Hello, I posted the on the WiiM forum, but thought I’d post it here too in case it’s a Roon issue. I received my WiiM Ultra and it’s great. I can play Tidal original quality from the WiiM app and the Tidal app (via Tidal connect) to the WiiM Ultra via Ethernet. However, when I play the same music through the Roon app (so, Roon server on my PC to the WiiM Ultra via Ethernet), it gets limited you 44.1 khz. I assume it’s doing so via AirPlay protocol, which I wouldn’t expect since it’s hardwired via Ethernet, but I guess regardless of the network connection, AirPlay is used. If this is the case, it’s really a Roon setback, and I unfortunately lose the desire to use it. Any idea (other than buying yet another inline piece of equipment) on how to get the original quality from the Roon server to the WiiM Ultra? I do notice a difference in the sound quality, hence why it’s an issue for me. Any help is appreciated!!
Hi Nick
It looks like you are using AirPlay as I don’t think the Ultra is certified Roon Ready yet. All Roon Ready devices go through a certification process before they get that status and it usually takes a few months.
You have a couple of options available to you, either Chromecast or tick "Enable Squeezebox Support " in Settings->Set-up and both will give you high resolution playback until the time it is certified (on my Pro plus I preferred Squeezebox over Chromecast)
You can see this in Roon’s signal path, which thankfully gives us all the info so that we don’t have to assume anything.
Airplay works over wifi and Ethernet
It’s not. The Ultra simply isn’t certified Roon Ready yet, which is clearly stated on the WiiM website:
You will be able to use Roon’s native RAAT protocol once certification is finished.
According to the Ultra specs, it seems to support Chromcast, so in the meantime you can go to Roon > Settings > Audio and enable the WiiM Ultra interfaces that you want to use. Chromecast would give you hi-res.
Apple AirPlay ≠ Wi-Fi
Many people need to stop assuming this, despite the protocol name.
AJ
hi, i have had the wiim ultra for a few days, updated and enabled as roon ready. i see in the audio signal path that it continues to downsample the signal to 48khz. i am using it as a streamer on spdif. spdif which on the wiim app is set to 24bit 192khz. when i use tidal connect i can have the maximum bitrate while if i use roon i can’t. why?
Have you checked what you are set for in Roon?
Go to settings: service: Tidal to see what resolution it is set for.
I don’t have tidal just Qobuz but it’s very similar.
Under streaming quality.
It should list as Max in Tidal’s login window in Roon.
Show an image of your signal path to help diagnose the problem.
thanks, but that’s not the problem. Tidal is already set to Max
What’s the make and model of your DAC?
thanks for the help but that’s not the problem. Tidal is already set to Max
The connected DAC here is irrelevant since you’re using S/PDIF.
The signal path shows that Roon is doing the conversion. Therefore, please show a screenshot of Device Settings > Advanced. For example:
Well, that’s odd. I’d expect to see Max sample rate here. Whilst S/PDIF is limited to 192 kHz, the DAC, as in my example, may not.
Do you have DSP (Muse) sample rate conversion enabled?
Yes Martin it’s really strange. I have other DACs and I’ve been using Roon for a long time and with all the other devices I have the same options that you showed. With the Ultra instead I have no possibility of changing other parameters, but only those that you see in the photo. I can’t understand what the problem is. The really strange thing is that using the WIIM app if a file is 24/192 it is reproduced as it is without any alteration or downsampling. Oh I almost forgot, I didn’t enable the conversion with MUSE.
Knowing more about what your spdif is connected to exactly will help.
Android outputs all audio at 48khz, so it makes me think that might be something to do with it?
Need to know more about your specific setup.
hi therourke, I connected my Dynaudio 60xd to the SPDIF with the top of the range RICABLE invictus cable. The Dynaudio accept 24bit/192khz.
The connected DAC has no bearing on the sample rate output, since S/PDIF doesn’t include signalling.
From the Wiim website:
Gapless playback of Hi-Res music up to 24-bit/192 kHz using USB, SPDIF, Coax, Line, and Headphone output.
I think it makes sense to open a Support request, as this could be an issue with Roon Ready certification settings, i.e., max PCM isn’t displayed because Roon (should) know the settings, and this is evidently incorrect.
Once you’ve opened a ticket, ping me, and I’ll merge or reference this thread.