Setup advice

[cuthza]

Here's what I currently have:

Technics SL-23 + Chromecast Audio ---> Yamaha AS-501 amplifier

I'm looking at either a WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Ultra to take the place of the Chromecast Audio add in room correction and perhaps use HDMI ARC.

• If I went for the WiiM Ultra, I'd keep my Yamaha amplifier and basically just use it to amplify. I'd use some sort of 12v relay to turn the Yamaha on (or use the remote) because it has no 12v trigger input. This is the cheapest option.
  
  
• If I went for the WiiM Amp Ultra, I'd get rid of the Yamaha, but I would have to buy a separate phono stage. This is the most expensive option but adds some simplicity of no other remote/trigger relay to turn the Yamaha on and off.

My end goal is basically have everything running through the WiiM, which enables me to add room correction and auto-input sensing to all sources. I believe there's no auto-switching to the phono input of the WiiM UItra though, so that's also a consideration.

Any advice on what you would do in the same situation? Thanks!

 

[jdavis417]

The Wiim amp ultra is very appealing and I would try it for 30 days!

 

[cuthza]

The Wiim amp ultra is very appealing and I would try it for 30 days!

I'm not in the US, so unfortunately there's no return policy.

 

[jdavis417]

I don't know anything about phono stages and that seems like a very nice amp, but I think the convenience factor would be huge for you to just buy the amp and have a totally integrated solution with the exception of the phono stage.

 

[Aquaman]

Adding a phono stage to the Amp Ultra would simply replace one box for another.
In your case I would keep the Yamaha, which is very nice, and go for the Ultra.

 

[jdavis417]

That's a very good point!
I think that either way, you'll want to use the subwoofer out on the wiim device since one of the first things the software does is time your speakers to your subwoofer. This made a big difference in my case!

 

[cuthza]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Is it true that the WiiM Ultra cannot switch automatically to the phono input with signal sensing?

 

[Wiimer]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Is it true that the WiiM Ultra cannot switch automatically to the phono input with signal sensing?

Yes. Connecting the phono preamplifier to the Ultra's Line-in will activate the Auto-sensing working.

 

[cuthza]

Yes. Connecting the phono preamplifier to the Ultra's Line-in will activate the Auto-sensing working.

Ah that’s unfortunate, perhaps it would be better to go for the Wiim Amp and a separate phono preamp in that case.

I guess I’d be a little sad to stop using the Yamaha, and if there’s a new WiiM product I’d prefer in the future, swapping out the Ultra is cheaper than buying a whole new amp.

It’s a very difficult decision.

 

[Marek.d]

Dodanie przedwzmacniacza gramofonowego do wzmacniacza Amp Ultra spowoduje po prostu wymianę jednego urządzenia na drugie.
W twoim przypadku zostawiłbym Yamahę, która jest bardzo dobra i wybrał Ultra.

I did so (Yamaha and wiim ultra) and it works great

 

[Aquaman]

Ah that’s unfortunate, perhaps it would be better to go for the Wiim Amp and a separate phono preamp in that case.

I guess I’d be a little sad to stop using the Yamaha, and if there’s a new WiiM product I’d prefer in the future, swapping out the Ultra is cheaper than buying a whole new amp.

It’s a very difficult decision.

Don't make it harder on yourself than necessary. When you use your turntable you have to get up and walk over anyway, so you can also operate the input switch on the Yamaha manually while your there. I see no drawback in not having auto-sense for the vinyl stuff in this case.

 

[Wiimer]

Ah that’s unfortunate, perhaps it would be better to go for the Wiim Amp and a separate phono preamp in that case.

I guess I’d be a little sad to stop using the Yamaha, and if there’s a new WiiM product I’d prefer in the future, swapping out the Ultra is cheaper than buying a whole new amp.

It’s a very difficult decision.

You can also switch to the phono-in by pressing the preset button on the WiiM Remote once.

Do you plan to use voice control? With an IR Smart Controller, you can use Alexa to turn on your Yamaha. Press and hold the mic button on the Remote and say "Yamaha" to turn it on. Then press the preset button to switch the WiiM input to phono.

 

[cuthza]

You can also switch to the phono-in by pressing the preset button on the WiiM Remote once.

Do you plan to use voice control? With an IR Smart Controller, you can use Alexa to turn on your Yamaha. Press and hold the mic button on the Remote and say "Yamaha" to turn it on. Then press the preset button to switch the WiiM input to phono.

Oh that's great. I wasn't planning on using voice control. I was either going to use the Yamaha remote, or get a separate 12v relay plug, like one of those Audiophonics ones.

 

[cuthza]

I decided on a WiiM Ultra. I’ll connect it to my Yamaha and try set up at 12v relay to turn on the Yamaha. If it’s too fiddly, I’ll get a cheap class D amp or a Vibelink.

 

[DazST]

I decided on a WiiM Ultra. I’ll connect it to my Yamaha and try set up at 12v relay to turn on the Yamaha. If it’s too fiddly, I’ll get a cheap class D amp or a Vibelink.

Good choice. I used to have an ultra connected to my as501 and it's a great combo. I don't think you'll have any regrets.