The USB will read from an attached drive. I found out that it would also read from my old iPod Classic 160gb, though artwork with the iPod is hit and miss (probably related to my setup, but not sure). The USB will also work as an output to an external DAC. It does not work as an access point to the internal DAC via a PC or iPad, though.
I got lucky and purchased mine about 2 weeks ago when Amazon had it on sale for 263.00! I'm lovin' this streamer! Before this I used my laptop via usb to my dx3 pro+ dac using Amazon Music as well and thought it sounded pretty good. However my HiFiman Expedition XS headphones sound more detailed rich thru the Ultra's headphone jack! I also discovered that the Ultra's dac chip is a little better than the toppings and maybe that is why it sounds better to me. Right now I have the Ultra's outputs usb, optical and coaxial going into the topping. Seems redundant because I'm feeding the better dac chip to the lesser quality one! I'll need to experiment! Thanks!
If I was to launch a stream from the BBC Sounds app on my phone using the Chromecast facility on the Ultra would I be able to turn off the phone in the same way that I currently can using my old audio Chromecast pucks?
Sorry, haven’t tested the usb. I remember reading it was still in beta. I would expect them to update that. I know some of the outputs have to be changed on the app, so may try that if you haven’t already.
I connected a USB DAC this morning and put on. "Dookie" from Amazon Music and the read out shows 192. I don't have it connected to an Amp, so no idea what is coming out the other end, but the DAC is getting a 192 signal.
Thanks for the review! This is going to be my first streamer device so please excuse the noobie question. Does the unit have native streaming service app built into it, eg. Tidal, Spotify etc? Or does one always have to stream/connect your phone to the device to play those services?
If you are asking if you can browse a music service on the LCD screen without a phone, I do not believe that is currently possible. The included remote has Alexa built in, so if you subscribe to Amazon Music, you can request music without a phone. Jut hit the voice button and tell it what to play. You can also play music to it using other Alexa devices like the Echo Dot. If you have a Google Home, it can cast to it without a phone.
I would recommend their Wiim Mini for two reasons..1 it has optical out so you can connect it directly to the Ultra's optical input. If you want to put it in a separate system later you can, but still be able to send Airplay 2 to it and connect it to the Ultra via their multi-room link option. Next, I would recommend the Belkin Airplay 2 streamer (the one with optical out). It is usually a little cheaper than the Wiim Mini.
A side note, I believe some of the old AppleTvs. (version 3 and earlier, if I remember correctly..though they may be Airplay 1 ) have optical output, so that could be an option, as well. While I am using AirPort Express 1st gen, I would not necessarily recommend this version or newer versions (some of the newer versions got an Airplay 2 update) because they are a bit more work to setup.
You don't need this complicated setup if you use your wiim home app on your phone. You can play Amazon music using your phone and directly play on the Wiim Ultra, no airplay needed. It uses wifi. Wiim Home app on your iPhone will play any music you have on your iPhone Music app directly to Wiim Ultra without using airplay. The Wiim Home app is also available as beta's for Mac's and Windows. Currently only serving up music on those machines to Ultra. Streaming services not available yet. You can get around it by installing iPad app on on M1 or M2 mac laptops and stream Amazon directly to the Ultra. No airplay needed, just wifi.
This video is showing the many ways you can use the device. In hindsight, I probably should have mentioned that if you don’t care about AirPlay multiroom options, you can use Bluetooth which is built into the Ultra.
I do not have any files to test, but according to their 8/2/24 firmware update "DSD Playback Enhancement - Now supports playing DSD audio tracks in DFF format."
My application, currently using a Wiim Pro (Amazon music) as streamer and EQ (parametric - digital domain) to my DAC (Denafrips Ares12-1) and out to my headphone amp (Bryston BHA-1) and out to my headphones…so I’m really having to think …do I really need this Ultra ….its very damn tempting! Great video thank you.🍻
Did anybody tried USB digital out from Wima Ultra and compared with coaxial digital out? I have upgraded Wiim pro that sounds as good as Eversolo A6 already, and I need to know switching to Wiim Ultra is good idea.
I am using the internal DAC, but I have seen some discussion of this on Facebook and other forums. Some like coax and others have liked USB. I don’t think there is a consensus. If you can wait on AudioScience Review of it, he might test the different outputs.
"big elephant" is about not exist "apple music conncet" ,ariplay it's not a AOD service. "ariplay " is plan B to listing apple music. apple device shout be Support DLNA like ALL other device.
People are used to Airplay, so not having it is the biggest issue with this specific device. I do agree that they need some kind of connect feature like Sonos, Spotify, Tidal, etc.
Out of curiosity, how would music playback help the review? Curious, because whatever I played would come through whatever speakers you are listing to and would be compressed anyway. Please let me know.
Where is the review lol?, this literally just discusses connections etc etc, literally not a single word about actual sound quality, comparisons to other Wimm products or other similar priced dacs, literally the most important aspect was totally not even discussed.... More click bait...
Click bait? 😂 I don’t think you know what that means. It’s not monetized. Are you going to trust my judgement on SQ? We don’t hear the same, so it comes down to measurements, so wait until ASF measures it. I think it sounds great and you can tweak the sound with EQ to make it more to your liking. Hope that helps. My review was about the features… which is still a review.
Hope you are right. The article said it would never come, which is hard to believe. I would think there would be some software option, but time will tell.
how uses airplay... airplay îs Limited to mp3 quality.... why to buy these device to listening mp3. If you have iPhone, you'll use tidal connect or Apple music connect.
Not enough space to give all my thoughts. I may put up a video later on why some people want AirPlay. Also, your statement is wrong. Some apps use an AirPlay 1 protocol and are lossless to 24/48. Anyway, look for a future video on the subject.
Does USB also read from a drive ?
Thanks for the video 👍
The USB will read from an attached drive. I found out that it would also read from my old iPod Classic 160gb, though artwork with the iPod is hit and miss (probably related to my setup, but not sure). The USB will also work as an output to an external DAC. It does not work as an access point to the internal DAC via a PC or iPad, though.
I got lucky and purchased mine about 2 weeks ago when Amazon had it on sale for 263.00! I'm lovin' this streamer! Before this I used my laptop via usb to my dx3 pro+ dac using Amazon Music as well and thought it sounded pretty good. However my HiFiman Expedition XS headphones sound more detailed rich thru the Ultra's headphone jack! I also discovered that the Ultra's dac chip is a little better than the toppings and maybe that is why it sounds better to me. Right now I have the Ultra's outputs usb, optical and coaxial going into the topping. Seems redundant because I'm feeding the better dac chip to the lesser quality one! I'll need to experiment! Thanks!
Hi, what about listening to apple music via with apple tv and connect TV to wiim ultra with optical, is it lossless then?
I would think that would work, but probably depends on your TV and how you are listening to the music (Airplay or directly with the Apple TV).
If I was to launch a stream from the BBC Sounds app on my phone using the Chromecast facility on the Ultra would I be able to turn off the phone in the same way that I currently can using my old audio Chromecast pucks?
Yes, that should work. I started the casting stream from BBC Sounds and rebooted my phone and it never dropped the signal.
Can you get 192/24 from the USB output? Mine is limited to 96/24
Sorry, haven’t tested the usb. I remember reading it was still in beta. I would expect them to update that. I know some of the outputs have to be changed on the app, so may try that if you haven’t already.
I connected a USB DAC this morning and put on. "Dookie" from Amazon Music and the read out shows 192. I don't have it connected to an Amp, so no idea what is coming out the other end, but the DAC is getting a 192 signal.
Thanks for the review! This is going to be my first streamer device so please excuse the noobie question.
Does the unit have native streaming service app built into it, eg. Tidal, Spotify etc?
Or does one always have to stream/connect your phone to the device to play those services?
If you are asking if you can browse a music service on the LCD screen without a phone, I do not believe that is currently possible. The included remote has Alexa built in, so if you subscribe to Amazon Music, you can request music without a phone. Jut hit the voice button and tell it what to play. You can also play music to it using other Alexa devices like the Echo Dot. If you have a Google Home, it can cast to it without a phone.
How would I get Apple Airplay 2? Can you recommend some devices to attach? Thanks so much
I would recommend their Wiim Mini for two reasons..1 it has optical out so you can connect it directly to the Ultra's optical input. If you want to put it in a separate system later you can, but still be able to send Airplay 2 to it and connect it to the Ultra via their multi-room link option. Next, I would recommend the Belkin Airplay 2 streamer (the one with optical out). It is usually a little cheaper than the Wiim Mini.
A side note, I believe some of the old AppleTvs. (version 3 and earlier, if I remember correctly..though they may be Airplay 1 ) have optical output, so that could be an option, as well. While I am using AirPort Express 1st gen, I would not necessarily recommend this version or newer versions (some of the newer versions got an Airplay 2 update) because they are a bit more work to setup.
You don't need this complicated setup if you use your wiim home app on your phone. You can play Amazon music using your phone and directly play on the Wiim Ultra, no airplay needed. It uses wifi. Wiim Home app on your iPhone will play any music you have on your iPhone Music app directly to Wiim Ultra without using airplay. The Wiim Home app is also available as beta's for Mac's and Windows. Currently only serving up music on those machines to Ultra. Streaming services not available yet. You can get around it by installing iPad app on on M1 or M2 mac laptops and stream Amazon directly to the Ultra. No airplay needed, just wifi.
This video is showing the many ways you can use the device. In hindsight, I probably should have mentioned that if you don’t care about AirPlay multiroom options, you can use Bluetooth which is built into the Ultra.
Is it possible to play DSD?
I do not have any files to test, but according to their 8/2/24 firmware update "DSD Playback Enhancement - Now supports playing DSD audio tracks in DFF format."
Thanks for the review. I ordered mine today.
Hope you enjoy it!
My application, currently using a Wiim Pro (Amazon music) as streamer and EQ (parametric - digital domain) to my DAC (Denafrips Ares12-1) and out to my headphone amp (Bryston BHA-1) and out to my headphones…so I’m really having to think …do I really need this Ultra ….its very damn tempting!
Great video thank you.🍻
What’s this have to do with “need”?!!!😂. If you buy one, please use my link and thank you!
why is everybody concerned about airplay, bad quality streaming...
One could take the Pro or the Pro +
In my notes on this video, I have a link to an article I wrote on the subject. Please take a look.
Just released on Amazon 🤔
Please use my link if you grab one.
Did anybody tried USB digital out from Wima Ultra and compared with coaxial digital out? I have upgraded Wiim pro that sounds as good as Eversolo A6 already, and I need to know switching to Wiim Ultra is good idea.
I am using the internal DAC, but I have seen some discussion of this on Facebook and other forums. Some like coax and others have liked USB. I don’t think there is a consensus. If you can wait on AudioScience Review of it, he might test the different outputs.
"big elephant" is about not exist "apple music conncet" ,ariplay it's not a AOD service. "ariplay " is plan B to listing apple music. apple device shout be Support DLNA like ALL other device.
People are used to Airplay, so not having it is the biggest issue with this specific device. I do agree that they need some kind of connect feature like Sonos, Spotify, Tidal, etc.
Why do people want air play or Bluetooth . Stoneage quality. Ultra High Res is minimum. Air play does only 16 / 44. CD Quality.
In my notes on this video, I have a link to an article I wrote on the subject. Please take a look.
No more music play, only bored explanation
Out of curiosity, how would music playback help the review? Curious, because whatever I played would come through whatever speakers you are listing to and would be compressed anyway. Please let me know.
Where is the review lol?, this literally just discusses connections etc etc, literally not a single word about actual sound quality, comparisons to other Wimm products or other similar priced dacs, literally the most important aspect was totally not even discussed....
More click bait...
Click bait? 😂 I don’t think you know what that means. It’s not monetized. Are you going to trust my judgement on SQ? We don’t hear the same, so it comes down to measurements, so wait until ASF measures it. I think it sounds great and you can tweak the sound with EQ to make it more to your liking. Hope that helps. My review was about the features… which is still a review.
The device also has digital outputs to send to a different DAC if you aren’t a fan of the onboard sound after tweaking the EQ.
Airplay will come, just a matter of getting licensed. There is no spoon 😊
Hope you are right. The article said it would never come, which is hard to believe. I would think there would be some software option, but time will tell.
how uses airplay... airplay îs Limited to mp3 quality.... why to buy these device to listening mp3. If you have iPhone, you'll use tidal connect or Apple music connect.
Not enough space to give all my thoughts. I may put up a video later on why some people want AirPlay. Also, your statement is wrong. Some apps use an AirPlay 1 protocol and are lossless to 24/48. Anyway, look for a future video on the subject.