I attended CEDIA just over a week ago and met some wonderful WIIM reps. According to them, WIIM is working on a multi-channel audio product. I'm very excited about this because it's a solution I've been looking for (audiophile-grade audio surround prepro) since I first experienced it 25 years ago via the Theta Casablanca II. My most recent experience with a dedicated audio surround prepro was the Schiit Syn just under a year ago. Great idea-mediocre solution for a couple of reasons. 1: Schiit was more concerned (by their own admission) of meeting a price point for Syn versus features. 2: Relates to item 1, The Syn, IMHO lacks some features a 5.1 audio product needs (more on this in my WIIM suggested features section below).
Most, if not all multi-channel AVR/AV prepros support audio surround sound via Dolby Surround, ATMOS, or multi-channel stereo modes. However, most AVRs are not what I'd call audiophile grade in terms of sound quality. The AVR/AV prepros that are audiophile grade (ie: some Denon, Marantz, Anthem) tend to offer more channels than required for effective audio surround and are expensive (3K and up). So, having said all this I recommend the following for WIIM's future multi-channel device:
Highly Recommended:
- Audiophile-grade 5.2 channel (no typo: .2 for subs) surround sound prepro with streamer
- Two dedicated sub outs, which can take main left+right and sum to a mono sub signal, or copy main left+right to sub lef+right for stereo sub operation. This is useful if the main left+right speakers are small and are high-pass filtered at a relatively high frequency (say 120-200 Hz range). In this case, the low pass to the subs will be around the same frequency range, potentially making their location detectable in your room. With true stereo sub function, the left/right subs can be co-located with its left/right main speakers. This will make small left/right speakers sound like full range speakers where you have control over bass level via the WIIM's bass level control available on the Ultra (which I own BTW).
- Audiophile sound quality (at least for left, center, main speakers). Shoot for the build and sound quality of the Eversolo A8 (DACs+analog preamp output sections), but for the front three channels. As the rear channels will only produce surround effects, the audio quality only has to be good, not great. My advice; use the DAC-analog output from the Ultra for the surround channels.
- Fully balanced DAC and analog output stage for left/center/right channels, plus both sub channels (don't skimp on these channels)!
- For the streamer, don't reinvent the wheel. Use the streamer on the Ultra, but add Apple AirPlay support.
- Offer the same DSP as the Ultra, but add setting the number and type of speakers (any combination 2.0 through 5.2), and set speaker distances. Hint: WIIM can basically copy how Denon/Marantz AVRs do this now. Their speaker settings menu is very easy and intuitive.
- Offer one and only one surround mode: Ambiance extraction. The Theta Casablanca, Schiit Syn, and all Anthem & NAD AVR/Prepros offer this surround mode, and it's amazingly effective on any stereo source with ambience (ie: live recordings). Ambiance surround also works surprisingly well on most movie and music video sources down mixed to stereo (ie: video concerts). The nice thing about ambiance surround for WIIM and consumers is that it's based on the David Hafler surround system from the 1960s. I'm pretty sure it's not licensed, so no extra use fees related thereto.
- Use the same case design as the WIIM Ultra, but make in wider and deeper (17 inches in both dimensions). The case should come in black or silver. The increased size will be required to hold the larger, hopefully separate power supplies for its analog and digital sections. On the front panel (change from original post) remove the volume control and have a single touch screen covering the entire case front that shows and controls volume and source. Most of the touch screen will show album cover art or custom background art. The touch screen can either be full on, off, or off with few second temporary on when change is made to volume or source.
- Digital inputs: Toslink, Coax, USB, I2s, HDMI with eARC. Jitter reduction on all digital inputs and galvanic isolation for the USB input.
- Remote: Backlit, and Include buttons to adjust surround and center levels on the fly, volume/mute, direct source selection, and (important) a button to turn surround on and off as content plays. I've invoked the sale of several surround products to friends over the years by simply toggling between surround on/off during playback. In short, they were shocked by the loss of envelopment and realism when I had surround engaged for a few minutes, then turned it off with no warning...
- Price: Not to exceed $1995. This is expensive for a WIIM product I know, but it will serve as WIIM's reference audio product. Relative to a stereo only product like the aforementioned Eversolo A8 at $1980, $1995 for a audiophile grade 5.2 prepro with streaming is actually a pretty good deal IMHO.
- I have a name for the product: The WIIM Extreme!
Optional:
- Analog inputs. How expensive will this be to implement (input board plus ADC), yet stay at or under $1995 MSRP?
- On-board, user installable m.2 SSDs for audio (and video?) storage with a twist. This is a very nice feature offered by the Eversolo A6 and A8, but as an ex-IT guy, Eversolo forgot something the WIIM prepro should include: Support for dual m.2 drives running in mirror mode only. Any storage device, m.2 drives included, can fail at any time for myriad reasons. If one's entire music collection is ripped to a single m.2 SSD; it fails and is not completely backed up the owner will cry. Real-time drive mirroring (auto backup) solves this problem. If a drive fails the WIIM prepro will inform the owner of it immediately. When the user opens the drive bay to replace the failed SSD, he/she will see a red led showing which drive needs to be replaced. Once replaced, the prepro will detect the new drive, turn the red led off, then automatically copy all content from the working drive to new one. The dual m.2 drive slots should be located in a easily accessible location (front or top of the case).
- Balanced inputs and balanced outputs for rear channels.
- Allow connection of USB optical drive to rip audio CDs to the SSD. I know the Eversolo A6 supports this: Clever. Tip: Once content is ripped to the SSD, the WIIM streamer can show it via local server as the source: "Recently Ripped" content so you don't forget about content you may want to listen to.
- Modular power amp: It should be styled exactly like the the prepro with the same color choices. it should include RCA and balanced inputs for all channels. Here's the innovative part: Have a single, large power supply and main circuit board with five slots much like a PC. Offer user-installable (key) amp modules so a user can deploy anywhere from one amp (monoblock where you buy two amp cases: uncommon but uber-solution), up to five modules in a single case. Of course, this amp case should be designed to stack with the prepro (either above or below based on heat).
Avoid:
- Any surround mode with a licensing fee (ie: Dolby, DTS, ATMOS surround modes). Simply use ambiance surround for free. To repeat from above, the beauty of ambiance extraction for surround is that it works in a very natural way for any stereo source with ambiance in the recording.
- Offering more than five channels for audio playback, not including subs. From first-hand experience, all that's needed for an effective audio and video surround experience is front left/right main speakers, and a pair of left/right rear speakers.
- Cooling fans of any kind.
Summary: Why I do consider audio multi-channel surround playback so important, especially for audiophiles? Because from extensive first-hand experience, I know well done surround playback via ambiance extraction can make the listening experience far more realistic and enjoyable. Real-world example: When I listen to any MTV Unplugged content (always recorded live with lots of ambiance) in stereo, I hear the room's soundstage from the speakers front plane going backwards. A nice effect to be sure. But when I play the same content in ambiance surround mode, I'm now located in crowd like attending a show live (which I do several times per year). I now hear other attendees around and behind me, plus the sound of reflections from the room all around me. In short, it's thrilling experience if you haven't heard it on your sound system at home. Again, practically all AVR/prepros can do this now via Dolby Surround mode. However, most can't do it with the sonic fidelity of a Theta Casablanca (nor should they given the Blanca's price) or even a Schiit Syn. If you want to give quality ambiance surround a go without going broke, try the Syn for $400 (15 day return policy). Some caveats about the Syn: it's a prepro so you'll need at least four amp channels and speakers for the surround effect. Also know the Syn's bass management is very limited and not well explained. Further (important) you can't set surround speaker delay or distance. Ensure you can place the surround speakers at least as far from your listening chairs as your mains (preferably about one foot farther away than your mains if possible for the best surround effect). My proposed WIIM prepro is intended to provide the best of both worlds: The fidelity of a Casablanca or Syn combined with full DSP configuration for effective surround plus bass management of a good AVR, not to mention an effective streamer not offered by the Casablanca or Syn.
I know I've offered a lot to consider here. If nothing else I'm hoping WIIM stakeholders read and at least consider my suggestions. Thoughts?
Eric
