Considering buying WiiM Amp Ultra or Eversolo Play Amp.

[castalla]

Tidal is a good example. Dedicated versions (eg. on Wiim) don't show the Video category. The original app (and the smart TV app) do include Videos.

 

[Burnside]

I guess what I’m circling is the question as to whether it supports bit perfect AlexaCast from my tablet/phone Amazon Music app or is it still the case that that is a WiiM USP?

 

[castalla]

Yes, that is precisely the advantage of the Eversolo as I understand it. Use it exclusively on the device touchscreen. I personally don't need it, but many people want it

Unless you're using these screen streamers as a desktop device, continually dragging yourself across the room to control could be very irritating. For remote control the bigger the screen the better.! Compare the demand for TV display apps

 

[castalla]

I guess what I’m circling is the question as to whether it supports bit perfect AlexaCast from my tablet/phone Amazon Music app or is it still the case that that is a WiiM USP?

I think Wiim is the winner here.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Horses for courses, and we all have different needs, but an Ultra and your own choice of amp has got to have the edgeover either of these all-in-ones, for most people.

 

[Burnside]

See this too, albeit not v. the Amp Ultra just the Amp Pro

 

[Zap Rekowski]

Unless you're using these screen streamers as a desktop device, continually dragging yourself across the room to control could be very irritating. For remote control the bigger the screen the better.! Compare the demand for TV display apps

The fact that I mention that Eversolo offers this option does not mean that it is my preferred one. However, I recently saw a thread here where someone wanted this feature on an Ultra. Perhaps to prevent everyone on the network from doing whatever they want with the device...
Personally, I use several different phones/tablets and definitely prefer it

 

[harkpabst]

Horses for courses, and we all have different needs, but an Ultra and your own choice of amp has got to have the edge over either of these all-in-ones, for most people.

Let's rather say it's got to have the edge for most Steve Woodhouses.

What do we know about most people? Some even say that people are strange when you're a stranger and graphical user interfaces look ugly when you're alone.

In my case the Ultra plus a separate power amp sits in the family's TV room while in my own listening room a near perfect all-in-one system occupies the stage.

The brand named after people who are always alone also makes streaming preceivers and the question if you prefer their Android based approach or WiiM's Linux based approach is certainly not answered by a integrated power amp. It's also not part of the OP's consideration.

 

[dominikz]

Horses for courses, and we all have different needs, but an Ultra and your own choice of amp has got to have the edgeover either of these all-in-ones, for most people.

While I absolutely agree that different people have different needs and all of them can be equally valid, I don't really see why Ultra with a separate amp would have an edge for most people.

TBH, the only cases I can see where Ultra + separate amp has an edge over an all-in-one like the Amp Ultra is if:

1. You need more power
2. You need a headphone out and/or phono in
3. You just prefer to have separates and/or enjoy switching components

For the first point in my list I wonder how many people actually need more than 2x100W into 8 Ohm to drive their loudspeakers to satisfactory levels. And even the second point is a bit moot, because you could add either (or both) to the Amp Ultra with an extra box; though it wouldn't be an all-in-one anymore.

Can you think of any other cases that I overlooked?

On the other hand, having an all-in-one makes the system simple and pre-integrated - no need to think about interconnects, gain staging, multiple volume settings, triggering, noises caused by sample rate changes, less need to educate other users in the same household, etc... I imagine this would be preferable to people who don't enjoy tweaking and want something that just works.
Hell, it's preferable to me as well, and I'm spending quite a bit of my time tinkering in audio...

 

[hgo58]

While I absolutely agree that different people have different needs and all of them can be equally valid, I don't really see why Ultra with a separate amp would have an edge for most people.

TBH, the only cases I can see where Ultra + separate amp has an edge over an all-in-one like the Amp Ultra is if:

1. You need more power
2. You need a headphone out and/or phono in
3. You just prefer to have separates and/or enjoy switching components

For the first point in my list I wonder how many people actually need more than 2x100W into 8 Ohm to drive their loudspeakers to satisfactory levels. And even the second point is a bit moot, because you could add either (or both) to the Amp Ultra with an extra box; though it wouldn't be an all-in-one anymore.

Can you think of any other cases that I overlooked?

On the other hand, having an all-in-one makes the system simple and pre-integrated - no need to think about interconnects, gain staging, multiple volume settings, triggering, noises caused by sample rate changes, less need to educate other users in the same household, etc... I imagine this would be preferable to people who don't enjoy tweaking and want something that just works.
Hell, it's preferable to me as well, and I'm spending quite a bit of my time tinkering in audio...

The hole concept of standalone amplifiers and passive speakers is outdated to my opinion.

With the cheap and high quality digital hardware and the on chip class D amplifiers, the whole chain should be digital into the active speakers. Allowing the speaker manufactures to tune the hardware to the drives and cabinet.

We see that with the WiiM Sub and some few other speakers. The rest is stuck with the old concept of standalone amplifiers.

I only need the digital front-end to control what is playing and let the speakers do the rest.

I know a lot will protest, because it somewhat kills the hobby

Edit: You can however still play with EQ and Room Corrections and maybe also bye expensive digital cables.

 

[Burnside]

Let's rather say it's got to have the edge for most Steve Woodhouses.

There’s more than one?

 

[dominikz]

The hole concept of standalone amplifiers and passive speakers is outdated to my opinion.

With the cheap and high quality digital hardware and the on chip class D amplifiers, the whole chain should be digital into the active speakers. Allowing the speaker manufactures to tune the hardware to the drives and cabinet.

We see that with the WiiM Sub and some few other speakers. The rest is stuck with the old concept of standalone amplifiers.

I only need the digital front-end to control what is playing and let the speakers do the rest.

I know a lot will protest, because it somewhat kills the hobby

I agree that is true for a lot of people, and probably even for most.

However, there are always exceptions so it is good we have options!

 

[Pcryan5]

Hi, I've own few WiiM devices.
WiiM Amp 2 pcs, WiiM Pro and WiiM Ultra. Before two weeks bought Vibelink but after week of testing return it.
So I want to AIO device such as WiiM Amp Ultra. But after discuss with a friend he suggested to check Eversolo Play AMP.
Anyone tested Eversolo and compare to Amp Ultra. I want AIO device so my other devices will be second system.

Will appreciate any help. Price is almost the same so that's not the problem. I'm very satisfied with my current devices but want to buy an AIO device, for many reasons.

Thanks in advance!

Amazon offers both products and a solid refund process. Just saying

 

[Groove Catcher]

What do we know about most people? Some even say that people are strange when you're a stranger and graphical user interfaces look ugly when you're alone.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

There’s more than one?

I work in a village in West Yorkshire, and a few months ago I saw a van parked up with my name on the side (builder or something).

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

While I absolutely agree that different people have different needs and all of them can be equally valid, I don't really see why Ultra with a separate amp would have an edge for most people.

TBH, the only cases I can see where Ultra + separate amp has an edge over an all-in-one like the Amp Ultra is if:

1. You need more power
2. You need a headphone out and/or phono in
3. You just prefer to have separates and/or enjoy switching components

For the first point in my list I wonder how many people actually need more than 2x100W into 8 Ohm to drive their loudspeakers to satisfactory levels. And even the second point is a bit moot, because you could add either (or both) to the Amp Ultra with an extra box; though it wouldn't be an all-in-one anymore.

Can you think of any other cases that I overlooked?

On the other hand, having an all-in-one makes the system simple and pre-integrated - no need to think about interconnects, gain staging, multiple volume settings, triggering, noises caused by sample rate changes, less need to educate other users in the same household, etc... I imagine this would be preferable to people who don't enjoy tweaking and want something that just works.
Hell, it's preferable to me as well, and I'm spending quite a bit of my time tinkering in audio...

Perhaps, and to be fair to you, I should have included "in my opinion".

But yes, I'd still say most people. I don't mean most people out of the entire population, I mean most people who like 'serious hi-fi', and want a streaming set up, which I think is WiiM's audience.

Whilst we have the WiiM Sound coming up, at this point WiiM appear to be a hi-fi company selling separates, or units with a couple of functions integrated. The Sound is perhaps their first mass-market product.

The WiiM Amps (vanilla, Pro and Ultra), I think the closest you got to them in old hi-fi was something like the Denon UD-M31 (I still have one, it's great). But Denon will have sold far more separates (CD players and amps).

I think a lot of us are a lot less precious and sniffy as we used to be about all-in-une units, but we still like separates, and the flexibility it gives us. A standalone Ultra has the option of either a bigger or smaller amp than the one in the Amp Ultra, and the ability to upgrade in the future. It also has a greater variety of ins and outs.

Imagine buying a WiiM Amp because it was exactly what you wanted, or as close as was available at the time, then having to upgrade to the Amp Pro for PFFB, then to the Amp Ultra for the extra power, etc. Had there been the equivalent of the original WiiM Amp, but without the amp section (so, I suppose, like the WiiM Pro Plus with a sub out), you'd have only need to replace the amp section, not the entire streamer. Indeed, you could have bought the amp most suited to your own needs right at the start.

All in my very humble opinion, of course.

 

[EddNog]

While I absolutely agree that different people have different needs and all of them can be equally valid, I don't really see why Ultra with a separate amp would have an edge for most people.

TBH, the only cases I can see where Ultra + separate amp has an edge over an all-in-one like the Amp Ultra is if:

1. You need more power
2. You need a headphone out and/or phono in
3. You just prefer to have separates and/or enjoy switching components

For the first point in my list I wonder how many people actually need more than 2x100W into 8 Ohm to drive their loudspeakers to satisfactory levels. And even the second point is a bit moot, because you could add either (or both) to the Amp Ultra with an extra box; though it wouldn't be an all-in-one anymore.

Can you think of any other cases that I overlooked?

On the other hand, having an all-in-one makes the system simple and pre-integrated - no need to think about interconnects, gain staging, multiple volume settings, triggering, noises caused by sample rate changes, less need to educate other users in the same household, etc... I imagine this would be preferable to people who don't enjoy tweaking and want something that just works.
Hell, it's preferable to me as well, and I'm spending quite a bit of my time tinkering in audio...

The hole concept of standalone amplifiers and passive speakers is outdated to my opinion.

With the cheap and high quality digital hardware and the on chip class D amplifiers, the whole chain should be digital into the active speakers. Allowing the speaker manufactures to tune the hardware to the drives and cabinet.

We see that with the WiiM Sub and some few other speakers. The rest is stuck with the old concept of standalone amplifiers.

I only need the digital front-end to control what is playing and let the speakers do the rest.

I know a lot will protest, because it somewhat kills the hobby

Edit: You can however still play with EQ and Room Corrections and maybe also bye expensive digital cables.

Those of us who use external room correction/active crossovers/DSPs, such as miniDSP with DIRAC Live, do not have a use for an integrated power amp, since we cannot reroute the miniDSP's output back into the WiiM's integrated amp as a loopback.

-Ed

 

[DariuszP]

I think it is hard to overestimate how much more important is the proper app (here: apps, including MacOS and AppleTV) and ergonomic UI than some minor technical differences. E.g. here I have quite expensive Auralic Aries G streamer, great DAC built into Ayon tube-based CD player, Accuphase integrated amp and old-but-great B&W 803 Diamonds, but just due to pure easiness of use most of the time I play... WiiM Ultra into Denon AVR. When I am not very lazy I play WiiM Ultra (via analog out) through Accuphase (and obviously it sounds much better) and only for longer, critical listening I put Ayon DAC into the chain. I have not even powered up Auralic since the day WiiM Ultra arrived...

My point is: WiiM is so easy and pleasing to use that you just use it, regardless other (objectively: sonically better?) options. I would be very much interested in someone comparing WiiM platform to Eversolo just on these grounds. However frankly speaking I cannot imagine that something could be better than WiiM in this respect. And moreover, the platform is evolving fast based on user comments and needs. So WiiM for sure is a very safe choice, especially as it sounds really good (have WiiM Amp Ultra in other location and it is very ok).

 

[F1 Fan]

Having had the Eversolo Play, I can report the following.

* Amp under powered
* Lip sync issues
* As a Streamer, it’s great but buy a A6 or Ultra.

It’s been sent back

 

[EddNog]

Having had the Eversolo Play, I can report the following.

* Amp under powered
* Lip sync issues
* As a Streamer, it’s great but buy a A6 or Ultra.

It’s been sent back

How did the interface compare? Did you remote control the unit at all? Did it come with a remote control that worked well, or did you have to do everything through an app and did the app work well?

I am pondering an Eversolo T8 when it is released.

-Ed