Comments on: WiiM Ultra Streamer: What We Know So Far

By: Chris Boylan

Chris Boylan — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 19:15:49 +0000

With HDMI ARC I guess the point is to allow the user interface to display on a TV screen, and also get TV sound into the Wiim box and from there into your A/V rig. With HDMI ARC, you could potentially even do multi-channel Dolby Atmos streams (lossy DD+ streams) from TIDAL or Amazon Music on the streamer to a compatible soundbar, receiver or preamp/processor.

If the WiiM Ultra does support Dolby Atmos music streams, I believe it would be the first dedicated audio streaming device to do so. But I don’t see anything in the specs to suggest that. I guess we’ll know more next month when it is officially unveiled.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:36:35 +0000

In reply to ORT.

ORT,

The price point will be the biggest point of differentiation. Why spend $$$$ when this will likely serve as the hub for a (potentially) wide range of systems for years to come.

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it offers the same performance/value as their other products that I currently own. WiiM gets it.

Best,

By: ORT

ORT — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:32:38 +0000

It looks nice. With digital, it either converts/decodes or it don’t. Simple.

The screen is nice. I use HEOS and it does everything and more that any sane (read: non-anal retentive frAudiophile) person could desire. A friend enjoys his Bluesound and tells me it does all that he wants and needs too.

This will likely do the same for those that buy it.

ORT

By: ginandbacon

ginandbacon — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 23:55:25 +0000

Obviously price will be the determining factor. An upgraded DAC (probably ESS) is nice but implementation is more important. I do question how much the touchscreen is used on streamers. Easier to see from access the room but actually using it to control the device when you have an app and remote is a different story. Phono input is a nice touch of you listen to records. I’m not a huge fan of a lot of brands dropping USB as a transport for HDMI ARC. I get it but never considering TV’s work with USB audio, and what formats HDMI arch supports outside PCM is a different story. I also wonder how many people will buy this and hook it up to the wiim amp also.

By: David

David — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 01:32:42 +0000

Yup. This one is likely to be big if the the cost and performance is in line with the remainder of their streamer lineup. WiiM is the audio industry’s biggest disruptor. HDMI? Check.

Hmm… I wonder what a WiiM speaker would look like?