How will a non-WiiM amplifier sound in my room?

[Alexandru2705]

Thank you for the recommendations, slartibartfast, pieterv1, Ronnie D. I did run the room correction and it does seem to be an improvement. There is clearly more bass where/when it should be. The graph curve does look a bit nasty in two spots, but overall it follows the ideal line.

The thing is, this morning I was so displeased with the sound quality of the WiiM Ultra that I decided to return it and buy instead a Marantz PM6007. At first I'd just keep it listening to tv channels, then I'd buy the cheaper WiiM Pro (I think) mainly for the USB port, to be able to listen to my large collection of lossless FLAC files with symphonic music. Actually, I bought the WiiM Ultra because I wanted to have a (close enough) sound quality to that of a stereo amp - for less money But, as I said, I was clearly underwhelmed by it after listening. That is, before performing the room correction. Now I'm so-so towards returning the WiiM and buying a Marantz 6007. That amp will not have a room correction app, but I hope it won't matter that much, given the expected rise in sound quality. So, now I'm a bit undecided if to keep the order I did for the Marantz (it remains for Monday anyway, as they don't have it on stock anymore), or to cancel it.

I know WiiM also has an amp, but if I do decide to buy, I'd prefer going for a well known/verified good sounding amp (Marantz).
What do you think, will the sound of said Marantz (my room is 15 square meters, in a block of flats) will clearly supersede in sound quality that of the WiiM Ultra, or more like so-so?

If I appear out of topic on this thread with these questions, I can open another one, of course. Thank you for your kind help.

 

[Burnside]

… then I'd buy the cheaper WiiM Pro (I think) mainly for the USB port,

The Pro doesn’t have a USB port

 

[Alexandru2705]

The Pro doesn’t have a USB port

Right, I forgot about that. Looks like I'll have to either use the USB port on the back of the tv (unfortunately it's the only one and it's occupied by an external HDD for live recording tv channels...), or buy a USB hub. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Mr Ee]

The pm6007 is a fine amplifier. Well, that's assuming it's at least slightly better than my 6006.
I run a tv via optical into the 6006, and also a pro (via smsl su9 dac) into it. Does that really sound much different to the 6006 dac? Maybe not, but by far the main use of the pro and smsl su9 is on to an smsl sh9 for headphones. (The su9 outputs rca and balanced concurrently.)
This setup is in a 15m2 room too.
The marantz is very easily loud enough, and sounds good too with my Krix floorstanders.

It's been quite a while since I had the Ultra in there, analog into the 6006, but it sounded good.
Had the wiim amp ultra in there for a while, and that sounded good too.
Have also used both the ultra (analog out) and wiim amp ultra in my main hifi, and both sounded good.

Not sure what's going on with your ultra/denon combo, but it's seemingly not consistent with my experience of the ultra into various (stereo) amplifier / speaker combos!

 

[Mr Ee]

Here's another thought for you, after reading "I was clearly underwhelmed by it after listening. That is, before performing the room correction. Now I'm so-so towards returning the WiiM and buying a Marantz 6007"

When I first got a wiim amp pro and tried it instead of my marantz 6006 I was also very underwhelmed. Sounded awful.
Then I ran Room Correction (as it was called then) and it improved greatly.
Then I turned off room correction and it still sounded good; nothing like it had at first.
For a still completely unknown reason to me, that I've not had with any other wiim, something simply wasn't right out of the box.
What happens if you disable all eq, roomfit etc? Does it still sound as underwhelming as it first did, or just a little different from with roomfit enabled?

What speakers are you using?

Final thought - I implied it earlier, but imo the wiim amp ultra is a fine bit of kit, and it has the usb input you want.
I'm certain the 6007 will be good too, but they are quite different feature wise.

 

[Alexandru2705]

Hi, my speakers are MA BX2 BXC BXFX connected to Denon 2113 which connects to LG UR8100. And for two days I have the WiiM Ultra.
I thought about Marantz PM6007 after listening to the WiiM, but after running the room correction the sound got better (more bass). Interestingly, after modifying the eq (after hints from another member on this forum) - as I still didn't like the highs/mids, as not clear/sharp enough -, I got clearer mids/highs, but it seemed to me the lower frequencies receded in quality. I got another hint on messing with the eq graphic, trying to improve the bass, but I then got a worse sound overall, for some reason: muddy, muffled. After the last try (fourth) things improved though. Oddly enough, after then checking each saved eq setting, there appeared to be no difference between them, at least to my ears.

Anyhow, what I want is, of course, great sound, with not much money and, if possible, with some of the facilities WiiM offers. I looked this morning at WiiM AMP Ultra, and very much liked the specifications, with the exception of its very light weight, and very light W consuming. Sure, its not AB, but probably D ampification, but 50 W consumption, and 2.5 kg? You will say the final result in sound quality is what matters, and I agree - I see that you have it and you are rather pleased with it. Now I'm in doubt if to order (for WiiM Ultra replacement) the WiiM Pro Ultra, instead of Marantz 6007.

I looked a bit at a newer model of stereo receiver/amp from Marantz, too - forgot the name. There is also a stereo amp: Yamaha R N600A that I had in view a year ago. So I am open to other suggestions.
I primarily listen to symphonic music on lossless FLAC files, which I have on a USB stick - that's why a USB port is rather essential. But I guess it's also possible to put my FLAC collection on the phone and then use an app to integrate it to other type of system.

I will be back soon.
Thank you for your help.

 

[Mr Ee]

with the exception of its very light weight, and very light W consuming.

It does take a mind shift to think (realise) that such a small box can compete with more traditional large, heavy amps.