Linked Wiim issues (playing with optical, not with streaming)

[AudioAmore]

So this one is a head scratcher for me.

I use optical and line -in into my Ultra. I have an amp pro, and two Wiim Pro Pluses linked. The linked Wiims work perfectly.

However, today I tried streaming (via Roon as well as Spotify) and the linked players would not play. I can hear through the Ultra, but the others were silent. I tried streaming to the Amp Pro alone, and that worked perfectly. I then tried linking the ultra to the Amp Pro (basically the opposite of my usual set up) and, again, it only played through the "main" wiim.

I switched back to using the Ultra as the input device and linking the Amp Pro. Using the optical in, I had no problem at all. I switched back to streaming, and, again, it only played through the Ultra.

I tried changing the SPDIF resolution (which never gave me an issue in the past) and no change. When I played the test tone, it played through both the Ultra AND the linked Amp. But when I went back to streaming, same issue. Only sound through the Ultra, not the linked Amp.

I have tried rebooting all the devices. I uninstalled and reinstalled the app. All Wiims have been updated to the latest firmware.

I feel like I'm missing something unbelievably simple, but for whatever reason, I just don't see it.

I truly appreciate any help you can give me, if just to make me not feel like I'm crazy, lol.

Thanks!

 

[Mr Ee]

Wondering if you're streaming using chromecast?
Yes, Spotify normally uses spotify connect, but can use chromecast; similar for roon I believe.
Chromecast is known to behave this way with wiim groups.

 

[AudioAmore]

Wondering if you're streaming using chromecast?
Yes, Spotify normally uses spotify connect, but can use chromecast; similar for roon I believe.
Chromecast is known to behave this way with wiim groups.

Thanks for your reply. I was looking into it, and it looked like spotify was using connect. To be on the safe side, I accessed Spotify through the Wiim app. And it worked by doing that. I also tried Tidal via the app, and that worked. However, using Roon still isn't working. I tried connecting the Ultra via Roon Ready connection. I also disabled the Roon speaker option into the Ultra, as I know that utilizes Chromecast. But still no Roon playing through linked devices.

On the upside, I can access Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify through the Wiim app, and it plays through the connected devices.

Now I just have to work on that pesky Roon connection.

Thank you again for chiming in. I appreciate it!

 

[Mr Ee]

I accessed Spotify through the Wiim app. And it worked by doing that

Very strange, 'cos all that does is launch the spotify app.

 

[AudioAmore]

Very strange, 'cos all that does is launch the spotify app.

I know. This whole situation has really flummoxed me!

Tidal and Spotify Connect are now working as expected. The Qobuz app will not (Chromecast issues are starting to make sense). But if I use Qobuz within the Wiim app, all is fine.

Again, thanks so much. You put me on the right path vis-a-vis Chromecast issues.

 

[azoriusmage]

I worry they are pushing too many sources into WiiM and too many betas going on and yet Chromecast doesn't work properly which is awful considering that Airplay is not appearing in the new devices. Sounds a bit to me like commercial decisions (lets get lots of services in) rather than getting basics right.

I wonder how few developers are being stretched across too many things?

 

[Burnside]

Who knows, but WiiM have said they're working with Google to try to resolve the Google Cast issues. I'm sure you wouldn't want progress on other areas to stop while they, for example, were waiting for Google to get back to them re an issue?

 

[AudioAmore]

Who knows, but WiiM have said they're working with Google to try to resolve the Google Cast issues. I'm sure you wouldn't want progress on other areas to stop while they, for example, were waiting for Google to get back to them re an issue?

It's good to know they are, indeed, working on it. I understand that dealing with outside corporations can be frustrating. I just hope that things will keep moving forward.

 

[AudioAmore]

I will reach out to Roon to get a definitive answer regarding the streaming of "Roon Ready" devices as distinct from using the WiiMs as a "standard" Google Cast endpoint. I was hoping that accessing the Ultra via the Roon Ready stream would somehow bypass the Google Cast issue, but it doesn't seem to. Now I'm more curious than ever to know just how "Roon Ready" differs from the Roon Google Cast. Sure, I understand the bitrate issues, but if it still uses Google Cast as an underlying method, I'd like to know.

 

[Burnside]

I will reach out to Roon to get a definitive answer regarding the streaming of "Roon Ready" devices as distinct from using the WiiMs as a "standard" Google Cast endpoint. I was hoping that accessing the Ultra via the Roon Ready stream would somehow bypass the Google Cast issue, but it doesn't seem to. Now I'm more curious than ever to know just how "Roon Ready" differs from the Roon Google Cast. Sure, I understand the bitrate issues, but if it still uses Google Cast as an underlying method, I'd like to know.

I understood Roon to have their own protocol (RAAT) so unless you still have your Ultra defined in Roon as a chromecast (or even squeezelite) endpoint, I wouldn't see Chromecast coming in to the equation.

 

[azoriusmage]

Who knows, but WiiM have said they're working with Google to try to resolve the Google Cast issues. I'm sure you wouldn't want progress on other areas to stop while they, for example, were waiting for Google to get back to them re an issue?

I don't think I was suggesting stopping everything else while waiting for Google but there are quite a few betas going on with sluggish progress on issues

 

[AudioAmore]

I understood Roon to have their own protocol (RAAT) so unless you still have your Ultra defined in Roon as a chromecast (or even squeezelite) endpoint, I wouldn't see Chromecast coming in to the equation.

I was thinking there was a different protocol. I disabled the google cast endpoint and tried streaming via the Roon Ready version of the endpoint, but I was still getting the same problem (playing on the Ultra, but not playing on any of the other connected WiiMs. It's been quite the frustration.

 

[AudioAmore]

I just discovered that WiiM does NOT support Roon for Multiroom playback:

Limitations and Considerations of WiiM Multi-room Music

This tutorial will explain the limitations and considerations of WiiM Multi-room music, created through the WiiM Home App. Limitations When streaming WiiM Multiple-room music using any of the following protocols, only one WiiM device (mas...

faq.wiimhome.com

The relevant bit:

Limitations​

When streaming WiiM Multiple-room music using any of the following protocols, only one WiiM device (master WiiM device) will output audio:

• Google Cast
• Roon
• LMS (Lyrion Media Server)

This is because the WiiM Multi-room music does not support these protocols for multi-room playback.

On the one hand, I'm disappointed, but on the other hand, I feel a sense of relief to have a definitive answer!

 

[slartibartfast]

I just discovered that WiiM does NOT support Roon for Multiroom playback:

Limitations and Considerations of WiiM Multi-room Music

This tutorial will explain the limitations and considerations of WiiM Multi-room music, created through the WiiM Home App. Limitations When streaming WiiM Multiple-room music using any of the following protocols, only one WiiM device (mas...

faq.wiimhome.com

The relevant bit:



On the one hand, I'm disappointed, but on the other hand, I feel a sense of relief to have a definitive answer!

Surely it must work if you use Roon for multi room. Lyrion can definitely add a WiiM device as part of a synchronised group.

 

[hgo58]

I just discovered that WiiM does NOT support Roon for Multiroom playback:

Limitations and Considerations of WiiM Multi-room Music

This tutorial will explain the limitations and considerations of WiiM Multi-room music, created through the WiiM Home App. Limitations When streaming WiiM Multiple-room music using any of the following protocols, only one WiiM device (mas...

faq.wiimhome.com

The relevant bit:



On the one hand, I'm disappointed, but on the other hand, I feel a sense of relief to have a definitive answer!

If really needed, as a work around then connect the Roon WiiM via cable to another WiiM and let that one be the multiroom master.

That would work but not sure that if you play out to speakers from the Roon device also, they can be in sync with the multiroom playing?

 

[AudioAmore]

Surely it must work if you use Roon for multi room. Lyrion can definitely add a WiiM device as part of a synchronised group.

I would have thought so, too. But for me, I simply cannot get Roon to play through the WiiM devices connected to my Ultra. It does seem to go against logic, but I have experienced it. And then the WiiM post appears to confirm it.

 

[AudioAmore]

If really needed, as a work around then connect the Roon WiiM via cable to another WiiM and let that one be the multiroom master.

That would work but not sure that if you play out to speakers from the Roon device also, they can be in sync with the multiroom playing?

I think I'm going to try linking the WiiM endpoints within Roon to create a group there rather than within the WiiM app. I will see how that works when I get home from work tonight.

 

[slartibartfast]

I think I'm going to try linking the WiiM endpoints within Roon to create a group there rather than within the WiiM app. I will see how that works when I get home from work tonight.

That's what I was thinking of.

 

[AudioAmore]

That's what I was thinking of.

That may, indeed, be the path of least resistance.

 

[Burnside]

That may, indeed, be the path of least resistance.

I think what the faq you posted is saying is that multi room protocols are by and large different so it’s almost to be expected that you can’t mix and match…