Features wanted in a Wiim Ultra 2

Like every normal (pre) amp be able to listen to the headphones independent of chosen output. Can't be that hard to implementeer.
 
I don't think we need blind testing, just a controlled listening environment.
Blind testing, very precise level-matching, and repetition until statistical significance is reached are all absolutely crucial if we're to have any hope of reaching repeatable results and correct conclusions from listening tests.

Also, a controlled listening environment is one where variables are controlled, and only those which are under test are modified.
Various biasing factors (both cognitive and perceptual) are such variables, which can (and do) very easily skew listening test results.

People often downplay how big of an effect cognitive and perceptual biases have on our listening - but the effect is very big, and it happens all the time and to everyone. Even to people who are well aware of such biases - no one is immune. It is just a part of being human.

An environment is not controlled if all those factors aren't taken into account.

For a much better written and more complete introduction to controlled listening tests I wholeheartedly recommend this article.
 
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BTW....

read this too..


Active Speakers—The Second Wave, by Bruno Putzeys, Part 1 of 2 (Unabridged)

What can active speakers do that passive ones can’t? Impulse response, impulse response, impulse response, says Bruno Putzeys. That, and their sheer practicality, makes them the wave of the future.
pmamagazine.org
pmamagazine.org

Active Speakers—The Second Wave, by Bruno Putzeys, Part 2 of 2

Bruno Putzeys concludes his two-part series that explains why active speakers are inherently better than passive ones.
pmamagazine.org
pmamagazine.org

What's really interesting is how he uses the DSP for creating time aligned filters that handle the impulse response.

OTOH, you can use a wideband speaker or a small two way. It also explains why speakers like Maggies have such realistic, "fast" bass.

Maybe the next Ultra could have some DSP processing? It would be neat if it ran before the DAC so it could go out the USB to an external DAC as well.
 
No, please READ the links.

I'm talking about a much more complex task. Not just room correction, but in this case it's SPEAKER correction with impulse correction and baffle step...

Again, READ the links.
 
Perhaps you should check out the minidsp forum for active speaker filtering.

Your considerations etc. will, I think, find much more meaning there.


Here, more modestly, Wiim is working on producing an interesting, consumer-grade room treatment;
and maybe one day FIR processing will become so widespread that even devices like our Wiim streamers will offer it as a standard feature... who knows?
But they still have to finalize the current Roomfit system.


PS... I think, after reading all your messages, that you've gotten a little " lost" on this forum. ...really.... ;-)
 
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No, please READ the links.

I'm talking about a much more complex task. Not just room correction, but in this case it's SPEAKER correction with impulse correction and baffle step...

Again, READ the links.
Did that of course. So what you is asking for is the current RoomFit to analyze the IR and apply FIR or IIR filters in the current DSP implementation?

I don't think we need a new WiiM device for that? The DAC implementation has nothing to do with this. It's all software.
 
Are there any plans for WiiM to release an improved version of the Ultra?

I love my Ultra so much that I can’t wait to give my money over to an improved version of it. It would be very highly anticipated by all fans of WiiM.

Imagine if WiiM were able to include AirPlay in the next iteration. All that noise would cease to exist and the new Ultra would be unanimously hailed as one of, if not thee, greatest single addition to Hifi enjoyment.

Come on WiiM, you can do it. Give the people want they want.
 
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SPEAKER correction with impulse correction
Here's one article on that exact topic, perhaps you may find it interesting: Zero Phase In Studio Monitors

The article contains quotes on the subject by dr. Floyd Toole, dr. Wolfgang Klippel, Andrew Jones and James Croft.

Maybe the next Ultra could have some DSP processing? It would be neat if it ran before the DAC so it could go out the USB to an external DAC as well.
All WiiM devices already have DSP (RoomFit, EQ, delay, bass management) before the DAC.
It is just that their DSP doesn't offer FIR filters today, which is what you'd seem to like having.

My own opinion is that FIR filters should only be used when needed to fix a specific issue because they also bring some new risks. My reasoning can be found in this post, and this one.
 
Given Linkplay SoC modules are used in WiiM and other devices (not WiiM modules as suggested in an earlier post), wouldn’t the availability of newer modules from Linkplay hint at what WiiM might be considering in the future? However, I haven’t seen any new modules on the Linkplay site, just the 5 year old modules like the A98(M) that’s used in the current WiiM range.
 
Most people would prefer something that will sound really good without eq, just straight out of the box
It already does. DSP/EQ is for correcting acoustical problems (or personal taste or whatever)
By the way: Trying to be a spokesperson for "most people" is a flawed concept everywhere and always.
 
For me I can confirm it really DOES sound good straight out of the box. Better than I suspected. The Ultra was a gift and will almost certainly be the first and last 'streamer' in my life. Just to try it I bought a cheap class d amp and added a pair of bookshelf speakers, already here and waiting for a job. Quick setup in a 2,5 m stereo triangle, nice. But streaming from the services feels or tastes like non-alcoholic 'beer' or vegan 'burgers'. It seemed right and tempting at first glance, but for me it very quickly changed its state into soulless hot air. But that has nothing to do with the device. It sounds good.
 
Perhaps you should check out the minidsp forum for active speaker filtering.

Your considerations etc. will, I think, find much more meaning there.


Here, more modestly, Wiim is working on producing an interesting, consumer-grade room treatment;
and maybe one day FIR processing will become so widespread that even devices like our Wiim streamers will offer it as a standard feature... who knows?
But they still have to finalize the current Roomfit system.


PS... I think, after reading all your messages, that you've gotten a little " lost" on this forum. ...really.... ;-)

Story of my life.... ;-)

I have been looking at the minidsp for a while. Now they support 24/96 internally which is the only reason I didn't buy one before.
 
Don’t you use the WiiM home tv app for the display, or do you have other reasons on why you’d want hdmi output?
I don't use the WiiM home TV app. The reason for requesting an HDMI output so multichannel files can be played in surround. I have an Eversolo DMP-A6 that has an HDMI output and it's used for multichannel file playback in my main system.
 
full bluetooth 5.3 support including full 'hi res' audio codecs and less 'suggestive marketing' .. :rolleyes:
Per your AI quote:
"enables 24/96kHz audio... LDAC (up to 990kbps)... aptX HD (up to 576kbps) for 24bit audio"

Standard PCM FLAC 16/44.1kHz usually comes in at 900-1100kbps. True 24/96kHz takes 2400-3000kHz. LDAC and aptX come across as Real Thin in comparison to "the real thing".

So, maybe WiiM marketing was doing us a favor by not going with the AI hype...
 
I don't use the WiiM home TV app. The reason for requesting an HDMI output so multichannel files can be played in surround. I have an Eversolo DMP-A6 that has an HDMI output and it's used for multichannel file playback in my main system.

I use my Kodi box for playing back BD audio rips.
 
I use my Kodi box for playing back BD audio rips.
I'm quite happy with the one box solution of the DMP-A6. Eversolo has a great app but it's not as good as the WiiM app. A great feature of the DMP-A6 is that I can use my Harmony universal remote to power it up. There are other commands that that are IR as well.
 
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