WiiM Ultra

[JaccoW]

How would you set up the WiiM in a setup with a PC over USB and a DAC?

I have a Topping E50 DAC that can play all my local music bit-perfect over ASIO but I would like to be able to use the WiiM as well.

So far I see two options:


So either I do:

1. A: PC > DAC > Streamer > Active Speakers
   • RCA to WiiM
   • RCA to Speakers
2. B: Streamer + PC > DAC > Active Speakers
   • Toslink to DAC
   • RCA to Speakers

One advantage of using the WiiM in the middle is room correction of course but it would mean I have to turn on the device even when I am just watching Youtube.
Phono stage is another question of course. The ones built into the speaker are pretty good for a €500 pair but no idea how the WiiM sounds just yet.

Other devices potentially in the chain are:

• Turntable (Active speakers or WiiM)
• 4K Blu-ray player (Coax or HDMI)
• CD player (Coax or TOSlink)

 

[uofmtiger]

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.

With the Wiim software (though it could change), you can put the Wiim Mini in a separate room and link it to the Ultra in the Wiim app. It will allow you to Airplay to the Mini and share the stream to the Ultra.

Also, depending on how you have the Wiim setup, you may be able to get Airplay from a computer or TV (if your TV is Airplay compatible and are directly connected).

There are a lot of ways to get Airplay to a Wiim Ultra. I have an old AirPort Express connected to the optical input, but I have a few other ways to get Airplay to the Wiim outside of optical.

Chromecast usually won't work as a substitute for Airplay if you want to stream from iOS apps that do not have Casting available (which is most apps). You can cast from Apple Music's web app on a Mac via a Chrome browser, though.

 

[Brian Hall]

Are there any (audible) reasons to prefer the Ultra to the Pro Plus?

I will use it as a “classical” streamer setup: WiiM (Ultra or Pro) controlled by iPhone => RCA output => RCA input active monitors.

I doubt if there any detectable differences in output.

Non audible reasons are HDMI ARC input, phono input, nice screen, rotary volume knob, built in headphone amp.

 

[Miguelón]

I doubt if there any detectable differences in output.

Non audible reasons are HDMI ARC input, phono input, nice screen, rotary volume knob, built in headphone amp.

Reading specs I perhaps add usb output to use an external DAC. Maybe interesting since my DAC has balanced XLR outputs.

 

[Brian Hall]

Reading specs I perhaps add usb output to use an external DAC. Maybe interesting since my DAC has balanced XLR outputs.

I'm using the USB port for an SSD drive with my ripped CD collection.

The Wiim Ultra makes it available as a UPnP source. The one on the right is my Linux music server. I guess I could retire the Linux server.

 

[Miguelón]

I'm using the USB port for an SSD drive with my ripped CD collection.

The Wiim Ultra makes it available as a UPnP source. The one on the right is my Linux music server. I guess I could retire the Linux server.


View attachment 388262

Did you tried the usb as an audio output to a DAC? I red some contradictory comments about this function

 

[Brian Hall]

Did you tried the usb as an audio output to a DAC? I red some contradictory comments about this function

No. No need for an external dac in my setup and it wouldn't improve anything.

 

[terryforsythe]

Did you tried the usb as an audio output to a DAC? I red some contradictory comments about this function

Probably no need for an external DAC. The DAC in the Ultra is pretty good.

I use USB out to a Rasberry Pi for DSP and it is working great. I have had no issues whatsoever.

 

[Miguelón]

Probably no need for an external DAC. The DAC in the Ultra is pretty good.

I use USB out to a Rasberry Pi for DSP and it is working great. I have had no issues whatsoever.

Is not for the DAC itself: my active monitors have balanced XLR inputs, and I don’t want to buy more cables, my actual DAC has also balanced outputs and only usb c digital input.

So my setup can has 2 possible ways:


1- Streamer => RCA to XLR cable => Active monitors.

2- Streamer => usb C cable => DAC => balanced XLR cable => Active monitors.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[Mort]

You are just using the DAC for the rca->XLR conversion. I wouldn't bother unless you wanted other features out of the DAC.

And you would lose the PEQ features of the Wiim in #2

 

[Miguelón]

You are just using the DAC for the rca->XLR conversion. I wouldn't bother unless you wanted other features out of the DAC.

And you would lose the PEQ features of the Wiim in #2

Aha, thanks!

That is I red about, but didn’t remember well! So the PEQ feature doesn’t work with usb c output. I should imagine that the usb c transfers just the file as it is.

Is there no problem concerning RCA to XLR cables? I think not, but I’m not sure. It will be the same RCA to RCA respect to voltage and interferences compared to RCA to XLR?

 

[Joffy1780]

Aha, thanks!

That is I red about, but didn’t remember well! So the PEQ feature doesn’t work with usb c output. I should imagine that the usb c transfers just the file as it is.

Is there no problem concerning RCA to XLR cables? I think not, but I’m not sure. It will be the same RCA to RCA respect to voltage and interferences compared to RCA to XLR?

No, the PEQ works with the USB (A) output. The USB output differs from the coax and optical outputs because it does not apply a high pass filter to the signal if you are using the subwoofer output.

 

[Miguelón]

No, the PEQ works with the USB (A) output. The USB output differs from the coax and optical outputs because it does not apply a high pass filter to the signal if you are using the subwoofer output.

Ok, thanks for the answer!

This solve my issue, I can take benefit of the balanced signal of my DAC and equalize for room compensation at the same time.

I didn’t buy a subwoofer yet, but with high probability I will go to a Genelec one, which has its own 85 Hz crossover so I don’t care about sub output

USB A instead of USB C, sorry

 

[sealpin]

Is not for the DAC itself: my active monitors have balanced XLR inputs, and I don’t want to buy more cables, my actual DAC has also balanced outputs and only usb c digital input.

So my setup can has 2 possible ways:


1- Streamer => RCA to XLR cable => Active monitors.

2- Streamer => usb C cable => DAC => balanced XLR cable => Active monitors.

Any advice? Thanks!

I had the same question using a RME ADI2-DAC fs with XLR out to my active speakers and I chose to keep the RME in the setup.
Comnection to the WiiM ultra is optical digital.

 

[Esprit]

And you would lose the PEQ features of the Wiim in #2

Previously it was written that it also works on USB output.

 

[terryforsythe]

Is not for the DAC itself: my active monitors have balanced XLR inputs, and I don’t want to buy more cables, my actual DAC has also balanced outputs and only usb c digital input.

So my setup can has 2 possible ways:


1- Streamer => RCA to XLR cable => Active monitors.

2- Streamer => usb C cable => DAC => balanced XLR cable => Active monitors.

Any advice? Thanks!

My guess is that it is going to sound the same either way.

First try which setup results in the lowest cash outflow. If it sounds great, then keep it. If it sounds like something is off, then try the other setup.

 

[terryforsythe]

And you would lose the PEQ features of the Wiim in #2

Previously it was written that it also works on USB output.

Esprit is correct.

I am using the USB output on my Wiim Ultra. I just checked and both the graphic EQ and PEQ work.

EDIT: There is one caveat. When I received my Ultra last month I requested an update to the beta firmware with the USB out functionality. I am assuming that firmware has been released by now, but if not it needs to be specifically requested from WiiM. I sent them my MAC address and S/N, and the update with the beta firmware came through to my Ultra in less than two days. Great customer service!

 

[JaccoW]

Well, I just bit the bullet and ordered the newer silver model (as opposed to the original space grey version).

Got myself a Dayton Audio iMM-6S (3.5 mm jack) calibrated microphone for room correction. I would have bought the USB-C version but I didn't care too much. While a miniDSP UMIK-1 would have been even better for €110 and 133dB max SPL, for €27 a "mere" 127 dB max SPL will do for now.

Looking forward to hooking this up to my system!

 

[ATB]

Long time watcher, first time member/poster.

I've had an Ultra for abut a month. It replaced a SMSL AD18 in our living/TV room setup. While The AD18 was okay for the use case of 2.1 audio for general TV watching and background music, I wanted to upgrade so it could also be a somewhat stand-in primary music system as well.

Original Setup
AirportExpress optical to AD18
LG C2 OLED TV analog to AD18 (optical caused numerous audible pops when anything changed)
AppleTV in to LG for all video streaming content. Do not use it for audio streaming due to not wanting an OLED TV on constantly while listing to audio only
AD18 out to Boston Acoustics CR6 (circa 1998)
AD18 line out to Dayton SUB-1200

Current Setup
AirportExpress optical to Ultra
LG C2 OLED HDMI ARC to Ultra
AppleTV in to LG for all video streaming content.
Ultra out to Rotel RBM-1066 bridged to Zaph Audio Seas L18 / Seas 27TBFCG DIY
Ultra line out to Dayton SUB-1200
Ultra Sub x-over set to 70Hz
Initial room correction attempted with significant reduction in some of the auto boosts in bass region

Sounds really good to start. Yes, I changed multiple things at once so can't say its the Ultra digital processing, significantly more power, completely different main channels. Probably mostly the speakers. The Ultra functionality is also rather good. Great being able to control everything video related via the AppleTV remote. I waited to order until most of the HDMI ARC issues appeared to be resolved and so far the ARC functionality with my LG has been fantastic. Ultra is ideal for this. It did take some manual tweaking to get the audio delay sync between TV and Ultra set properly.

A key reason for posting is to explain my Airplay dependent use case, why the Ultra as-is is sufficient, and how it could be better

Why Airplay?
I have an Apple-based ecosystem. Some homepods and airport expresses throughout the house to make synced whole house audio work somewhat easily. I use a MacMini in a media rack in the basement as the hub. I play what I want on the Mini via remote control software and then use Airfoil software to send to any Airplay (and Chromecast) compatible device in my home.

Since the AD18 didn't support Airplay, swapping in the Ultra resulted in no real change in operation. But ideally I want an improvement in ease of use being able to stream directly to the Ultra. Why? The cons:

• Ultra auto on is lacking for HDMI + Optical. It auto senses HDMI great - no matter the prior input before the Ultra went to sleep, it will wake up and change to HDMI. For Optical, if Optical was the last input then it will wake up (usually) with an optical signal. If HDMI was the last input, Ultra has to be woken up manually and switched to Optical input. WiiM support says this is the way it works currently and suggested disconnecting the HDMI cable "when not in use" to make it work. Clearly not an option for a mostly TV audio system.
• Currently near-useless screen for optical input. Does not show (obviously) any track/title info. Shows a distracting random animated spectrum analyzer.
• Extra external device. AirportExpress isn't getting any younger and I'd like to retire it if at all possible. And not have to pay to buy say a WiiM Mini to replace it. Plus there is some oddness with the Ultra once in a while pausing audio from the AirportExpress. Unclear if this is the AirportExpress, Ultra, my network, or other. Although AirportExpress and Ultra are both ethernet connected.

Okay, no Airplay but the Ultra supports Chromecast. Great. But it does not work with Airfoil. I can send audio to the Ultra via Airfoil, the Ultra shows it is receiving Chromecast via Airfoil, but there is no sound. Ultra is using a/the new type of Chromecast named "Google Castlite" per WiiM. I've opened tickets with both Airfoil and WiiM but due to this being a rather tiny use case for both Airfoil and WiiM, I do not expect it to get resolved with any priority unless resolving the Chromeast issues other users are reporting with more popular sources (e.g. PLex) addresses the Airfoil issue.

Happy to answer any questions on Ultra, my use case, or my system!

 

[Joffy1780]

Long time watcher, first time member/poster.

I've had an Ultra for abut a month. It replaced a SMSL AD18 in our living/TV room setup. While The AD18 was okay for the use case of 2.1 audio for general TV watching and background music, I wanted to upgrade so it could also be a somewhat stand-in primary music system as well.

Original Setup
AirportExpress optical to AD18
LG C2 OLED TV analog to AD18 (optical caused numerous audible pops when anything changed)
AppleTV in to LG for all video streaming content. Do not use it for audio streaming due to not wanting an OLED TV on constantly while listing to audio only
AD18 out to Boston Acoustics CR6 (circa 1998)
AD18 line out to Dayton SUB-1200

Current Setup
AirportExpress optical to Ultra
LG C2 OLED HDMI ARC to Ultra
AppleTV in to LG for all video streaming content.
Ultra out to Rotel RBM-1066 bridged to Zaph Audio Seas L18 / Seas 27TBFCG DIY
Ultra line out to Dayton SUB-1200
Ultra Sub x-over set to 70Hz
Initial room correction attempted with significant reduction in some of the auto boosts in bass region

Sounds really good to start. Yes, I changed multiple things at once so can't say its the Ultra digital processing, significantly more power, completely different main channels. Probably mostly the speakers. The Ultra functionality is also rather good. Great being able to control everything video related via the AppleTV remote. I waited to order until most of the HDMI ARC issues appeared to be resolved and so far the ARC functionality with my LG has been fantastic. Ultra is ideal for this. It did take some manual tweaking to get the audio delay sync between TV and Ultra set properly.

A key reason for posting is to explain my Airplay dependent use case, why the Ultra as-is is sufficient, and how it could be better

Why Airplay?
I have an Apple-based ecosystem. Some homepods and airport expresses throughout the house to make synced whole house audio work somewhat easily. I use a MacMini in a media rack in the basement as the hub. I play what I want on the Mini via remote control software and then use Airfoil software to send to any Airplay (and Chromecast) compatible device in my home.

Since the AD18 didn't support Airplay, swapping in the Ultra resulted in no real change in operation. But ideally I want an improvement in ease of use being able to stream directly to the Ultra. Why? The cons:

• Ultra auto on is lacking for HDMI + Optical. It auto senses HDMI great - no matter the prior input before the Ultra went to sleep, it will wake up and change to HDMI. For Optical, if Optical was the last input then it will wake up (usually) with an optical signal. If HDMI was the last input, Ultra has to be woken up manually and switched to Optical input. WiiM support says this is the way it works currently and suggested disconnecting the HDMI cable "when not in use" to make it work. Clearly not an option for a mostly TV audio system.
• Currently near-useless screen for optical input. Does not show (obviously) any track/title info. Shows a distracting random animated spectrum analyzer.
• Extra external device. AirportExpress isn't getting any younger and I'd like to retire it if at all possible. And not have to pay to buy say a WiiM Mini to replace it. Plus there is some oddness with the Ultra once in a while pausing audio from the AirportExpress. Unclear if this is the AirportExpress, Ultra, my network, or other. Although AirportExpress and Ultra are both ethernet connected.

Okay, no Airplay but the Ultra supports Chromecast. Great. But it does not work with Airfoil. I can send audio to the Ultra via Airfoil, the Ultra shows it is receiving Chromecast via Airfoil, but there is no sound. Ultra is using a/the new type of Chromecast named "Google Castlite" per WiiM. I've opened tickets with both Airfoil and WiiM but due to this being a rather tiny use case for both Airfoil and WiiM, I do not expect it to get resolved with any priority unless resolving the Chromeast issues other users are reporting with more popular sources (e.g. PLex) addresses the Airfoil issue.

Happy to answer any questions on Ultra, my use case, or my system!

I bet Wiim resolve it within a week or two, max.