WiiM Sound Picked up techradar's Best of High End Munich 2025

[ews2k]

And then there are those of us who have never used Apple - simply because we have no need to. So I would not want to pay for an Apple licence as I simply have no need for it. I'm quite happy with things they way they are. I guess I might be in the minority...

 

[EddNog]

And then there are those of us who have never used Apple - simply because we have no need to. So I would not want to pay for an Apple licence as I simply have no need for it. I'm quite happy with things they way they are. I guess I might be in the minority...

I'm a huge Apple guy myself and I still actively avoid AirPlay. So long as it's not lossless (and because there are a number of lossless alternatives out there), I have zero interest.

-Ed

 

[Persona Grata]

The center channel is currently virtual only, but by the time WiiM Sound is released it will be possible. And y

The center channel is currently virtual only, but by the time WiiM Sound is released it will be possible. And yes.

Hope Wiim keep the virtual center channel function. Buying two Sound and getting support for Dolby 5.1 from my Apple TV would be sweet.

 

[Wiimer]

Hope Wiim keep the virtual center channel function.

I believe it can be done virtually if you don't connect a center speaker.

 

[s3igell]

Definitely disappointing in the case of the Ultra for which it had been previously announced and then rescinded. I'm sure that was a tough decision for Linkplay to make, but only they can best judge the right path for their business. I'm not sure that a product like the forthcoming Sound would have received approval from Apple anyway, as it directly competes with their HomePod and will likely undercut its price too.

It is doubtful that any of this was directly "LinkPlay's Decision" but rather "Apple Blacklisting from MFi Certification - due to the unauthorized AirPlay Cast deployment" (remember that?). This is supported by the timing and sequencing of AirPlay2 removal from the Ultra Feature List well after the Hardware Componentry for the Ultra was completed. Apple requires MFi Certification for AirPlay Functionality, and that includes a hardware chip that stores a Certification Key. The hardware for the Ultra was well complete and into debugging, when (suddenly) it became apparent that Apple Certification was not forthcoming (and AirPlay Cast was unceremoniously stripped from existing WiiM devices), so WiiM's explanation that "Ultra lacks a hardware component required for AirPlay" indicates "Lack of Certification Key" rather than failed/forgotten/missing chip. (Especially since there is every reason to expect that such a "missing chip" would be rectified in future revisions of the Ultra hardware - and every further device designed later - as AirPlay is still a desirable/marketable Feature.)

 

[Mike in NY]

It is doubtful that any of this was directly "LinkPlay's Decision" but rather "Apple Blacklisting from MFi Certification - due to the unauthorized AirPlay Cast deployment" (remember that?). This is supported by the timing and sequencing of AirPlay2 removal from the Ultra Feature List well after the Hardware Componentry for the Ultra was completed. Apple requires MFi Certification for AirPlay Functionality, and that includes a hardware chip that stores a Certification Key. The hardware for the Ultra was well complete and into debugging, when (suddenly) it became apparent that Apple Certification was not forthcoming (and AirPlay Cast was unceremoniously stripped from existing WiiM devices), so WiiM's explanation that "Ultra lacks a hardware component required for AirPlay" indicates "Lack of Certification Key" rather than failed/forgotten/missing chip. (Especially since there is every reason to expect that such a "missing chip" would be rectified in future revisions of the Ultra hardware - and every further device designed later - as AirPlay is still a desirable/marketable Feature.)

No doubt that is what occurred, though I think LinkPlay could have sorted it out and still licensed AirPlay2 had they wanted to further play Apple's MFi games, but they decided it wasn't worth the effort and cost.

 

[s3igell]

No doubt that is what occurred, though I think LinkPlay could have sorted it out and still licensed AirPlay2 had they wanted to further play Apple's MFi games, but they decided it wasn't worth the effort and cost.

You don't think Apple relishes its role as the Spiteful 900lb Gorilla??

 

[Mike in NY]

You don't think Apple relishes its role as the Spiteful 900lb Gorilla??

I do definitely think they relish it, and it's possible that no amount of diplomacy by LinkPlay could have resolved the issue to the extent that AirPlay2 remained a feature of the Ultra. That is especially true if LinkPlay had already approached Apple about getting a license for the forthcoming Sound smart speaker, which Apple would no doubt view as directly competitive with their HomePod. Frenemies at best.

I'm glad AirPlay2 sucks, as that allows me to (personally) completely ignore it and not care at all if it's a feature on any given product, I'd prefer if it were not as that allows for a lower retail price.

 

[EddNog]

I do definitely think they relish it, and it's possible that no amount of diplomacy by LinkPlay could have resolved the issue to the extent that AirPlay2 remained a feature of the Ultra. That is especially true if LinkPlay had already approached Apple about getting a license for the forthcoming Sound smart speaker, which Apple would no doubt view as directly competitive with their HomePod. Frenemies at best.

I'm glad AirPlay2 sucks, as that allows me to (personally) completely ignore it and not care at all if it's a feature on any given product, I'd prefer if it were not as that allows for a lower retail price.

The least crappy option I've seen so far is still kind of costly which is to get AirPlay 1 (which is implemented BIT-PERFECT at redbook 44.1KHz/16-bit) via a FiiO SR11 and output it optically into the WiiM's optical input.

I heard this is also doable on a lesser budget if you manage to acquire a gen-1 Apple AirPort but good luck getting that thing working right because configuring it requires like an older Apple computer of some kind to communicate with it initially as newer software/Macs no longer support AirPorts.

-Ed

 

[Burnside]

The least crappy option I've seen so far is still kind of costly which is to get AirPlay 1 (which is implemented BIT-PERFECT at redbook 44.1KHz/16-bit) via a FiiO SR11 and output it optically into the WiiM's optical input.

I heard this is also doable on a lesser budget if you manage to acquire a gen-1 Apple AirPort but good luck getting that thing working right because configuring it requires like an older Apple computer of some kind to communicate with it initially as newer software/Macs no longer support AirPorts.

-Ed

Or there are free software options if you have a suitable platform to run it on

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

Aug 30, 2024

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 devices (like WiiM devices) to appear as Airplay 1 endpoints so may be of interest to those who want lossless CD quality transmission from Apple Music, or indeed for those who want a certain recent WiiM device (I'll let you guess which one ) to appear as an Airplay target. Note that as it's only...

• Burnside
• airplay
• Replies: 30
• Forum: General thoughts for WiiM

• 

 

[noelc]

Right but hopefully WiiM will get DLNA Cast sorted at which point you'll have the functionality that AirPlay has. I didn't actually miss anything other than perhaps if someone had previously stated the exact need for AirPlay was specifically multiroom, I missed that requirement.

I used AirPlay for 10 years, when it was actually lossless. It was never ideal in that it whacks the battery of the sending device because it's not a simple control point. Apple completely dropped the ball when "updating" that technology to AirPlay2, big step backwards when they could have actually improved it. Now it's just a piece of their walled garden increasingly used by only those subscribed to Apple Music and few others.

My representation of AirPlay2 stands as stated, everything I said about it was accurate, and I never said Bluetooth did multiroom. the fact remains that Apple does not play well with others (typing from a MacBook Air M2 so no not an Apple hater).

Completely agree,,