WiiM Ultra

[Emlin]

Including Ultra?

Yes.

 

[courtesy]

Fired up he Ultra this past Friday as my Fosi V3 Monos arrived. The setup is driving a pair of Ascend Acoustics Luna v2's...with an RSL-10e sub in my bedroom. Using it as Roon endpoint and using HDMI Arc from my TV(source is an AppleTV).
I had been using the WiiM Amp, the setup is noticeably different...the DAC, the amps, or both definitely making a difference.

FYI - the amps have the reversed polarity issue, and also run pretty warm.

 

[Alexx]

Solved.

I did a total reset, and in the new procedure I skipped all the configuration of the voice commands and Alexa.

It was Alexa who had taken possession of the device - and it automatically switched to Wifi (it used the Alexa password) because I had not entered the Wiim password in the configuration.

For now everything is ok!
Thanks.

 

[Emlin]

Has anyone any measurements/reviews regarding the headphone amp in this? It never seems to get a mention.

 

[joostdh]

Thoughtful review by Erin: link (youtube)

 

[AdamG]

OK, that enough about DAC’s and cables and other things that might or might not make this DAC sound different. Let’s get back on topic and take the DAC sounds different conversation to a separate thread please.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

 

[AdamG]

A suggestion for those of you excited about all the less expensive “Music Streaming Devices” becoming available. Go create a new thread a name the Thread “Music Streaming Devices Compared Discussion”. Then come back here and drop a new link to this thread. Then you can discuss this stuff all you wish without being off topic in this Specific Device Review Thread. We have already requested that you guys get back on topic a few posts ago. And already the conversation is drifting off topic again. Please do this and take your conversation to a separate thread where we will leave you in peace and you can make your comparisons with others.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Further off topic posting will result in post deletions without further notice. Rather not do that so please see the above recommendation.

On edit: Never mind I already created a thread for you. I will be moving posts in there as well so one of you may end up finding your posts in the new thread (linked below)

Music Streaming Devices Comparison Discussion

Just a quick info: yesterday my WiiM ultra arrived and I integrated it into my setup, replacing a SONOS port. Due to WiiM ultra lacking Airplay I added a WiiM mini for this. My setup now looks like this: Streaming Device: WiiM ultra + WiiM mini for Airplay, The mini is connected using optical...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Joffy1780]

Thoughtful review by Erin: link (youtube)

Great review and zero bull from Erin as usual.
I loved his impression of Andrew Robinson

 

[keywork]

Any one here using HDMI ARC as an input on their Ultra? I finally set everything up this weekend and found that using the HDMI in, I had to go to drastically higher volume levels than expected to reach regular listening levels (50-60+). I tried playing with the pre-gain but it didn't appear to do anything for this specific input.

As a test, I rewired things to use optical between the TV and Ultra and with a bit of pre-gain adjustment, i'm comfortably listening at 30 now. Everything else with the Ultra has been fantastic so far but I can't seem to figure this out.

Device chain for reference: Nvidia Shield --(HDMI)-->Vizio TV --(HDMI/optical)--> Wiim Ultra --(RCA to XLR cables)--> Fosi V3 Monos -> Sierra LX's

 

[Gyosa1]

Any one here using HDMI ARC as an input on their Ultra? I finally set everything up this weekend and found that using the HDMI in, I had to go to drastically higher volume levels than expected to reach regular listening levels (50-60+). I tried playing with the pre-gain but it didn't appear to do anything for this specific input.

As a test, I rewired things to use optical between the TV and Ultra and with a bit of pre-gain adjustment, i'm comfortably listening at 30 now. Everything else with the Ultra has been fantastic so far but I can't seem to figure this out.

Device chain for reference: Nvidia Shield --(HDMI)-->Vizio TV --(HDMI/optical)--> Wiim Ultra --(RCA to XLR cables)--> Fosi V3 Monos -> Sierra LX's

Have you tried adjusting the the TV’s PCM output level ?
It’s buried somewhere in the TV’s menus.

Bk

 

[holbob]

Any one here using HDMI ARC as an input on their Ultra? I finally set everything up this weekend and found that using the HDMI in, I had to go to drastically higher volume levels than expected to reach regular listening levels (50-60+). I tried playing with the pre-gain but it didn't appear to do anything for this specific input.

As a test, I rewired things to use optical between the TV and Ultra and with a bit of pre-gain adjustment, i'm comfortably listening at 30 now. Everything else with the Ultra has been fantastic so far but I can't seem to figure this out.

Device chain for reference: Nvidia Shield --(HDMI)-->Vizio TV --(HDMI/optical)--> Wiim Ultra --(RCA to XLR cables)--> Fosi V3 Monos -> Sierra LX's

I'm using HDMI arc and I have no difference in volume.

 

[Alexx]

I also use the same Wiim Ultra HDMI eArc and no diffrence.

While with the TV's Optical output directly to the amplifier, (not using Wiim) the output is lower (they told me it's normal).
Greetings.

 

[Mort]

I doubt I would hear that difference.

In that setup, I don't think you need the ultra for streaming. Just use the regular pro.

 

[Mort]

Any one here using HDMI ARC as an input on their Ultra? I finally set everything up this weekend and found that using the HDMI in, I had to go to drastically higher volume levels than expected to reach regular listening levels (50-60+). I tried playing with the pre-gain but it didn't appear to do anything for this specific input.

As a test, I rewired things to use optical between the TV and Ultra and with a bit of pre-gain adjustment, i'm comfortably listening at 30 now. Everything else with the Ultra has been fantastic so far but I can't seem to figure this out.

Device chain for reference: Nvidia Shield --(HDMI)-->Vizio TV --(HDMI/optical)--> Wiim Ultra --(RCA to XLR cables)--> Fosi V3 Monos -> Sierra LX's

Not exactly the same but I have a huge level difference between eARC and other inputs including Wiim toslink. The level is somewhat dependent on the TV. Mine is particularly bad.

 

[harkpabst]

Not exactly the same but I have a huge level difference between eARC and other inputs including Wiim toslink. The level is somewhat dependent on the TV. Mine is particularly bad.

The level is exclusively dependent on the TV, I would say.

The WiiM Ultra (like the WiiM Amp) doesn't support eARC, but just ARC.

@keywork, make sure to reset all pre-gain settings in the WiiM Home App and make sure your TV is configured form 2 channel PCM output for best results. No virtual surround settings or such staff, should they be available with your TV.

I myself did not notice any difference in HDMi loudness since the official release firmware. But HDMI has been somewhat lower in volume than e.g. streaming sources from the beginning. That's one of the reasons why I had asked for a pre-gain setting months ago.

 

[Jkdjedi]

Will a separate DAC bypass the sub out on the Wiim Ultra? Not to many dacs with sub out. Wondering if that changes when connected to an external DAC.

 

[Joffy1780]

Will a separate DAC bypass the sub out on the Wiim Ultra? Not to many dacs with sub out. Wondering if that changes when connected to an external DAC.

You can use an external DAC and still use the sub out, yes.
Anything above the crossover goes out to external DAC with any EQ you might have applied and sub out deals with the rest.
Note that this only applies to the optical and coax outputs, the USB out is full range regardless.

 

[Jkdjedi]

You can use an external DAC and still use the sub out, yes.
Anything above the crossover goes out to external DAC with any EQ you might have applied and sub out deals with the rest.
Note that this only applies to the optical and coax outputs, the USB out is full range regardless.

Thanks!

 

[Joffy1780]

Thanks!

No worries

 

[Abdo]

I have a question, maybe I'm talking nonsense. But is an external DAC recommended to work with the WiiM Ultra? If so, what would be recommended? I know the prices can vary a lot. But is there a significant improvement in the sound?