Features wanted in a Wiim Ultra 2

I’d like to see them add a coax input and a center out for a dedicated center speaker. It’s already a really good device so adding all of these “audiophile” features would just increase the price and drive away customers. Plus WiiM’s strengths are in their software which kinda blows the competition out of the water.

But it would also bring in more customers.

Heck, as far as I'm concerned, they can drop the whole DAC/equalizer/volume, etc... put a larger OLED touchscreen and sell it as a very good IP Audio to ( USB/Coax/optical ) bridge. For inputs use ethernet, WiFi 7, USB-C.

Then perhaps make the DAC and output section (with balanced and single ended outputs) as an option on a plug in card.

Sell it for 600 bucks with no DAC/analog output, 1000 with DAC/analog output.

It would compete with the Topping D90 and others at that price except it would add the Audio over IP which would be awesome.

Keep the current one for the entry level crowd.
 
Unfortunately, the perception of individual listeners (even if they feel like they represent a majority, which is never the case) is nothing any developer in their right mind could make any sense of.
 
Unfortunately, the perception of individual listeners (even if they feel like they represent a majority, which is never the case) is nothing any developer in their right mind could make any sense of.

So you just dismissed an entire industry? I mean, per your assertion, we might as well buy the cheapest stuff around.

Here's a "developer in his right mind" talking about such things... notice how he ties listening with hardware design and measurements. I mean, this guy listens and designs and measures, rinse and repeat.


And this discussion is going away from "features wanted".

The man wrote down what he wants... don't just dismiss it. Tell us instead what YOU want.

Honestly, the ASR - Julian Hirsch - mentality gets old fast. Trying to ridicule others... why don't you just open up your mind to the fact that there may be more to life than what you believe?

What I want in the Ultra..

(1) An IP bridge with digital inputs/outputs version. Without DAC, equalizer, volume or analog section.
(2) An optional board with DAC and analog output, socketed opamps and SE and balanced outputs. An Alps pot for volume.
(3) A larger touchscreen OLED
(4) A homogenized WiiM Home that works and looks the same in PC, Android and Chromebook.

BTW, have noticed how Tidal Connect will disconnect from the Tidal playing in your PC/Android/Chromebook?

(5) How about a web interface to control the Ultra? I'm not too keen on forcing an application on the user's machine.

@slartibartfast

BTW, right now this Ultra is making some truly awesome music, playing Hot Rize and Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers. I run it using Tidal Connect... outputs to the Nitsch DAC which also serves as preamp.

How does it sound? Well, it's the system... but I removed the preamp ( a CJ ET3SE ) out of the loop and..

  • Soundstage is deep. I can hear the difference of how instruments were recorded, front to back, side to side.
  • Voices and instruments are separate. I can hear them in their place in the soundstage as separate entities, when one comes in and out, louder of softer, it doesn't affect the others.
  • When the volume gets loud, the instruments don't get harsh or hard. This is important for stuff like massed choral music.
  • The soundstage is constant, it doesn't shrink or expend, whether the music gets loud or soft.
  • The timbre of the instruments is true, they sound like real instruments with proper body, tone and attack
  • It sounds like a very good facsimile of live music

When I play the WiiM's own DAC, the soundstage shrinks and I don't get the feel that the players are in front of me.

Notice the write up about that DAC/preamp... of particular importance is the design of the analog output section ( sure the DAC I got in it is very good too..)..

 

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Just call the guy, while he's relaxing in Monaco, send him your credit card number info and he'll fix your stereo...

Superb! Why didn't I think of that?

Zappa was so far ahead with all of this...

The mystery man came over
And he said, "I'm out of sight"
He said, "For a nominal service charge
I could reach Nirvana tonight"
If I was ready, willing and able
To pay him his regular fee
He would drop all the rest of his pressing affairs
And devote his attention to me
..
Look here, brother
Who you jivin' with that cosmic debris?
Now is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho?
Don't you know, you could make more money as a butcher
So don't you waste your time on me
...

I think it's time for the Ultra to do some Cosmik Debris
 
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