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For me the reason to buy this thing. My left ear is not as good as my right ear so I was able correct this in a subtle way. The rest of the family aren’t critical listeners anyway so they don’t notice the asymmetry:-)
A Wiim Ultra, a pair of Fosi V3 monos and some Elac DBR62s and you've got a world of music on a system that punches way above it's pricetag. We've really never had it so good.
Thanks Erin. Finally some useful information on practical application of features. My main interest in the Ultra is the room correction, bass management high & low filters for crossover, and the eq functionality. 👍🏼🎶😎
I haven't tested too much beyond setting the crossover frequency, but it saves automatically. After you take your finger off the slider the crossover frequency is changed. Made a world of difference for my D3V's.
I just bought the WiiM Ultra last week and it greatly improves my SVS Prime Wireless and I like the Separate Sub out because I like the crossover lower than 80hz. I also like having the ARC. It's a really good product. The music streaming through Amazon Hi Res is good. Way better than going through the DTS Play Fi app or my tvs app.
Erin thanks for the review. lol about the chocolate sound description. Stereo equipment has become like wine when I was in California. It’s a playful little wine with notes of vanilla and almonds and hints of licorice. Appreciate you just share how it sounds and measures. Rock on!
Thank you for your review Erin, I like your straight to the point style. Furthermore I didn't feel like your trying to sell it to me. I have not dipped my toe into streaming although I run a turntable as well as a CD play. Im trying to work out which way to without breaking the budget. The Ultra seems to be a great plug and play option, but I was considering a Wiim Pro Plus instead but with a Fiio K11 R2R Dac as the screen isn't that important for the better SQ. But I haven't come across anyone that's tested the ultra against others except Eversolo or Blunode products.
Even the cheapest chi-fi now posts the kind of numbers that many manufacturers could only dream of 15 years ago. I remember buying a Behringer DAC/amp from a store that sold pro audio and muso gear (guitar amps etc) and it was atrocious. I'm not just talking poor compared to better gear - it sounded like the music was being piped through a tin can. I know Darko and others have said it, but we really are living in the golden age of affordable audio.
i added the WIIM ULTRA to my kef ls50(orginal),i use the internal DAC from the ultra...And i use the sub out on the ultra(crossover at 52hz) and also let the mainspeakers output bass in the app.. Its a match made in heaven.. It sounds better then most expensive setups i had..
Strongly agree it would be awesome if we could have a bit of overlap on the LP/HP sub out settings. I’ve also found that using this as a pre-amp going directly into my power amp (IOTAVX PA40) that I much prefer the sound using Line Level Out @ 1 Vrms. I don’t know if this is distortion related or just because my amp has so much headroom for my speakers (BR03s). Great review and I personally love my WiiM Ultra.
I’ll buy one of these eventually, and I’ll be sure to use your affiliate link! I got a second pair of primus 363s for 50$ used and they measure just as flat as the brand new pair I bought a month ago. My home theater AND wallet are super happy. Thanks dude!
Or you could buy a WiiM Mini and feed it into the Ultra. LOL. There's always a way if people really want to do something. But I'm not sure I understand the appeal of Airplay 2. It defaults to lossy .aac at 320Kbps. Not even as good as LDAC Bluetooth. Is it just a "convenience feature" for those with iPhones?
@@rosswarren436 "Is it just a "convenience feature" for those with iPhones" 100% this. Between that, and the easiest multi-room audio with mixed devices, Airplay 2 is indispensable. I'll be using a WiiM Mini to add it to the ultra for the occasional multi-room alone.
@@michaelmcglynn968 I'm still trying to understand the logic of why the cheap WiiM Mini has Airplay 2 but the WiiM Ultra doesn't. It isn't a big deal to me either way since I use an Android phone, but it is curiously omitted.
@@rosswarren436 It sounds like WiiM fully intended to include it but something went wrong in the certification process with Apple, so rather than delay the release of the Ultra significantly, they chose to release without it.
have you tried watching a movie through it? I have/had the Wiim amp, and had some crazy synchronicity issues. This might have been my tv, but i couldn't get the voices to match up with the video. My tv settings allowed some delay in one direction, but not an advance (??) in the other. anyway, it worked fine for basic 2 channel music, just didn't do double duty as a soundbar replacement. (not why i bought it, but thought it would be a perk).
I'm currently running my home theatre/Hi-Fi off a PC with Equalizer APO, because I couldn't find any affordable pre-amps/processors with a full suite of PEQ. I thought this could have been the answer, but it seems there's no 3rd PEQ for a sub, nor delay setting? Still it's great to see a company take steps toward offering a full correction suite in a hi-fi/HT product at an affordable price, it's silly how much you have to pay to get one, when a cheap PC can do it (or even some soundbars and subwoofers, but only for themselves)
Thank you Erin for your extremely useful and enjoyable content - you are one of my favorite reviewers. Now that I've finished sucking up, lol, I have a ECC82 Tube Stereo Preamplifier Based On CARY-SLP90 Preamp Circuit (Aliexpress fake but amazingly high quality) and an AMXEKR 1:1 Replica Accuphase E-405 Class A and B 300W High-power Amplifier (Aliexpress fake but amazingly high quality) driving LS50 Metas with a powered sub and am wondering if I can use this WiiM Ultra by connecting it to my ECC82 - would that work? Reason I ask is because the WiiM is a preamp and it will be fed into another preamp so will that work or would I have to change a setting in the Wiim to make it work? And, do you think the synergy between all of these above listed components would be excellent? Or, should I consider any other possible more costly and capable alternative/s to the Wiim? Having room correction, including bass management, is a must.
Thanks for the review! I actually didn't know it didn't have airplay. It would be really simple to use this as a DAC for your computer. There are plenty of cheap USB sound cards with optical out.
Thanks for very informative review. I would like to hear why you disliked the room correction and would love to see a video showing your technique and gear required to do it yourself.
Really all you would need is the free RoomEQ Wizard (REW) software and a decent $100-$200 USB measurement mic (miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 with a Calibration File, for example).
Always love your reviews, keep on the great and objective job! People follow you exactly for that! I know that it should be hard not to fall for the grace and $ of some gear manufacturers for some "pushed up" reviews. I felt that in some other reviewers... congrats for continuing being real!
100th comment =) Im happy you don't fluff in your review style. It's very welcomed and preferred. Wiim has been doing a great job .. I wonder if their success will mean maybe bringing a higher tier? ... Do you think they have any need to offer something in a higher tier for any reason?
Those harmonics of 60 Hz might indicate a floating ground somewhere. Make sure the QA402 is directly grounded to the WiiM Ultra and both are grounded back to an outlet. Another thing to check would be whatever device is powering the QA402. User "swordfish" had a similar problem with 50 Hz harmonics (must not be in the US) in a thread titled "QA402 limit of frequency response testing". He found a USB hub he was using was responsible for his excessive noise. Do you see those 60 Hz harmonics with the input for the QA402 shorted?
Would really appreciate a written review on the website. I can't really follow or compare these kinds of dac/streamer devices without reading. Thanks for your review erin!
Interesting that you used $1500 mono block amplifiers. Are you saying that there are benefits, beyond being able to drive them louder, to more expensive power amps? Why would you use them over the Aiyima or Fosi Audio?
@@c0mbat15 Erin wanted to own and use amplifiers that were BOTH impedance load agnostic AND which had plenty of power on tap in order to power and drive any potential pair of loudspeakers that he might get in for review. The March Audio amps accomplish both, in addition to measuring well, being well-built, receive heaps of positive subjective reviews, and are from a reputable company with excellent after-sales support.
I just bought one today. My main reason for buying it is to wake me up in the morning (hopefully it works fine as an alarm) and the streaming and PEQ features. I’m hoping the EQ is pre-digital output…not a big deal if it isn’t though. Wouldn’t make sense for it not to be. I will probably sent the audio out multiple outputs at the same time, so I hope it supports that and different EQ’s on different outputs.
Erin new subscriber my friend. Keep up the great fair honest reviews. If you ever get a chance try to get ahold of some JBL S3100 baby Everest speakers to review and some Dali oberon 9. They went on sale almost everywhere.
@@FlorentinDan-bc1yv Do you select "USB Output" in the WiiM's setting menu? This is obviously important for many potential buyers, so if this WiiM does in fact have this functionality, @ErinsAudioCorner should "Pin" a "Revision Comment" stating such in the comments section and Video Description. Thanks for testing this. 👍
@ErinsAudioCorner I'm considering picking one of these up in the near future (using your affiliate links, of course) to pair with the Kali Audio IN-8v2 active monitors I'm using in my casual listening bedroom setup. Seems like the combination would make for a decently performing "HiFi on a budget" system. In addition, quite a few commenters here that own the WiiM Ultra are saying that it can be set to use the USB connection to feed digital audio to an outboard USB DAC, so you may want to re-confirm and post an addendum as a pinned comment + statement in the video description.
I am sorry, I am even later to this party than you, Just considering picking up one, Can I control the Wiim Amp Utlra remotely by my phone anywhere in my house?
the Ultra isn't an Amp for your info. it is a DAC/Preamp/DSP Hub and yes they have an app you can use to control everything of the WIim's Software Home System
Good afternoon ☕️🥓 Already running the Wiim Pro into a Denafrips DAC …and it’s good …now the question can the streaming be better on this unit ..or save my money for something better …Orchard or Rose 🤔 Have a great day.
I need some advice. I purchased this unit two days ago and just got it all hooked up to my Marantz 2245 Integrated amp ( I’m old school ). I’m running a pair of Elacs DB3. BK. and a Subwoofer. Should I be using the phono input on the Wiim via or the Marantz. Should I be connecting my CD player to the Wiim via optical or the Marantz via RCA’s? What’s the advantage of connecting all of these through the Wiim, if I’m using the analog RCA’s to the amp? Also, if I connect my sub to the sub out on the Wiim, it won’t work if my turntable and CD player are connected straight to the amp. Thanks for any input.
Hi Erin Thanks for the review I just got my Ultra Bfo that I was using a $10 Dac from Amazon Optical TV out to Optical Amazon Dac In RCA analog out from dac to preamp driving a pair of KRK powered monitors. I pretty quite like what I heard I wanted a better DAC than a $10 so I got the Ultra Omg The difference in quality is barely 10-15% better than the Amazon Dac which also has a higher gain out The Ultra sounds a bit cleaner but the output even though is 2v , it’s still very low Pretty disappointed between two DACs One unheard of but sounds good The other with great reviews but low output comparatively Am I doing anything wrong ( my vol output is max at 60 on the ultra as I run the gain stage also on the preamp yet I find it low compared to the cheap DAC Any suggestions Thanks in advance
Hi Love that you and your channel has grown as a content curator .I have been debating on getting a stand alone streamer instead of using my tv or computer.* Have a ok DACs .In not sure it would make mutch defence .what's your take on it .
Icon will start shipping in November. You'll have to wait a few months. It will make mincemeat out of the Ultra. It is aimed at Eversolo and Cambridge.
Nice review, thanks a lot for that 🤘 However, I got thinking about the part where you do "Room Correction" EQ to the bass, on each individual speaker. Is that really better than doing it based on both speakers at the same time? I mean, the frequency response in the listening position will be different when both speakers are playing, as the modes are excited by both speakers. Wouldn't it be better to correct the bass based on the summed result, rather than individually because when we listen to music, it is both speakers that are playing?
@lindholdt7550 This is most likely why Erin prefers to measure and apply appropriate corrections manually. You can measure both the individual and combined response and see what is going on. And when you understand that when both speakers are playing it will result in +6db of combined/overall gain, you can more easily estimate what your individual EQ adjustments to each speaker will result in. All that you would really need to accurately measure is the free RoomEQ Wizard software (REW) and a decent $100-$200 USB measurement mic (miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 with a Calibration File, for example).
@@bbfoto7248 Thank you for your reply. I have an Unik and use REW. My point is, that room mores are excited differently depending on the speakers location in the room. These differences will create a different summed result at the listening position, than if you measure the speakers individually. So my argument is that, for the bass, you should make corrections based on the summed result, rather than the individual ones. I would love to hear Erin's reason for doing it the other way around, I think it is an interesting discussion 😊
@@lindholdt7550 Agreed that the "summed result" is what matters in the end. But the individual response measurements simply give you more insight as to what each speaker's location is responsible for or contributing to that summed result. When seeing the individual response, you may be able to shift the locations of the speakers or listening position to account for the detrimental effects/response that just one of the speakers is contributing while the other speaker's response might not change much. It's helpful to understand where the constructive/destructive room modes will typically be within the room based on its dimensions and relative to the source/speaker locations and listening position. Yep, I find most discussions in this regard really interesting and insightful as well.
@@bbfoto7248 for finding the optimal speaker placement it makes a lot of sense to measure individually. I fully agree there. But for the final "Room EQ" part I don't think it makes sense.
The eq options are nice hopefully we see it in more products. For me a second sub out would be a plus. Am I correct that the usb only accepts a thumb drive, HD or SSD?
Great review of an almost perfect product. It's missing surround sound decoding, so you're stuck with a stereo downmix (left, right, center & surrounds mixed together). Surround sound decoding should be simple to do in this age of fast processors. This is a common problem with streamers & stereo receivers with HDMI (& optical) inputs. AV receivers provide surround sound decoding & are often a better bet.
Assuming DAC remains the same, do different streamers sound different? Does a Wiim ultra sound different vs Wiim original vs Bluesound vs Ifi Zen Stream etc… when using same connections (let’s say optical out).
Can it act as a digital volume control ? I'd like a device that can act as a digital only preamp with a volume rotary button for a set of speakers with coax in.
I mean the latest version of YPAO was supposedly pretty good (according to @Audioholics). One thing I never liked was Audyssey with its overemphasized rears especially if Audyssey Volume was enabled (and random simulated BBC dip).
Dont bother, its terrible... we own a pro plus and an ultra... its bad... just eq it the way you like and sound treat the place... cuz room acoustics cant be changed with eq
@@KofiBaffour-t8o you’re not answering my question… Just so you know buddy, speakers literally cant change how your walls reflect sound, its just impossible, maybe if you put more attention on physics you’ll know… and yes, the room correction function is bad… made our speakers sound tinny and boxy… like i said we own an ultra and a pro plus and we tested this in different rooms… it wont make it better, cuz again, a speaker cant change room acoustics… what were gonna do is sound treat the rooms where the systems are at, so we can erradicate reverb, and no frequencies get lost (our house has no sound isolation or sound treatment at all)… So whos the ignorant again? Who do you even think you are?😂😂😂😂 You people are always trying to prove something to me and always fail! GET SOME CONTEXT BUDDY😂😂😂😂
I have a Yamaha AV Amp with a built in streamer, currently running off a USB stick with my FLAC files. If I bought one of these, moved the USB stick to it, then connected back to my AMP over coax/optical do you think it would do a better job than the AMP's built in streamer?
Hi Erin, thx for your reviews.. i have one question regarding the wiim ultra. What are the channel separation/cross talk values as it doesn't show in the user manual.. txh a bunch
Hi, I have a Yamaha RX-A2A. The interface of Yamaha's MusicCast is not very good for Tidal, and I would like to select the tracks via my smartphone or windows app with the "Tidal connect" feature, that is missing on my receiver. Plus, the display would be nice to have. Would this purchase make sense? Is it worth connecting it with RCA cables to my AVR, or would I be better off with my AVR's preamp and I connect this streamer via optical cable? If the preamps of the Wiim Ultra are not better than my receiver's, would it then make sense to get the cheaper Wiim mini, and connect it via optical, just for the tidal connect feature? Thank you all... this is a very specific question and I'm struggling to find an answer!
Likely not. Keep your Node for now, assuming it is one of the later models and save your pennies. Bluesound just released the Node Icon, it looks like the Ultra on steroids...has a 5" non-touch screen, better DAC implementation and a very low noise power supply. $1000 USD.
I think the not including airplay support was a real miss step WiiM. It definitely makes it a no go for me. Also, love the Garth Brooks artwork on the thumbnail!
I'm not sure I understand the appeal of Airplay 2. It defaults to lossy .aac at 320Kbps (at best). Not even as good as LDAC Bluetooth. Is it just a "convenience feature" for those with iPhones? What is the use case?
@@rosswarren436 I think a lot of it is because it is the best we have for wireless streaming on iPhone. Also, I have several AirPlay to compatible devices around my house and I can stream to all of them at the same time, even though they are different brands.
If I connect this $329 streamer to an external DAC via USB so I am using the better clock chip in the external DAC, how would it compare to doing the same with a far more expensive streamer such as a Innuos Pulse Mini (about ~$1440 USD) or a Lumin U2? Would I hear a difference, and why?
Erin, good sir. Do you know of any company that uses silk dome tweeters and paper cone drivers that also measures to be very linear? I just tried a dynaudio contour 30 and the silk dome tweeter is amazing. I’m looking for something like that but with paper cone drivers because I think it’ll sound more natural.
Hi, I don't know if it measures linear, but your question reminds me of my Heco Aurora. They indeed sound natural as you describe, and also are cheap. They recently launched the new In Vita 3 and those have the driver characteristics your looking for. I'm interested in those. For reference I have Q Acoustics Concept 300, but sometimes I like to hear music through the Auroras because they sound a little less detailed but sound more relaxed to my ears.
Hi Erin. I watched a few of your videos to understand what monitors I need for my purposes, but I'm still having trouble making a final choice. I only play at home with backing tracks. I have a fairly expensive Tone King Imperial MKII amp with a guitar cabinet, and I love its sounds, especially the slightly distorted bluesy sound. But the problem is that such a change in the guitar sound practically destroys the sound of the backing tracks, and vice versa - using only a clean guitar sound makes owning such an amp pointless. What monitors could you recommend (without using guitar cab) so that I can get an undistorted sound of the backing tracks and, at the same time, so that my favorite bluesy sound comes through these monitors, as close as possible to the sound I hear from the guitar cabinet? For example, I really love your review of the Kali IN-5. Thank you in advance.
When you used it in mixed duty with the TV, did you set it to automatically switch sources when eARC was in use? How fast and reliable was the switching? I ask because I am using a Wiim Pro to drive my two channel system in mixed use with the TV. My system uses separate components and the DAC doesn't have a remote. So I rely on automatic switching to keep things simple for my GF. The optical input automatic switching has gotten faster and more reliable with firmware updates. But can still be slow and/or gets confused and doesn't work every now and then. If the Ultra would pass through eARC right away, every time, no questions asked, that would be solid grounds for me to consider an upgrade. As it is, I'm running an optical splitter and have a second DAC in the system.. In case the Wiim doesn't cooperate, my GF can hit input 1 on the preamp and get TV sound basically no matter what. This isn't an ideal solution. 😅 Thanks for the review!
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Liked for “chocolatey midbass”
All the chocolatey midbass.
Wait I thought it was “chocolatey bottom end” for the double entendre. 😂
with hints of espresso lol
@@ErinsAudioCorner What about the "Chocolatey midrange" opening up? You can't forget about that, not to mention "Acoustic mass"...;).
Finally a product i can afford. Thanks Erin! Still saving my money for those KEF Blade speakers. Only $27,000 more to go.
Woah, the asymmetric PEQ is super important for me, you're the only reviewer that mentioned it, thanks!
I just got it yesterday to Wiim Pro with firmware update. Pretty much oven-fresh feature.
For me the reason to buy this thing. My left ear is not as good as my right ear so I was able correct this in a subtle way. The rest of the family aren’t critical listeners anyway so they don’t notice the asymmetry:-)
A Wiim Ultra, a pair of Fosi V3 monos and some Elac DBR62s and you've got a world of music on a system that punches way above it's pricetag. We've really never had it so good.
Thanks Erin. Finally some useful information on practical application of features. My main interest in the Ultra is the room correction, bass management high & low filters for crossover, and the eq functionality. 👍🏼🎶😎
I haven't tested too much beyond setting the crossover frequency, but it saves automatically. After you take your finger off the slider the crossover frequency is changed. Made a world of difference for my D3V's.
“Chocolatey midbass” for a second I thought I was watching a CheapAudioMan video 😂. Just kidding Randy, I love both of y’all’s videos.
oh wait till u realize what the difference between chocolatey and buttery is..
@@Eron55555 😂
Loving my Wiim Ultra, used your amazon affiliate link a couple weeks ago :)
Great to hear!
Can it output to an external DAC via USB?
No
@@wegardfjeld3789really?
@@wegardfjeld3789 others say it can? Have you tested it?
Just got one last week…very versatile device, does everything I need perfectly. SQ as good as anything else.
A $269 this Black Friday it's a super steal
Love your no BS , just your thoughts, no fluff, no sauce … just the meat!
Erin, your reviews rock. I love the honesty & candor!!
Most informative video I've seen on this product so far. Great job
"Flat as a board"
Almost every decent response curve would look flat on a FR graph with 50dB major steps :-).
I just bought the WiiM Ultra last week and it greatly improves my SVS Prime Wireless and I like the Separate Sub out because I like the crossover lower than 80hz. I also like having the ARC. It's a really good product. The music streaming through Amazon Hi Res is good. Way better than going through the DTS Play Fi app or my tvs app.
Erin thanks for the review. lol about the chocolate sound description. Stereo equipment has become like wine when I was in California. It’s a playful little wine with notes of vanilla and almonds and hints of licorice. Appreciate you just share how it sounds and measures. Rock on!
Thank you for your review Erin, I like your straight to the point style. Furthermore I didn't feel like your trying to sell it to me. I have not dipped my toe into streaming although I run a turntable as well as a CD play. Im trying to work out which way to without breaking the budget. The Ultra seems to be a great plug and play option, but I was considering a Wiim Pro Plus instead but with a Fiio K11 R2R Dac as the screen isn't that important for the better SQ. But I haven't come across anyone that's tested the ultra against others except Eversolo or Blunode products.
Your little bit of subjectivity combined with your solid knowledge base is exactly what people are looking for.
Even the cheapest chi-fi now posts the kind of numbers that many manufacturers could only dream of 15 years ago. I remember buying a Behringer DAC/amp from a store that sold pro audio and muso gear (guitar amps etc) and it was atrocious. I'm not just talking poor compared to better gear - it sounded like the music was being piped through a tin can. I know Darko and others have said it, but we really are living in the golden age of affordable audio.
i added the WIIM ULTRA to my kef ls50(orginal),i use the internal DAC from the ultra...And i use the sub out on the ultra(crossover at 52hz) and also let the mainspeakers output bass in the app.. Its a match made in heaven.. It sounds better then most expensive setups i had..
Strongly agree it would be awesome if we could have a bit of overlap on the LP/HP sub out settings.
I’ve also found that using this as a pre-amp going directly into my power amp (IOTAVX PA40) that I much prefer the sound using Line Level Out @ 1 Vrms. I don’t know if this is distortion related or just because my amp has so much headroom for my speakers (BR03s).
Great review and I personally love my WiiM Ultra.
I’ll buy one of these eventually, and I’ll be sure to use your affiliate link! I got a second pair of primus 363s for 50$ used and they measure just as flat as the brand new pair I bought a month ago. My home theater AND wallet are super happy. Thanks dude!
You can work around the Airplay restrictions with the Belkin Airplay 2 adapter, you can feed it's optical out into the WiiM
Or you could buy a WiiM Mini and feed it into the Ultra. LOL. There's always a way if people really want to do something. But I'm not sure I understand the appeal of Airplay 2. It defaults to lossy .aac at 320Kbps. Not even as good as LDAC Bluetooth. Is it just a "convenience feature" for those with iPhones?
I use my Apple Tv optical out into the ultra. Works ok.
However Apple has no Hi Res content like tidal and Spotify
@@rosswarren436 "Is it just a "convenience feature" for those with iPhones" 100% this. Between that, and the easiest multi-room audio with mixed devices, Airplay 2 is indispensable. I'll be using a WiiM Mini to add it to the ultra for the occasional multi-room alone.
@@michaelmcglynn968 I'm still trying to understand the logic of why the cheap WiiM Mini has Airplay 2 but the WiiM Ultra doesn't. It isn't a big deal to me either way since I use an Android phone, but it is curiously omitted.
@@rosswarren436 It sounds like WiiM fully intended to include it but something went wrong in the certification process with Apple, so rather than delay the release of the Ultra significantly, they chose to release without it.
So you can use this with two Schiit Aegir running mono and it would sound good?
have you tried watching a movie through it? I have/had the Wiim amp, and had some crazy synchronicity issues. This might have been my tv, but i couldn't get the voices to match up with the video. My tv settings allowed some delay in one direction, but not an advance (??) in the other. anyway, it worked fine for basic 2 channel music, just didn't do double duty as a soundbar replacement. (not why i bought it, but thought it would be a perk).
Good time to buy a streamer. So many options at different price ranges. Can't go wrong.
8:09 I do run the Wiim Pro Parametric EQ (digital domain) to my DAC and onto my headphone amp …a very useful feature!
I just ordered a WiiM Ultra to do exactly what you were doing. I plan to use it as a preamp and streamer.
Subjectively, you are the best reviewerI have ever watched online
I'm happy its transfer function is flat on a 50 dB/div scale :) It even looks DC-coupled.
I'm currently running my home theatre/Hi-Fi off a PC with Equalizer APO, because I couldn't find any affordable pre-amps/processors with a full suite of PEQ.
I thought this could have been the answer, but it seems there's no 3rd PEQ for a sub, nor delay setting? Still it's great to see a company take steps toward offering a full correction suite in a hi-fi/HT product at an affordable price, it's silly how much you have to pay to get one, when a cheap PC can do it (or even some soundbars and subwoofers, but only for themselves)
Thank you Erin for your extremely useful and enjoyable content - you are one of my favorite reviewers. Now that I've finished sucking up, lol, I have a ECC82 Tube Stereo Preamplifier Based On CARY-SLP90 Preamp Circuit (Aliexpress fake but amazingly high quality) and an AMXEKR 1:1 Replica Accuphase E-405 Class A and B 300W High-power Amplifier (Aliexpress fake but amazingly high quality) driving LS50 Metas with a powered sub and am wondering if I can use this WiiM Ultra by connecting it to my ECC82 - would that work? Reason I ask is because the WiiM is a preamp and it will be fed into another preamp so will that work or would I have to change a setting in the Wiim to make it work? And, do you think the synergy between all of these above listed components would be excellent? Or, should I consider any other possible more costly and capable alternative/s to the Wiim? Having room correction, including bass management, is a must.
Any recommendations for XLR to RCA cables? Mogawi good? I’ll also be connecting these to the Buchardt A10’s. Thanks!
Thanks for the review! I actually didn't know it didn't have airplay. It would be really simple to use this as a DAC for your computer. There are plenty of cheap USB sound cards with optical out.
Thanks for very informative review.
I would like to hear why you disliked the room correction and would love to see a video showing your technique and gear required to do it yourself.
Really all you would need is the free RoomEQ Wizard (REW) software and a decent $100-$200 USB measurement mic (miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 with a Calibration File, for example).
Always love your reviews, keep on the great and objective job! People follow you exactly for that!
I know that it should be hard not to fall for the grace and $ of some gear manufacturers for some "pushed up" reviews. I felt that in some other reviewers... congrats for continuing being real!
I appreciate that!
What is the benefit on using the Wiim from apple 4K into AVR, to TV rather than just going straight from Apple 4K into AVR into TV? Thanks!
100th comment =)
Im happy you don't fluff in your review style. It's very welcomed and preferred.
Wiim has been doing a great job .. I wonder if their success will mean maybe bringing a higher tier?
... Do you think they have any need to offer something in a higher tier for any reason?
Hi Erin, can you review a speaker from the Paradigm Premier line? No one with a Klippel has measured any of that series yet. Thanks!
Those harmonics of 60 Hz might indicate a floating ground somewhere. Make sure the QA402 is directly grounded to the WiiM Ultra and both are grounded back to an outlet. Another thing to check would be whatever device is powering the QA402. User "swordfish" had a similar problem with 50 Hz harmonics (must not be in the US) in a thread titled "QA402 limit of frequency response testing". He found a USB hub he was using was responsible for his excessive noise.
Do you see those 60 Hz harmonics with the input for the QA402 shorted?
Is wiim ultra overkill for Edifier mr4s? Can't have huge speakers
Would really appreciate a written review on the website. I can't really follow or compare these kinds of dac/streamer devices without reading. Thanks for your review erin!
Interesting that you used $1500 mono block amplifiers. Are you saying that there are benefits, beyond being able to drive them louder, to more expensive power amps? Why would you use them over the Aiyima or Fosi Audio?
@@Mishael_Agyei-Boamah But Fosi Audio have dealt with that with the V3 Mono using PFFB? So...?
@@c0mbat15
Erin wanted to own and use amplifiers that were BOTH impedance load agnostic AND which had plenty of power on tap in order to power and drive any potential pair of loudspeakers that he might get in for review.
The March Audio amps accomplish both, in addition to measuring well, being well-built, receive heaps of positive subjective reviews, and are from a reputable company with excellent after-sales support.
@@bbfoto7248 both of your answers make sense so thanks for taking the time to reply. I was being slightly facetious 😊
Dynamics, bass response and detail. They don't "run out of gas".
@@rosswarren436 I'm fairly certain Erin wouldn't agree with that first sentence. His double blind testing on amps would suggest otherwise?
I just bought one today. My main reason for buying it is to wake me up in the morning (hopefully it works fine as an alarm) and the streaming and PEQ features. I’m hoping the EQ is pre-digital output…not a big deal if it isn’t though. Wouldn’t make sense for it not to be. I will probably sent the audio out multiple outputs at the same time, so I hope it supports that and different EQ’s on different outputs.
Erin new subscriber my friend. Keep up the great fair honest reviews. If you ever get a chance try to get ahold of some JBL S3100 baby Everest speakers to review and some Dali oberon 9. They went on sale almost everywhere.
Hi Erin, when you stream Apple Music via Apple TV box to your tv and via HDMI eARC to the Wiim Ultra, is it a lossless, i.e. ALAC format?
How did it sound with your monoblocks?
Please share your experience regarding the sonic signature?
Sincerely
The USB port also works for USB output. 😊
Does it work for an external USB dac?
@@ognewbyes it does, i connected wiim ultra to minidsp flex through usb and it worked as expected
@@FlorentinDan-bc1yv
Do you select "USB Output" in the WiiM's setting menu?
This is obviously important for many potential buyers, so if this WiiM does in fact have this functionality, @ErinsAudioCorner should "Pin" a "Revision Comment" stating such in the comments section and Video Description.
Thanks for testing this. 👍
What can you do with this?
@@mrgringo7289 I output to a Raspberry Pi running CamillaDSP and camilladsp-setrate. It works great!
Great channel. You remind me of Jeremy from "Red Means Recording".
I wonder if this can be used only for Streaming and room correction...so no DAC and no amplification....? Has anyone done that? thank you
Call me crazy but I’d GUESS most people looking for Asymeyrical Sub Slopes aren’t going to be using a 300$ streamer
@ErinsAudioCorner
I'm considering picking one of these up in the near future (using your affiliate links, of course) to pair with the Kali Audio IN-8v2 active monitors I'm using in my casual listening bedroom setup. Seems like the combination would make for a decently performing "HiFi on a budget" system.
In addition, quite a few commenters here that own the WiiM Ultra are saying that it can be set to use the USB connection to feed digital audio to an outboard USB DAC, so you may want to re-confirm and post an addendum as a pinned comment + statement in the video description.
Is this Doug from the Cartoon?
Yup!
I am sorry, I am even later to this party than you, Just considering picking up one, Can I control the Wiim Amp Utlra remotely by my phone anywhere in my house?
the Ultra isn't an Amp for your info. it is a DAC/Preamp/DSP Hub and yes they have an app you can use to control everything of the WIim's Software Home System
Good afternoon ☕️🥓
Already running the Wiim Pro into a Denafrips DAC …and it’s good …now the question can the streaming be better on this unit ..or save my money for something better …Orchard or Rose 🤔
Have a great day.
Does this unit remember the last selected streamed source after power off or do you have to select a streaming source after every power cycle?
It auto detects wherever a signal is coming in and it will also remember. Since it is a computer it has storage.
I bought one and find myself rarely using. I love old setup streaming from my pc to 55inc tv through dac to amp.
I need some advice. I purchased this unit two days ago and just got it all hooked up to my Marantz 2245 Integrated amp ( I’m old school ). I’m running a pair of Elacs DB3. BK. and a Subwoofer.
Should I be using the phono input on the Wiim via or the Marantz.
Should I be connecting my CD player to the Wiim via optical or the Marantz via RCA’s?
What’s the advantage of connecting all of these through the Wiim, if I’m using the analog RCA’s to the amp?
Also, if I connect my sub to the sub out on the Wiim, it won’t work if my turntable and CD player are connected straight to the amp.
Thanks for any input.
Can you point me in the right direction for room correction instead of using the built in on this streamer?
Would be nice if they could add a more premium streamer (only) to the range with a nicer (not plastic) case 🙏
Isn't that literally the WiiM Ultra?
@@michaelmcglynn968Without dac and more digital outputs 😊
@@justasimplefox Oh that's what you meant by "Streamer only", no DAC
@@michaelmcglynn968 Yes 😊
Hi Erin
Thanks for the review
I just got my Ultra
Bfo that I was using a $10 Dac from Amazon
Optical TV out to Optical Amazon Dac In
RCA analog out from dac to preamp driving a pair of KRK powered monitors.
I pretty quite like what I heard
I wanted a better DAC than a $10 so I got the Ultra
Omg
The difference in quality is barely 10-15% better than the Amazon Dac which also has a higher gain out
The Ultra sounds a bit cleaner but the output
even though is 2v , it’s still very low
Pretty disappointed between two DACs
One unheard of but sounds good
The other with great reviews but low output
comparatively
Am I doing anything wrong
( my vol output is max at 60 on the ultra as I run the gain stage also on the preamp yet I find it low compared to the cheap DAC
Any suggestions
Thanks in advance
Anybody can tell me how to set the UV meter on the front screen please?!
Hi Love that you and your channel has grown as a content curator .I have been debating on getting a stand alone streamer instead of using my tv or computer.* Have a ok DACs .In not sure it would make mutch defence .what's your take on it .
Now waiting for the Node Icon review and comparison with Ultra.
Icon will start shipping in November. You'll have to wait a few months. It will make mincemeat out of the Ultra. It is aimed at Eversolo and Cambridge.
@@Mishael_Agyei-Boamah IKR, and isn't the Icon about the price of 4 Ultra's??? lol.
Nice review, thanks a lot for that 🤘
However, I got thinking about the part where you do "Room Correction" EQ to the bass, on each individual speaker. Is that really better than doing it based on both speakers at the same time? I mean, the frequency response in the listening position will be different when both speakers are playing, as the modes are excited by both speakers. Wouldn't it be better to correct the bass based on the summed result, rather than individually because when we listen to music, it is both speakers that are playing?
@lindholdt7550
This is most likely why Erin prefers to measure and apply appropriate corrections manually. You can measure both the individual and combined response and see what is going on.
And when you understand that when both speakers are playing it will result in +6db of combined/overall gain, you can more easily estimate what your individual EQ adjustments to each speaker will result in.
All that you would really need to accurately measure is the free RoomEQ Wizard software (REW) and a decent $100-$200 USB measurement mic (miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 with a Calibration File, for example).
@@bbfoto7248 Thank you for your reply.
I have an Unik and use REW.
My point is, that room mores are excited differently depending on the speakers location in the room. These differences will create a different summed result at the listening position, than if you measure the speakers individually. So my argument is that, for the bass, you should make corrections based on the summed result, rather than the individual ones.
I would love to hear Erin's reason for doing it the other way around, I think it is an interesting discussion 😊
@@lindholdt7550
Agreed that the "summed result" is what matters in the end. But the individual response measurements simply give you more insight as to what each speaker's location is responsible for or contributing to that summed result.
When seeing the individual response, you may be able to shift the locations of the speakers or listening position to account for the detrimental effects/response that just one of the speakers is contributing while the other speaker's response might not change much.
It's helpful to understand where the constructive/destructive room modes will typically be within the room based on its dimensions and relative to the source/speaker locations and listening position.
Yep, I find most discussions in this regard really interesting and insightful as well.
@@bbfoto7248 for finding the optimal speaker placement it makes a lot of sense to measure individually. I fully agree there.
But for the final "Room EQ" part I don't think it makes sense.
Do you mean that you connect your Apple TV from TV hdmi-arc output to WiiM Ultra?
The eq options are nice hopefully we see it in more products. For me a second sub out would be a plus.
Am I correct that the usb only accepts a thumb drive, HD or SSD?
A splitter makes a second sub out. Super easy.
@@tylerhackman6832I know but then you still don't have left and right channels separate
Nice review like always👏👍
Thank you 🤗
Great review of an almost perfect product. It's missing surround sound decoding, so you're stuck with a stereo downmix (left, right, center & surrounds mixed together). Surround sound decoding should be simple to do in this age of fast processors. This is a common problem with streamers & stereo receivers with HDMI (& optical) inputs. AV receivers provide surround sound decoding & are often a better bet.
Did you test the phono preamp? I'm curious about how good it is
Assuming DAC remains the same, do different streamers sound different? Does a Wiim ultra sound different vs Wiim original vs Bluesound vs Ifi Zen Stream etc… when using same connections (let’s say optical out).
Well done. Appreciate your take here.
Dear Erin,
Can you explain some
Basic measurements in a video for us? Groupdelay, phase, impulse
Only "if" you were going to step up the dac, which external dac would you think is near or below the $250.00 range, if any?
It already has a class leading DAC onboard, no "stepping up" needed
Can it act as a digital volume control ? I'd like a device that can act as a digital only preamp with a volume rotary button for a set of speakers with coax in.
Second that. I currently use a miniDSP but it upsamples everything to 96k.
I'm demoing one right now. I was able to try it as a digital preamp. Room correction worked on digital outs as well.
@@NosEL34 Interesting, can you stream Deezer HiFi? Cast loseless streams? Thanks
Connecting this to my rz50 onkyo for stereo music listening do you think because of the better fav I would gain better quality sound ?!
How's the room correction? Is it at least better than YPAO?
I mean the latest version of YPAO was supposedly pretty good (according to @Audioholics). One thing I never liked was Audyssey with its overemphasized rears especially if Audyssey Volume was enabled (and random simulated BBC dip).
Dont bother, its terrible... we own a pro plus and an ultra... its bad... just eq it the way you like and sound treat the place... cuz room acoustics cant be changed with eq
@Valay.the confident ignorance is funny😂
@@KofiBaffour-t8o Excuse me?
@@KofiBaffour-t8o you’re not answering my question…
Just so you know buddy, speakers literally cant change how your walls reflect sound, its just impossible, maybe if you put more attention on physics you’ll know… and yes, the room correction function is bad… made our speakers sound tinny and boxy… like i said we own an ultra and a pro plus and we tested this in different rooms… it wont make it better, cuz again, a speaker cant change room acoustics… what were gonna do is sound treat the rooms where the systems are at, so we can erradicate reverb, and no frequencies get lost (our house has no sound isolation or sound treatment at all)…
So whos the ignorant again? Who do you even think you are?😂😂😂😂
You people are always trying to prove something to me and always fail! GET SOME CONTEXT BUDDY😂😂😂😂
I have a Yamaha AV Amp with a built in streamer, currently running off a USB stick with my FLAC files. If I bought one of these, moved the USB stick to it, then connected back to my AMP over coax/optical do you think it would do a better job than the AMP's built in streamer?
Will you be reviewing the march audio amps?
Hi Erin, thx for your reviews.. i have one question regarding the wiim ultra. What are the channel separation/cross talk values as it doesn't show in the user manual.. txh a bunch
Hi, I have a Yamaha RX-A2A. The interface of Yamaha's MusicCast is not very good for Tidal, and I would like to select the tracks via my smartphone or windows app with the "Tidal connect" feature, that is missing on my receiver. Plus, the display would be nice to have.
Would this purchase make sense? Is it worth connecting it with RCA cables to my AVR, or would I be better off with my AVR's preamp and I connect this streamer via optical cable?
If the preamps of the Wiim Ultra are not better than my receiver's, would it then make sense to get the cheaper Wiim mini, and connect it via optical, just for the tidal connect feature?
Thank you all... this is a very specific question and I'm struggling to find an answer!
I guess if I can ever convince myself that I need a streamer I'd get that one.
Are there any power and/or impedance specs on the internal headphone amp?
Out of topic but... Have you seen the new Technics SC-CX700 speakers? 😮
I wish they had balanced outputs as well then yes by all means it would be a steal.
Considered an upgrade from the Node? Just utilizing the digital coax out streaming option.....
Likely not. Keep your Node for now, assuming it is one of the later models and save your pennies. Bluesound just released the Node Icon, it looks like the Ultra on steroids...has a 5" non-touch screen, better DAC implementation and a very low noise power supply. $1000 USD.
Got a question. If I have a USB thumb drive filled with music am I able to play the music off of my USB thumb drive on this?
So I can run a tv through my wiim essentially using it as s pre amp and use a class AB amp?
Chocolatey mid bass. 😌
he did not mention that these units can be used with other devices for multi-room (SONOS type) audio. with full multi-zone app control
Question: can it be used as MP3 library through an external HDD or SSD? And can it be used as a separate player plugged to an integrated amp?
I think the not including airplay support was a real miss step WiiM. It definitely makes it a no go for me. Also, love the Garth Brooks artwork on the thumbnail!
I'm not sure I understand the appeal of Airplay 2. It defaults to lossy .aac at 320Kbps (at best). Not even as good as LDAC Bluetooth. Is it just a "convenience feature" for those with iPhones? What is the use case?
@@rosswarren436 I think a lot of it is because it is the best we have for wireless streaming on iPhone. Also, I have several AirPlay to compatible devices around my house and I can stream to all of them at the same time, even though they are different brands.
If I connect this $329 streamer to an external DAC via USB so I am using the better clock chip in the external DAC, how would it compare to doing the same with a far more expensive streamer such as a Innuos Pulse Mini (about ~$1440 USD) or a Lumin U2? Would I hear a difference, and why?
Is It possible to do review for Genelec 8050b or G Five model? Im looking for those and would love to see a review from you?
Erin, good sir. Do you know of any company that uses silk dome tweeters and paper cone drivers that also measures to be very linear? I just tried a dynaudio contour 30 and the silk dome tweeter is amazing. I’m looking for something like that but with paper cone drivers because I think it’ll sound more natural.
Hi, I don't know if it measures linear, but your question reminds me of my Heco Aurora. They indeed sound natural as you describe, and also are cheap. They recently launched the new In Vita 3 and those have the driver characteristics your looking for. I'm interested in those. For reference I have Q Acoustics Concept 300, but sometimes I like to hear music through the Auroras because they sound a little less detailed but sound more relaxed to my ears.
Hi Erin. I watched a few of your videos to understand what monitors I need for my purposes, but I'm still having trouble making a final choice. I only play at home with backing tracks. I have a fairly expensive Tone King Imperial MKII amp with a guitar cabinet, and I love its sounds, especially the slightly distorted bluesy sound. But the problem is that such a change in the guitar sound practically destroys the sound of the backing tracks, and vice versa - using only a clean guitar sound makes owning such an amp pointless. What monitors could you recommend (without using guitar cab) so that I can get an undistorted sound of the backing tracks and, at the same time, so that my favorite bluesy sound comes through these monitors, as close as possible to the sound I hear from the guitar cabinet? For example, I really love your review of the Kali IN-5. Thank you in advance.
If you stream an ALAC album do you know if it plays in track order or in alphabetical order?
Another great review.
When you used it in mixed duty with the TV, did you set it to automatically switch sources when eARC was in use? How fast and reliable was the switching?
I ask because I am using a Wiim Pro to drive my two channel system in mixed use with the TV. My system uses separate components and the DAC doesn't have a remote. So I rely on automatic switching to keep things simple for my GF. The optical input automatic switching has gotten faster and more reliable with firmware updates. But can still be slow and/or gets confused and doesn't work every now and then. If the Ultra would pass through eARC right away, every time, no questions asked, that would be solid grounds for me to consider an upgrade.
As it is, I'm running an optical splitter and have a second DAC in the system.. In case the Wiim doesn't cooperate, my GF can hit input 1 on the preamp and get TV sound basically no matter what. This isn't an ideal solution. 😅
Thanks for the review!
Hello, im new to audio, can I hook up one fosi audio ZA3 to run two speakers for a desktop setup?