WiiM Amp Ultra : Independent Volume Memory per Output & Safety Logic (Critical Issue)

[ksira]

Requested Features : To prevent hardware damage and improve usability, I strongly request the following features:

Independent Volume Memory per Output : The device should remember the last used volume for each specific output (Speaker Out vs. USB Out) independently. It should not carry over the 100% volume from the USB output to the Speaker output.

Fixed Volume Mode for USB Output : A specific setting to toggle "Fixed Volume output" for USB Out, separating it from the variable volume control of the Speaker Out.

I am writing to request a critical feature update regarding volume safety and output switching logic.
Currently, I have encountered a dangerous scenario that puts my equipment at risk.

The Current Issue : On the WiiM Amp Ultra, the volume level appears to be "Global" across all outputs. This creates a severe safety hazard when switching between outputs.

The Scenario:

I use the USB Output to send a signal to an external DAC.

For this setup, I set the WiiM’s volume to 100% (Fixed) to bypass the WiiM's internal volume processing and use the external DAC’s volume control instead.

The Problem: If I turn off the external DAC, or if the USB connection drops/disconnects, the WiiM Amp Ultra immediately and automatically switches the output back to "Speaker Out."

The Result: The device retains the previous volume state (100%). Consequently, the WiiM Amp Ultra immediately drives the connected passive speakers at full 100% power. This causes a sudden, extremely loud burst of sound that can unintentionally damage or blow out the speakers.

Thank you for considering this request to improve the safety and functionality of the device.

 

[Mr Ee]

Welcome.
I don't disagree, but use 100% variable rather than fixed (it's still bit perfect) so you can at least use the volume knob / remote control.
I deliberately used the wiim volume control instead of my dac volume control to mitigate this.

And note that this is a user forum.
Best to use More.Feedback in the app, or Wiim Support from the top menu in this forum.

 

[ksira]

Welcome.
I don't disagree, but use 100% variable rather than fixed (it's still bit perfect) so you can at least use the volume knob / remote control.
I deliberately used the wiim volume control instead of my dac volume control to mitigate this.

And note that this is a user forum.
Best to use More.Feedback in the app, or Wiim Support from the top menu in this forum.

Thank you for the guidance and a quick response.

 

[Mr Ee]

Thank you for the guidance and a quick response.

No worries.
I should have explained that it's often preferrable to use the wiim app for feedback as your device logs are sent along with the feedback.
In this particular case though they don't need to have the amp's logs to see / understand what's happening.

 

[slartibartfast]

Welcome.
I don't disagree, but use 100% variable rather than fixed (it's still bit perfect) so you can at least use the volume knob / remote control.
I deliberately used the wiim volume control instead of my dac volume control to mitigate this.

And note that this is a user forum.
Best to use More.Feedback in the app, or Wiim Support from the top menu in this forum.

Does the Amp Ultra have a fixed volume setting for USB out?

 

[DazST]

I'm wondering if this has been addressed in any way yet? I've just moved my amp ultra into my office system and have a headphone amp connected by usb. My preference in this mode is to have the wiim on 100% volume and use the hp amp to control master volume. Despite having this set as a preset, twice last night the wiim suddenly switched to speaker output at 100% volume even though the hp amp was on. And then this morning again it played automatically at 100% volume through speakers as soon as I turned it (automatically resuming the spotify track from previous night).

 

[Mr Ee]

I'm wondering if this has been addressed in any way yet? I've just moved my amp ultra into my office system and have a headphone amp connected by usb. My preference in this mode is to have the wiim on 100% volume and use the hp amp to control master volume. Despite having this set as a preset, twice last night the wiim suddenly switched to speaker output at 100% volume even though the hp amp was on. And then this morning again it played automatically at 100% volume through speakers as soon as I turned it (automatically resuming the spotify track from previous night).

SImilar here, using both an Ultra and Amp Ultra with usb headphone dac amps, although I've never had a wiim switch to speakers by itself when the usb dac is turned on.
So I set the hp amps loud and use the wiims for volume control such that the headphone and speaker volumes aren't too far apart so when I do switch either way neither my ears nor my speakers get a huge surprise if I forget to adjust the volume first.

 

[DazST]

SImilar here, using both an Ultra and Amp Ultra with usb headphone dac amps, although I've never had a wiim switch to speakers by itself when the usb dac is turned on.
So I set the hp amps loud and use the wiims for volume control such that the headphone and speaker volumes aren't too far apart so when I do switch either way neither my ears nor my speakers get a huge surprise if I forget to adjust the volume first.

Thanks. I was worried that might be the only option, though I'd much prefer to be able to control volume on the hp amp. Do you find it makes any difference to sound quality? I assume not given this is essentially how I have my other ultra/vibelink system set up.
I do actually have a mini sitting around unused, so maybe I'll consider just using that into the hp amp.

 

[Mr Ee]

Thanks. I was worried that might be the only option, though I'd much prefer to be able to control volume on the hp amp. Do you find it makes any difference to sound quality? I assume not given this is essentially how I have my other ultra/vibelink system set up.
I do actually have a mini sitting around unused, so maybe I'll consider just using that into the hp amp.

I can't say I've noticed any difference wherever I change the volume; still sounds great!
I have a spare Mini too and had considered the same, but what I'm doing now works ok for me.

Sort of related, my ultra feeds a vibelink and has the trigger cable attached, so when I use the ultra usb out to my headphones the vibelink turns on.
That in and of itself isn't really an issue, but for some reason the trigger signal seems to turn off / on (seemingly) randomly as the orange light (for optical input) on the vibelink goes darker / brighter and the speakers pop (fairly quietly) each time.

 

[DazST]

I can't say I've noticed any difference wherever I change the volume; still sounds great!
I have a spare Mini too and had considered the same, but what I'm doing now works ok for me.

Sort of related, my ultra feeds a vibelink and has the trigger cable attached, so when I use the ultra usb out to my headphones the vibelink turns on.
That in and of itself isn't really an issue, but for some reason the trigger signal seems to turn off / on (seemingly) randomly as the orange light (for optical input) on the vibelink goes darker / brighter and the speakers pop (fairly quietly) each time.

What hp amp are you using?
My ultra is connected to both a vibelink (trigger + optical) and a Yamaha amp (rca) and the vibelink does trigger on at first when I play the ultra into Yamaha, but then goes to sleep and I've not noticed it coming on and off or pops thereafter. Maybe just a usb quirk?

 

[Mr Ee]

What hp amp are you using?
My ultra is connected to both a vibelink (trigger + optical) and a Yamaha amp (rca) and the vibelink does trigger on at first when I play the ultra into Yamaha, but then goes to sleep and I've not noticed it coming on and off or pops thereafter. Maybe just a usb quirk?

Currently a Fiio K13 via usb.
There probably is a pattern to it if I were to delve deeper...

But sometimes the vibelink will go into and out of standby multiple times in quick succession, e.g. mere seconds apart, when I'm using the ultra usb output.

 

[Goodnews]

According to the thread title, isn't this supposed to be about the Wiim Amp Ultra?

 

[Mr Ee]

According to the thread title, isn't this supposed to be about the Wiim Amp Ultra?

It was only a slight deviation into using a usb dac with an ultra + vibelink vs an amp ultra.
As per my earlier post, its volume control / consistency using a usb dac has the same challenges as when using an amp ultra.
Or an amp pro.
Or an amp.
Or is that branching off topic again?

 

[Goodnews]

No problem, I just wanted to know for my own reference.

I use the WAU exclusively with its volume control via the USB output, both for headphones and an external DAC, which are connected via different devices.

The interface is the device from **Intona, which is connected between the WAU and the USB dongle for headphones or the external DAC.

**The USB connection is powered by an external 5-volt battery.

The WAU is operated with the remote control and switched to play mode before listening to music; this means the volume is raised from zero to the desired level and vice versa.

EXTRA:
Another option is to run Audirvana Studio 3.0.2 on the Wiim Streamer unit, with the WAU operating in external DAC/LS mode and providing only the DSP software.

 

[DPS6000]

I have 4 WAU with external DAC/HPA via USB and would agree that this feature is critical.