This review claims that the Ultra supports Airplay but not Airplay 2:
AVF Ultra Review
AVF Ultra Review
Airplay?
- Thread starter DRC
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- airplay wiim ultra
I’d take that with a very large pinch of salt and would want more details on firmware levels (the screenshot would suggest it’s not current) and what other gear was in use etc.
They also say that it doesn’t support Deezer, but it does as their own spec tables show(!), and their “faffing around” with blutak for the phono ground connection clearly missed the pin to facilitate the use of horseshoe connectors.
They also say that it doesn’t support Deezer, but it does as their own spec tables show(!), and their “faffing around” with blutak for the phono ground connection clearly missed the pin to facilitate the use of horseshoe connectors.
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Maybe they have AirConnect or equivalent running on their network?... or a barrel of salt.
The reviewer has withdrawn that claim, explaining that he saw the Ultra in an area in Roon that previously would have suggested airplay support. So it wasn’t tested and proven, just misread off a screen…
Several ways to use AirPlay via Ultra have been discussed before, namely - (i) AirPlay to WiiM Mini connected via Toslink to Ultra, (ii) Ultra part of a group where AudioPro WiiM speaker is an AirPlay source, and (iii) AirConnect a software solution proposed by others. Those approaches mitigate the lacking Ultra AirPlay, delivering an AirPlay 2 AAC 256/16 stream.
But… if one seeks a full CD-quality AirPlay 1 solution, grabbing from the attic an old Apple Airport Express is the answer. The AirPort Express is an AirPlay 1 receiver and supports CD-quality 41kHz/16bit (actually 24 bit). The AirPlay 1 pipeline is:
AirPlay Source > AirPort Express > Ultra (Toslink input)
In my case I also connect the Ultra USB-out to an external DAC, thus converting the synchronous digital stream to asynchronous and realigning its clock.
But… if one seeks a full CD-quality AirPlay 1 solution, grabbing from the attic an old Apple Airport Express is the answer. The AirPort Express is an AirPlay 1 receiver and supports CD-quality 41kHz/16bit (actually 24 bit). The AirPlay 1 pipeline is:
AirPlay Source > AirPort Express > Ultra (Toslink input)
In my case I also connect the Ultra USB-out to an external DAC, thus converting the synchronous digital stream to asynchronous and realigning its clock.
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BK308
Senior Member
Nice. I have the latest before they stopped making AirPort Express. Glad to know I can use this as an option when I get eventually get a WiiM product and need airplay with cd quality
Nice. I have the latest before they stopped making AirPort Express. Glad to know I can use this as an option when I get eventually get a WiiM product and need airplay with cd quality
The earlier Airport Express units were AirPlay 1 clients. Check if yours is AirPlay 1 or Airplay 2. There are plenty of earlier Airport Express units on sale at eBay.
BK308
Senior Member
Good to know
D700
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I bought new Apple TV 4K Gen 3 today and confirm I’m getting Apple Music lossless, 16/44.1 or 24/48 depending on the file, running headless through an audio extractor, hdmi to optical to WiiM Pro to coax to integrated amp
24/48 Apple Music lossless finally meets Amazon Music lossless quality, 24 bit rate more important than sample rate I’ve found.
It’s ridiculous Apple doesn’t just give us a toggle for 24/48 lossless over AirPlay but this should work with non AirPlay devices like Ultra equally.
Figuring out “Control Center - control other devices” is annoying but required, otherwise you’ll just be playing compressed Apple Music over AirPlay. Not Apple like experience but once you get it setup it works
24/48 Apple Music lossless finally meets Amazon Music lossless quality, 24 bit rate more important than sample rate I’ve found.
It’s ridiculous Apple doesn’t just give us a toggle for 24/48 lossless over AirPlay but this should work with non AirPlay devices like Ultra equally.
Figuring out “Control Center - control other devices” is annoying but required, otherwise you’ll just be playing compressed Apple Music over AirPlay. Not Apple like experience but once you get it setup it works
Is the music controlled through the TV screen? In other words, do you need to have the TV on at all times?
D700
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“Headless” is old term for “no display, keyboard or mouse”…just Apple TV 4K to HDMI Audio Extractor which sends optical to my WiiM. Using Apple Control center on iPhone, iPad and Mac to control Apple Music directly on the ATV
I setup the ATV first plugged into a monitor, you could use any TV with HDMI input. Initial setup, Updated firmware, then enabled “Lossless” in Apple Music and turned on sharing sync.
It was a giant hassle, very un-Apple…took me a couple days of trial and error….and getting to Control Center and Apple Music remote device isn’t intuitive…but it’s working fine. I just leave the Apple Music Window open and it stays connected.
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D700
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I'm working now to figure out how to control an iPad mini Apple Music remotely...it doesn't show up in Control Center but I think it can be done with Switches, I'll post back when I get that sorted, as that would allow for true High Res.
It baffles me why Apple doesn't at least make it simple for plugnplay iPad to a Stereo system, its a natural fit.
It baffles me why Apple doesn't at least make it simple for plugnplay iPad to a Stereo system, its a natural fit.
D700
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Well that hit a dead end quickly. By design, there doesn't seem to be any Apple solution for viewing "view iPad screen" remotely ...or any 3rd party solution that doesn't require a session specific "accept" response directly from the iPad. Control Center - Apple Music can only see Apple TV or other WiFi devices (Sonos)...not iOS or Mac devices...so it's nopesville for High Res. Lossless 24/48 via ATV4K is very satisfying though, definite upgrade over the compressed stream from Airplay 2 devices.
I think I'm going to get a small 15" monitor to just serve as ATV display, it might not be large enough to select music from across the room but at least would see album cover.
I think I'm going to get a small 15" monitor to just serve as ATV display, it might not be large enough to select music from across the room but at least would see album cover.
