WiiM Amp Ultra Users Experience

[Roedelheim]

I'm not going to break out my 40yo highschool Deutsche to read the classification system used here, but it reads that Reference Class is the pinnacle regardless of cost. And that Audio Test has only found 5 devices which perform/rate better than the WAU.

It’s basically pointless to discuss that. But I’ve got a bit of time to kill right now. Whether you like it or not, 95% in the entry-level category does not mean that the device is on par with those that also scored 95% in higher categories. 95% of 500 is not 95% of 1000. Even the often-cited democratization of high fidelity does not completely override certain fundamental rules. That said, I still consider the quality delivered by the WAU to be outstanding. It’s just nowhere near the end of the line.

 

[harkpabst]

In the end it's just another Hi-Fi mag and their rating system is as useful and reliable as such systems have been for decades.

I other words, the ranking itself is pretty much pointless.

 

[Roedelheim]

In the end it's just another Hi-Fi mag and their rating system is as useful and reliable as such systems have been for decades.

I other words, the ranking itself is pretty much pointless.

Agreed. I have not started with that. Magazines are business. But, from time to time I notice a fundamental loss of objectivity in this and other forums. Or even reality?

 

[harkpabst]

Agreed. I have not started with that. Magazines are business. But, from time to time I notice a fundamental loss of objectivity in this and other forums. Or even reality?

I mostly agree. OTOH people tend to forget what the price of entry level gear was 30 or 40 years ago. And a device like e.g. the WiiM Amp Ultra at 600 € easily beats everything that was sold for 1.200 DM 40 years ago, and in every thinkable way.

I've been using the WiiM Amp Ultra instead of my Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 for a couple of months into highly resolving speakers (admittedly, most of the time with two subwoofers). The difference when swapping back wasn't night and day (audiophiles tend to only notice night and day differences, no matter what, even when replacing a fuse). Probably the better room correction system had its fair share, too.

 

[Roedelheim]

Also, mostly agreed. Never gave I a bad word about the performance of the AU I've got with the words "try it". The performance is really outstanding! Nevertheless I gave it back on Thursday for other reasons. What I find funny is a kind of mechanism, normally reviewers and magazines are "paid instances misleading people". That immediately changed when the review is good for a product someone owns and wants a confirmation he was or will be smart. That's it.

 

[harkpabst]

That immediately changed when the review is good for a product someone owns and wants a confirmation he was or will be smart. That's it.

True.