Attn: WiiM engineering

[guy48065]

I briefly considered buying another Ultra last week when my preamp failed. I ruled it out when I considered the limitations on interconnects due to the recessed, low quality, pc-mounted jacks. This simply is not "Ultra" enough and I would suggest you do better on future products. A product designed to interface with "the real world" needs to be able to accommodate connectors like Neutrix, Tiffany, Monster, etc.

Thank you for your attention.

 

[hgo58]

I briefly considered buying another Ultra last week when my preamp failed. I ruled it out when I considered the limitations on interconnects due to the recessed, low quality, pc-mounted jacks. This simply is not "Ultra" enough and I would suggest you do better on future products. A product designed to interface with "the real world" needs to be able to accommodate connectors like Neutrix, Tiffany, Monster, etc.

Thank you for your attention.

Are you serious or just joking?
Nothing of what you write is needed for listening to music.

 

[Griff]

I briefly considered buying another Ultra last week when my preamp failed. I ruled it out when I considered the limitations on interconnects due to the recessed, low quality, pc-mounted jacks. This simply is not "Ultra" enough and I would suggest you do better on future products. A product designed to interface with "the real world" needs to be able to accommodate connectors like Neutrix, Tiffany, Monster, etc.

Thank you for your attention.

To be fair to Wiim their devices are built to the price point the sell at. I think PC mounted interconnects are part of a trade off to hit that price. At least they are recessed where they cant be knocked and therefore fail. For the level of build you want I think the price would go up overall.

 

[hgo58]

The WiiM is about listening to the music, not the equipment.

 

[ChrisQXR]

I'm trying not to jump on the 'I like Wiim and you bashed Wiim so I hate you' bandwagon. But I don't think I agree with you.

needs to be able to accommodate connectors like Neutrix, Tiffany, Monster, etc.

Have you actually been unable to connect a premium RCA connector to the Ultra? If so could you post a picture?

low quality, pc-mounted jacks

I assume you mean PCB-mounted? I suggest keep in mind what you're actually getting here. The Wiim Ultra is $330. It's a great piece of hardware, but you're not going to find hand-wired bulkhead-screwed RCA jacks at that price point. If you are paying $1000+ for a DAC/streamer with a solid metal case, sure. In that price point it's expected. But in the sub-$500 market, not a chance.
It's easy to make that mistake since the Wiim can give the $1000+ streamer a run for its money in many ways. But don't think Wiim is selling you a $1000 box for $330. They're not.
I'd point out that even the $450 Sonos Port ($100 more expensive) has the same PCB-mounted recessed RCA jacks...

Monster

I mean no disrespect but the fact that you mention this brand hurts your credibility. They were pushed at Best Buy as a way to sell $50 HDMI cables to idiots. They fell out of style when someone did a blind 'golden ears' test and found even experienced audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between Monster cables and bent coat hangers. In the last few years every mention I've heard of Monster cable is making fun of an uneducated consumer who's paying for the brand name.

 

[pieterv1]

Also all Neitrik/REAN RCA plugs are actually very slim profile. Even their higher end "Profi" locking models.

 

[Smartplug]

I briefly considered buying another Ultra last week when my preamp failed. I ruled it out when I considered the limitations on interconnects due to the recessed, low quality, pc-mounted jacks. This simply is not "Ultra" enough and I would suggest you do better on future products. A product designed to interface with "the real world" needs to be able to accommodate connectors like Neutrix, Tiffany, Monster, etc.

Thank you for your attention.

I’m not sure where you coming from but you don’t need esoteric connections to sound them good. The cable and the connection that came from the device is sufficient. A good shielded cable is good enough.

 

[dtc]

The RCA connections can be a weak point in otherwise very nice designs.

It is well documented here that some RCA plugs do not fit into the recessed jacks on some Wiim products. I have pretty ordinary cables that I use regularly on other products that simply do not fit in the holes in the case. The problem is that the size of the hole in the case is just too small - not by much, but enough to prevent some RCA plugs from fitting. Some users have also reported that a standard RCA plug only goes part way into some of the jacks. That can lead to potential noise problems since the conducting element may not be fully shielded. These are simply not issues that show up on most other audio equipment.

If your cables do not fit or if their is stray noise due to grounding issues that can definitely effect the music.

Something for Wiim to consider for future products.

 

[guy48065]

It is well documented here that some RCA plugs do not fit into the recessed jacks on some Wiim products...

It's surprising how many here seem to be unaware of this.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

It's surprising how many here seem to be unaware of this.

I suspect that most people use normal cables such as the ones supplied by WiiM.

 

[Smartplug]

I suspect that most people use normal cables such as the ones supplied by WiiM.

Esoteric connectors and cable are nothing more than snake oil. Audioholic put these claims on science using audio precision and the result no better than the cable that came from device that are shielded. There’s actually difference they take your hard earn money look back and laugh how foolish you are taking a bait. Fancy cable at its finest!

 

[dtc]

I suspect that most people use normal cables such as the ones supplied by WiiM.

Wiim only supplies one set and one length of cable. If you have 2 inputs or outputs or need a different length you need to go somewhere else. Wiim does not supply 75 ohm coax cables.

My normal Monoprice RCA cables do not fit. It is not just a problem with esoteric cables.

In over 50 years of audio (yes - I am old), I have not have this problem on other equipment.

 

[dtc]

Esoteric connectors and cable are nothing more than snake oil. Audioholic put these claims on science using audio precision and the result no better than the cable that came from device that are shielded. There’s actually difference they take your hard earn money look back and laugh how foolish you are taking a bait. Fancy cable at its finest!

Please do not take this discussion down that rat hole. I know people here like to carry on about this topic, but it is not the topic of this thread.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

Wiim only supplies one set and one length of cable. If you have 2 inputs or outputs or need a different length you need to go somewhere else. Wiim does not supply 75 ohm coax cables.

My normal Monoprice RCA cables do not fit. It is not just a problem with esoteric cables.

In over 50 years of audio (yes - I am old), I have not have this problem on other equipment.

WiiM supply sufficient cables for most users, and as another user with 50 years of audio experience, I have quite a selection of suitable cables in stock to cover most eventualities.

 

[dtc]

WiiM supply sufficient cables for most users, and as another user with 50 years of audio experience, I have quite a selection of suitable cables in stock to cover most eventualities.

Well, Wiim does not supply a coax cable. So, anyone using coax has to go out and buy one or use an existing one. I think there are quite a few Wiim users who use coax.

My 3 foot Monoprice cables cost $8 - hardly estoteric.

Please, can you just admit that some non-esoteric cables do not fit it some Wiim boxes. That is the question at hand.

 

[dtc]

WiiM supply sufficient cables for most users, and as another user with 50 years of audio experience, I have quite a selection of suitable cables in stock to cover most eventualities.

Well, as another old guy with lots of cables, have you ever had RCA cables not fit into a piece of equipment? My guess is no. That is the point.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

Well, Wiim does not supply a coax cable. So, anyone using coax has to go out and buy one or use an existing one. I think there are quite a few Wiim users who use coax.

My 3 foot Monoprice cables cost $8 - hardly estoteric.

Please, can you just admit that some non-esoteric cables do not fit it some Wiim boxes. That is the question at hand.

Once again, I suspect that most people don’t use a coax cable, myself included.

I don’t own any cables with oversized plugs, so I have not experienced the problem you describe, but for future reference, I will check the plug dimensions of any prospective cable purchases.

 

[dtc]

Once again, I suspect that most people don’t use a coax cable, myself included.

I don’t own any cables with oversized plugs, so I have not experienced the problem you describe, but for future reference, I will check the plug dimensions of any prospective cable purchases.

Thanks. I was clearly pretty unlucky when I first tried to hook up an RCA. It took me 3 tries to find one that fit. There are several threads on here about the problem that I finally consulted to be sure that I finally got one that fit. As I said, this was a first for me.

And, my observation is that the plugs are not oversized, but the Wiim opening is slightly undersized, as least on some units.

 

[Bill Mac]

I use RCA cables from Signal Cable. I used one for the coaxial output of the Ultra to the coaxial input of a Denafrips Pontus 15. There was no problem with the fit although Signal Cable RCA connectors do fit tight. That was my biggest concern as far as damaging the PCB mounted RCA connector.

I would also prefer RCA connectors that are mounted to the housing. But for the cost of the Ultra it's understandable. One has to be aware of that when using tight fitting RCA connectors.

Analog Two

 

[Saponetto]

Amphenol ACPR RCAs are good enough for doing their job at best, and fits very well within the recesses of the Ultra.
See my profile pic for type reference.