Use Wiim Mini as AirPlay bolt-on for Ultra?

[574stereo]

Just a thought, the Ultra doesn't do AirPlay (as we know it couldn't get approval).

Wouldn't it be feasible to implement a software feature whereby a Wiim Mini could become some kind of an AirPlay 'bridge' for the Ultra?

Obviously there's a Persistent Groups feature in the works, this could be piggy-backed whereby a specific setting on the Mini actually casts to the Ultra...


Just a thought

 

[Mr Ee]

Or... just mini optical out to ultra optical in...

 

[Burnside]

It’s been suggested almost since the absence of Airplay on the Ultra became known that physically connecting a Mini via optical to the Ultra could provide a workaround, so the thought has already been expressed several times I’m afraid

 

[574stereo]

I'm suggesting some tighter integration than that, the method you guys are suggesting does work (I'm actually doing something similar with an Apple TV + HDMI/Optical extractor), but it could still be slicker as there's no volume control synchronisation.

I think with some slick software integration this could totally get around any complaints that the Ultra doesn't have built-in AirPlay support...

 

[Burnside]

Well, you could group the mini with the Ultra in the WiiM app and use the group volume control.

Or, if you have a suitable platform, use one of the solutions on this link to provide lossless Airplay 1 support for the Ultra.

AirConnect: Send audio to UPnP/Sonos/Chromecast players using AirPlay

Didn't quite know which subforum to post this in, so general thoughts it is... AirConnect is a package developed by philippe44 who is pretty well known in LMS circles for his 'bridge' plugins which allow the transfer of audio between different protocols. This particular bridge allows UPnP...

forum.wiimhome.com

I don't see WiiM doing anything 'official' in this area until and if they resolve the absence of Airplay on the Ultra and Amp Pro

 

[Bismarck]

Another possibility is to get some used Apple Airport Express on the Internet.
I have a couple of Airport Express 1 (which support only AirPlay 1) and a couple of Airport Express 2 (which support only AirPlay 2).
Both models have optical output and analog output.
Both models work perfectly with WiiM devices.
Just my two cents...