Need guidance on next upgrade – WiiM Amp Ultra vs Speaker upgrade (Budget 78K)

[COOLDUDE7808]

See Signature , I have both WIIM Ultra and Vibelink , which in one box is WIIM amp Ultra . I got this thru a relative who was coming from US to India and saved some money . Purpose was to have a second system , which also has streaming / bluetooth - Which I rarely use , since I mostly prefer CD's . Hence did not go for expensive streamers like Audiolab or Eversolo

When you buy in India the price increases and then in terms of value it does not make sense , even if you want streaming there are other options available in a similar price range which you can consider .

Since your objective is improvement in Sound Quality .. Audition some Class AB amps within your budget . Then eventually upgrade to good floor standers maybe next year . This will result in a larger soundstage and you will hear better and more detail and separation in the music that you are playing i.e improvement in SQ .

For Improvement in SQ - everything in your chain has to go up . Changing or trying different brands in the budget category will give different SQ's ...which will give you a perception of improved sound ....unless you listen to something bigger and better and discover real improvement .

 

[DB1989]

@DB1989 Could you please explain how this might result in a downgrade in sound quality? I’d like to understand your perspective better.

For stereo applications, engaging a digital high pass filter to cut off the lower frequencies from the main speakers does not result in a great sound. I have consistently had much better results letting the main speakers run full range and let their low end naturally roll off and engage the subwoofer for frequencies below the effective range of the main speakers. For that bit of adjustment/calibration, the low pass filter on the Subwoofer is sufficient.

Furthermore, because both speakers and subwoofers have their own distinct tonality (based on their linearity in response/port tuning etc), you’re better off with getting better speakers which play deeper and maintain the same tonality till the lowest octave possible before handing over the duties to the sub. Using a high pass in stereo, and crossed high at that (60hz and above), usually robs a good bit of that character.

 

[Dhiraj]

See Signature , I have both WIIM Ultra and Vibelink , which in one box is WIIM amp Ultra . I got this thru a relative who was coming from US to India and saved some money . Purpose was to have a second system , which also has streaming / bluetooth - Which I rarely use , since I mostly prefer CD's . Hence did not go for expensive streamers like Audiolab or Eversolo

When you buy in India the price increases and then in terms of value it does not make sense , even if you want streaming there are other options available in a similar price range which you can consider .

Since your objective is improvement in Sound Quality .. Audition some Class AB amps within your budget . Then eventually upgrade to good floor standers maybe next year . This will result in a larger soundstage and you will hear better and more detail and separation in the music that you are playing i.e improvement in SQ .

For Improvement in SQ - everything in your chain has to go up . Changing or trying different brands in the budget category will give different SQ's ...which will give you a perception of improved sound ....unless you listen to something bigger and better and discover real improvement .

I’m now leaning toward upgrading either the amp to the Marantz Model M1 or the speakers to the Q Acoustics 3050i. I really wish my budget were higher so I could go for the HiFiMart combo deal of the M1 with the 3050i for ₹1.39 lakh — that setup would easily keep me satisfied for the next five years or more.

 

[morerajendra5678]

I’m now leaning toward upgrading either the amp to the Marantz Model M1 or the speakers to the Q Acoustics 3050i. I really wish my budget were higher so I could go for the HiFiMart combo deal of the M1 with the 3050i for ₹1.39 lakh — that setup would easily keep me satisfied for the next five years or more.

Go in for upgrade of amplifier to Marantz M1 first and later have better speakers than Q Acoustics 3050i. In terms of speaker upgrade Q Acoustics 3050i is not a huge upgrade.

 

[Dhiraj]

For stereo applications, engaging a digital high pass filter to cut off the lower frequencies from the main speakers does not result in a great sound. I have consistently had much better results letting the main speakers run full range and let their low end naturally roll off and engage the subwoofer for frequencies below the effective range of the main speakers. For that bit of adjustment/calibration, the low pass filter on the Subwoofer is sufficient.

Furthermore, because both speakers and subwoofers have their own distinct tonality (based on their linearity in response/port tuning etc), you’re better off with getting better speakers which play deeper and maintain the same tonality till the lowest octave possible before handing over the duties to the sub. Using a high pass in stereo, and crossed high at that (60hz and above), usually robs a good bit of that character.

Thanks for the clarification, hope M1 will do far better bass management than WiiM if I plan for it.

 

[caspian1985]

Thanks for the clarification, hope M1 will do far better bass management than WiiM if I plan for it.

Yes but you’ll have to pay $250 for the Dirac Live license to improve on the WiiM’s bass management

 

[DB1989]

Thanks for the clarification, hope M1 will do far better bass management than WiiM if I plan for it.

DIRAC live is far far better than whatever room management shtick Wiim purports to carry. Its not even in the same troposphere/ionosphere - You get what you pay for basically.

 

[DB1989]

Thanks for the clarification, hope M1 will do far better bass management than WiiM if I plan for it.

Pro Tip: As you keep on upgrading, you'll figure that synergy is the name of the game and some speakers sound better with certain amps.

If you end up getting the M1, the next speaker upgrade you should plan for is a B&W - they're a synergistic match made in heaven and sound terrific together.

 

[morerajendra5678]

DIRAC live is far far better than whatever room management shtick Wiim purports to carry. Its not even in the same troposphere/ionosphere - You get what you pay for basically.

DIRAC is good. But in my opinion at this stage this amount should be added to speakers so as to ensure better components in the system. DIRAC should be the last step in fine tuning a matured setup.

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

Marantz produces 100watts at 8 ohms and 125 at 4 ohms . Marantz generally is true to its ratings and drives speakers well . I have not heard this so cant comment on SQ .

Its a good upgrade in terms of amp power required for a good floor standers . When you save some money ..go for decent floor standers rather than bookshelves

If Marantz is bright avoid Fyne Speakers . If you find it warm or buy a amp which is warm , then audition Fyne Floorstanders . I have Tannoys and they are very similar . Fyne floor standers are available at various price points . Try to audition them .

 

[morerajendra5678]

Marantz produces 100watts at 8 ohms and 125 at 4 ohms . Marantz generally is true to its ratings and drives speakers well . I have not heard this so cant comment on SQ .

Its a good upgrade in terms of amp power required for a good floor standers . When you save some money ..go for decent floor standers rather than bookshelves

If Marantz is bright avoid Fyne Speakers . If you find it warm or buy a amp which is warm , then audition Fyne Floorstanders . I have Tannoys and they are very similar . Fyne floor standers are available at various price points . Try to audition them .

Marantz M1 has a warm sound signature. Marantz amplifiers pair pretty well with Wharfedale speakers and both give traditional british sound signature. I personally have never heard Fyne speakers paired with marantz. So cannot comment on how the combo will be.

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

Not heard Wharfedale . But yes , Wharfedale is also available at different price points , which may fit in his budget .

But either way audition is a must . Because Wharfedale (according to reviews) are generally warm or neutral and Fyne tends to be on the neutral to bright side .

 

[DB1989]

Marantz produces 100watts at 8 ohms and 125 at 4 ohms . Marantz generally is true to its ratings and drives speakers well . I have not heard this so cant comment on SQ .

Its a good upgrade in terms of amp power required for a good floor standers . When you save some money ..go for decent floor standers rather than bookshelves

If Marantz is bright avoid Fyne Speakers . If you find it warm or buy a amp which is warm , then audition Fyne Floorstanders . I have Tannoys and they are very similar . Fyne floor standers are available at various price points . Try to audition them .

I can confirm that both the Tannoy DC8 as well as the Wharfedale Evo 4.2 sound terrific with the Marantz M1 or for that matter, all the loudspeakers I've tried it with, which is to say my own, plus all B&W speakers (including the B&W 705 S2 Signature) because of their house synergy.

 

[DB1989]

DIRAC is good. But in my opinion at this stage this amount should be added to speakers so as to ensure better components in the system. DIRAC should be the last step in fine tuning a matured setup.

I don't disagree with the speaker bit. But I don't agree with the DIRAC bit either. But the consensus in this particular set of facts and circumstances is that the OP would benefit the most in terms of SQ (but not convenience) through a speaker upgrade.

 

[morerajendra5678]

I don't disagree with the speaker bit. But I don't agree with the DIRAC bit either. But the consensus in this particular set of facts and circumstances is that the OP would benefit the most in terms of SQ (but not convenience) through a speaker upgrade.

As per your understanding, does applying DIRAC to a 30k pair of speakers result in same SQ as applying DIRAC to 2.5 Lac pair of speakers?

 

[DB1989]

As per your understanding, does applying DIRAC to a 30k pair of speakers result in same SQ as applying DIRAC to 2.5 Lac pair of speakers?

Depending on some factors and circumstances that i shall not care to elaborate but suffice to say that in my experience, yes, absolutely - not same per se in the sense of being identical if we are being pedantic but i'd go so far as to say it might result in better SQ still!

 

[morerajendra5678]

Depending on some factors and circumstances that i shall not care to elaborate but suffice to say that in my experience, yes, absolutely - not same per se in the sense of being identical if we are being pedantic but i'd go so far as to say it might result in better SQ still!

The speakers have to be capable enough to respond to changes made by DIRAC. There is a limitation to budget speakers in terms of crossover components and cabinet volume and amount of bracing done in cabinet. All these factors contribute to the SQ. Hence if it were me, I won't go in for purchasing DIRAC for Q Acoustics 3050i speakers because there will be very marginal benefit one will notice in setup after spending $250 for DIRAC

 

[Dhiraj]

Thank you all experts for guid

Marantz produces 100watts at 8 ohms and 125 at 4 ohms . Marantz generally is true to its ratings and drives speakers well . I have not heard this so cant comment on SQ .

Its a good upgrade in terms of amp power required for a good floor standers . When you save some money ..go for decent floor standers rather than bookshelves

If Marantz is bright avoid Fyne Speakers . If you find it warm or buy a amp which is warm , then audition Fyne Floorstanders . I have Tannoys and they are very similar . Fyne floor standers are available at various price points . Try to audition them .

I will plan for floorstanders in future for sure.

 

[Dhiraj]

Everything seems fine in terms of sound quality M1 is great and although DIRAC is appealing, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stretch my budget—I’m unlikely to get approval for that. What’s worrying me more is the reported hiss issue with the Marantz Model M1. Since this has been discussed globally, it’s difficult to commit to a purchase with the thought that this problem might appear later.

Can current M1 users share their experience? Is the hiss caused by a hardware or software issue? If it occurs in the future, is there any known workaround? If not, how does Marantz handle such cases under warranty, and what might the repair cost be after the warranty expires?

I understand that no device lasts forever and nothing is guaranteed, but with this level of investment, some peace of mind is important.

Also, should I consider the Audiolab 6000A mkii as a more reliable option in terms of build quality? I’ve also read that it can comfortably drive many floorstanders as well. Can I also consider Advance Paris x-i75 as an option?

 

[morerajendra5678]

Everything seems fine in terms of sound quality, and although DIRAC is appealing, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stretch my budget—I’m unlikely to get approval for that. What’s worrying me more is the reported hiss issue with the Marantz Model M1. Since this has been discussed globally, it’s difficult to commit to a purchase with the thought that this problem might appear later.

Can current M1 users share their experience? Is the hiss caused by a hardware or software issue? If it occurs in the future, is there any known workaround? If not, how does Marantz handle such cases under warranty, and what might the repair cost be after the warranty expires?

I understand that no device lasts forever and nothing is guaranteed, but with this level of investment, some peace of mind is important.

Also, should I consider the Audiolab 6000A mkii as a more reliable option in terms of build quality? I’ve also read that it can comfortably drive many floorstanders as well.

Marantz is planning for a firm release for it. It happens only when you wake up the devise from Standby Mode only. There are working arounds for it.