Real Power Switch

[adias]

@WiiM Team @WiiM Support @RyanWithWiiM
A useful feature on ALL WiiM products would be a simple power switch, perhaps located near a corner in the back of the unit. My devices are on 24/7 so I would not use it for that, but after each FW upgrade I often need to do a power cycle and that requires removing/reinserting the attached power cable which is less convenient.

 

[mlsstl]

Strange -- I've never had to do a power cycle on any of my Wiims following a firmware update. The scripted reboot works fine by itself. (I have an Ultra, Pro, Pro Plus & Mini.)

 

[EddNog]

Strange -- I've never had to do a power cycle on any of my Wiims following a firmware update. The scripted reboot works fine by itself. (I have an Ultra, Pro, Pro Plus & Mini.)

I've had numerous instances where a hard reboot was needed with my Ultra. Various reasons, really. Most commonly stuff attached to USB input not working right, a hard reboot always fixes it.

-Ed

 

[Mr Ee]

a simple power switch, perhaps located near a corner in the back of the unit.

Like the one on the vibelink? That's a real pain to get to?
But yes, I get the reasoning.
Have to say that I can't recall having to 'power cycle', but then again I don't use the usb inputs (where I have seen this reported as a fix many times) and have been moving things around a lot recently.

 

[jed1]

A power strip is an alternative. I use a Furman power filter / strip to turn on/off entire audio equipment as long as the system is configured to avoid pop when turned on. This is a common practice for pro audio.

 

[mlsstl]

One other observation -- Schiit products have their power switch on the back of their units and there is a constant stream of complaints from some who want it on the front panel.

 

[WiiMer SJ]

A power strip is an alternative. I use a Furman power filter / strip to turn on/off entire audio equipment as long as the system is configured to avoid pop when turned on. This is a common practice for pro audio.

I have a smart plug upstream of my power strip. There are smart power strips that offer more individual control.

 

[WiiMer SJ]

Curiosity got the better of me, as it often does.

Strhowill Extension Cable https://a.co/d/56Iqc0c

 

[Wiimer]

@WiiM Team @WiiM Support @RyanWithWiiM
A useful feature on ALL WiiM products would be a simple power switch, perhaps located near a corner in the back of the unit. My devices are on 24/7 so I would not use it for that, but after each FW upgrade I often need to do a power cycle and that requires removing/reinserting the attached power cable which is less convenient.

I agree with the ability to power off without unplugging the power cable.

Would it be pointless to add a power button (deep standby) on the WiiM app instead of a physical power switch?

It interrupts and discharges the current in all circuits except the Bluetooth IC. (Not sure if this is technically possible...)

This seems more practical than adding a physical power switch to all existing WiiM devices.

 

[adias]

I agree with the ability to power off without unplugging the power cable.

Would it be pointless to add a power button (deep standby) on the WiiM app instead of a physical power switch?

It interrupts and discharges the current in all circuits except the Bluetooth IC. (Not sure if this is technically possible...)

This seems more practical than adding a physical power switch to all existing WiiM devices.

That requires some circuit to always be powered. A power source entry point switch cuts all power.

 

[Wiimer]

That requires some circuit to always be powered. A power source entry point switch cuts all power.

In such cases, it may be more practical to release a "WiiM Smart plug" to connect between the device's power terminal and the cable

Manual power on/off and scheduling functions are available.

 

[harkpabst]

Curiosity got the better of me, as it often does.

Strhowill Extension Cable https://a.co/d/56Iqc0c

And that pretty much explains the difficulty here (I hope).Who would be using this

with light-hearted confidence on their WiiM Ultra?

WiiM devices are audio computers performing all sorts of background and/or network operations. Removing the power at the wrong point in time can lead to inconsistent behaviour and even brick them.

The Vibelink Amp might not be a streaming device but its support for firmware updates through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) makes it potentially vulnerable, too.

Yes, operating a real hardware power cutting all-pole switch in the end is not different from pulling the plug. But if this switch is there people will rightfully expect it to work safely. And safely includes not breaking the device.

Can you imagine how "the press" (or nowadays the well known YouTube charlatans) would treat an audio company putting a self destruction switch on their devices? One case (real or imagined) would be sufficient.

I do miss the "real" switches, too, but I don't think they make sense for all kinds of devices.

 

[slartibartfast]

And that pretty much explains the difficulty here (I hope).Who would be using this
View attachment 24113
with light-hearted confidence on their WiiM Ultra?

WiiM devices are audio computers performing all sorts of background and/or network operations. Removing the power at the wrong point in time can lead to inconsistent behaviour and even brick them.

The Vibelink Amp might not be a streaming device but its support for firmware updates through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) makes it potentially vulnerable, too.

Yes, operating a real hardware power cutting all-pole switch in the end is not different from pulling the plug. But if this switch is there people will rightfully expect it to work safely. And safely includes not breaking the device.

Can you imagine how "the press" (or nowadays the well known YouTube charlatans) would treat an audio company putting a self destruction switch on their devices? One case (real or imagined) would be sufficient.

I do miss the "real" switches, too, but I don't think they make sense for all kinds of devices.

I use a smart plug to power off my Amp when it isn't being used. The only time removing the power would be dangerous is during a firmware update.

 

[Wiimer]

I use a smart plug to power off my Amp when it isn't being used. The only time removing the power would be dangerous is during a firmware update.

Agree.
Otherwise, every time there is a problem with the device, we are encouraging dangerous behaviour by telling people to "disconnect the power cable".

So I still guess the WiiM Smart Plug, which you can buy for $19, is a good idea
(On Prime Day it's $15.)

When you set it up in the WHA, it shows you the power button. It can automatically turn on and off when it is safe to do so. Power consumption can also be displayed.

 

[harkpabst]

I use a smart plug to power off my Amp when it isn't being used. The only time removing the power would be dangerous is during a firmware update.

I use a dumb power strip and I know, whenever I push the button, it's my responsibility, not WiiM's.

And still, from time to time I hear the hard disk in my Xbox One crying out in despair because I hadn't noticed it's been running (as I didn't use the Xbox at all).

It simply doesn't make sense for WiiM to include a button that is potentially dangerous and that can be replaced by a smart or not so smart plug or strip. My two cents, of course.

 

[WiiMer SJ]

If Wiim was concerned about mains power being disconnected, their design would not have included a detachable power cable. They would have Included a power switch, backup battery and a fan to facilitate a controlled shutdown sequence.

 

[harkpabst]

If Wiim was concerned about mains power being disconnected, their design would not have included a detachable power cable. They would have Included a power switch, backup battery and a fan to facilitate a controlled shutdown sequence.

What does a detachable power cable have to do with a backup battery or a fan? That sounds a bit like contradiction for the sake of contradiction.

The reasoning behind this request was to make power cycling easier. I think that power cycling is easy enough as is (personal opinion) and that adding a physical switch would be as usual and as helpful as power switch on a laptop computer.

 

[dudu]

Strange -- I've never had to do a power cycle on any of my Wiims following a firmware update. The scripted reboot works fine by itself. (I have an Ultra, Pro, Pro Plus & Mini.)

For me only the Mini firmware update works flawless (maybe since about 9 months).
The Pro needs powercycling nearly each time after a firmware update.
Maybe because it's not connected via WiFi (like the Mini) but via cable ...

 

[slartibartfast]

What does a detachable power cable have to do with a backup battery or a fan? That sounds a bit like contradiction for the sake of contradiction.

The reasoning behind this request was to make power cycling easier. I think that power cycling is easy enough as is (personal opinion) and that adding a physical switch would be as usual and as helpful as power switch on a laptop computer.

My Virginmedia box has a power switch on the back and needs it. It often refuses to come out of standby and needs to be power cycled

 

[Mr Ee]

For me only the Mini firmware update works flawless (maybe since about 9 months).
The Pro needs powercycling nearly each time after a firmware update.
Maybe because it's not connected via WiFi (like the Mini) but via cable ...

And yet my 3 pros are all connected by ethernet and I can't recall power cycling any of them after an update.
Maybe my needs / usage are simpler than others'.