Meet WiiM Ultra - The Digital Hub for Your Music

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It is a nice looking unit. Are you guys planning on getting a licenses for maybe Dolby playback for more of a surround sound experience? or something in that sort so were not tied down to just PCM
 
That's interesting, what Audiolab amp were you using? I've not found 2Vrms to be a problem with my 7000A through the Optical input.
Your amp's handling of DIGITAL input (e.g., S/PDIF over Optical TOSLINK or the RCA Coax) is going to be very different from input coming in over the ANALOG lines (RCA line-level).

In the digital case, your amp will be engineered to take care of the gain matching between its internal DAC stage and amplifier stage. That is a different path than the case were the analog input gain level is being set by an external device (CD player, DAC, etc.) that is connected into the amplifiers RCA analog inputs.
 
Your amp's handling of DIGITAL input (e.g., S/PDIF over Optical or the RCA Coax) is going to be very different from input coming on the ANALOG lines (RCA line-level).

In the digital case, your amp will be engineered to take care of the gain matching between its internal DAC stage and amplifier stage. That is a different path than the case were the analog input gain level is being set by an external device (CD player, DAC, etc.) that is connected into the amplifiers RCA analog inputs.
I understand now. I have tested the RCA analog connection too and the levels seem very similar to the Optical input with the line level set to 2Vrms. I (marginally) prefer the DAC in the 7000A though which incidentally is the same as the Ultra!

Edit: I've just discovered the Input Sensitivity can be changed on all three Aux line-ins on my Amp by +- 6dB!
 
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Does it? Didn’t know. I was looking for that in the specs. Must of missed it.
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Ah nice see question answered…and for me it’s more appealing now Since I want it to be as versatile as possible. I have the amp. So def next on my list.
 
True; the Touch was introduced in 2010, and a few other different form factor devices (Duet, Boom, Radio) as well. But at the same time, the culture had shifted from innovating network streaming devices towards a mass-market growth market. In one sense, Logitech was too early for the market and gave up too quickly; since a few years later Sonos came along and largely took over that market. But Sonos was expensive and focused on selling speakers rather than a network streaming device within the audio chain.

The culture of engineering and commitment to network streaming was obviously lost in the transition not too long after Slim Devices was acquired. The Touch was a fantastic final product of the Slim Devices legacy... but then Logitech and the market in general went dark.

True, with a Raspberry Pi, someone could create a DYI product. But, that is not the same as placing an order for a device (that is commercially supported), having it delivered, and then just plugging it into your audio chain. And especially not a device with the large, easy to read screen of the SB3 and even better Touch.

IMHO, WiiM brings back a culture of development—driven by passionate engineers—as a product company that I haven't seen since Slim Devices for network streamers. We still don't have anything with a large screen that is readable from a distance, a very useful remote control, and even simultaneous output across digital and analog. But, with the advent of iOS / Android / HTML 5 that enable remote display and control, along with the proliferation of smart phones and tablets with high quality screens, those are not really a major hurdle anymore So to me, once WiiM added a native Squeezelite client, the WiiM Pro Plus became the first commercially available replacement for SB3 / Touch... from a company that feels like it shares the same DNA as Slim Devices.
I agree. I jumped onto a WiiM Mini in the first place when there was a strong indication that it would get Squeezelite and then a Pro when it became apparent that the Mini wouldn't get it but the Pro upwards would. My Mini continues to be used in a stand alone way in my office with the UPnP/DLNA Bridge and I can't really find a fault apart from the lack of syncability (is that a word?).

On touchscreens / screens in general I can't see the point unless they are big enough to read from some distance and in the case of touchscreens actually big enough to touch in the right place. I can't see me buying an Ultra for these reasons. A Pro/Pro Plus and an accompanying converted O2 Joggler (which is what I still use) is going to continue to be very very hard to beat. A standalone 7"+ WiiM touchscreen would be a great addition and I suggest would sell in quite large numbers.

On Squeezelite on WiiM. Has ALAC support been added? I have no ALAC so it has never bothered me and I've not kept up to date on it.
 
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Hi WiiM Community!

Meet the WiiM Ultra – the centerpiece of your audio setup that's here to make your music experience better than ever. With top-notch components and a user-friendly design, it's not just a music streamer – it's your go-to for bringing high-quality sound into your home. Whether you've got powered speakers, amps, turntables, TVs, headphones, AV receivers, subwoofers, smart speakers, Bluetooth speakers and more, it's ready to go with Hi-Res streaming, room correction, and easy integration with your smart home gadgets and more.

View attachment 7028View attachment 7029

WiiM Ultra will be available for $329 in Q3 2024, first on Amazon and selected retailers in the US and later internationally. We'll make a formal announcement when it is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Please see below for the full specs of the WiiM Ultra. We hope you'll love this new product!

Highlights
  • Premium 32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M SABRE DAC, and high fidelity headphone amplifier TPA6120A2
  • Latest Wi-Fi 6E and BT 5.3 with two antennas offering rock-solid Bluetooth or Wi-Fi audio streaming
  • Elegant aluminum case with 3.5” vibrant touchscreen display covered with glass
  • Built-in room correction takes precise acoustic measurements of your room, creating customized corrections for your speaker and subwoofer.
  • Stream Hi-Res music with the bit-perfect digital output or high-fidelity analog audio (SNR>120dB, THD+N<0.00018%)
  • Versatile streaming options including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast Audio (CastLite), Alexa built-in, DLNA, Roon (in cert), and Squeezelite, and all streaming services currently in the WiiM Home App.
  • Gapless playback of Hi-Res music up to 24-bit/192 kHz using USB, SPDIF, Coax, Line, and Headphone output.
Tech Specs
  • Audio input
    • Bring your TV audio, recorder player, CD player, or another audio source into the digital world via either analog (RCA, Phono) or digital (Optical, HDMI ARC) port, up to 24-bit/192 kHz
  • Audio output
    • Through either analog (RCA, Headphone) or digital (Coax, Optical, USB) for connecting an amplifier or speaker
    • Wireless to another BT, AirPlay or DLNA receiver
    • Up to 192 kHz/ 24-bit, varying sample rate, and bit depth based on the audio source without resampling via Line out, Headphone, USB Coax, and Optical SPDIF
    • Line out
      • Maximum output: 2.1V RMS
      • SNR: 121 dB (A-wt)
      • THD+N (1 kHz): 0.00018% (-115 dB) for 44.1k to 192k
      • FR curve: +/- 0.05 dB
  • EQ
    • Tailor your audio experience with versatile and independent EQ settings for each input source – HDMI, Optical, Line, Phono, BT, or Network.
    • Access a robust suite of sound customization options, including 24 preset EQ settings, a 10-band graphic EQ, and an 10-band parametric EQ for precise sound adjustments.
  • Subwoofer output
    • Comprehensive bass management.
    • Adjustable crossover frequency, level, phase, and latency.
  • 12 V Trigger
    • Automatically turns on your stereo receiver or amplifir
  • Connectivity and power
    • 100-240V AC input.
    • Wi-Fi 6E, 802.11 b/g/n/ax 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz triple bands.
    • Bluetooth 5.3 with BLE and BT LE Audio, supports both A2DP receiver and transmitter, AVRCP, HID, works with the WiiM voice remote.
    • Ethernet, 10M/100 Mbps.
  • USB Host for Storage – Access personal media library and use it as a media server for other WiiM and DLNA devices
  • Glass-covered 3.5” vibrant touchscreen display:
    • Displays App widgets, large album pictures, playback control, playing queue, presets, EQ, audio input and output, and device settings
    • Guides users through the Out-of-Box Experience and firmware updates
    • Provides feedback when there’s a change in the play mode
    • Allows users to customize the wallpaper and display the time and date during standby mode
  • Physical
    • Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 2.9 inches (205 x 205 x 73 mm)
    • Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg)
    • LED: 4 Color RGBW LED indicates the device status
    • LCD touch screen: 3.5”
    • Volume knob: Adjust volume and play/pause button with glass cover.
If you have any questions about WiiM Ultra please post it in the spreadsheet link below:
Questions about WiiM Ultra
Does it have USB out to connect an external DAC?
 
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