WiiM Ultra: who has it and who has already opened it?

Jump to Latest
#221
measurements don't tell you how it sounds. Surely you're being a biy picky as the other 5 things in you're audio chain will have their own power supplies.
Anyway am interested to see what modifications you make. The Ultra suits me as it has squeezelite and can synch with my other wiim device and I don't mind the clutter if the SQ is improved.
 
#222
Again, I don't have one. I chose a device that does have space enough. I extensively wrote my vision and that is to have less devices and not more. And also the "why?".

Yes this way of thinking extends to all devices in the chain. It is a system requiring most risk & time & effort and it is definitely not the easy way out. If a roof is not OK one does not add an extra roof but one replaces the roof for a better one.

Oddly enough I was testing an SMPS with AmyAlice filter on a videoplayer yesterday and I could see picture quality improving 🙂 That was unexpected as the PSU was meant for audio and this was only a test to see if it works OK over a few hours (heat, ripple voltage, case temperature).

sbgk said:
measurements don't tell you how it sounds.
Click to expand...
A change should be backed up by proving it really is an improvement. Measuring solely by ear can be deceiving.
 
Last edited:
#223
jean-paul said:
OK, back to the Ultra topic. It seems the Ultra is very user friendly on the software side of things but apparently the DAC leaves something to be desired. People start to plug in various external devices as a solution. External stuff is eh... external and clutter often needing its own PSU which is all more clutter. Solving a problem is best done at the root IMHO. Instead of adding a fifth wheel and a second steering wheel we could try to make it better technically by taking away what is not OK in our opinion.

So: can the internal DAC be improved or replaced? Having an internal improved situation with excellent local regulators and discrete or transformer based output stage seems more effective. Or is stuff well designed and is it just a matter of audiophilitis?

We have seen that the internal SMPS can practically not be replaced but maybe the DAC and its output stage section possibly can be upgraded. It saves a few conversions and interfaces and that certainly won't hurt. As known I don't have the Ultra but I am highly interested in it and willing to draw improvement boards. Information has to be given by those that have an Ultra and can measure dimensions etc.

No making a new board is time & effort & testing & fuss & wishes by many. What if... what if the opamps would be replaced just like the electrolytic caps? What if we place shielding over the complete circuit? Is there space enough to do so? What if such modifications make the Ultra not needing any external clutter anymore? Wow, imagine we as tech guys making it better than before without piles of extra stuff!
Click to expand...
You might be surprised how good the internal DAC sounds. Double AK4493 with LT3045 anal. + digi supply and OPA 1612 is not any better. ES9038/39 has more control in the Bass and is more dynamic across the board.

It was my first intention to open the Ultra and do what's necessary to get the best out of it.
I still think it can be done but space is very limited to achieve what I would call a worthwhile upgrade. Namely the analog stage and a power supply upgrade.
Since I got lots of LT3045 modules from my various DIY DACs left over I might not even take out the switcher but use some LT3045 behind it.
If I wasn't so intrigued by the R2R Dac + tube pre I would get at it right away.

Reclocking would certainly help.
I didn't watch the whole tear down video to see if the DAC uses the 100mhz clock or two sample rate corresponding clocks.

The biggest sonic gain can be expected by substituting the opamps with discrete once.
There are two 17 Euro models from ALI that are really good and very close to the Burson V7V/C. The Bursons get to hot for tight spaces.
Dynamics, Soundstage and Clarity will increase significantly with good discreete opamps.
The conversion from smd to dip is not hard to do for anybody that is familiar with smd soldering.

Klaus
 
  • Like
Reactions: sbgk
#224
Too much assumption/belief and not enough engineering for me. Sorry. Not my approach. Getting as much out of it as possible in a tidy way would be the challenge.

A small upgrade board with all stuff including local regulators with shield would be my method (with risk, maybe it does not improve as much as desired).
 
Last edited:
#225
You are a mystery to me. Are you afraid to find out that discrete opamps are better?
Come on dash out the 34 Euros and settle the issue on a practical level. What is assumtious about my approach anyway? I got 2 R2R DACs, 2 AK4493, 2 Es9039 all with dip sockets. I have 5 different discrete opamps that I can swap after my hearts desire. Any of them are a significant step up from opa1612/1656. It's not like you have to carefully listen to spot a difference. The presentation is just another level.
I guess you will never find out and be happy anyway.
What was the WEF motto again😎
 
#230
acko said:
Yes, this noise and other concerns with this Ultra, didn’t see all this in the promotional videos/reviews, I guess all masked by the attractive price 😣 I hope it sounds fine on the USB out to my new AKM DAC (4499EX/4491) otherwise will return it..

My initial choice was Bluesound Icon but not available yet here and x3 the price.
Click to expand...
Setup my WiiM Ultra today:

Tidal ->WiiM -> USB out -> AckoDAC AK4499EX -> Benchmark AHB2 Amp ->Pearl Sibelius Speakers

The sound was disappointing, compared to the previous setup with PC/Roon in place of WiiM, all the rest unchanged

Not sure if there is anything not optimised in the WiiM setup?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5160.jpeg
    IMG_5160.jpeg
    831.6 KB · Views: 71
#231
I've only used it with Amazon music unlimited , connected wired .
I have EQ off ,subwoofer off, fixed volume output , volume limit 100%.
The Ultras USB out only sends the data no power to my Jlsounds i2soverusb
I'm not sure if theres anything else to try
 
#240
Yes, DAC has reclocking like DDC on board. Spdif can also get some mild FIFO treatment on board so I would think there will be not much difference vs USB. PC is Surface Pro 4 with Roon/ASIO. I think the WiiM is some Linux-based device but doing really great, I am impressed.

On a side note, tried RC on WiiM for fun but didn’t quite cut it. Dirac live on PC much better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom