, sorry for bothering, i'm actually waiting for your measurements to jump in. Have a nice holiday, pay may omage to Victor von Doom

 

[uofmtiger]

It's not Apple having AirPlay in nearly "every single streamer". It's those streamers having AirPlay because they payed Apple for having it. Including all other WiiM streamers, as you say. So I don't see how you come to that strange conclusion. Let me repeat: The Ultra is technically capable of working as an AirPlay receiver (and probably an AirPlay cast device).

We will disagree on this because, like I said, thousands of products have AirPlay. It isn’t an exclusive club. Wiim Ultra is the odd man out for some reason. If I have 10,000 healthy kids that are able to jump through a hoop and one kid that can’t, I don’t think the hoop is the issue. The reason has something to do with the individual kid.

Apple is quickly becoming a services company. Services takes up a bigger slice of the pie than iPad, wearables and Macs put together. They want their services to be compatible with products and that is obvious why you see so many devices with Airplay. Why this device doesn’t have it is obviously up to speculation, so we will continue to disagree until I hear more actual facts that support your opinion or visa versa.

 

[Jkdjedi]

I'd love to see the next Wiim product come out with a screen across the entire face of it minus the knob ...that would be SICK.

 

[uofmtiger]

I'd love to see the next Wiim product come out with a screen across the entire face of it minus the knob ...that would be SICK.

I would really like the HDMI to put out video whether they increase the screen size or not.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

We will disagree on this because, like I said, thousands of products have AirPlay. It isn’t an exclusive club. Wiim Ultra is the odd man out for some reason. If I have 10,000 healthy kids that are able to jump through a hoop and one kid that can’t, I don’t think the hoop is the issue. The reason has something to do with the individual kid.

Apple is quickly becoming a services company. Services takes up a bigger slice of the pie than iPad, wearables and Macs put together. They want their services to be compatible with products and that is obvious why you see so many devices with Airplay. Why this device doesn’t have it is obviously up to speculation, so we will continue to disagree until I hear more actual facts that support your opinion or visa versa.

I didn’t think AirPlay was all that ubiquitous.

 

[Jkdjedi]

I would really like the HDMI to put out video whether they increase the screen size or not.

To put your album art on the big screen?

 

[Raxumit]

I would really like the HDMI to put out video whether they increase the screen size or not.

To put your album art on the big screen?

I would actually prefer the medium screen - say a 7" - 10" HDMI display sitting next to or near the Wiim. Something that would be always on with the Wiim, something you can read text on from across the room, which I definitely can't with my Ultra, at least not until they add some display options.

Something for Wiim to consider with the Wiim Ultra Plus (with XLRs and a better physical volume knob). We just have to hope they don't engineer such a thing exclusively for the HDTV case, in which case the text might still be unreadable if a 1080p 50" UI is scaled down to 7".

 

[uofmtiger]

I didn’t think AirPlay was all that ubiquitous.

It’s everywhere.

I looked for an all inclusive list, but I couldn’t find one. Here is part of an article from

What is AirPlay 2? How it works, and what speakers and devices support it

Apple's take on wireless multi-room audio lets you easily stream content from iOS devices to AirPlay 2-compatible TVs and products

www.whathifi.com

“Plenty of products outside of the Apple ecosystem support AirPlay 2. In fact, it's one of the most common inclusions for wi-fi, streaming products these days – even more so than Chromecast and, arguably, Bluetooth. So if you're shopping for a new wireless speaker, music streamer, streaming amplifier, AV receiver or networked hi-fi system, or have bought one in the past few years, chances are it supports AirPlay 2.


For example, Sonos, Naim, Bose, Cambridge Audio, Bang & Olufsen, KEF, Devialet, Bowers & Wilkins, Bluesound, Technics, Audio Pro, Denon, Marantz, Yamaha and, unsurprisingly, the Apple-owned Beats all have devices that are compatible with the technology.”

They also have a link to a long list from Apple, but it is not all inclusive. Most of the products I own are not listed. AirPlay 2 is backward compatible with AirPlay 1, so it pulls in products from years ago to today.

To put your album art on the big screen?

yep- would love to have lyrics, but just the album art would work.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Does anyone know if @amirm has, or is getting one of these in for review? Or do we wait in vain?

 

[uofmtiger]

I would actually prefer the medium screen - say a 7" - 10" HDMI display sitting next to or near the Wiim. Something that would be always on with the Wiim, something you can read text on from across the room, which I definitely can't with my Ultra, at least not until they add some display options.

Something for Wiim to consider with the Wiim Ultra Plus (with XLRs and a better physical volume knob). We just have to hope they don't engineer such a thing exclusively for the HDTV case, in which case the text might still be unreadable if a 1080p 50" UI is scaled down to 7".

You need something like a mini computer running wiim app with a monitor or a tablet running Wiim for that feature now. HDMI would better.