Wiim Ultra streaming vs. Onkyo NR 6100 built-in streaming

[GregW]

Recently I upgraded from an 17 or so year-old Onkyo TX-SR605 so I could pass along 4K (and 8K) video signals, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to my tv and 5.1 speaker setup so I picked up a Onkyo TX-NR6100.

The receiver comes with a bevy of streaming sites built in including Google Cast/Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Airplay 2, BT, play from USB, DNLA/network, Roon, wifi, Amazon Music, Pandora, Tidal, Tunein, Deezer and maybe more.

So far i've just used my phone a few times to stream via BT to the receiver and also used the Wiim to stream on the same service (Spotify) to the Ultra connected to the AVR.

The Wiim Ultra is an awesome streaming box/preamp. I now however realize that outside of the screen showing what is playing, it possibly does not offer really anything more than my AVR does.... is the sound/DAC supposedly better with the Wiim leading to better sounding music? (subjective question i know).

If it really doesn't add any features I might sell the Wiim if I conclude it doesn't really sound better as it seems like 100% of what is does is already built into my AVR.

Any thoughts on this much appreciated. thanks!

 

[jhroeland]

Even a small volume difference can make the louder one sound better. Are you sure the volume was exactly the same, within 0.5dB of each other?

For me they have the same volume. If seen similar topic in the Marantz forum. That man was sending his Ultra back to the shop as he came to the same conclusion the sound was better on the Marantz Cinema 40.

 

[slartibartfast]

For me they have the same volume. If seen similar topic in the Marantz forum. That man was sending his Ultra back to the shop as he came to the same conclusion the sound was better on the Marantz Cinema 40.

OK were you using a digital output from the Ultra and 100% volume? In that case the volumes should be equal.

 

[harkpabst]

You have choices and Roon is definitely one of them but it is expensive - as in there is a subscription when none of the other choices require one, or at least not a recurring one.

There are two broad groups of Music Servers - proprietory and UPnP/DLNA.

Proprietory (meaning their own protocol) are:
Roon (closed code £/$)
Plex (closed code - only a cost if you wish to use certain features)
Lyrion (open source - no cost)

UPnP/DLNA
There are numerous implementations but popular ones are:
MinimServer (tiny cost to unlock certain features)
Asset UPnP (one off £/$)
MiniDLNA (this is what WiiMs USB offering is based on - very simple, no cost)
NAS - many NAS manufacturers provide their own UPnP server
etc

If you just wish to stream local files then any of the UPnP servers or Plex will suffice. If you want to mix sources - play something from Qobuz followed by a local file etc - then you need to be looking at Lyrion or Roon. If Internet Radio is your thing then Lyrion.

Concentrating on the three proprietory options further.
Roon and Plex will run natively on most NAS.
Lyrion requires a Docker environment when you want to run on a NAS.
Plex and Lyrion can be run on a Raspberry Pi with files either locally (attached USB drive) or on a NAS.
Roon cannot run on a Pi. The processor is not powerful enough.
Plex is multimedia i.e. video is big part of their system.
Roon and Lyrion are audio only.

That's one fantastic summary! Should be pinned somewhere for instant access.

I don't think @GregW with his TX-NR6100 should care too much about what single individuals think about their Marantz Cinema 40.

 

[merifon]

This is a good thing (even though @merifon can explain much better and in more detail than I could why MQA was misunderstood, in the first place).

Here I am...
Surely, if they hadn't created MQA, we would have saved a lot of discussions and the bandwidth available today with the quality of current DACs, certainly make it much less useful...