Wiim Ultra Surround

Raanan

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Aug 31, 2024
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I wonder if wiim can come out with a product that is exactly the same like the Wiim Ultra, only with 5.1 outputs, instead of 2.1.
I know that today stereo listening is more trendy then home cinema, but I am sure that there is a market for people that are interested in killer stereo system that can also make decent surround experience. Wiim Ultra already have hdmi arc support, they just need a few more outputs.
I myself would love to get rid of my avr. High end avrs are extremely pricey, and usually their stereo sound isn't that good. They have way too many inputs and outputs that nobody use (who really care for 11.2 set up?). With a product like "Wiim Ultra Surround" you will be able to choose your own power amplifier and get much better sound, at much lower cost.
 
Upvote -4
Back in days AVR was hot tech now they just want simplicity of sound bar and streamer. This is why many brand speakers have gone out of business or merge from one to other. Where’s Boston acoustic? Where’s energy speakers? Just name a few.
 
There’s a niche for anyone who solves the problem of mixing AV soundbars with stereo for music.
 
I would be happy with 3.1
I also. The center channel is what makes the difference in watching movies. When you watch films in stereo there is many times a problem that it's hard to hear the dialogue and that the soundtrack is too loud. The center channel solve it.
I think that what many people hate about home cinema is the cables that runs to the rear speakers.
 
Wiim should offer DTS/DD decoding and downmixing, I've found my AV processors sound better with native decoding and downmixing rather than PCM output from the TV/Kodi box.
 
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:
  1. Audiophile-grade 5.2 channel (no typo: .2 for subs) surround sound prepro with streamer
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Fully balanced DAC and analog output stage for left/center/right channels, plus both sub channels (don't skimp on these channels)!
  5. For the streamer, don't reinvent the wheel. Use the streamer on the Ultra, but add Apple AirPlay support.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Digital inputs: Toslink, Coax, USB, I2s, HDMI with eARC. Jitter reduction on all digital inputs and galvanic isolation for the USB input.
  10. 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...
  11. 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.
  12. I have a name for the product: The WIIM Extreme! 😁

Optional:
  1. Analog inputs. How expensive will this be to implement (input board plus ADC), yet stay at or under $1995 MSRP?
  2. 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).
  3. Balanced inputs and balanced outputs for rear channels.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
 
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I would even settle for decoding the various Dolby things and sending them to a multichannel USB DAC even if that involves no DSP/EQ function, like WiiM used to do for MQA pass through
 
I've ordered a surround preamp which I'm hoping will be 95% of everything I wanted: Black Ice Audio's (BIA) F360 v2. I knew of Black Ice Audio (aka Jolida) via a friend who owns their adorable FX10H tube integrated amp. I had no idea BIA offered anything like the F360. Ironically, it has the same surround features of the Schiit Syn with several additional features I've been looking for:
  • It's available in silver, the color I want
  • It has single and true stereo sub outs
  • It has bass and treble controls (Nice! I'll likely use the bass control at minimum)
  • This last one is big, at least for me: It's tubed! 😲 I'm not aware of any other surround processor with tubes, and I want (and currently have) them in my system via monoblock tube amps.
For the last 5% to make it perfect I wish it had:
  • Ability to set surround delay relative to the front speakers
  • Bass management
  • Visible tubes: It's within the F360's case out of sight.
  • Lower cost: The F360 is pricey starting at $2699
None of these items are show stoppers for me.

So, the plan is to remove the WiiM Ultra currently in use as digital preamp and transport and replace it with the all analog F360. The only source will be my custom PC audio server feeding the mighty LAIV Harmony DAC via usb. Finally it's stereo RCA out from the Harmony into the F360 where it will do its stereo and surround magic, I hope... 🙏 I'm also going to try a pair of FOSI Audio v3 monoblocks for L/R front, and a spare Aiyima A07 for surround power. I know the F360 can deliver the sonic goods in stereo because I heard it at the recent Capital Audio Fest (CAF) in Maryland. FWIW, CAF is a nice audio show if you can attend. It was my first time. Perhaps Adele, the audio goddess, was looking out for me because the main reason I visited CAF was to hear Zu Audio's prototype Method bookshelf speaker. As previously stated I had no idea the F360 existed, much less be available for a listen. To me, the Methods sounded great combined with the F360.

The F360 and FOSI amps are both due by the end of this week. I'll follow up with listening impressions once the essentially new rig is up and running.
 
Last edited:
I've ordered a surround preamp which I'm hoping will be 95% of everything I wanted: Black Ice Audio's (BIA) F360 v2. I knew of Black Ice Audio (aka Jolida) via a friend who owns their adorable FX10H tube integrated amp. I had no idea BIA offered anything like the F360. Ironically, it has the same surround features of the Schiit Syn with several additional features I've been looking for:
  • It's available in silver, the color I want
  • It has single and true stereo sub outs
  • It has bass and treble controls (Nice! I'll likely use the bass control at minimum)
  • This last one is big, at least for me: It's tubed! 😲 I'm not aware of any other surround processor with tubes, and I want (and currently have) them in my system via monoblock tube amps.
For the last 5% to make it perfect I wish it had:
  • Ability to set surround delay relative to the front speakers
  • Bass management
  • Visible tubes: It's within the F360's case out of sight.
  • Lower cost: The F360 is pricey starting at $2699
None of these items are show stoppers for me.

So, the plan is to remove the WiiM Ultra currently in use as digital preamp and transport and replace it with the all analog F360. The only source will be my custom PC audio server feeding the mighty LAIV Harmony DAC via usb. Finally it's stereo RCA out from the Harmony into the F360 where it will do its stereo and surround magic, I hope... 🙏 I'm also going to try a pair of FOSI Audio v3 monoblocks for L/R front, and a spare Aiyima A07 for surround power. I know the F360 can deliver the sonic goods in stereo because I heard it at the recent Capital Audio Fest (CAF) in Maryland. FWIW, CAF is a nice audio show if you can attend. It was my first time. Perhaps Adele, the audio goddess, was looking out for me because the main reason I visited CAF was to hear Zu Audio's prototype Method bookshelf speaker. As previously stated I had no idea the F360 existed, much less be available for a listen. To me, the Methods sounded great combined with the F360.

The F360 and FOSI amps are both due by the end of this week. I'll follow up with listening impressions once the essentially new rig is up and running.
Black Ice Audio F360 v2:
 
I would even settle for decoding the various Dolby things and sending them to a multichannel USB DAC even if that involves no DSP/EQ function, like WiiM used to do for MQA pass through
We can only hope this is still true (from the ultra q&a page)
I say we, but tbh I only use my wiims for stereo.
Will it be possible to route multichannel HDMI input to multichannel USB output (e.g., 5.1 channel)Our system currently supports only two-channel audio for both HDMI input and USB output. However, our team is exploring options to enable multichannel support for routing HDMI input to USB output.
 
We can only hope this is still true (from the ultra q&a page)
I say we, but tbh I only use my wiims for stereo.
Will it be possible to route multichannel HDMI input to multichannel USB output (e.g., 5.1 channel)Our system currently supports only two-channel audio for both HDMI input and USB output. However, our team is exploring options to enable multichannel support for routing HDMI input to USB output.
Yup. I was investigating the multichannel space and there's definitely room for something here....

It looks like the only way to get all those variants of Dolby/whatnot is via those big AVRs who according to ASR, in addition to being enormous don't even measure that well, thus compromising stereo listening.

The best option could have been MiniDSP's who manage to keep the audio quality up there but only deals with LPCM and it's been pretty much impossible to find out whether any TV will convert built-in sources Dolby-whatvever to LPCM...

Having a WiiM there decode Dolby and output to a multichannel USB DAC would kick ass. There seem to be a nice topping option there (DM 7 , 8 channel balanced USB DAC). I would understand if the CPU power of the current WiiM models would limit bass management, EQ etc... to stereo only, it would still be useful.
 
I've ordered a surround preamp which I'm hoping will be 95% of everything I wanted: Black Ice Audio's (BIA) F360 v2. I knew of Black Ice Audio (aka Jolida) via a friend who owns their adorable FX10H tube integrated amp. I had no idea BIA offered anything like the F360. Ironically, it has the same surround features of the Schiit Syn with several additional features I've been looking for:
  • It's available in silver, the color I want
  • It has single and true stereo sub outs
  • It has bass and treble controls (Nice! I'll likely use the bass control at minimum)
  • This last one is big, at least for me: It's tubed! 😲 I'm not aware of any other surround processor with tubes, and I want (and currently have) them in my system via monoblock tube amps.
For the last 5% to make it perfect I wish it had:
  • Ability to set surround delay relative to the front speakers
  • Bass management
  • Visible tubes: It's within the F360's case out of sight.
  • Lower cost: The F360 is pricey starting at $2699
None of these items are show stoppers for me.

So, the plan is to remove the WiiM Ultra currently in use as digital preamp and transport and replace it with the all analog F360. The only source will be my custom PC audio server feeding the mighty LAIV Harmony DAC via usb. Finally it's stereo RCA out from the Harmony into the F360 where it will do its stereo and surround magic, I hope... 🙏 I'm also going to try a pair of FOSI Audio v3 monoblocks for L/R front, and a spare Aiyima A07 for surround power. I know the F360 can deliver the sonic goods in stereo because I heard it at the recent Capital Audio Fest (CAF) in Maryland. FWIW, CAF is a nice audio show if you can attend. It was my first time. Perhaps Adele, the audio goddess, was looking out for me because the main reason I visited CAF was to hear Zu Audio's prototype Method bookshelf speaker. As previously stated I had no idea the F360 existed, much less be available for a listen. To me, the Methods sounded great combined with the F360.

The F360 and FOSI amps are both due by the end of this week. I'll follow up with listening impressions once the essentially new rig is up and running.

Wiim don't have a surround pre amp. A few surround pre amps off the top of my head

Lexicon MC-10
Marantz AV7705/7706/8805
Monoprice HTP-1
Anthem AVM60,70,90
Tonewinner AT-300
Storm, Trinnov.
 
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:
  1. Audiophile-grade 5.2 channel (no typo: .2 for subs) surround sound prepro with streamer
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Fully balanced DAC and analog output stage for left/center/right channels, plus both sub channels (don't skimp on these channels)!
  5. For the streamer, don't reinvent the wheel. Use the streamer on the Ultra, but add Apple AirPlay support.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Digital inputs: Toslink, Coax, USB, I2s, HDMI with eARC. Jitter reduction on all digital inputs and galvanic isolation for the USB input.
  10. 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...
  11. 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.
  12. I have a name for the product: The WIIM Extreme! 😁

Optional:
  1. Analog inputs. How expensive will this be to implement (input board plus ADC), yet stay at or under $1995 MSRP?
  2. 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).
  3. Balanced inputs and balanced outputs for rear channels.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
very nice write-up.
However I will add-up a few things:

  • Increase HDMI inputs to min.2 (with CEC support)
  • Add HDMI output (ARC+CEC support)
  • Support also those "expensive" codecs like DTS, Dolby, ATMOS ..
Without those above it won`t be largely adopted as a single daily driver.
Ex (in my case): I watch movies (DTS/Dolby codecs) and a listen to music on a daily basis; The lack of incompatibility between ULTRA and my AVR receiver is driving me crazy. Further more, not even AMP Pro supports DTS so I can`t adopt it instead of my current AVR.
And I don`t think I`m the only one who looks for simplicity in use but also wants to have good sound quality - that`s why I`m not into soundbars and stuff.
Thanks!
 
There is definitely space on the market for a disruptive multichannel product. The existing players are expensive and all have fairly poor quality (look at ASR it's a shame almost across the board when it comes to noise and distortion).

I'd love something like the Ultra that can feed via USB into a topping 8 channel DAC for example.

The only non-sucker out there seems to be MiniDSP but they don't do the Dolby's, so you need a source that converts everything to LPCM (apparently I'm told TVs typically don't do that)
 
I'm up for it as an Anthem AVM90 owner, as I practically only use it for 3.2

My Wishlist is:
  1. "Audiohpile" DSP like ES9039PRO incl. high quality components/circuits
  2. Support for 2 or 4 Subwoofers
  3. Support for (at least) 5 Audio Channels (for 5.2 Setup)
  4. Support for DIRAC incl. DLBC (or your own implementation)
  5. Wireless Rear Speaker Support
  6. Balanced Outputs
 
A couple of days ago, I read the following in the roadmap for the ultra for the 15th of January 2025:

"Wireless Dolby 5.1 (Beta): Low-latency wireless Dolby 5.1 with surround channels. "

Maybe it´s the first step towards an AV-Pre/Pro
 
I'm also counting on this for 5.1! Would be really interesting to output 5.1 or 5.2 via USB to the external DAC in the likes miniDSP Flex HT
 
I'm also counting on this for 5.1! Would be really interesting to output 5.1 or 5.2 via USB to the external DAC in the likes miniDSP Flex HT

Best not hope for such a function, if the hardware cannot support it.

If you need such a device, buy a AVR

Also doing what you ask could break copy protection methods
 
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