WiiM Ultra

Updated on 5/25/2024

Check out this fuller thread about our official announcement of the WiiM Ultra - https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/meet-wiim-ultra-the-digital-hub-for-your-music.3487/

Updated on 4/19/2024

Hi Team,

We're excited to give you a sneak peek at the WiiM Ultra, your future go-to digital hub for all things music! We're putting the final touches on this innovative product and are on track for a Q2 release. Stay tuned for more updates as we gear up for launch!




Original message by Brantome:
As mentioned in a user reply from the WiiM/Linkplay CEO on the WiiM Fan Page on Facebook, WiiM are developing a new device called the WiiM Ultra which will have a screen, aluminium case and USB audio output. It should be available Q2 2024, so a good five to six months away.

Guess @Smartplug is due a prize (e.g. I'll lay off gently ribbing them about their constant 'when' questions) as I think they first suggested that name a while ago

That's the entirety of the information I have, but WiiM do say they'll release more details in due course.

 

[Musician]

The AKM is more recent, but it all depends greatly on implementation. Maybe Linkplay has partnered with Sabre. I am also thinking this is a cost issue. Older generation chips will be cheaper to acquire.

Greatest difference is probably that the new Ultra will have an aluminium box, meaning it will be less prone to RF than the plastic WiiM pro and pro+.
Therefore, I expect the Ultra to sound slightly darker and warmer , at least when you use the internal DAC and analog stage from the ultra and compare it to a WiiM pro+.

Rf disturbance is very real, and its something everyone can try to hear by making a rca cable without shielding. It will sound brighter than a shielded cable.

Rob Watts from Chord has a very interesting video about RF and other things:

 

[Mr Ee]

Greatest difference is probably that the new Ultra will have an aluminium box, meaning it will be less prone to RF than the plastic WiiM pro and pro+.
Therefore, I expect the Ultra to sound slightly darker and warmer , at least when you use the internal DAC and analog stage from the ultra and compare it to a WiiM pro+.

Rf disturbance is very real, and its something everyone can try to hear by making a rca cable without shielding. It will sound brighter than a shielded cable.

Rob Watts from Chord has a very interesting video about RF and other things:

So, will the Spacegray one sound darker than the Silver one.....?

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Greatest difference is probably that the new Ultra will have an aluminium box, meaning it will be less prone to RF than the plastic WiiM pro and pro+.
Therefore, I expect the Ultra to sound slightly darker and warmer , at least when you use the internal DAC and analog stage from the ultra and compare it to a WiiM pro+.

Rf disturbance is very real, and its something everyone can try to hear by making a rca cable without shielding. It will sound brighter than a shielded cable.

Rob Watts from Chord has a very interesting video about RF and other things:

Is that Rob Watts from Chord Cables saying how important it is that we spend more money on cables?

 

[MKUltra]

Rf disturbance is very real, and its something everyone can try to hear by making a rca cable without shielding. It will sound brighter than a shielded cable.

You mean like this, where they used a 4.5 meter / 15 foot long unshielded RCA cable crapola? https://www.matrixhifi.com/ENG_contenedor_ppec.htm

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

 

[Bozzz]

So, will the Spacegray one sound darker than the Silver one.....?

I know right. My ears are 53 years old. Lmao. What does that even mean.

 

[D1N0]

 

[rccarguy]

Don't forget covering yourself with tar and feathers. Then waving your arms in clucking fashion whilst wearing a rubber glove on your head. That improves soundstaging.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Listening, non-blind to see if you can hear frequencies several orders of magnitude above human hearing?

 

[Brantome]

Cable wars this way

Not an awful lot to do with the Ultra really...

 

[gazza1101]

First iPhone had the same display size. And it was enough for plenty of wow effects

The Display on my Arcam avr20 is only 3 inches and I find it very usable from approx 9 feet away.

 

[Mike in NY]

Is that Rob Watts from Chord Cables saying how important it is that we spend more money on cables?

No, it isn't. Rob Watts is not from Chord Cables.

 

[ChrisHamilton]

Steering the convo back to the Wiim Ultra, it’s listed on Crutchfield in the US for preorder with an arrival date of 7/5.

 

[jhaider]

I'm a bit late to the game but this looks like a really spectacular device. With loudness compensation (see, e.g. RME ADI-2 or Monoprice Monolith HTP-1 for outstanding recent implementations) added to the current feature set IMO this would be the preamp to beat at any price, at least among models that don't offer automated alignment and calibration multiple subwoofers.

 

[dtc]

Is that Rob Watts from Chord Cables saying how important it is that we spend more money on cables?

Rob Wattts design DACs for Chord Electronics which is a different company than Chord Cables.

 

[onlyoneme]

Let's make a dedicated cables topic and let the war begin there.

 

[Brantome]

Let's make a dedicated cables topic and let the war begin there.

Nah, let's not. Better doing that over on ASR if one has the appetite or courage, we're just peace loving Wiim users here

 

[onlyoneme]

Nah, let's not. Better doing that over on ASR if one has the appetite or courage, we're just peace loving Wiim users here

I'm gonna disagree, but on the other side if there is no place to argue then arguing is pointless anyway. And IMO you are overly moderating last days in the name of "peace loving Wiim users" Sometimes there are also battles to win.

 

[D1N0]

ASR is not a safe place for people who can actually hear differences between cables. The Ultra has a C7 connector so I would advise to get an audiophile grade power cable for it. That really helps with reducing RF noise.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

In the UK, Russ Andrews is a well known name for cables, and other audio accessories.

Russ Andrews - Hi-Fi mains and cable specialist

Leading manufacturer and retailer of Hi-Fi mains cables, mains conditioning products and Kimber Kable interconnects and speaker cable. Est 1986.

www.russandrews.com