WiiM Ultra

[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?

 

[Purité Audio]

An external dac will make not the slightest difference unless it is so poor that it will.
Keith

 

[Abdo]

An external dac will make not the slightest difference unless it is so poor that it will.
Keith

Thanks Keith, because today I have the network cable connected directly to the WiiM and from the WiiM comes an RCA cable that is connected directly to the Receiver Amplifier. And I always see some people putting another DAC between the two, and I always wondered if it is worth it, because then we would be eliminating all the work of the Wii Ultra as a DAC, serving only to control the media. Am I wrong?

 

[gwing]

Thanks Keith, because today I have the network cable connected directly to the WiiM and from the WiiM comes an RCA cable that is connected directly to the Receiver Amplifier. And I always see some people putting another DAC between the two, and I always wondered if it is worth it, because then we would be eliminating all the work of the Wii Ultra as a DAC, serving only to control the media. Am I wrong?

Well, putting a DAC in between wouldn't eliminate all the Ultra does, just the DAC part

I'm one of those folks that puts a DAC in between (in my case the pro+) and power amps. I do this not because I think my posh DAC will sound any better but because it gives me a physical volume control, good headphone amp and XLR output rather than RCA, plus some extra inputs which might one day come in handy.

 

[Grotti]

Well, putting a DAC in between wouldn't eliminate all the Ultra does, just the DAC part

I'm one of those folks that puts a DAC in between (in my case the pro+) and power amps. I do this not because I think my posh DAC will sound any better but because it gives me a physical volume control, good headphone amp and XLR output rather than RCA, plus some extra inputs which might one day come in handy.

+1

When it will be available finally at a local dealer in my country*sigh*. I tend to buy locally especially when the price online and at a local store is the same...

 

[Joffy1780]

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?

I can't see how you would improve the sound with an external DAC, to be honest.

 

[keywork]

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.

Thanks for the comments everyone! I can confirm that I tried digging for any PCM output level settings but nada on this TV

And yep, I reset all gains/settings, have the TV set for 2-ch PCM and everything else disabled. It could perhaps be some weird TV behaviour with ARC and fixed volume output? I dunno but i'll keep poking around as i'd love to use a single remote if possible ha.

 

[Abdo]

I can't see how you would improve the sound with an external DAC, to be honest.

Yes, this is my doubt, because if you are going to talk to resellers, they want to sell you a $5,000 DAC, etc., and here in this forum I have learned a lot, mainly not to spend money on things that will not change the sound result at all.

 

[Joffy1780]

Yes, this is my doubt, because if you are going to talk to resellers, they want to sell you a $5,000 DAC, etc., and here in this forum I have learned a lot, mainly not to spend money on things that will not change the sound result at all.

Same here, I have learned a hell of a lot since joining this forum.