Wiim Ultra vs Node Icon

[m_sherzod]

Hello people! Just got my Wiim Ultra. Pairing it with the Musical Fidelity M3Si Integrated Amp and the Buchardt P300 speakers. Really happy so far with the performance.

Just found out this forum inside the Wiim app, really nice touch. So, I decided to ask a question which I am curious about, how would the Wiim Ultra compare to the new released Node Icon? Is there any real reviews for the latter on the internet?

 

[Musician]

Hello people! Just got my Wiim Ultra. Pairing it with the Musical Fidelity M3Si Integrated Amp and the Buchardt P300 speakers. Really happy so far with the performance.

Just found out this forum inside the Wiim app, really nice touch. So, I decided to ask a question which I am curious about, how would the Wiim Ultra compare to the new released Node Icon? Is there any real reviews for the latter on the internet?

No, the Node icon has not been tested with any valid measurement result, it could be good or really bad, like most highend gear.
A sensible person would wonder why theres no measurements results .

 

[merifon]

As far as could interest someone, I'm using both WiiM (with mini) and Bluos, with a Nad 3050LE amp and no way, WiiM platform is better on every aspect, reliability and support included... Dirac could be the greatest plus for the Icon but it's always better have it separately in order to correct any kind of inputs.

 

[Bill Mac]

Hello people! Just got my Wiim Ultra. Pairing it with the Musical Fidelity M3Si Integrated Amp and the Buchardt P300 speakers. Really happy so far with the performance.

Just found out this forum inside the Wiim app, really nice touch. So, I decided to ask a question which I am curious about, how would the Wiim Ultra compare to the new released Node Icon? Is there any real reviews for the latter on the internet?

The Ultra for the money is a much better deal than the Node Icon IMO. I’m very happy with the Ultra. I also have an Eversolo DMP-A6 that has many more features than the Icon at a lower price. I’m very happy with the DMP-A6 as far as usability and sound quality.

EverSolo - DMP-A6 Network Streamer & DAC

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.

www.musicdirect.com

 

[m_sherzod]

As far as could interest someone, I'm using both WiiM (with mini) and Bluos, with a Nad 3050LE amp and no way, WiiM platform is better on every aspect, reliability and support included... Dirac could be the greatest plus for the Icon but it's always better have it separately in order to correct any kind of inputs.

Thanks for the response! Well, I can agree with you in the part that Wiim is better than Bluesound, because my short term path in this hobby is as follows regarding the setups:

1 - Bluesound Powernode N330 ---> Buchardt P300
First setup I was not satisfied with the performance, was feeling that the Powernode had not enough power to fully drive the speakers.

2 - Bluesound Powernode N330 (via 3.5mm to RCA) ---> MF M3si amp ---> Buchardt P300
While I was waiting for the Wiim Ultra, I was using the Powernode just as a streamer via 3.5mm headphone output. Felt much more improvement but no refinement.

3 - Wiim Ultra ---> MF M3si amp ---> Buchardt P300
This is by far the best my system sounded. Much more refined sound, especially after room correction. Also much more louder in a controlled manner.

Therefore I can confirm that the Wiim Ultra sounds better than the Powernode N330. But still interested what will be the case when we can compare the Ultra with the Icon, two products from 2024.

 

[m_sherzod]

The Ultra for the money is a much better deal than the Node Icon IMO. I’m very happy with the Ultra. I also have an Eversolo DMP-A6 that has many more features than the Icon at a lower price. I’m very happy with the DMP-A6 as far as usability and sound quality.

EverSolo - DMP-A6 Network Streamer & DAC

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.

www.musicdirect.com

Hi. Just curious, why do you need 2 streamers? ))

 

[m_sherzod]

No, the Node icon has not been tested with any valid measurement result, it could be good or really bad, like most highend gear.
A sensible person would wonder why theres no measurements results .

Yeah, really strange why there is no any review yet on youtube...)

 

[DG77]

Yeah, really strange why there is no any review yet on youtube...)

They had a launch and live demo of the unit a few days ago on youtube, from their local Shanghai/Honkong store I think, so reviews should follow shortly, but the unit is on back order at least in Sweden and no possible delivery before the 20th of December.

 

[merifon]

Thanks for the response! Well, I can agree with you in the part that Wiim is better than Bluesound, because my short term path in this hobby is as follows regarding the setups:

1 - Bluesound Powernode N330 ---> Buchardt P300
First setup I was not satisfied with the performance, was feeling that the Powernode had not enough power to fully drive the speakers.

2 - Bluesound Powernode N330 (via 3.5mm to RCA) ---> MF M3si amp ---> Buchardt P300
While I was waiting for the Wiim Ultra, I was using the Powernode just as a streamer via 3.5mm headphone output. Felt much more improvement but no refinement.

3 - Wiim Ultra ---> MF M3si amp ---> Buchardt P300
This is by far the best my system sounded. Much more refined sound, especially after room correction. Also much more louder in a controlled manner.

Therefore I can confirm that the Wiim Ultra sounds better than the Powernode N330. But still interested what will be the case when we can compare the Ultra with the Icon, two products from 2024.

II was mainly referring to the software platform, which offers me with the mini functions precluded by Bluos and is certainly much more stable. I have to restart the MDC2 card on average every week to recover from its total block. The latest update seems to have improved but some problems remain that the nad/Bluos support continues to ignore, I add that out of three updates in a year, two have introduced new problems that required additional patches... Having said that, the sound obtainable with the NAD and Dirac is exciting, whether it comes from the mini or directly from Bluos. It will be interesting to see if the higher price of the Icon will have some reason to be, given that the eventual Dirac will be an extra cost.

 

[gazza1101]

I do like the Icons bigger screen, I wish the Wiim Ultra screen was a bit bigger.

 

[Vignus]

I owned a Node for 6 months but then I sold it, annoyed by the lack of real support and the "Node is perfect, it's your fault" attitude of the Node help desk

 

[DG77]

I owned a Node for 6 months but then I sold it, annoyed by the lack of real support and the "Node is perfect, it's your fault" attitude of the Node help desk

I agree that they indeed seem to be very "limited" in resources and support, just looking at their user forum there is only one individual answering EVERYTHING! both in the forums and via email support....

 

[Flatron7]

I owned a Node for 6 months but then I sold it, annoyed by the lack of real support and the "Node is perfect, it's your fault" attitude of the Node help desk

this is what scares me the most about Bluesound. their support is really a disaster

 

[Bill Mac]

this is what scares me the most about Bluesound. their support is really a disaster

I did not know that Bluesound support was not well regarded. That’s the opposite of what I’ve found with WiiM support.

 

[castalla]

this is what scares me the most about Bluesound. their support is really a disaster

... But not atypical. Wiim stands as a shining example of excellent support.