What will Wiim present at Munich High End 2025?

[Valentino]

A friend of mine has an Ultra.
He uses
Roon, Qobus, Tidal, HDMI Arc in and Fixed analog out.
No screen (the box is hidden), no EQ, no multiroom, no digital, analog or phono input.
His reason for choosing the Ultra over the Pro Plus is the HDMI ARC.

My use case is «larger» since the Ultra is my streamer-preamp, but I have no hdmi arc, analog or phono input, or no headphones output in use. The screen and volume wheel is fine for headphone listening (via analog out to an external headphones amp). When I listen through my main speakers the screen is my iPhone or an old iPad because the Ultra is 3 m away and at a 45 degree angle.

My point being: There are many use cases for the Ultra and some of us are quite happy with what it gives us. An Ultra Super with a large screen, an ADC and phono input on par with it’s DAC, a HDMI out, differential analog out, a really good headphones output, and all the other stuff we’d like would probably cost the double of the Ultra.

 

[canard]

A friend of mine has an Ultra.
He uses
Roon, Qobus, Tidal, HDMI Arc in and Fixed analog out.
No screen (the box is hidden), no EQ, no multiroom, no digital, analog or phono.
His resin for choosing the Ultra over the Pro Plus is the HDMI ARC.

My use case is «larger» since it’s my streamer-preamp, but no hdmi arc, analog or phono input, and no headphones output in use. The screen and volume wheel is fine for headphone listening. When I listen through my main speakers the screen is an old iPad because the Ultra is 3 m away and at a 45 degree angle.

My point being: There are many use cases for the Ultra and some of us are quite happy with what it gives us. An Ultra Super with a large screen, an ADC and phono input on par with it’s DAC, a HDMI out, differential analog out, a really good headphones output, and all the other stuff we’d like would probably cost the double of the Ultra.

the additional cost of taking care of the an inputs ( for all models) and the headphone output in ultra would be minimal (probably more a story of engineering than costs) ..

that's why I often pointed out the idea of a mk2 version, just more accomplished and more careful on the audio..
(joins the problems/doubts about the an input of the last amp)....
;-)

 

[Valentino]

We are in agreement there. I would not use a lot of effort on the phono input though, other than having the possibility to use it as second line input (of course with performance on par with a couple of MiniDSP devices we’ve discussed elsewhere) instead. Could a Vibelink Phono be an idea? Sota MM/MC behavior and settings control via Bluetooth of course.

 

[canard]

We are in agreement there. I would not use a lot of effort on the phono input though, other than having the possibility to use it as second line input (of course with performance on par with a couple of MiniDSP devices we’ve discussed elsewhere) instead. Could a Vibelink Phono be an idea? Sota MM/MC behavior and settings control via Bluetooth of course.

just clean and simple mm with just classic "5532", for this type of very general public product would be more judicious...
;-)

 

[Valentino]

«My» Vibelink Phono shall be on par with the two other proper Phono DSPs, but yes the Ultra phono input should match standard cartridge offerings like the AT-VM95 series and Ortofon 2M Red/Blue. Drop the MC.

 

[canard]

if in the case of streamers preceding the ana inputs were said "just in case"...on the ultra (or the amps) more presented "in preamp"... the an inputs deserve more care, I fear that this approach is hardly in the "linkplay" culture for the moment...... ;-)
(we've been talking about it for years now, but at least since the "plus", the lack of a sym output is a bit of a shame...)

We can always extend the list of features...but at some point we should consider, first of all, making the most relevant and successful those already available.

 

[Valentino]

I’m renaming my box the Vibelink Phonoline.
As for differential outputs it’s fashion at best, unnecessary for hifi.

 

[canard]

I’m renaming my box the Vibelink Phonoline.
As for differential outputs it’s fashion at best, unnecessary for hifi.

I don't agree. For a lot of people, in this range of products, the idea could be to be in sym on small active speakers and for example the ultra "preamp"..
(and not so expensive to do in product...)


but hey...the main thing is the big vu meter, """blue"" ,the fft...a big screen...that's clearly the subject more than the audio here

you have to accept it... but nothing "prevents" "audio parts" you from treating the rest on principle
(the little pocketadc demonstrates it a little ;-) )
;-)

 

[Valentino]

Small active speakers will also accept single ended signals.

 

[canard]

Small active speakers will also accept single ended signals.

in principle and for distance issues...it is rather in sym use
etc
("balanced in jack" wasn't that so difficult)
It's no more stupid than a screen that's too small...vu meter fft... ;-)

 

[Pragmatist]

Halle 2, booth G07. Same as last year, iirc. Small and crowded, last year done mostly by the German distribution. May be all will be better this year

 

[harkpabst]

Let's face it, balanced connections are not for the mass market, but only a small group of enthusiasts when it comes to home Hi-Fi.

 

[canard]

Let's face it, balanced connections are not for the mass market, but only a small group of enthusiasts when it comes to home Hi-Fi.

I don't agree...we can clearly see the trend of small active derived from the home studio world, inexpensive, being increasingly present in the mass market...
I see a lot of them around me...but the opposite of the sym for audiophile use hdg "pro style"
(If we put ourselves in the mass marketing scheme, we see clearly that with the screen, these are among the things that sell, with or without rational reasons.)
(my point is not in line with "my need"...even if I can be in sym in my case...I really wouldn't find the interest in my use of my "plus" ;-) )

 

[harkpabst]

If you see small active monitors (not cheap Bluetooth speakers that happen to have an integrated amplifier) around you,.then because you're part of that bubble. That's not a bad thing, just still a niche.

And as has been said before, even active monitors often support unbalanced inputs like they have dominated the mass marked for decades and will continue to do.

 

[canard]

You can see it as "a gadget"...but hey, it won't be the first one that sells... I don't care...
(the competition seems to consider that relevant...had less to sell it seems)


they especially want to hire audio skills to improve the functions already present...see also bring "skilled" people in these areas to be a little present here as an interface on social networks etc ;-)

 

[dangermouse]

I don't agree...we can clearly see the trend of small active derived from the home studio world, inexpensive, being increasingly present in the mass market...
I see a lot of them around me...but the opposite of the sym for audiophile use hdg "pro style"
(If we put ourselves in the mass marketing scheme, we see clearly that with the screen, these are among the things that sell, with or without rational reasons.)
(my point is not in line with "my need"...even if I can be in sym in my case...I really wouldn't find the interest in my use of my "plus" ;-) )

Nope. The mass market has almost zero knowledge of, and no desire whatsover for, balanced connections. Active speakers, other than in the pro audio domain, do not require balanced connections.

 

[canard]

Nope. The mass market has almost zero knowledge of, and no desire whatsover for, balanced connections. Active speakers, other than in the pro audio domain, do not require balanced connections.

I'm not into home studios...but I come across young people equipping themselves like this...it must be said that the market for small active is "aggressive".
But I repeat... I don't care...
I affirm nothing... just invite wiim if the thing sells, which is the case, observe the competition to think about it... the VU meters etc are useless in the general public just in pro use and yet... it seems very important

here
ok ;-)))

 

[castalla]

Compact CD Transport/ripper (like Brennan) with disc metadata lookup