New Wiim Amp Ultra volume knob "clacking"

[sirket]

I just bought two new Wiim Amp Pros and a Wiim Amp Ultra to add to the Wiim Ultra I bought a few weeks ago and so far I'm loving it all.

The Amp Pros are great- but the volume knob on the Amp Ultra "clacks" when I change the direction I am turning it. If I am turning it left, it will move freely for 2-3 degrees and then make a clacking sound at which point the resistance increases a bit and then it remain like that as I keep turning. But then if I turn it in the other direction, the same thing happens- it will spin very easily for 2-3 degrees until it clacks, the resistance increases, and I can keep turning it that direction without a problem. If you've ever driven a car with worn out tie-rod ends, it's exactly like.

Is there any easy way to get rid of this slop/clacking or do I need to send the unit back?

Thanks!

 

[Aquaman]

I just bought two new Wiim Amp Pros and a Wiim Amp Ultra to add to the Wiim Ultra I bought a few weeks ago and so far I'm loving it all.

The Amp Pros are great- but the volume knob on the Amp Ultra "clacks" when I change the direction I am turning it. If I am turning it left, it will move freely for 2-3 degrees and then make a clacking sound at which point the resistance increases a bit and then it remain like that as I keep turning. But then if I turn it in the other direction, the same thing happens- it will spin very easily for 2-3 degrees until it clacks, the resistance increases, and I can keep turning it that direction without a problem. If you've ever driven a car with worn out tie-rod ends, it's exactly like.

Is there any easy way to get rid of this slop/clacking or do I need to send the unit back?

Thanks!

Sounds like a mechanical obstruction. The volume knob isn‘t exactly of the highest quality. I would just turn it back and fourth with some speed and vigour a few times. If it‘s broken already you won‘t be adding much further harm.

 

[klaus99]

I think, these are the steps from the rotary encoder for the volume.

 

[Aquaman]

I think, these are the steps from the rotary encoder for the volume.

No, they are not. The knob should turn freely under all circumstances.

 

[Wiimer]

I just bought two new Wiim Amp Pros and a Wiim Amp Ultra to add to the Wiim Ultra I bought a few weeks ago and so far I'm loving it all.

The Amp Pros are great- but the volume knob on the Amp Ultra "clacks" when I change the direction I am turning it. If I am turning it left, it will move freely for 2-3 degrees and then make a clacking sound at which point the resistance increases a bit and then it remain like that as I keep turning. But then if I turn it in the other direction, the same thing happens- it will spin very easily for 2-3 degrees until it clacks, the resistance increases, and I can keep turning it that direction without a problem. If you've ever driven a car with worn out tie-rod ends, it's exactly like.

Is there any easy way to get rid of this slop/clacking or do I need to send the unit back?

Thanks!

Please turn the knob extremely slowly. (Super slowly. )
Does it make a sound in that case too?

If it doesn't make a clacks sound when turned extremely slowly, there is no problem.

 

[Aquaman]

Is the clack in the speakers or on the device? I assumed it would be on the Amp Ultra itself.

 

[Wiimer]

Is the clack in the speakers or on the device? I assumed it would be on the Amp Ultra itself.

Mine can be heard from the knob. I think it's probably friction noise, but I'm not sure exactly.

 

[Mr Ee]

I don't hear any noise from mine.
Trying to turn it very slowly means it sort of 'jumps' by tiny amounts due to the resistance.
I need a certain amount of force to get it to start to turn and it therefore jumps slightly once I apply that much.
There's no free play in it at all.

 

[harkpabst]

Same here.

 

[Mr Ee]

Same here.

I assume you're siding / agreeing with me, 'cos when don't you?

 

[Wiimer]

Based on the testimony of @Mr Ee and @harkpabst, I believe this is most likely a friction noise specific to certain devices. (Or, it's possible the noise ceased after repeatedly turning the knob.)

My knob produces a friction noise and creaking sound, similar to when a bolt is overtightened. I shall attempt to record it.

 

[Wiimer]

@sirket,

Is the sound you heard the same as this?

If so, I'm confident this is due to the build quality of the knob, not a fault, and poses absolutely no issue when using the device.
(My opinion.)

View attachment 1383.mp4


My Amp Ultra is from the initial batch, so I also checked Ultras that weren't.
The Ultra knob sounds exactly the same.
View attachment 1388.mp4


And this is the sound of the knob on my Yamaha A4A AVR. I can hardly hear the ticking, but the friction is worse than the WiiM.
View attachment 1385.mp4


After disconnecting the power cable from the Amp Ultra, I tried spraying silicone oil into the knob. But it didn't improve. (It seems the oil can't reach the knobs due to their construction.)

View attachment 1384.mp4


Incidentally, my Amp Pro knob also produces the same sound. However, it is quieter compared to the Amp Ultra. Personally, I prefer the knobs on the 1st-gen Amp within this series.

 

[harkpabst]

I assume you're siding / agreeing with me, 'cos when don't you?

Sure!

After watching those @Wiimer videos I might have to grab a stethoscope, though. To me it looks like there's no real slack or play, the volume change appears to be instantaneous, despite of the clacking sound.

 

[sirket]

Folks, it's not a mechanical obstruction, it doesn't cause noise on the circuit, and it's not steps on a rotary encoder- it's slop in the knob mechanism itself.

@Wiimer Yes, the sound you posted in your first video is _exactly_ the sound I am talking about- there is clearly slop in that mechanism.

My Wiim Ultra does not do that. Neither of my Wiim Amp Pros do that. My Sony amp most certainly does not do that- and hell- even the cheap Fosi amp I have doesn't do that. It's only the supposedly flagship Wiim Amp Ultra that does that.

And while I don't think it's going to break anything- it is absolutely not a quality feel and not something we should pretend is ok when that issue isn't present on their less expensive models. Telling people to "turn the knob slower" and other such responses is ridiculous- there is no reason for there to be any slop in a volume knob like that and Wiim shouldn't get a pass just because we like their products.

 

[Wiimer]

Telling people to "turn the knob slower" and other such responses is ridiculous

I didn't suggest a solution. It was for operational verification.

there is no reason for there to be any slop in a volume knob like that and Wiim shouldn't get a pass just because we like their products.

I have stated that these are all my personal opinions. I have never encountered any issues with the knob's functionality.

However, if you consider it a issue, I recommend submitting a ticket via the WiiM app's feedback section or contacting your retailer.

 

[sirket]

@harkpabst You do not need a stethoscope to hear it and you can _absolutely_ feel the play in the mechanism. As I said in my original post- it's maybe a couple of degrees, but it's also very easy to feel and it's not present on my Wiim Ultra or either of my Wiim Amp Pros. I have a second Wiim Amp Ultra I haven't opened yet but I'm not sure I want to keep it if they're all like this...

 

[sirket]

@Wiimer My apologies, I should have realized what you meant.

The knob functions just fine, I just don't think it's a good feel for their flagship product when it's not present on their less expensive models and honestly, there just isn't any reason it should be there.

I only got my first Wiim product a month ago and I've already fallen completely in love with it which is why I bought 2 Amp Pros and 2 Amp Ultras last week to add to my system. But at the same time, I want Wiim to make the best product they can and I think we should point out the flaws we find. I'm sure some folks will consider it nickpicking but attention to detail is how you make a good product truly great.

 

[harkpabst]

@harkpabst You do not need a stethoscope to hear it and you can _absolutely_ feel the play in the mechanism.

Did I say it wasn't like this with your unit?

As I said in my original post- it's maybe a couple of degrees, but it's also very easy to feel and it's not present on my Wiim Ultra or either of my Wiim Amp Pros

And I've just been commenting on the videos provided by @Wiimer, in particular regarding the fact that the volume knob - surprisingly - seemed to work just fine.

I have a second Wiim Amp Ultra I haven't opened yet but I'm not sure I want to keep it if they're all like this...

They're not all like this. Mine isn't. Doesn't this strengthen your position?

 

[sirket]

They're not all like this. Mine isn't. Doesn't this strengthen your position?

I apologize, I'm a little grumpy this morning for unrelated reasons and I shouldn't let that bleed over.

But yes, that's great to know. All of my other devices have been flawless so it's frustrating when you have a problem with the nicest, most expensive device. If it's just a small number of units that's one thing, but if they're all like this that would be really disappointing considering how much I love the damned thing!

 

[Wiimer]

@Wiimer My apologies, I should have realized what you meant.

No problem. I'm using an auto-translator here, so my English may be a bit broken sorry.

I think we should point out the flaws we find.

Sure.
At least, I have always done so.
As here is primarily a user community, so I recommend submitting a ticket first when you encounter an issue.