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.

 

[Matterhorn]

No. Bigger doesn’t = better.

Example - humans can hear 20hz to 20khz. If one DAC can produce that (they all can), and the next one can go up to 30hz, that’s not ‘better’.

All of the measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus are up to the limits of human hearing. You can get ‘bigger’, but you can’t get ‘better’.

The transport is good but the DAC is mediocre.

 

[canard]

The transport is good but the DAC is mediocre.

the pro? plus? to measure or to listen? compared to what and on what type of material? on what types of music?
streaming or dematerialization?

 

[onlyoneme]

No. Bigger doesn’t = better.

Example - humans can hear 20hz to 20khz. If one DAC can produce that (they all can), and the next one can go up to 30hz, that’s not ‘better’.

All of the measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus are up to the limits of human hearing. You can get ‘bigger’, but you can’t get ‘better’.

Better is better. It doesn't matter if it's audible or not. If the improvement in distortion can be measured, then we have a proof that something is better. And that is a fact even if this improvement is not audible.

 

[canard]

it is above all that the orders of magnitude were important...really not at the "margin"

 

[Matterhorn]

the pro? plus? to measure or to listen? compared to what and on what type of material? on what types of music?
streaming or dematerialization?

I have the Pro and Pro+. The DAC in the + is better to my ears. I stream Amazon Music at up to 24/192 in bit perfect mode. Numbers simply don't tell the whole story. There is a drastic difference in timbre between the + DAC and my R2R DAC. I make this judgement based on my system which includes a very resolving set of headphones, the Hifiman Arya Organic planar headphones. I have other headphones that I can hear a difference but not to the same extent. I've found that nobody is the ultimate judge of equipment. If my ears tell me it's better it IS better to ME.

 

[canard]

I have the Pro and Pro+. The DAC in the + is better to my ears. I stream Amazon Music at up to 24/192 in bit perfect mode. Numbers simply don't tell the whole story. There is a drastic difference in timbre between the + DAC and my R2R DAC. I make this judgement based on my system which includes a very resolving set of headphones, the Hifiman Arya Organic planar headphones. I have other headphones that I can hear a difference but not to the same extent. I've found that nobody is the ultimate judge of equipment. If my ears tell me it's better it IS better to ME.

without judgment on my part, really...
your bias of an R2R dac is sensitive, marked subjectively...
the approach of the affordable Akm dac of the plus is more "standard"...
but "mediocre"...? ( and listening on headphones even mdg remains rather cruel very often)

 

[Matterhorn]

The AKM chip is just the beginning of the sound that comes out of a DAC.

 

[canard]

I know well.... ;-)
(you could also appreciate a tube stage at the dac output or on your headphone amp etc. possible choices... ;-) )
maybe also trying with something other than streaming could be interesting...

 

[Matterhorn]

I know well.... ;-)
(you could also appreciate a tube stage at the dac output or on your headphone amp etc. possible choices... ;-) )
maybe also trying with something other than streaming could be interesting...

That's the thing about this hobby
. There's always something new to try. I am partial to acoustic and vocals which is why I prefer R2R. I'll have to admit that streaming Ultra HD is laziness on my part but I am learning so much about different generes. It's so easy to broaden your music horizons with a streaming service.

 

[canard]

Perhaps we should just avoid lapidary "mediocre" products....

 

[Matterhorn]

Why should I avoid the WiiM? The digital transport and software are great.

 

[canard]

poorly translated... I was talking about the lapidary "mediocre" expression

 

[Matterhorn]

poorly translated... I was talking about the lapidary "mediocre" expression

With a handle like Canard, would that be from a French translation?
Sorry, I'm off topic from the Ultra conversation.

 

[Dr.Deadwax]

Hello,

will the Wiim Ultra have DSD support?
Will .dsf files be playable?

Can it convert DSD to PCM on-the-fly in order to be able to use the room correction and digital volume control for DSD playback?

Best regards

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

the distortion rate was anormal under 1k...and the rapid hardware revision, its important impact, is the proof...

“…Distortion was below threshold of hearing…”

The transport is good but the DAC is mediocre.

Transport? Are we talking about the same device?

As has been noted, and linked, any issues are beyond the level of human hearing.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Better is better. It doesn't matter if it's audible or not.

I’ll just leave that here.

 

[Matterhorn]

Transport? Are we talking about the same device?

You've never heard of digital transport? Ok

 

[steadyshot]

Don't you get bored with the same "discussions" all the time?

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

You've never heard of digital transport? Ok

Usually we use that term for a CD player, mini disc player, possibly a portable DAP. To be fair to you, yes thinking back I have (very) rarely seen it used for something like a streamer, but that’s more often described as a source, than a transport.

Nonetheless, back to you point, and to quote again from that link, “Distortion was below threshold of hearing…”.

Best wishes.

 

[Matterhorn]

Usually we use that term for a CD player, mini disc player, possibly a portable DAP. To be fair to you, yes thinking back I have (very) rarely seen it used for something like a streamer, but that’s more often described as a source, than a transport.

Nonetheless, back to you point, and to quote again from that link, “Distortion was below threshold of hearing…”.

Best wishes.

That wasn't me.