You're welcome.
Four days? I get mine overnight... might be location.
Yes, time to experiment see what it does and how it works.
Four days? I get mine overnight... might be location.
Yes, time to experiment see what it does and how it works.
OK, I finally got around hooking it up.
Using WiFi, 5G. Very strong connection as they're about 8 feet from each other-- poor me in the middle.
I configured it so it bypass the volume control, and the max quality is 24/192
Android Tablet ---- ( WiFi ) ----> WiiM Ultra --- (USB) ---> Topping D90LE
Hooked up via USB to a Topping D90 LE. Set all the interfaces up for max audio rates...
Playing Tidal HiFi. set to "MAX" audio quality. Casting. Using a Samsung Android Tablet, a few years old, but working fine.
This is what I found
(1) The USB bit rate shown on the Topping is the same as what Tidal publishes on its screen. If it's RedBook then I see 44.1K, 92 or 192K then that's what I see on the Topping... Which means that's very, very good.
By way of contrast,
When I plug the Chromebook via USB-OTG into the Topping, everything is 24/48.
When I plug the Android Tablet via USB-OTG into the Topping, everything is 24/192...
Meaning that the Chromebook and Android Tablets -over USB, reclock the music.
The WiiM with a WiFi input does not reclock anything.
It looks like casting over WiFi from Tidal HiFi to WiiM preserves the bandwidth. It seems to be BIT PERFECT.
This is EXCELLENT behavior.
(2) Where does the Audio application run? When I start, I need to run the Tidal application from the Android tablet, but once it's running I can use the Fwd and Back buttons to step through a bunch of songs. I think it's traversing my downloaded list ( I got like 400 LPs downloaded ).... When I turn off the Android Tablet, the WiiM keeps playing and stepping through the list, but if I hit "Home" then it shuts down.
So... It looks like for full Tidal functionality, the casting device needs to be up and running. So, the full "app" is not running in the WiiM, mostly half... BUT, this is not a really killer issue as you still can use the wireless Android as a remote.....
(3) Playing with the remote. I think there's a two way connection between the WiiM to the Tablet. When I use STOP/PAUSER or FWD/BACK the Android screen reflects the command as well (so does the WiiM screen).
(4) There are many more possible configurations. We have a couple of old Samsung cell phones, I think they will do fantastic as dedicated remote controls for the WiiM.
Neat little device. I wish I had bought another one. I think I'm gonna install this one in the den so my wife can use the home theater to play music.
Thanks
Have Fun.
Using WiFi, 5G. Very strong connection as they're about 8 feet from each other-- poor me in the middle.
I configured it so it bypass the volume control, and the max quality is 24/192
Android Tablet ---- ( WiFi ) ----> WiiM Ultra --- (USB) ---> Topping D90LE
Hooked up via USB to a Topping D90 LE. Set all the interfaces up for max audio rates...
Playing Tidal HiFi. set to "MAX" audio quality. Casting. Using a Samsung Android Tablet, a few years old, but working fine.
This is what I found
(1) The USB bit rate shown on the Topping is the same as what Tidal publishes on its screen. If it's RedBook then I see 44.1K, 92 or 192K then that's what I see on the Topping... Which means that's very, very good.
By way of contrast,
When I plug the Chromebook via USB-OTG into the Topping, everything is 24/48.
When I plug the Android Tablet via USB-OTG into the Topping, everything is 24/192...
Meaning that the Chromebook and Android Tablets -over USB, reclock the music.
The WiiM with a WiFi input does not reclock anything.
It looks like casting over WiFi from Tidal HiFi to WiiM preserves the bandwidth. It seems to be BIT PERFECT.
This is EXCELLENT behavior.
(2) Where does the Audio application run? When I start, I need to run the Tidal application from the Android tablet, but once it's running I can use the Fwd and Back buttons to step through a bunch of songs. I think it's traversing my downloaded list ( I got like 400 LPs downloaded ).... When I turn off the Android Tablet, the WiiM keeps playing and stepping through the list, but if I hit "Home" then it shuts down.
So... It looks like for full Tidal functionality, the casting device needs to be up and running. So, the full "app" is not running in the WiiM, mostly half... BUT, this is not a really killer issue as you still can use the wireless Android as a remote.....
(3) Playing with the remote. I think there's a two way connection between the WiiM to the Tablet. When I use STOP/PAUSER or FWD/BACK the Android screen reflects the command as well (so does the WiiM screen).
(4) There are many more possible configurations. We have a couple of old Samsung cell phones, I think they will do fantastic as dedicated remote controls for the WiiM.
Neat little device. I wish I had bought another one. I think I'm gonna install this one in the den so my wife can use the home theater to play music.
Thanks
Have Fun.
OH, something else.... I believe that the Tidal App always runs in the Android Tablet. There is likely an agent in the WiiM that supports the two way interface.
I paused the play for a while and the tablet went into sleep. The WiiM got disconnected and then I had to restart the Tidal App and reconnect to the WiiM.
And, the treble sounds really clean. I think I'll try casting over WiFi from the Chromebook... I wonder how that will work.
Looks like Androids have an issue with overclocking over USB....
Now, the only problem is that.... when will it go back on sale? ;-)
I paused the play for a while and the tablet went into sleep. The WiiM got disconnected and then I had to restart the Tidal App and reconnect to the WiiM.
And, the treble sounds really clean. I think I'll try casting over WiFi from the Chromebook... I wonder how that will work.
Looks like Androids have an issue with overclocking over USB....
Now, the only problem is that.... when will it go back on sale? ;-)
The Wiim forum has touted that the streamer is bit-perfect...but since that forum is Wiim-owned I thought it best not to quote them.
(4) I do this. I have an old Samsung S10 that's still running strong. I installed the Wiim home app on it and use it to control the streamer when I intend to intently surf on my current phone. That way I can just glance at the remote to see "What's Playing" at any time, or even cast the display to my TV.
I wish the hdmi on the Ultra could output what's displayed on the tiny touch screen (that I can't see from the couch) but it can't, so this is an acceptable work-around.
Do you use the built in DAC?
What kind of music streaming services do you use?
WiiM Home App.... yes I installed that one... Did you notice that there's also a WiiM Ultra App ( or something like that... ). I wonder what that one does.
I'm using the USB output to an stand alone DAC. I have some other DACs that I need to try ( all of them support USB, none are megabuck "signature audiophile" units... pffft, but good sounding to me ears ..). The D90LE sounds really good.
I've kept Tidal playing on and on in the android Tablet and then I noticed that the screens between the tablet and the WiiM show a different thing... the WiiM shows what's playing but the tablet shows an older screen.
If I hit the FWD or BACK buttons on the WiiM remote, then the tablet updates.
Also the tablet then shows that it's playing from "Tidal Connect"....
https://tidal.com/connect
So, what is "Tidal Connect"? Is this the application that is running in the WiiM, what we'd call an "agent" that is remotely controlled by the foreground "Tidal application" running in the android tablet?
Now, there are other music services, my wife likes Spotify and I got her a Nuforce Bluetooth "bridge" years ago. I wonder how to connect Spotify over WiFi... the idea is gonna be to install the WiiM in the den... but, I'm liking it quite a bit.
Here's bit perfect, note the 24/96 signal (FLAC)... and the D90 displays the correct bit rate.
What kind of music streaming services do you use?
WiiM Home App.... yes I installed that one... Did you notice that there's also a WiiM Ultra App ( or something like that... ). I wonder what that one does.
I'm using the USB output to an stand alone DAC. I have some other DACs that I need to try ( all of them support USB, none are megabuck "signature audiophile" units... pffft, but good sounding to me ears ..). The D90LE sounds really good.
I've kept Tidal playing on and on in the android Tablet and then I noticed that the screens between the tablet and the WiiM show a different thing... the WiiM shows what's playing but the tablet shows an older screen.
If I hit the FWD or BACK buttons on the WiiM remote, then the tablet updates.
Also the tablet then shows that it's playing from "Tidal Connect"....
https://tidal.com/connect
So, what is "Tidal Connect"? Is this the application that is running in the WiiM, what we'd call an "agent" that is remotely controlled by the foreground "Tidal application" running in the android tablet?
Now, there are other music services, my wife likes Spotify and I got her a Nuforce Bluetooth "bridge" years ago. I wonder how to connect Spotify over WiFi... the idea is gonna be to install the WiiM in the den... but, I'm liking it quite a bit.
Here's bit perfect, note the 24/96 signal (FLAC)... and the D90 displays the correct bit rate.
Attachments
I think that is correct.
TIDAL Connect enables users to stream their TIDAL library (from the cloud) to compatible audio devices, like soundbars, music streamers, and wireless speakers, using Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.
Is the whole chain bit-perfect? I can't tell... maybe someone else can chime in and provide a deeper insight..?
But with these streamers and casting, is the bit-perfect really important? From experiments and measurements, I know that properly upsampled and dithered (word-length extended) PCM can sound more pleasing than an original bit-perfect file, so using the HQPlayerPro would always be more beneficial.
I'd look at obtaining better sound from WiiM Ultra compared to my NUC PC used as a streamer only. That would be the only thing that matters to me, really.
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I have not perceived the need to run my WiiM Ultra into an external DAC, as it's internal DAC measured quite proficiently, and sounds dandy to my ears.
I control my WiiM mostly from a Galaxy tablet, and it works just fine. And principally listen via Tidal, and also via a WD My Cloud NAS.
TIDAL Connect allows you to cast or stream music directly from the TIDAL app to WiiM devices without the need for additional hardware like Bluetooth or AirPlay.
It will stream up to 24/192 files.
https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support...audio-to-wiim-device-on-the-native-tidal-app-
I control my WiiM mostly from a Galaxy tablet, and it works just fine. And principally listen via Tidal, and also via a WD My Cloud NAS.
TIDAL Connect allows you to cast or stream music directly from the TIDAL app to WiiM devices without the need for additional hardware like Bluetooth or AirPlay.
It will stream up to 24/192 files.
https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support...audio-to-wiim-device-on-the-native-tidal-app-
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Well, I sort of like how my DACs sound... so I wasn't looking for yet another DAC. just a "bridge" of sorts that would work around the issues with Android and USB-OTG in regards to reclocking bit rates. Right now I too am using a Galaxy Tablet. I find the bigger screen is nicer for my eyes.
When we put it in the HT, It'll use its internal DAC hooked up directly to a Parasound P7. So, it's good to know it sounds good.
How do you play the music from your NAS? I have a pair of WDC P4100s with a bunch of WAV files. Normally I play them with Foobar and a PC -usb- DAC connection.
Oh, I guess there's also a Spotify Connect.
https://connect.spotify.com/
So now... is there a WiiM model that has the front end features of the Ultra without the built in DAC and analog inputs? ( I don't need a phono stage ).
Would this be a WiFi to USB bridge?
When we put it in the HT, It'll use its internal DAC hooked up directly to a Parasound P7. So, it's good to know it sounds good.
How do you play the music from your NAS? I have a pair of WDC P4100s with a bunch of WAV files. Normally I play them with Foobar and a PC -usb- DAC connection.
Oh, I guess there's also a Spotify Connect.
https://connect.spotify.com/
So now... is there a WiiM model that has the front end features of the Ultra without the built in DAC and analog inputs? ( I don't need a phono stage ).
Would this be a WiFi to USB bridge?
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See the picture above.
Tidal is playing a 24/96 file and the DAC shows a 96Khz signal. I see the same thing for low bit rates, 44.1Khz and 192 Khz. So, I assume the received data from the Tidal stream is being passed along to the DAC.
I hate to sound like an audiophile, but I was surprised at how much better the treble is with WiiM between the Android tablet and the DAC. It's set up in a rather good system ( tube preamp, F4, AE1s ).
Could you just clarify something; the treble is much better with WiiM between the Android tablet and the DAC, as opposed to... what exactly?
As opposed to driving the Android Tablet or Chromebook directly into the DAC using a USB-OTG cable.
I turns out the both the tablet and chromebook are reclocking the signal that goes out USB ( 192K and 48K ),
Android Tablet -- USB OTG --- > DAC ( always 192K ). Sounds pretty good.
Chromebook ----USB-OTG ----> DAC ( always 48K ). Also sounds pretty good.
Android Tablet ---> WiFI ---> WiiM --- USB --> DAC ( bit rate received by the DAC follows the Tidal stream ). Sounds better.
I need to test the Chromebook with the WiiM also...
I turns out the both the tablet and chromebook are reclocking the signal that goes out USB ( 192K and 48K ),
Android Tablet -- USB OTG --- > DAC ( always 192K ). Sounds pretty good.
Chromebook ----USB-OTG ----> DAC ( always 48K ). Also sounds pretty good.
Android Tablet ---> WiFI ---> WiiM --- USB --> DAC ( bit rate received by the DAC follows the Tidal stream ). Sounds better.
I need to test the Chromebook with the WiiM also...
I was just looking at the instructions.
Another configuration. What if I try the USB connection between the Android device and the WiiM and then an optical/coax from there to the DAC?
I'm pretty sure at this point that whatever comes out of the WiiM... USB, optical, coax will be bit perfect. But will I still need the USB-OTG as input? If so, is the limitation on reclocking limited to the USB-OTG interface of android/chromebook?
Lastly, looking through the WiiM pages... it looks like the WiiM Mini might do the trick when you don't need lots of I/O interfaces or a DAC at all... just a bridge between the cell phone / tablet and the DAC.
More experiments coming.
Has anyone run the WiiM Mini yet?
Another configuration. What if I try the USB connection between the Android device and the WiiM and then an optical/coax from there to the DAC?
I'm pretty sure at this point that whatever comes out of the WiiM... USB, optical, coax will be bit perfect. But will I still need the USB-OTG as input? If so, is the limitation on reclocking limited to the USB-OTG interface of android/chromebook?
Lastly, looking through the WiiM pages... it looks like the WiiM Mini might do the trick when you don't need lots of I/O interfaces or a DAC at all... just a bridge between the cell phone / tablet and the DAC.
More experiments coming.
Has anyone run the WiiM Mini yet?
OK, just tried -again- the WiiM Ultra with the Chromebook. As usual, over USB-OTG I see a max of 48Khz. When I connect the Chromebook using Tidal cast I see the higher bit rates.
That means that the Android devices are definitely doing something to the bit rate over the USB-OTG.... Android does have bit perfect drivers available -for a fee- but there are none for Chromebook.
So it looks like for the WiiM Ultra, if you want to go bit perfect with the likes of Tidal HiFi you have to use Tidal Connect over WiFi... At some point I might test the behavior using a PC.. I do wonder about playing music from the NAS... I got them recorded at 24/96 plus CD rips at Red book.
Question... is there a way to see the bit width with the front panel of the WiiM? I can see it with ther WiiM app in the Samsung tablet.
Oh, I splurged and bought the WiiM Mini. The idea will be to use it in my home office set up strictly as a bridge from WiFi to USB for the DACs.
Then I'll install the WiiM Ultra in the home theater, with its built in DAC so my wife can listen to music in there ( kitchen and den are one large room ).
Sure, I could compare DACs right now... and sure, I could make myself a vodka martini and relax...
;-)
Neat stuff... sorry to see that the OP is no longer in this thread.
Should I open up a new thread to discuss WiiM units in general? I might get a 3rd one if the Mini works as a bridge.
That means that the Android devices are definitely doing something to the bit rate over the USB-OTG.... Android does have bit perfect drivers available -for a fee- but there are none for Chromebook.
So it looks like for the WiiM Ultra, if you want to go bit perfect with the likes of Tidal HiFi you have to use Tidal Connect over WiFi... At some point I might test the behavior using a PC.. I do wonder about playing music from the NAS... I got them recorded at 24/96 plus CD rips at Red book.
Question... is there a way to see the bit width with the front panel of the WiiM? I can see it with ther WiiM app in the Samsung tablet.
Oh, I splurged and bought the WiiM Mini. The idea will be to use it in my home office set up strictly as a bridge from WiFi to USB for the DACs.
Then I'll install the WiiM Ultra in the home theater, with its built in DAC so my wife can listen to music in there ( kitchen and den are one large room ).
Sure, I could compare DACs right now... and sure, I could make myself a vodka martini and relax...
;-)
Neat stuff... sorry to see that the OP is no longer in this thread.
Should I open up a new thread to discuss WiiM units in general? I might get a 3rd one if the Mini works as a bridge.
Have you tried to see if your WiiM is running bit perfect?
It makes a difference in the sound I get from the external DAC. I do hear a more extended treble than letting Android and Chromebook resample the audio.
Looking through WiiM Home, I see the bit rates that it's processing. But I got the output to USB not to its internal DAC... I also have volume disabled so there should be no processing...
This week I will see what the WiiM Mini does. If it serves as a bit perfect "streamer"... from WiFi to USB to DAC then we might have in our hands an exceptionally well priced device. TIme to put one in front of every DAC you own...
Another thing... I have not opened the box(es). Do these units have op amps in them? Is there a possibility of op amp rolling with them? I mean, I do plan on using the WiiM Ultra's DAC when I put that in the den's system. It'd be nice then to get it to play as best as possible.
And I still have not tried this with a PC. Hmm... I do have a Windows 10 Pro laptop in the den... maybe I could try it there?
It makes a difference in the sound I get from the external DAC. I do hear a more extended treble than letting Android and Chromebook resample the audio.
Looking through WiiM Home, I see the bit rates that it's processing. But I got the output to USB not to its internal DAC... I also have volume disabled so there should be no processing...
This week I will see what the WiiM Mini does. If it serves as a bit perfect "streamer"... from WiFi to USB to DAC then we might have in our hands an exceptionally well priced device. TIme to put one in front of every DAC you own...
Another thing... I have not opened the box(es). Do these units have op amps in them? Is there a possibility of op amp rolling with them? I mean, I do plan on using the WiiM Ultra's DAC when I put that in the den's system. It'd be nice then to get it to play as best as possible.
And I still have not tried this with a PC. Hmm... I do have a Windows 10 Pro laptop in the den... maybe I could try it there?
WiiM Mini has no USB out, just spdif and line outputs - unless you have got some interesting upgrade of the Mini?