Searching a second digital input option at the WiiM Amp Pro

B

Bernhard

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Aug 12, 2025
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I love my Wiim Amp Pro. I like its quality, RoomFit, and remote control options and much more.

But one thing is missing and I am searching a workaround for it. I need a second digital input for a SPDIF signal. There is only one Toslink input and no second Toslink or digital coax input.
My PC has two HDMI outputs. My idea was to mirror the PC to both HDMI outputs, connect one to the monitor and the second one to the Amp Pro arc input. My hope would be to get the audio signal of the PC to the Amp Pro.
Trying it requires some efforts for plugging all connectors (my electronics are hidden in the furniture). So my question: can it work or is it only a waste of time?

Greetings, Bernhard
 
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Yes I know but I do not want an additional remote control, even the automatic switches will need it if you have to switch between two active lines.
My hope is to realize somehow the WiiM remote control's 1-4 bottons for this.
 
Both does not work, nor using the HDMI input nor the automatic switch (I ordered it for a try).

The WiiM Amp Pro has a HDMI Arc input which requires an involved TV, I assume for decoding the container format of videos (extracting the audio). The TV returns the audio signal, the source unit forwards this to the Arc input. No TV no sound.

And the automatic switch cannot handle parallel signals. It does not switch to a new signal but remains with the former signal until you switch it off (and vice versa). Its remote control is terrible.

I've given up the idea of automatic switching for now. I'll stick with my current Toslink switch, which at least has a decent remote control.
If there's ever a WiiM amp with two digital inputs, I'll buy it immediately ..
 
I also needed several more inputs for my Ultra, so I added a WiiM Pro and connected my Mini Disk and Tape Recorder to that. CD and Phono is on Ultra. By linking the WiiM devices I can now both play from all external devices and record on them.

To use this via Preset (and remote) we do however need to have Group control include in the Preset options. So it's manually for now. I don't change input that often and it takes a few seconds, so ok for me.
 
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Bernhard said:
The WiiM Amp Pro has a HDMI Arc input which requires an involved TV, I assume for decoding the container format of videos (extracting the audio). The TV returns the audio signal, the source unit forwards this to the Arc input. No TV no sound.
Click to expand...
It's not a matter of decoding anything. HDMI ARC first and foremost uses different pins on the HDMI cable for transferring the audio signal.

You need an HDMI to HDMI ARC converter. These are somewhat rare but they do exist.

According to the (very blurry) product pictures this one should work:

Edit: No, it won't.

The description is crappy.
Edit: It still is.
 
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harkpabst said:
It's not a matter of decoding anything. HDMI ARC first and foremost uses different pins on the HDMI cable for transferring the audio signal.
Click to expand...
Stupid question please:
If only different pins on the cable are used why must the signal first run to the TV and via a return path back to the splitter? With only different pins on the cable you just could route them accordingly.

harkpabst said:
You need an HDMI to HDMI ARC converter. These are somewhat rare but they do exist.
According to the (very blurry) product pictures this one should work:
[URL unfurl="...
Click to expand...
This linked unit still needs the TV for creating the audio return channel which then is routed to the Toslink only, see description:

This product is equipped with ARC audio return function, which can connect display devices (TVs, projectors, etc.) that support ARC (sound return) function to PA equipment (AV function, Soundbar, etc.) that do not support ARC (sound return) function. )

So in no case it will deliver an audio signal to the WiiM's HDMI Arc input, it only has the Toslink Out for this purpose.
 
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Bernhard said:
Stupid question please:
If only different pins on the cable are used why must the signal first run to the TV and via a return path back to the splitter? With only different pins on the cable you just could route them accordingly.
Click to expand...
It's not only different pins. The "normal" HDMI audio is imbedded in the video signal, while the ARC is an audio only signal. There is also different CEC control commands involved. Like volume control from TV to the WiiM.
 
Bernhard said:
This product is equipped with ARC audio return function, which can connect display devices (TVs, projectors, etc.) that support ARC (sound return) function to PA equipment (AV function, Soundbar, etc.) that do not support ARC (sound return) function. )

So in no case it will deliver an audio signal to the WiiM's HDMI Arc input, it only has the Toslink Out for this purpose.
Click to expand...
Yes, it's probably not the right device. The description is somewhat weird, to say the least.

Edit:
This device should do the trick, but it's not exactly cheap.

 
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Bernhard said:
Thank you for this link, I found one as well and ordered it for testing:

to be continued ..
Click to expand...
Good luck to you but I fear that this extractor has a similar problem as the one I originally linked to. :(

The description explicitly mentions that this adapter does not support the use with a soundbars's HDMI ARC (or eARC) input. This is exactly how we must think of the WiiM Ultra and WiiM amps. They behave like a soundbar with HDMI input.
 
.. at least it offers a HDMI Audio output. But you may be right, I just checked the description one more time. It clearly says (and I did not note before): not to be used with an Arc input of soundbars, you need a former standard HDMI input. I cancelled this order again. Again no workaround ..

But your link also requires a TV. Without a TV no HDMI Arc Audio seems to be a fact in my eyes, it's a pity.
 

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Until somewhen in the future when a Toslink to HDMI Arc Audio converter becomes available or WiiM decides to add a second digital input (other brands usually have 1x Toslink plus 1x Cinch) I created an interim solution using a middle-class DAC for my DAB radio. So I can connect it to the Amp Pro's Line input. It is not perfect as it uses - completely unnecessary - double DAC/ADC conversion but DAB itself cannot reach the quality of my other devices. So it is okay for me for now.

At the Amp Pro's Toslink is my Wiim Pro with my PC on its Toslink. So my PC reaches the amp via Toslink. If I start Airplay on my iPhone the WiiM Pro switches automatically and back to PC when Airplay is finished.

So finally I can use botton 1 und 2 on my remote control for iPhone/PC and DAB radio. Offtopic: button 3 and 4 connect to two internet radio stations. Everything works and apart from the small limitation with the double AD/DA conversion, I now have what I wanted to achieve: control everything with just one remote control.
 
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Bernhard said:
But your link also requires a TV. Without a TV no HDMI Arc Audio seems to be a fact in my eyes, it's a pity.
Click to expand...
I don't think so. The TV seems to be optional as far as I understand it.

But if your workaround didn't involve shelving out more money that's another bonus.
 
I have a pool of audio equipment and found this converter in it, so no extra costs for it.

Thanks @ all for your advises & help
 
Bernhard said:
Yes I know but I do not want an additional remote control, even the automatic switches will need it if you have to switch between two active lines.
My hope is to realize somehow the WiiM remote control's 1-4 bottons for this.
Click to expand...
Recently dug my toslink 3-1 switcher out. Was able to add it to my old Harmony remote.

Even though no longer officially supported, easy too add it.
 
Bernhard said:
.. at least it offers a HDMI Audio output. But you may be right, I just checked the description one more time. It clearly says (and I did not note before): not to be used with an Arc input of soundbars, you need a former standard HDMI input. I cancelled this order again. Again no workaround ..

But your link also requires a TV. Without a TV no HDMI Arc Audio seems to be a fact in my eyes, it's a pity.
Click to expand...
A TV is not necessarily required. I successfully used HDMI from a Raspberry Pi to send stereo digital audio to both a Wiim Amp and to a Wiim Amp Pro (the Pi was ‘headless’ and running PiCorePlayer/LMS). I routinely used this up to 24 bit/192kHz and the connection was reliable.
 
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