Assistance requested connecting my Genelec 8361a to a WiiM Ultra

[totaldominasian]

This is my first high end audio setup, and I’m having a difficult time getting it to work. I’ve got my two Genelec 8361a connected to each other and my GLM through Ethernet cable.

I heard Blue Jeans Company was a great vendor but mistakenly ordered incorrect XLR to 1/4” TRS cables that can’t connect to the WiiM Ultra. So I then ordered some RCA to XLR cables off Amazon because of their same day delivery. Only issue is I can’t get any sound to play from my speakers. The GLM did play a tuning sweeping noise so I know the speakers are functional. I’m worried I either don’t have the back switches on my 8361a configured correctly or I ordered the wrong cables again. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DVDdoug]

Do you have anything else you can plug the WiiM into? Maybe your TV has analog inputs?


Or, maybe your TV has analog outputs so you can test the speakers & cables? Or if you have a CD or DVD player or something?

 

[totaldominasian]

Hmm I don’t currently have anything at my new apartment except for a record player. I suppose I could try to connect it through the phono port tonight.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

You can use glm to select analog vs. digital inputs.

 

[unpluggged]

This is my first high end audio setup, and I’m having a difficult time getting it to work. I’ve got my two Genelec 8361a connected to each other and my GLM through Ethernet cable.

I heard Blue Jeans Company was a great vendor but mistakenly ordered incorrect XLR to 1/4” TRS cables that can’t connect to the WiiM Ultra. So I then ordered some RCA to XLR cables off Amazon because of their same day delivery. Only issue is I can’t get any sound to play from my speakers. The GLM did play a tuning sweeping noise so I know the speakers are functional. I’m worried I either don’t have the back switches on my 8361a configured correctly or I ordered the wrong cables again. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Since the WiiM Ultra has volume-controlled digital output, it's worth using the AES/EBU interface (just need to convert the optical or coaxial S/PDIF output to AES using one of the active (powered) converters available on AliExpress: I use one myself to connect the miniDSP Flex to my HEDD Type 07 MK2 speakers). Refer to your speakers' manual to find out which cables to use, how to connect them, and how to select proper AES signal frame (L/R) on the speaker control panel or in the GLM control software.

 

[JustJones]

I’ve got my two Genelec 8361a connected to each other and my GLM through Ethernet cable.

I assume by having them connected to each other you're using the AES/EBU connection because if you're connecting the WiiM by analog you would connect RCA left out of WiiM to XLR left in on 8361A and right RCA out to right XLR in. You don't need to tether the 8361A's together using analog.

So I then ordered some RCA to XLR cables off Amazon because of their same day delivery

You ordered analog cables not digital though it might work on short run but you would only connect one cable from the Coax Out on the WiiM to AES/EBU in on one of 8361A and then connect them together like you mention through digital.

Since you have analog cables try connecting analog out on the WiiM left to left in , right to right in and set GLM to analog. Make sure volume is set high enough on the WiiM and Genelecs.

Genelec recommendation using S/PDIF

What is the best method to connect SAM-monitors to S/PDIF?

To use Genelec Digital monitors with S/PDIF input signals, best method is to use impedance matching converters (available for example from Neutrik) and short cable lengths because the S/PDIF link is not designed to travel long distances. The Neutrik converter takes care of the fact that the terminating impedance of S/PDIF is 75 ohms and that of AES/EBU is 110 ohms. This is the most robust solution to connect our SAM-monitors directly to S/PDIF.

 

[totaldominasian]

Oooh the cables I ordered are analog?? Let me make sure I’ve got them plugged in and set up as analog when I get home tonight. How were you able to tell they’re analog cables instead of digital cables?

 

[Mort]

First, congrats on the 8361a.

Second. The cables are both analog and digital. The 8361a can accept digital or analog inputs. The poster was suggesting you test analog first.

Digital - (Serial)
1) Wiim to First 8361a is connected with the kind of cable you bought. It goes from Wiim Coax (male) to 'Digital In AES/EBU' (Male)
2) First 8361a is connected to second 8361a with a regular Male XLR to Female XLR balanced cable. It goes from 'AES/EBU Digital Thru' to the second 'Digital In AES/EBU'
3) Make sure they are configured for Digital.

Analog (Parallel)
1) Wiim Left analog output to left 8361a Analog input using the kind of cable you bought.
2) Wiim Right analog output to Right 8361a Analog input using the kind of cable you bought.
3) The default is analog but you can double check it in the same place as above.

 

[Wg916]

My first post. I too just got the 8361a, just a couple of days ago. Excellent speakers! I also use a WiiM Ultra. I use a monoprice XLR to RCA cable that I purchased off of Amazon. Interestingly, using the coax output, my 15 ft monoprice cable only works when the WiiM is set to 48khz/24bits but my 6 ft monoprice cable works up to 96/24bits. I’m assuming this is because they aren’t true AES cables (something to do with the resistance?). If I go any higher than 48khz on the 15ft ones, the red LED on the speakers blink. Anyway, you may want to try lowering the sample rate to 48khz.

 

[Mort]

You can avoid that issue and improve the signal by combining

1) A short RCA cable from Wiim Ultra.
2) BNC Male to RCA Female Adaptor (Monoprice makes one)
3) Neutrik NADITBMC-M (Don't get the -F model by mistake)
4) XLR cable of correct length to the first Genelec

Ebay has the Neutriks used for $25 each usually.

 

[darth]

I connect my 8351B in this order

TV --ARC-- Wiim U --USB-- Quloos Qu02 --AES/EBU-- Genelec