board comes from your country.. not common..
impressive engineering ( than only in discrete components etc etc) ... but spoiled by a surprising choice ...sad...
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Wiim Ultra as PreAmp
- Thread starter Tkkahalepuna
- Start date
impressive engineering ( than only in discrete components etc etc) ... but spoiled by a surprising choice ...sad...
hgo58
Major Contributor
It was just for fun (don't trust all you get from AI) and yes there is more to it than the chip but not much. The PCM1861 includes all parts of the analog input (including Differential In, that is not used by WiiM).
The conclusion from the measures you refer to is "So not bad" and "Frequency response is nice".
For those who know a little technically ( it's not even 16bit enob... really bad for 2024) , we understand that Armim is very kind... certainly considering these entries as secondary and the product as a very general public... which is not false of course....
""not ( so) bad""".. "not good"
...
(as a snub, I use in digital capture 96k for phono settings...a 15-20 year old mm stage, multi-settings and line input too...at 15 euros...which does better in both cases
)
as a reminder the discussion for me is just about the idea or not, the limits of adding an external qualitative phono stage... just that... just discussion
;-)
""not ( so) bad""".. "not good"
...
(as a snub, I use in digital capture 96k for phono settings...a 15-20 year old mm stage, multi-settings and line input too...at 15 euros...which does better in both cases
)as a reminder the discussion for me is just about the idea or not, the limits of adding an external qualitative phono stage... just that... just discussion
;-)
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hgo58
Major Contributor
Technically you can get it better for sure. You always can.For those who know a little technically ( it's not even 16bit enob... really bad for 2024) , we understand that Armim is very kind... certainly considering these entries as secondary and the product as a very general public... which is not false of course....
""not ( so) bad""".. "not good"
...
(as a snub, I use in digital capture 96k for phono settings...a 15-20 year old mm stage, multi-settings and line input too...at 15 euros...which does better in both cases
as a reminder the discussion for me is just about the idea or not, the limits of adding an external qualitative phono stage... just that... just discussion
;-)
But does it matter?
This depends on the ATH (Absolute Threshold Of Hearing) for you.
At my age it's above the ISO threshold and the WiiM is well below, so all good
.
hgo58
Major Contributor
Sorry, I have no idea what you are saying.
You mean only measurements matters and not your hearing?
no no
but just explains a lot of misunderstanding in the discussions.....
slartibartfast
Major Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2024
- Messages
- 3,023
Don't believe anything AI tells you. The ADC in the Ultra is the PCM 1863For fun I ask an AI about the ADC used in WiiM Ultra.
"The PCM1861 from Texas Instruments is generally well-regarded as a high-quality audio ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter). It offers 110dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and supports up to 192kHz/32-bit digital output. This makes it suitable for audiophile-grade applications and high-resolution audio.
It's used in devices like the WiiM Pro Plus, which highlights its capability for high-fidelity audio processing. If you're looking for a reliable ADC for high-quality audio applications, the PCM1861 is a solid choice.
Here are the detailed specifications for the PCM1861 ADC from Texas Instruments:
### Key Features:
- **Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)**: 110 dB
- **Sampling Rate**: 8 kHz to 192 kHz
- **Number of Channels**: 2-channel
- **Input Range**: Single-ended, 2.1 V RMS full-scale input; Differential, 4.2 V RMS full-scale input
- **Gain**: Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) with fixed gain options of 0 dB, 12 dB, and 32 dB
- **Power Supply**: Single 3.3 V operation
- **Power Dissipation**: < 85 mW at 3.3 V
### Additional Features:
- **Hardware Control**: PCM1861 supports hardware control for volume adjustments.
- **Integrated Audio PLL**: High-performance audio phase-locked loop for stable operation.
- **Energy-Sense Audio Content Detector**: For auto system wakeup and sleep.
- **Automatic PGA Clipping Suppression Control**: To prevent clipping and distortion.
- **PCB-Footprint Compatibility**: Across all devices in the PCM186x family for easy integration."
So not all agree it's bad
From FAQ
"The ADC chip is better in the WiiM Ultra using TI PCM1863."
hgo58
Major Contributor
Yes, the AI also told that it's used by the Pro, although I asked for Ultra.
There is however no performance improvements in the PCM1863. It's more about software control v. hardware and some more flexibility. They measure the same.
There is however no performance improvements in the PCM1863. It's more about software control v. hardware and some more flexibility. They measure the same.
mi 90s
;-)
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It's a very good preamp that I like using with solid state amps with low input impedance. The only issue I've been having(that I've submitted a ticket for) is line in dropouts. I've noticed it mostly when playing records using an external phone pre. It seems to happen when between tracks. I don't know if it has something to do with the silence between tracks? Kind of a pain that requires switching inputs on my phone to another input then back to Line In. Hoping support or somebody here can offer some suggestions.
What is your volume setting and your line in sampling word depth?
Volume setting varies, and it happens no matter what the line in resolution is.
Have you tried unplugging tha Ultra from mains and wait a minute or so before plugging it back in?
I suggest that you generate a ticket through the WiiM Home app.
I suggest that you generate a ticket through the WiiM Home app.
hgo58
Major Contributor
On my WiiM Ultra I see almost the same when playing from Tape Recorder. Whenever there is a pause in the music between tracks, the Ultra display display the pause symbol. It do however continue playing again when there is music again. So maybe not exactly the same?
Did you try to change the line in auto sensing?
Just did and of course that did the trick. Funny how sometimes it’s something so simple that will fix the problem. Don’t know what’s going on with the Ultra that causes these hiccups but whatever. Still a nice little package that works well most of the time.
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That’s great. The old Norwegians’ mantra «When all else fails try the Swedish Reset» is still good. Might be a permanent fix. If not make a ticket.
Ticket in.
Well for the most part everything is working well this morning. Before switching cables in and out, I did pull the Ultra plug. Probably have never done that before. Had a few early dropouts using ARC, but since then no issues. Now using the Ultra in preamp mode and it's been fine. In the past it's worked well for awhile, then the dropouts would happen. So we'll see.
I'd love to be able to use the Ultra as a preamp. I have some really nice McIntosh vintage tube pre's, but they're not properly matched impedance wise to my lower impedance solid state amps and the Ultimate is. And I find in general the Ultimate sounds really good with all my amps. Now if it can remain mostly hiccup free...
I'd love to be able to use the Ultra as a preamp. I have some really nice McIntosh vintage tube pre's, but they're not properly matched impedance wise to my lower impedance solid state amps and the Ultimate is. And I find in general the Ultimate sounds really good with all my amps. Now if it can remain mostly hiccup free...
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slartibartfast
Major Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2024
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- 3,023
Is the Ultimate the successor to the Ultra or has autocorrect interfered?
