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

 

[RyanWithWiim]

Lots of great answers in here, thanks everyone! @andreas.pd if you think any of them answered your question in particular, feel free to click that "mark as solution" button!

 

[CorporallClegg]

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 .

You can also purchase an external Bluetooth adapter that supports a decent Bluetooth codec and plugs into the WiiM Ultra Optical output. Theoretically the signal should remain in the digital realm throughout the Bluetooth transmission and be converted by the DAC in whatever device you are using at the end point, meaning it would bypass the DAC in the WiiM Ultra.

 

[harkpabst]

You can also purchase an external Bluetooth adapter that supports a decent Bluetooth codec and plugs into the WiiM Ultra Optical output. Theoretically the signal should remain in the digital realm throughout the Bluetooth transmission and be converted by the DAC in whatever device you are using at the end point, meaning it would bypass the DAC in the WiiM Ultra.

Did you notice that the speaker supports SBC and AAC only?

Optical or line in (using a quality cable) on the OD-11 would both be viable options.

 

[CorporallClegg]

I noticed that it specifies AAC and says nothing at all about SBC but if I recall correctly SBC is an industry standard.
The WiiM Ultra doesn't even have a specification regarding it's supported Bluetooth codecs.

Maybe the WiiM Ultra uses a super secret Bluetooth radio transmission system that has special bluetooth codecs...

 

[Burnside]

I noticed that it specifies AAC and says nothing at all about SBC but if I recall correctly SBC is an industry standard.
The WiiM Ultra doesn't even have a specification regarding it's supported Bluetooth codecs.

Maybe the WiiM Ultra uses a super secret Bluetooth radio transmission system that has special bluetooth codecs...

“Q. Will the Bluetooth output support aptX and/or LDAC codecs?
A. It does not support aptX or LDAC codecs. However, it does support the BT LE Audio codec LC3, in addition to SBC and AAC codecs.”

WiiM Ultra Questions & Answers

We're excited see all the interest in our next product -- WiiM Ultra. You can find the full specs on our forum post. TABLE OF CONTENTS Hardware Features/Software Display Music Services/Formats Availability How Tos What's included ...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[harkpabst]

I noticed that it specifies AAC and says nothing at all about SBC but if I recall correctly SBC is an industry standard.

Yep, see e.g. post #13 :

K

Post in thread 'WiiM Ultra: Connection with Bluetooth Speaker'

Nov 11, 2024

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...

• KNVPStudios

• 

The WiiM Ultra doesn't even have a specification regarding it's supported Bluetooth codecs.

It does. But @Burnside beat me to it. Again!

No secrets here.

 

[slartibartfast]

Yep, see e.g. post #13 :

K

Post in thread 'WiiM Ultra: Connection with Bluetooth Speaker'

Nov 11, 2024

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...

• KNVPStudios

• 

It does. But @Burnside beat me to it. Again!

No secrets here.

Also in the manual

 

[Burnside]

Also in the manual

No, I’m Spartacus

Edit: it was either that, or what have the Romans ever done for us

 

[CorporallClegg]

I guess I missed that, although I don't tend to base my purchases on Q and A pages or preemptively download manuals to find out the specs of a product.

Why not just post that info here - https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimultra/specs

Or even here - https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Streamer-Touchscreen-Compatible-Headphone/dp/B0D41YCLW8

There are quiet a few specs in both those locations, why leave those extra 8 characters out?
What would the reason be for leaving that type of information out of this "all-in-one music streamer " with "Versatile Connectivity Options" that "redefines your audio experience" product advertisement?

 

[harkpabst]

Probably because nobody never reads no specs anyway. Except for us bunch of crazy old men ...

 

[CorporallClegg]

Probably because nobody never reads no specs anyway. Except for us bunch of crazy old men ...

This crazy old man made the mistake of presuming a high end audio streaming device would use the best codecs available in 2024 (even the cheapest knock off streamers have them). I am now paying for that mistake and packing up the WiiM Ultra to send back. I do feel a bit cheated being this thing was way over hyped but the Bluetooth quality it outputs is bad, like really bad, the fact that it interferes with any other Bluetooth device in use because WiiM refuses to implement a Bluetooth off switch to allow us to turn it off is just salt in the wound.
I would keep it and use it soley for Amazon Music and output Bluetooth through a differnt adapter but with it not having a Bluetooth off switch that unfortunantly is not an an option.

So back to Amazon it goes.

 

[harkpabst]

I took you seriously up to that point. Not caring to look for the specs and then feeling cheated ... and then mixing up Bluetooth input and Bluetooth output ... come on, breathe, cool down.

Of course, you can buy and send back and buy and send back until you're happy.

 

[CorporallClegg]

You are clearly confused.
I did look for the specs, they should be no harder to find then the product page, and they are not listed.

Mixing up Bluetooth output and input? I never mentioned input, why are you?

I feel cheated because the Bluetooth spec went completely unmentioned in the advertisements and the spec page, I presumed it would be at least to a 2022 device standard, nor was I aware that the Bluetooth could not be turned off being that is not mentioned anywhere at all and is a standard in every single Bluetooth transmitting/receiving device that I have ever owned.

Thanks for your permission to buy and send back items, without it I would be confused as to what to do next...

 

[Wiimer]

You are clearly confused.
I did look for the specs, they should be no harder to find then the product page, and they are not listed.

Mixing up Bluetooth output and input? I never mentioned input why are you?

I feel cheated because the Bluetooth spec went completely unmentioned in the advertisements and the spec page, I presumed it would be at least to a 2022 device standard, nor was I aware that the Bluetooth could not be turned off being that is not mentioned anywhere at all and is a standard in every single Bluetooth transmitting/receiving device that I have ever owned.

Thanks for your permission to buy and send back items, without it I would be confused as to what to do next...

I am so sorry that the Ultra did not have the features you wanted.

But honestly, I have no idea why you thought "WiiM Ultra uses a super secret Bluetooth radio transmission system that has special bluetooth codecs" when the spec sheet says nothing of the sort.

If it were me, I would imagine quite the opposite.

"If a feature is not on the spec sheet, it doesn't exist."

 

[Wiimer]

the fact that it interferes with any other Bluetooth device in use because WiiM refuses to implement a Bluetooth off switch to allow us to turn it off is just salt in the wound.

Have you really checked it out ?

I have previously connected the Mini to the Ultra's Line-out and used the Mini as a Bluetooth transmitter. No interference was detected and I was able to play Amazon music without interruption.

 

[CorporallClegg]

There is no need for apologies, WiiM could add an off switch to the Bluetooth and the problem would be resolved, but I doubt that will occur.

My reference to the super secret Bluetooth radio transmission system, was a joke made on the subject of the specs deliberately not being in the product advertisement or on the "spec sheet"

Following your logic of things not being on the spec sheet; SBC and AAC do not appear on it, to be clear, this link - https://wiimhome.com/wiimamp/specs is the "spec sheet", a Q and A section is not a "spec sheet".
I have been buying audio equipment for over 4 decades, spec sheets always are and continue to be called "spec sheets" every specification was listed within them, not some of the specs, not most of the specs but all of the specs. This is industry standard, I am not sure why anyone would argue that point and I am confused why this fact is going unnoticed. Spec sheets and product advertisements are the things one reads before buying a product not Q and A sections buried in the help section.

 

[CorporallClegg]

Have you really checked it out ?

I have previously connected the Mini to the Ultra's Line-out and used the Mini as a Bluetooth transmitter. No interference was detected and I was able to play Amazon music without interruption.

Yes I did but with a different transmitter.
The issue is the 2.4 ghz spectrum is already saturated with data, the Ultra constantly pinging for devices exasperates that and due to this interference the other transmitters connection distance is drastically shortened. I use a transmitter from a Zone 2 line out on my amp to send the signal the amp is playing to a different location at the same time. I never once had a transmission issue before the WiiM Ultra was put into service, but now the signal constantly drops when the WiiM is plugged in, even when it is powered off (most likely due to the Bluetooth remote).

Once again, this problem would be resolved with one simple fix, a Bluetooth off toggel on the WiiM Ultra.

 

[Wiimer]

Following your logic of things not being on the spec sheet; SBC and AAC do not appear on it, to be clear, this link - https://wiimhome.com/wiimamp/specs is the "spec sheet", a Q and A section is not a "spec sheet".

My point was that I don't expect a lot of features that are not mentioned in the spec sheet. I will always read the manual from cover to cover and contact the manufacturer if I want to find out if a feature is essential to me.

I have been buying audio equipment for over 4 decades, spec sheets always are and continue to be called "spec sheets" every specification was listed within them, not some of the specs, not most of the specs but all of the specs. This is industry standard, I am not sure why anyone would argue that point and I am confused why this fact is going unnoticed.

I understand what you are saying and I am not defending WiiM, but I think that is far from reality.

I have seen catalog (spec sheet) for many different products and omissions and errors are commonplace. Unfortunately, I think that is the reality...

 

[CorporallClegg]

My point was that I don't expect a lot of features that are not mentioned in the spec sheet. I will always read the manual from cover to cover and contact the manufacturer if I want to find out if a feature is essential to me.




I understand what you are saying and I am not defending WiiM, but I think that is far from reality.

I have seen catalog (spec sheet) for many different products and omissions and errors are commonplace. Unfortunately, I think that is the reality...

Agreed on the omissions that can occasionally appear within certain specification datasets, but in regards to Bluetooth devices the supported codecs are always very clear, as a matter of fact the bulk of an advertisement regarding a Bluetooth device -is- the codec support, there really isn't much else to advertise besides codec and Bluetooth version when one is advertising Bluetooth devices. That being said the lack of information regarding codec support on a Bluetooth transmitter is something I have never seen before my experience with this WiiM product.

 

[Wiimer]

Yes I did but with a different transmitter.
The issue is the 2.4 ghz spectrum is already saturated with data, the Ultra constantly pinging for devices exasperates that and due to this interference the other transmitters connection distance is drastically shortened. I use a transmitter from a Zone 2 line out on my amp to send the signal the amp is playing to a different location at the same time. I never once had a transmission issue before the WiiM Ultra was put into service, but now the signal constantly drops when the WiiM is plugged in, even when it is powered off (most likely due to the Bluetooth remote).

Is that what you mean by this?

"The connection distance is (extremely) shorter when using a External Bluetooth transmitter compared to when using Ultra's Bluetooth transmitter."

I am interested and may check back later to see.

Once again, this problem would be resolved with one simple fix, a Bluetooth off toggel on the WiiM Ultra.

I agree, However, I am not sure if that feature can be easily implemented. As a matter of fact many DACs with Bluetooth can't turn it off...