More inputs please! And maybe a tape loop?

[ralphs99]

Another 1x digital and 1x analog inputs would be great!

While I'm at it, maybe a tape loop as well? ie a fixed volume output derived from the source input to go to a recording device, and a return that can be sent to the main outputs for monitoring in place of the source input. Does that make sense?

In other words, when monitoring from a recording device that's recording from the selected source input, the signal path would be: Source --> Fixed out; Recorder return --> Main output

Probably a niche application, but would be awesome!

Cheers, Ralph

 

[Audiaholic]

My wiim ultra is basically just an end point for streaming. It's kind of overkill for that purpose but it's good value.
On my audiolab 8300 there's 2 sets of pre outs. Balanced and unbalanced.

So everything goes into my audiolab pre. The balanced connections go to my 8300xp, then the unbalanced feed anything that requires an audio input.

To monitor I just use cans directly into the recording device.

This could work for you, but either way, i think you'll be needing to use the Wiim as a regular source output into a "standard" pre/integrated amplifier that has the ins and outs you want.

The exact method above is what I do to put anything onto my zoom f3 at 192khz. Really is great. Especially vinyl captures.

There's many more ways to achieve what you want, but you end up with a rat's nest of cabling and a conundrum remembering what needs to be on and off in order to do a very simple task.

Tape loops will come back. Like most things. I mean, hey, cassette is coming back slowly so sooner or later the loops will too.

 

[d6jg]

Not Ultra but WiiM Pro Plus setup in conjunction with my turntable and Mission 778x. This allows me to record vinyl and monitor if needed.
The purist may say that I should be using the analog input on the Mission for the turntable but I see no reason to do so especially as the Mission has 2 digital outs that I can then use for headphone amps.
This wasn't my original schema but then I found that contrary to what AI told me the analog inputs on the Mission are not sent to the digital outs so I ended up with this.
In terms of usage I just need to switch the input on the Pro Plus to switch between streaming and turntable.
If I want multi-room vinyl playback I can achieve this either by grouping 2 x WiiM or using the Raspberry Pi Streamer as a feed for Lyrion.
Looks complicated but really isn't. Apart from the turntable, laptop and speakers nothing is visible so I have achieved quite a high WAF factor.

 

[ralphs99]

Fascinating to see how everyone is solving their particular implementation issues! Love it!

@Audioholic I know what you mean about the Ultra being overkill just for use as a streamer, that's why I'm trying to extract maximum value from it and use it as the core of my listening system. It almost works as such. Like you, I have an AV processor, and that has a zone2 output I use as a tape send, and I use the extra inputs on my speaker/room correction DSP as a pseudo tape return. Additionally, I have a streamer feeding the AV processor along with some other legacy gear, CD, tuner, Minidisc and TT. It all works well, but the Ultra could potentially replace the streamer, AV processor and DSP. It just lacks a couple of inputs and a tape loop. But the setup suggested by @hgo58 could do the trick

@d6jg Your setup does look complicated, but ease of use is the main thing, along with WAF I've squeezed all of my gear into a cupboard and all that's visible are the speakers, tape recorder and TT. In use, I just need to open the cupboard door and juggle four remotes! I lose a lot of points here with the remotes Ultra to the rescue? One unified and expressive remote control surface for the entire system, I like the idea of that!

​

 

[ralphs99]

Response from Customer Support re the pre-gain issue with linked devices:
"This feature has been added to the plan, but development has not yet started. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a specific completion date at this time"

 

[erm?]

The USB gives Wiim quite a lot of leeway to add inputs via an external device. We already have support for output via USB audio devices, so adding support for USB input devices probably isn't too much of a leap, although making it general might be. Individual stereo inputs should be easy enough, but the matrix mixers common on multi-input devices like a Scarlett 18i20 have too many variations.

A neater option would be to make their own outboard input device(s) that stack neatly with the Ultra. This way the Ultra firmware only has to deal with a known set of options to be added to the available controls if detected. The simplest but somewhat messy option would be simple switching with control via USB and an output to the equivalent type of input via a short cable. More complex would be internal converters (ADC, digital receivers etc.) with everything going via USB. A USB hub would be needed if you wanted to use more than one module.

 

[JaccoW]

As someone who uses a Reel-to-reel for recording from vinyl sometimes I will second the wish for a tape loop. However, I can tell from experience with a Wiim Ultra. You want:

• Fixed volume out
• No (room)-EQ on this output

Otherwise you end up recording your room-EQ onto the tape and then amplifying it even more when playing it back through the Wiim again. It will quickly become unlistenable.

 

[canard]

Just use a regular preamp (with prephono ana etc) with your Ultra... and its "tape" loop. I doubt you don't already have one ;-)
(What percentage of Wiim users do you think these uses will affect? Without preamp? ;-)) )

 

[harkpabst]

Following the hype on YouTube, this percentage could at least be an increasing number.

 

[cooky560]

I wouldn't say no to a tape loop I have many old tapes and I can't play them in the wiim system at present.

 

[canard]

It seemed to me that people who own reel-to-reel, tape, dat, and vinyl turntables etc come from the era of "analog preamps"... whereas an Ultra, etc., would only be a streamer, like cd.... not a preamp (digitizing the inputs... in AD/DC...).
;-)
(Promise me you can get "tape" outputs with asym and sym output (I imagine, since serious machines etc. of this type from the professional world are generally balanced)... to get L/R subwoofer outputs, I suspect it will appeal to a wider audience than just owners of Reel to Reel who are determined to upgrade to a future Wiim console... ;-) )

And a reel-to-reel is very nice and convenient if it's just plugged into the mains... no need to connect it for audio ;-)))