Wiim Ultra as a pre amplifier

[Musician]

The Ultra is a better sounding streamer if connected via USB to a DAC with a filtered USB input with a precision clock.

I use a Ultra exclusively as a streamer with USB out. Very transparent

Yes, the ultra is slightly better I was wrong

 

[harkpabst]

Just tried my ultra using phono and notice a continuous popping or clicking. It's not audible when playing something loud ish like pop or rock, but turning the amp vol up when nothing is playing and it's very noticeable, much louder than hum or hiss that you'd get with cheaper analogue phono preamps.

Sounds strange.

Just for the records: What input resolution did you select for line in? The same setting is applied to phono.

 

[bernard23]

Sounds strange.

Just for the records: What input resolution did you select for line in? The same setting is applied to phono.

Don't recall setting a line in res?

Phono is 16/48

Edit: just checked, reset it to 24/48. I'm using line in for a Denon FM tuner.

 

[khuntim]

I'll let you know once the Harmony is active.

Can't wait to hear how the Harmony sounds! I was looking at that for my headphone system.

the ultra USB out works well, even with an inexpensive SMSL DAC it's an upgrade, want to go a bit more so looking for ideas.

for TV I don't think the ARC input is any better than optical, still testing...

 

[EricTheBlue]

I've been listening to LAIV Harmony for about a month now, and it sounds amazing. I have about 30 hours of listening time with the Harmony and my system as currently constructed is the best I've ever owned in terms of sound quality. Not bad considering my audiophile journey has lasted over 30 years. The Harmony offers all the detail, transparency, holographic sound staging, holographic imaging, and "air" you'd expect from a $2700 DAC. I'm having a ton of fun re-listening to my ripped CD collection I've built over 30 years as the albums sound much different (better). Other components in my rig include:

• WIIM Ultra as streamer and digital preamp
• A custom built (by me) Windows PC audio server running J.River Media Center for DLNA and media storage
• A pair of 10 watt tube amps you've likely never heard of: WeiLiang A80 Class A SET monoblock (A poor man's Decware Zen Triode)
• Zu Audio DWX for left/right main speakers (high pass filtered by the Ultra at 80 Hz)
• Pair of Parts Express MKSX4 passive woofers. Note that I didn't call them subwoofers because they only extend down to 40 Hz in my 500 sq ft studio condo. The woofers are in the bottom of each Salamander Synergy cabinet.
• Aiyima A07 70 WPC power amp: Drives the Parts Express woofer pair (in bottom of right Synergy cabinet).

LAIV Harmon+WIIM Ultra (blue fan below is open frame audio PC server)


Some pic sizes are too large to show other system components, so I'll send them via a follow on post. I wish the forum had picture file size reducer for posting.

 

[EricTheBlue]

A80 Tube Monoblock:


Custom Audio PC Server At Night


Zu DWX Speaker


Entire Audio Rig

 

[EricTheBlue]

Another thing about the LAIV Harmony: My brother purchased one two months prior to me and he stated it does have a break-in period of ~ 100 hours. He spoke the truth. I have about 30 hours of listening to the Harmony, and it sounds noticeably better now than my first listening session.

 

[EricTheBlue]

Final Harmony tidbit for now: I don't recall ever receiving a better packed piece of audio equipment (and I've received a lot over the years). Great care was applied to the DAC and its accessories.

 

[EricTheBlue]

Love to know how the dac sounds when you get it up and running. That’s a serious dac. Thinking about getting one.

My initial thoughts and pic of the Harmony DAC are up.

 

[EricTheBlue]

Can't wait to hear how the Harmony sounds! I was looking at that for my headphone system.

the ultra USB out works well, even with an inexpensive SMSL DAC it's an upgrade, want to go a bit more so looking for ideas.

for TV I don't think the ARC input is any better than optical, still testing...

My initial thoughts and pic of the Harmony are up.

 

[khuntim]

My initial thoughts and pic of the Harmony are up.

Really nice! I guess using the USB out is going to work just fine from the ultra. Try Faststone Image Viewer, has a quick resize and about everything else!

 

[EricTheBlue]

Really nice! I guess using the USB out is going to work just fine from the ultra. Try Faststone Image Viewer, has a quick resize and about everything else!

Thanks for the tip about FastStone. I use Ethernet in to the Ultra to link it to my audio server PC, USB from the Ultra to the Harmony, then RCA out from the Harmony to the tube amps. This linkage works very well for me.

 

[guy48065]

Nice racks!
8020.net ftw!

 

[EricTheBlue]

Nice racks!
8020.net ftw!

Thanks! Solidly built, modular, and the wheels make it easy to rotate the cabinets for easy rewiring as required.

 

[Kirpo]

Hi everyone!

My current setup: Wiim Pro outputting via coaxial to a Geshelli J2S with Burson Vivid V7 opamps, RCA output to a NAD C328 integrated amplifier, connected to Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 speakers.

I'm considering an upgrade in terms of amplification. I'm thinking of moving to separates, with a power amp on one side and another device handling preamplification.

I'm interested in the Wiim Ultra as a replacement for my Wiim Pro, but I'm unsure whether to use it as a preamplifier or to get a passive preamp, like the Topping Pre90, for example. Would there be any benefit to using a passive preamp, or does the Ultra perform well enough as a preamplifier?

Thanks!

Hi abuzz,

Hi everyone!

My current setup: Wiim Pro outputting via coaxial to a Geshelli J2S with Burson Vivid V7 opamps, RCA output to a NAD C328 integrated amplifier, connected to Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 speakers.

I'm considering an upgrade in terms of amplification. I'm thinking of moving to separates, with a power amp on one side and another device handling preamplification.

I'm interested in the Wiim Ultra as a replacement for my Wiim Pro, but I'm unsure whether to use it as a preamplifier or to get a passive preamp, like the Topping Pre90, for example. Would there be any benefit to using a passive preamp, or does the Ultra perform well enough as a preamplifier?

Thanks!

Hi aguzz ,
I have noticed a number of members using 2 DACS, what are the benefits of doing this?

 

[slartibartfast]

Hi abuzz,

Hi aguzz ,
I have noticed a number of members using 2 DACS, what are the benefits of doing this?

Who is using 2 DACs? If an external DAC is connected the internal DAC is bypassed.

 

[Yoku-San]

I know that but I want to know if the performance of the digital preamp part is good enough to not consider a separate analog preamp after the DAC conversion.

I use my Ultra as streamer and preamp connected to an NC252MP Hypex Ncore Amp via RCA-XLR cable. It is a terrific combo. If you go for Ncore Amps be sure to get one with a trigger input. I bought a used one which did not have one, but Audiophonics sells an adapter for the power socket with integrated 12V trigger input. This combination works very well, my amp shuts down with the Ultra when I power off my TV or after 5 minutes of standby.

Instead of investing into an additional preamp or DAC which in my opinion is a waste of money (the DAC section of the Ultra is tested as excellent), buy yourself a UMIK-1 microphone which you can connect to your cell phone to allow better measurements for room correction via the WiiM App.

 

[Mrihar]

Hi everyone!

My current setup: Wiim Pro outputting via coaxial to a Geshelli J2S with Burson Vivid V7 opamps, RCA output to a NAD C328 integrated amplifier, connected to Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 speakers.

I'm considering an upgrade in terms of amplification. I'm thinking of moving to separates, with a power amp on one side and another device handling preamplification.

I'm interested in the Wiim Ultra as a replacement for my Wiim Pro, but I'm unsure whether to use it as a preamplifier or to get a passive preamp, like the Topping Pre90, for example. Would there be any benefit to using a passive preamp, or does the Ultra perform well enough as a preamplifier?

Thanks!

Just started experimenting with the Ultra. Nice feature packed device. However, if you are looking for high quality audio presented with 3 dimensional quality (and based on your stack that’s the case) the ultra won’t cut it. In my opinion the preamp stage is where all the (excluding the source) beauty is constructed. Don’t bother with passive.

 

[harkpabst]

Instead of investing into an additional preamp or DAC which in my opinion is a waste of money (the DAC section of the Ultra is tested as excellent), buy yourself a UMIK-1 microphone which you can connect to your cell phone to allow better measurements for room correction via the WiiM App.

Yep. And a passive pre-"amp" is even more of a waste of money, if you ask me.

In an attempt to fight the unfounded fear of digital volume control people introduce some real electrical problems due to non-constant resistance leading to unpredictable problems, depending on actual cable capacity.

 

[Joseespona]

Yep. And a passive pre-"amp" is even more of a waste of money, if you ask me.

In an attempt to fight the unfounded fear of digital volume control people introduce some real electrical problems due to non-constant resistance leading to unpredictable problems, depending on actual cable capacity.

The wiim ultra is awesome. I have tested it thorougly and its probably the best value combo you can get in your hands right now. But your statement is not completely true. I have tested it as a digital preamp hooked to my rokna wavedream and its solid. But Im one of those guys that owns a passive/active preamp which I can toggle whith just a switch. And let me tell you that if the preamp is good enough it will blow your mind. You cant compare dsp driven volume control to ladder resistor analog volume control. The choice of passive or active is up to you. If you need a boost in the signal with colour in the signal or transparent sound with no boost. I have invested enough in equipment to know that preamps are probably one of the less regarded weak points in an audio chain. The wiim lineup is awesome as a streamer. Cant find anything more convenient. But as good as you may think or measure its digital volume control is, you really need to hear a very good preamp before making assumptions.