old 90s denon avr 1800 with wiim ultra

[brandnoob]

Hi. Brand new guy here. My soundbar died and I am looking to set up a new entry level budget sound system. I'd never even heard of Wiim until last night. That being said, I'm set on getting a SVS sb1000 pro subwoofer. I also think I'm going to get a couple used Kef Q750s from ebay which are very reasonably priced. I keep seeing that for this type of set up to get the most of the system, you should get an amp in addition to your receiver.

So there's an old 90's denon AVR 1800 I can get for $100 (it works fine but it doesn't have any hdmi inputs or wifi or bluetooth etc). It's got pre outs for an amp, 7 channels for the speakers and sub, and it's 80watts per channel. I was thinking I could get the Wiim ultra. 1.It would be my amp; 2.it would get me the wifi and bluetooth for spotify; 3.it's got the hdmi input for playstation/blu ray. Will this work? Would I run the wiim into the denon or vice versa? And would I be able to add a center channel in the future or will it only work for stereo speakers and sub?

 

[Wiimer]

. 1.It would be my amp;

Hi,

When adding the Ultra, I imagine you would use the Ultra as the streamer preamplifier and the Denon as the power amplifier.

2.it would get me the wifi and bluetooth for spotify;

Yes, you can.
You can play music from Ultra using Spotify Connect in the Spotify app.

3.it's got the hdmi input for playstation/blu ray. Will this work?

The Ultra features an HDMI ARC port. This differs from standard HDMI inputs. Please connect the ARC port on your TV to the ARC port on the Ultra using an HDMI cable. The PlayStation must be connected to the TV's HDMI input.

Would I run the wiim into the denon or vice versa?

Connect the Ultra's output ports to the Denon's input ports. Generally, you can choose from these connection methods. Select the connection method that you feel produces the best sound.

1) Ultra (Optical out) --> Denon (Optical in)
2) Ultra (Coaxial out) --> Denon (Coaxial in)
3) Ultra (LINE out) --> Denon (CD in)

# For digital connections 1 and 2, the resolution supported by Denon may be limited. If necessary, change the Ultra's digital output resolution to 24-bit/96kHz or 16-bit/44.1kHz.

And would I be able to add a center channel in the future or will it only work for stereo speakers and sub?

I recommend connecting the subwoofer to the Ultra and managing the bass through the Ultra. (It is also possible to connect the subwoofer to the Denon.)

The WiiM devices do not have an output for a centre speaker. While the Ultra has wireless Dolby 5.1ch functionality, at least three WiiM devices are currently required.

 

[brandnoob]

Hi,

When adding the Ultra, I imagine you would use the Ultra as the streamer preamplifier and the Denon as the power amplifier.



Yes, you can.
You can play music from Ultra using Spotify Connect in the Spotify app.


The Ultra features an HDMI ARC port. This differs from standard HDMI inputs. Please connect the ARC port on your TV to the ARC port on the Ultra using an HDMI cable. The PlayStation must be connected to the TV's HDMI input.



Connect the Ultra's output ports to the Denon's input ports. Generally, you can choose from these connection methods. Select the connection method that you feel produces the best sound.

1) Ultra (Optical out) --> Denon (Optical in)
2) Ultra (Coaxial out) --> Denon (Coaxial in)
3) Ultra (LINE out) --> Denon (CD in)

# For digital connections 1 and 2, the resolution supported by Denon may be limited. If necessary, change the Ultra's digital output resolution to 24-bit/96kHz or 16-bit/44.1kHz.



I recommend connecting the subwoofer to the Ultra and managing the bass through the Ultra. (It is also possible to connect the subwoofer to the Denon.)

The WiiM devices do not have an output for a centre speaker. While the Ultra has wireless Dolby 5.1ch functionality, at least three WiiM devices are currently required.

Thank you so much. So I wasn't too far off. I thought the Wiim was an amp but it looks like there's an amp ultra as well. I had to look up what a preamplifier is but it sounds like I'm on the right track. This guy on another forum suggested I could simplify my life by just picking up a proper Fosi ZA3 amp. Or the amp ultra. Or the denon. Sounds like I have options and just need to make a decision.

 

[Wiimer]

Thank you so much. So I wasn't too far off. I thought the Wiim was an amp but it looks like there's an amp ultra as well. I had to look up what a preamplifier is but it sounds like I'm on the right track. This guy on another forum suggested I could simplify my life by just picking up a proper Fosi ZA3 amp. Or the amp ultra. Or the denon. Sounds like I have options and just need to make a decision.

You're welcome.
If you choose the Amp Ultra, you won't need the Denon.
Personally, I prefer a simple system with just one Amp Ultra.