WiiM Ultra

[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.

 

[Tenfilip]

I managed to use iLoud mtm microphone with Focsurite interface for calibration on S24Ultra. How much gain for.microphone you'd suggest? Until clipping is visible?

 

[sealpin]

I would stay at least 3dB below clipping, better 5db. No use of running into distortion for measurement purpose.

 

[sealpin]

Using my iPhone 15pro max I have this measurments with my vintage speakers:
Sounds much better and cleaner now.

 

[harkpabst]

I managed to use iLoud mtm microphone with Focsurite interface for calibration on S24Ultra. How much gain for.microphone you'd suggest? Until clipping is visible?

View attachment 388022

Focusrite interface and the mic that came with a pair of IK Multimedia iLoud MTM speakers, I suppose?

Very short answer: By all means, stay away from clipping! As @sealpin said, at least 3 dB, maybe even better 6 dB.

How would that Focusrite interface allow for calibration of the microphone? Honestly, I'd be a little suspicious of that microphone. IK Multimedia might have included a fix calibration (compensating for known anomalies) into their hardware and software products, that isn't available to you when using the WiiM Home App.

Results may be better than with a smartphone's built-in mic, but I don't think it's guaranteed.

 

[Esprit]

the USB out is full range regardless.

If I connect an external DAC via USB all room corrections will not work?

 

[Burnside]

If I connect an external DAC via USB all room corrections will not work?

No, room correction/ peq settings will still be applied.

 

[Miguelón]

I don’t understand why WiiM Ultra is not compatible with Airplay. Is a software question that will be solved on later firmware, a strategy decision?

 

[Joffy1780]

I don’t understand why WiiM Ultra is not compatible with Airplay. Is a software question that will be solved on later firmware, a strategy decision?

It seems Wiim aren't legally able to tell us exactly why, but it will never be available on the Ultra, no.

 

[Joffy1780]

If I connect an external DAC via USB all room corrections will not work?

As @Burnside stated, EQ is still applied, just no bass management.

 

[sealpin]

Get yourself a WiiM mini and connect it using optical out.
This is how I am doing it to overcome the Airplay issue with the Ultra.

 

[Petrushka]

It seems Wiim aren't legally able to tell us exactly why, but it will never be available on the Ultra, no.

So what does AirPlay do that chromecast doesn’t?

 

[Miguelón]

It seems Wiim aren't legally able to tell us exactly why, but it will never be available on the Ultra, no.

Hummm, I’m hesitating between WiiM Pro Plus and Ultra. Is true that I never use Apple Music, do you know if other platforms may be played with the WiiM app independently? For example Qobuz