New Ultra two issues

[Litefiter]

Signal chain:
Apple TV 4th gen. With HDMI out to:
Ultra via Toslink to:
Marantz 4240 via RCA to:
ZA3 mono blocks via Russound ADP-1.2 Speaker-level to Line-level Adapter to:
Dali 7 towers and RSL 10s

Previously had WiiM Pro. Purchased the Ultra for its improved DAC chip and Bass management.
Received it yesterday. This is basically just a swap from Pro to Ultra.
Issues:
Attempted Sub Sync, it never passed, continuously referred to “error” then gave recommendations to overcome but that never happened.
Within 2 hours, RCA output quit. I made sure that it was receiving a signal from the Apple.
I swapped back in the Pro and everything worked as expected.
I rebooted, unplugged, factory reset, still no joy.
I have already requested a replacement which will take another week plus to get here.
But my concern is, are these common complaints? If so, what may be the work arounds? I really liked the Pro, never a problem for the two months I’ve had it. Hoping these issues may be a one off and not inherent problems.
Any advice will be appreciated. TIA.

 

[harkpabst]

Ultra via Toslink to:
Marantz 4240 via RCA to:

Purchased the Ultra for its improved DAC chip and Bass management.

If you use the optical output of the WiiM Ultra you're bypassing its DAC.
bass management should be identical.

Within 2 hours, RCA output quit. I made sure that it was receiving a signal from the Apple.

Are you using the Ultra's RCA out or optical out?

But my concern is, are these common complaints?

Certainly not.

 

[Litefiter]

Thanks for the response, everything is RCA except out of the TV which is optical to the Ultra.

 

[BMeek]

Sounds like too much latency downstream of the Ultra. See how it functions when bypassing the old Marantz altogether, or connecting to the Marantz via RCA to get its vintage '70s DAC & optical electronics out of the way.

I don't really understand the role of the Speaker-level to Line-level Adapter, but getting your power amps for mains and subs connected directly to the Ultra is worth a try. You could even plug the Marantz INTO the Ultra if it's fielding other inputs, or you use its FM radio something.

 

[Litefiter]

Thanks for responding!
The receiver has no preamp out option. I like its sound so In order to keep it in the loop, I had to use the adapter to connect from the main speaker outputs on the back of the receiver, using speaker wire, then the adapter allows for converting to RCA plugs out going to the amps.
I did connect the Ultra direct to the amps, there was no change.

 

[BMeek]

Thanks for responding!
The receiver has no preamp out option. I like its sound so In order to keep it in the loop, I had to use the adapter to connect from the main speaker outputs on the back of the receiver, using speaker wire, then the adapter allows for converting to RCA plugs out going to the amps.
I did connect the Ultra direct to the amps, there was no change.

I'm new to the WiiM Ultra, but I just got it primarily for subwoofer/bass crossover and phase alignment. So in your situation with your desire to pass your Ultra's output through the Marantz I would do as follows:

For MAIN Dali Towers: ATV--[HDMI]--Ultra--[RCA]--Marantz--[Speaker-LineAdapter]--ZA3s-etc.
For SUBWOOFER(s): ...--WiiM Ultra-LFE-output--[quality RCA cable - I'm using this 15 footer]--RSL 10s.

That way the Ultra's DSP-driven subwoofer/main crossover and RoomFit subwoofer functions should work well. They do for me.

 

[BMeek]

Although I can appreciate loving the 'Marantz Sound', it's the weak link in your setup. It's merely adding distortion (abeit warm gorgeous distortion) and the speaker-line adapter is adding noise. WiiM LFE --> RSL 10s ; WiiM RCA --> ZA3's etc. would be best.

When it works, given your mains don't really need a subwoofer, I would still set the crossover via the Ultra @ 80Hz. This will free up the DALIs' woofers to focus on the 80-2300Hz range and give the ZA3s more headroom. If 80Hz sounds "thin" you could drop to a 60Hz crossover and that should give the DALIs more local bass but still relieve them from distracting deep bass excursions.

 

[BMeek]

[...]
For SUBWOOFER(s): ...--WiiM Ultra-LFE-output--[quality RCA cable - I'm using this 15 footer]--RSL 10s.

Edit: I had bought the referenced cable for a long distance digital coax hook-up. Looked at and remembered it's a bit stiff for the subwoofer app being RG-whatever coax. I just didn't want to leave a pointer to an odd choice of cable... hell, you didn't need such pointer in the 1st place .