WiiM Ultra

Updated on 4/19/2024

Hi Team,

We're excited to give you a sneak peek at the WiiM Ultra, your future go-to digital hub for all things music! We're putting the final touches on this innovative product and are on track for a Q2 release. Stay tuned for more updates as we gear up for launch!




Original message by Brantome:
As mentioned in a user reply from the WiiM/Linkplay CEO on the WiiM Fan Page on Facebook, WiiM are developing a new device called the WiiM Ultra which will have a screen, aluminium case and USB audio output. It should be available Q2 2024, so a good five to six months away.

Guess @Smartplug is due a prize (e.g. I'll lay off gently ribbing them about their constant 'when' questions) as I think they first suggested that name a while ago

That's the entirety of the information I have, but WiiM do say they'll release more details in due course.

 

[sral]

I think it is the same height but marginally less wide and deepView attachment 6730

You should compare the rear, lining up the power port or the HDMI.

 

[djwalter2000]

I wouldn't count on a toroidal transformer inside

Is it too early to anticipate the power conversion kit to replace the SMPS with a external facing barrel connector?

 

[Smartplug]

My mono block amp would shine with ultra. I wish there’s less version of ultra that has no analog in and no display for those who don’t use them for less money.

 

[cooky560]

My mono block amp would shine with ultra. I wish there’s less version of ultra that has no analog in and no display for those who don’t use them for less money.

There is, it's called the PRO plus, feel free to ignore the analog in.

 

[jakabasej7]

I have been incredibly impressed with the Pro Plus, I would be even more in awe if the ‘Ultra’ could incorporate AES on XLR ‘outs’ attenuating a digital output is quite rare, RME ADI ‘pro’ for one this feature is extremely useful with contemporary active loudspeakers. tabletop miniatures
Keith

It's great to hear that you've been impressed with the Pro Plus!

 

[Smartplug]

There is, it's called the PRO plus, feel free to ignore the analog in.

I have pro in fact I did connect it directly to amp and use it as preamp but sound wasn’t good. There was distinct difference in my ear between the volume control on wiim amp and pro. The texture on wiim amp were all consistent on any range. The pro will just become audible at close to its maximum setting.

 

[joffy1780]

I voted for the lowest price option as i have no use for the dac/analogue output... i am mainly interested in the streaming quality of the digital output.
If it is not better than the one of Pro or Pro Plus, the Ultra is not of interest for me... maybe a lot of other users with high quality dacs or amplifiers with integrated digital conversion share my opinion.
A small display and a mediocre phono input is the last thing i expect in such a product...
For me Ultra should stand for high performance!

How can the digital output be any better than the Pro or Pro Plus?
The digital output is bit perfect.

 

[onlyoneme]

How can the digital output be any better than the Pro or Pro Plus?
The digital output is bit perfect.

Waveform of the spdif signal can be better or worse. Related jitter can be lower or higher.

 

[joffy1780]

Waveform of the spdif signal can be better or worse. Related jitter can be lower or higher.

Jitter already a non issue with Pro and Pro Plus and the waveform can't be better than bit-perfect, surely? If what comes out is bit perfect, there is nothing missing in terms of music and there are no other issues with the digital output of the Pro/Plus

 

[alpha_zulu]

Waveform of the spdif signal can be better or worse. Related jitter can be lower or higher.

Even a less than perfect waveform will be interpreted by your external DAC as a perfect 0 or 1. That is the advantage of digital transmission. I don't believe that there is any better or worse.

 

[onlyoneme]

Jitter already a non issue with Pro and Pro Plus

It depends on the receiver capabilities with jitter suppression.

and the waveform can't be better than bit-perfect, surely? If what comes out is bit perfect, there is nothing missing in terms of music and there are no other issues with the digital output of the Pro/Plus

Looks like you think that the spdif transmission contains only audio data, in PCM form presumably, and it has a real digital form of perfect, rectangular pulses. Well, you are wrong.

 

[onlyoneme]

Even a less than perfect waveform will be interpreted by your external DAC as a perfect 0 or 1.

As far as the shape is "good enough" for the receiver. If it's worse than good enough, troubles start to happen.

 

[steadyshot]

It's great to hear that you've been impressed with the Pro Plus!

A lot of people have been impressed …!

 

[alpha_zulu]

As far as the shape is "good enough" for the receiver. If it's worse than good enough, troubles starts to happen.

Achieving this is not rocket science these days. I assume that pretty much every current device has no problem with this (sharp enough wave form).

 

[onlyoneme]

I don't think that the current thread is a proper place for discussions about spdif quality, but if you want to continue somewhere else, just let me know.

 

[joffy1780]

It depends on the receiver capabilities with jitter suppression.


Looks like you think that the spdif transmission contains only audio data, in PCM form presumably, and it has a real digital form of perfect, rectangular pulses. Well, you are wrong.

That's an awfully presumptuous statement and rather rude as well.

 

[bherren]

I voted for the lowest price option as i have no use for the dac/analogue output... i am mainly interested in the streaming quality of the digital output.
If it is not better than the one of Pro or Pro Plus, the Ultra is not of interest for me... maybe a lot of other users with high quality dacs or amplifiers with integrated digital conversion share my opinion.
A small display and a mediocre phono input is the last thing i expect in such a product...
For me Ultra should stand for high performance!

The existing ones are bit perfect, I don't understand what else you expect....

 

[bherren]

Waveform of the spdif signal can be better or worse. Related jitter can be lower or higher.

You know this is all bollocks right ?

 

[onlyoneme]

That's an awfully presumptuous statement and rather rude as well.

I don't know, I just say that someone is wrong when I think that he is wrong. You can tell it about me as well, I will just ask you to prove that I'm wrong.

 

[onlyoneme]

You know this is all bollocks right ?

It's good enough in common situations, although there is a room for improvements.