WiiM Ultra: Connection with Bluetooth Speaker

[andreas.pd]

Hi all,

I am building an entry sound system at my place, which is composed of the following pieces:
- Turntable: Technics SL1200 MK-2
- Speaker: Teenage Engineering OD-11 (Cloud / Bluetooth speaker) https://teenage.engineering/guides/od-11

I am thinking of purchasing the WiiM Ultra, which can be used as a phono-preamp, but also give me multiple connectivity options. Before buying it I would like to have your consultation on the following topic:
I will connect the Turntable directly to the Line-in of the "WiiM Ultra" and from there I would like to stream sound to the active speaker via Bluetooth. Would that be possible? Do you see any issues (except the expected quality loss) with the above described co-installation?


Thanks a lot in advance for your help and your feedback.

Best,
Andreas

 

[Fernandodelae]

I believe the Ultra has the ability to "broadcast" bluetooth to another device just like the WiiM Amp does, and also has a superior bluetooth Codec if I´m not wrong.

 

[Burnside]

I believe the Ultra has the ability to "broadcast" bluetooth to another device just like the WiiM Amp does, and also has a superior bluetooth Codec if I´m not wrong.

I don’t think the codecs are different - both only support SBC/AAC

Edit: and all WiiM devices support Bluetooth output.

 

[Mr Ee]

I think one other "issue" is that EQ etc. is not applied to the bluetooth output.

 

[Burnside]

How come? Aren't they part of the app?
Do the Parametric & Graphic EQ only apply to the line out connections?

No, they apply to all outputs except BT

 

[KNVPStudios]

I think one other "issue" is that EQ etc. is not applied to the bluetooth output.

This was a huge letdown for me. I discovered 2 options that both work for me: iFi Zen Blue 3 (pricey) or the FlooGoo FMA120 adapter (inexpensive). With both you can use APTX Lossless, APTX Adaptive. The iFi adds LDAC.

Both units have their caveats however, I’m happy to answer questions

 

[andreas.pd]

This was a huge letdown for me. I discovered 2 options that both work for me: iFi Zen Blue 3 (pricey) or the FlooGoo FMA120 adapter (inexpensive). With both you can use APTX Lossless, APTX Adaptive. The iFi adds LDACFl

FlooGoo directly connected on the USB port of WiiM I guess (?).

 

[KNVPStudios]

FlooGoo directly connected on the USB port of WiiM I guess (?).

Yes. BUT….CAVEAT…..you need a Windows machine to update firmware on the dongle and to add/change pairings. However once its paired you are set

 

[Burnside]

Note that if you use a USB hub, you should still be able to use one of these BT adaptors as well as USB media, and from this post, output to another USB DAC

 

[andreas.pd]

Got it. Interesting. So, in other words Bluetooth connection works but won't have any high quality audio transmission unless additional adapter is used.

 

[KNVPStudios]

Got it. Interesting. So, in other words Bluetooth connection works but won't have any high quality audio transmission unless additional adapter is used.

Correct. You can transmit SBC codec (oldest more reliable, lossy) from Ultra, however, as stated the EQ will not engage

 

[Wiimer]

Correct. You can transmit SBC codec (oldest more reliable, lossy) from Ultra, however, as stated the EQ will not engage

As far as I can tell from the OD-11 technical specs, the only codec supported is AAC; if the OD-11 does not support other codecs, the only benefit of using the adapter would be EQ.

@andreas.pd,.
You said "except for the expected quality loss", but would it be difficult to wire (Optical or Line) the WiiM to the OD-11?

I assume the OD-11 is a Wi-Fi speaker, is the turntable the only reason you want to add the WiiM? If so, adding a phono amp to the OD-11 would be more appropriate.

 

[KNVPStudios]

As far as I can tell from the OD-11 technical specs, the only codec supported is AAC; if the OD-11 does not support other codecs, the only benefit of using the adapter would be EQ.

@andreas.pd,.
You said "except for the expected quality loss", but would it be difficult to wire (Optical or Line) the WiiM to the OD-11?

I assume the OD-11 is a Wi-Fi speaker, is the turntable the only reason you want to add the WiiM? If so, adding a phono amp to the OD-11 would be more appropriate.

In the case of headphones and cellphones, SBC (short for Sub Band Codec?) is included in all Bluetooth devices as the primary codec. All Bluetooth devices, in order to receive certification must include at minimum the SBC. If it also supports AAC then the manufacturer must supply in addition to SBC

 

[Wiimer]

In the case of headphones and cellphones, SBC (short for Sub Band Codec?) is included in all Bluetooth devices as the primary codec. All Bluetooth devices, in order to receive certification must include at minimum the SBC. If it also supports AAC then the manufacturer must supply in addition to SBC

Of course it is, but I am talking about the high resolution codecs you mention.

 

[KNVPStudios]

Of course it is, but I am talking about the high resolution codecs you mention.

Sorry, my mistake. I wasn’t directly commenting on what the specs or capabilities of the OD-11 specifically were, I was talking more generally about the Ultra’s shortcomings on Bluetooth and alternatives I have found that worked

 

[Wiimer]

Sorry, my mistake. I wasn’t directly commenting on what the specs or capabilities of the OD-11 specifically were, I was talking more generally about the Ultra’s shortcomings on Bluetooth and alternatives I have found that worked

Sorry too, no need for you to apologize.
I just wanted to correct the OP if he misunderstood.

Perhaps I should have replied to this post in the OP.

Got it. Interesting. So, in other words Bluetooth connection works but won't have any high quality audio transmission unless additional adapter is used.

 

[KNVPStudios]

Sorry too, no need for you to apologize.
I just wanted to correct the OP if he misunderstood.

Perhaps I should have replied to this post in the OP.

No worries, friend! On the earphone topic I found that Cambridge Audio makes the Mellomania p100 over-ear phones and the m100 buds. Both sound really good with APTX Lossless when connected to the iFi and the FlooGoo USB adapter connected to the Ultra

 

[andreas.pd]

As far as I can tell from the OD-11 technical specs, the only codec supported is AAC; if the OD-11 does not support other codecs, the only benefit of using the adapter would be EQ.

@andreas.pd,.
You said "except for the expected quality loss", but would it be difficult to wire (Optical or Line) the WiiM to the OD-11?

I assume the OD-11 is a Wi-Fi speaker, is the turntable the only reason you want to add the WiiM? If so, adding a phono amp to the OD-11 would be more appropriate.

Fair question
I was thinking:
A. To have the option of Bluetooth streaming from the turntable. As far as I know the phono preamps with BT are not so many (do you maybe have a proposal?)
B. Those that exist do not have as many outputs as the Wiim. In the case that I later buy a second od-11 speaker I could take advandage of the left and right line-out of the Wimm to upgrade into a stereo sound system.
C. I could connect my tv to the wiim (BT or cable) and stream sound to the speaker as well.

Thanks!

Ps. Would an optical connection from the will to the speaker have a fair sound quality?

 

[Wiimer]

Fair question
I was thinking:
A. To have the option of Bluetooth streaming from the turntable. As far as I know the phono preamps with BT are not so many (do you maybe have a proposal?)

Is the TT located far away from the OD-11?

If so, it would be possible to use two WiiMs in a multi-room group to transmit the TT sound to the OD-11, which would provide higher quality sound and more stable playback than Bluetooth.

Example.
TT >[Phono]> Ultra
Mini >[Optical or Aux-2RCA]> OD-11

The Ultra and Mini can be grouped into one group, and when TT is played on the Ultra, music will be played from the OD-11 through the Mini.
(Of course, you can also connect a separate amplifier and speakers to Ultra for playback on both.)

C. I could connect my tv to the wiim (BT or cable) and stream sound to the speaker as well.

There will be some delay when the TV is connected to the Ultra and transmitting to the OD-11 via Bluetooth. The same delay will occur with the multi-room group described above. For this reason, a cable connection is preferred if possible.

Ps. Would an optical connection from the will to the speaker have a fair sound quality?

I assume you are considering Bluetooth because of installation location and other issues. However if you like the sound of the OD-11, then using an Optical or Line cable would be ideal.

Thanks for sharing the details. I hope you find the ideal solution for you.

 

[andreas.pd]

Yes, the TT and WiiM will be placed ca. 3.5m away from the speaker. That's the main issue.

But I think the inputs are more than clear to me. I will still get the WiiM, as I gain flexibility on the connectivity. I will see how I can do the cabling at the end .