First Look: Micromega WM-10 WiFi Music Streamer
To install the WM-10, you simply plug it into your preamp/amp/receiver via RCA stereo outputs on the back of the WM-10. Next, you set your music server’s wireless interface to connect to “Airstream”. The WM-10 then is directly connected to your music server; it doesn’t go through your network (with the result that if your music server is your PC you can’t use the internet while streaming songs). Using an Apple iPod Touch or iPhone, you download a free application called “Remote” from the App Store. The iPod then sees your iTunes library and you can select albums, artists and songs just like you do with the locally stored songs on the iPod. The iPod relays your commands via WiFi to the server and the server obeys. Volume can be controlled via the iPod or via your preamp.
How Does It Work?
I was impressed with the ease of installation. Computer set-up often involves the strategic use of profanity and the search of forums for the secret to making two components designed to a “standard” talk to each other. But in this case, setup took about 15 minutes and everything worked the first time.
.jpg "Tom Martin tries out the iPod-to-WM-10 control interface")
I only encountered two problems. The first is somewhat obscure, but involves an item some of you will need/want to know about. My server has the Amarra player installed and integrated with iTunes. For whatever reason, the volume control on iTunes and the volume control on Amarra fight with each other when you change songs using the iPod Touch.
The second problem is that when the iPod Touch goes into sleep mode, it take a while for it to wake up and connect with the WiFi network. This is more of an annoyance than anything, but it does show a limitation of using a device that wasn’t designed as a remote as a remote (on the other hand, the iPod user interface puts a lot of dedicated remotes to shame).
How Does It Sound?
I haven’t listened to anything like enough music to really say anything definitive. But I can say that my impressions so far are good. The WM-10 seems to offer a smooth and relaxed sound that avoids some of the cheap and nasty noises that can mar digital playback. I also sense that the WM-10 does a good job with low-level detail, an area where even some exotic gear can trip up. As I said before, whether the WM-10 is a noticeable step forward from an Airport Express or a Logitech Squeezebox Touch will take more testing. We’re doing that testing right now, and I’ll report back shortly.
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Comments
How does this differ from Squeezebox? Transporter? What's new here?
Is there any solid evidence that Apple will enable 24/96 streaming over wifi?
The only thing new is the pricetag. This is just an Apple AirPort in a bigger case with "better power supply", "better clock" and a coax SPDIF instad of Toslink. Is this needed, does it really work better and does it justify the huge markup? They should tone down the initial press release (was posted here) because it's at least misleading. Somebody from the press needs to call these for what they are.
I've been using a Squeeze box for 3 years and I'mvery happywith the sound.
The squeezebox has SPdiff coax digital output that I connect to my receiver.
I don't know what advantage can the micromega bring
It's unclear how this product is "a noticeable step forward from an Airport Express or a Logitech Squeezebox" especially at this price!
Does anything from AVG cost less than $1000?
Unbelievable that it does not have its own DAC! An Airport Express in a big box with upgraded power supply and a clocking tweak. Yes, I'd dearly like to use iTunes to stream via wifi or Ethernet to a decent DAC (versus other choices like Squeezebox which do not work with iTunes; or USB DACs which need to be close to the computer), but I do not think that Micromega is offering enough value here.
It does have a DAC...
"The WM-10 receives WiFi music streams from the server and does D/A conversion. You plug the WM-10 into your preamp or receiver via a stereo analog connection."
Yes, it has a DAC, the one that is on Aitport Express and feeds the standard mini-jack/Toslink output on it. There is no other DAC according to the first part of the review and their press release. I doubt that there is even a secondary audio buffer, couldn't discern by looking at the PCB photo on the press release.
Yes, it has a DAC, the one that is on Aitport Express and feeds the standard mini-jack/Toslink output on it. There is no other DAC according to the first part of the review and their press release. I doubt that there is even a secondary audio buffer, couldn't discern by looking at the PCB photo on the press release.
Is the upgraded clock anything like the Micromega Stage 6 clock ? If it is then it should sound out of this world.
or try Sonos!!! use your iphone or itouch as controller if you wish. Listen to your itunes or any internet sourced music...any radio station in the world, rhapsody, pandora and much more. Terrific sound, it's own dedicated wireless network, control multiple rooms, listen to multiple music in different rooms, sync as many or as few rooms as you wish. And easy to install!! I mean really easy!! $350. Similar to Squeezebox only a thousand times better. do I love my Sonos? absolutely!!
If anyone is interested in getting a personal demo of this device in a nice system, come see us at Axpona March 5 - 7, 2010 in Jacksonville, FL at the Wyndham Hotel (axpona.com). We'll have it on demo with a pair of Focal-JMlabs Electra 1028BE floorstanding speakers driven by a Pathos InPol-2. The system will be in room 265 and we'll have a booth on the main floor as well. If you email me and mention this post, I've got two (2) free day passes for you, FCFS. Tom, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion of the sound quality before then. My source tells me he's compared it to Red Book CD players using the original CD as the CD source and the ripped version on a MacBook as the streamed source, and he didn't hear a difference. I can't wait to audition this piece with a ripped copy of MFSL Dark Side of the Moon, The Great Gig in the Sky. WLYUKID
Michael Breeden, CEO, Beyond Audio
www.beyondaudiojax.com
I'm back from a trip out of town, so I should get to a comparison over the weekend. I have the EMM Labs CDSA and the Berkeley DAC in house now, so I should be able to comment on sound vs. known good DACs. I'm also picking up an Airport Express to see what the advantage of the Micromega changes is (if any).
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
Tom,
Hey, that's two weekends ago! How did it sound?
Thanks,
Daniel
I haven't heard from Tom yet either, but Axpona is now less than two weeks away. Are you able to make it to Jacksonville March 5-7? If you can, let me know what day and I'll set a day pass aside for you at the will call. Also, I'll be posting the results of my own listening tests here after the show.
Michael Breeden, CEO, Beyond Audio
www.beyondaudiojax.com
Sorry for the delay. A few parts needed didn't arrive on time (the normal course in reviewing). Simple summary (using only Red Book files): the EMM sounds better than the WM-10, but the difference is small -- mostly the WM-10 sounds slightly more mellow. Because of the delays, I haven't tried the Berkeley yet. I did try the Airport Express too. It sounds different from the WM-10, though again the differences are small. I would say the Airport Express has some of the liveliness of the EMM, but lacks the smoothness and resolution. The WM-10 gives up some liveliness to get some of the smoothness and resolution of the EMM.
Note that the differences I'm talking about are small, which in the context of DACs means they don't show up on every track. In fact, you need to look for the right tracks to hear the differences. On many tracks you'd be hard pressed to hear any difference. I find this especially true of music with limited HF content. This is the case with almost every DAC, but it is important background information if you try comparisons yourself.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
Thanks. Putting aside the WM-10 for a moment, and if I understand this correctly, you're saying that the $99 Airport Express using the Airport Express DAC sounds "close" to the EMM?
-- Daniel
I'd suggest not confusing small differences with meaningful differences. This is a conceptual distinction we're trying to standardize on; sorry if it seems new.
I think on a lot of material many listeners would struggle to hear a big difference between the Airport Express and the EMM. Then along comes this disc or that disc and you go "oh, I see". But the other question we should ask is "do you need that difference?" I'm trying to convey that for a lot of systems the answer is probably "no" because the extra money would do more applied elsewhere.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
Just to clarify, the article says that Airtunes will not transmit 176k/24bit and 192k/24bit files (so-called ultra high res files) at this time. This is not the same as saying it won't transmit lossless files. It will transmit 44.1k/16 bit files (in Apple Lossless compression mode, I believe).
Similarly, the basis for the WM-10 (Airport Express) and the changes are clearly spelled out, as is the plan to evaluate the impact of these changes.
As they say, remedial reading and politeness classes begin after lunch.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
It does have it's own DAC as the analog signal from the Airport Express is not used. It's a Cirrus Logic 4344 I believe. It will take the digital output from the airport express, reclock it to reduce/eliminate jitter, and then feed it to the DAC, which supports up to 24/192 sample rates. I'm sure if I am wrong, I'll be corrected, but this is what I've been told.
so basically.... its an appletv -without the tv at 7 or 8 times the price?? the appletv paired with a 1k$ DAC of your choice would most likely sound significantly better than this option while also providing an extensive amount of extras (i.e. movies, internet radio, etc)
Only single ended out. If they're gonnas go through the trouble of making this 802.n then why not RJ45 as well?
If you are looking for a real high end replay system ,Just check the Bladelius Embla Replay Player.