Connect dac to Wiim Ultra

[Backe84]

Hi!

I'm currently using my Wiim Ultra as a preamp/streamer connected to a Poweramp. Want to try an external dac, how do I hook this up?

Regards Johannes

 

[staticV3]

You can connect an external DAC to the WiiM Ultra via USB or SPDIF Coax.

 

[Backe84]

Ok thanks. Dum question, will the USB power the DAC? Or is it better to power the DAC threw an IFI power 5v?

 

[staticV3]

Dum question, will the USB power the DAC?

Depends on which DAC.

 

[David A]

I use the Wiim Ultra's USB output to a miniDSP Flex Eight. The Flex 8 supports asynchronous USB audio input, so it's own internal clock performs master timing and requests data from the USB host (WiiM Ultra). The the WiiM Ultra's USB-A output can power an external DAC alongside data transfer, as it supplies 5V at up to 1.5A. If your external DAC has a better clock than the Wiim you may pick up a little more resolution to your streamed music.

 

[staticV3]

I use the Wiim Ultra's USB output to a miniDSP Flex Eight. The Flex 8 supports asynchronous USB audio input, so it's own internal clock performs master timing and requests data from the USB host (WiiM Ultra). The the WiiM Ultra's USB-A output can power an external DAC alongside data transfer, as it supplies 5V at up to 1.5A. If your external DAC has a better clock than the Wiim you may pick up a little more resolution to your streamed music.

Neither the Ultra's clock, not its DAC chip is leaving any resolution unresolved.

Get an external DAC for its features, its looks or whatever but please don't do it for extra resolution.

 

[SoundMagic]

Hi!

I'm currently using my Wiim Ultra as a preamp/streamer connected to a Poweramp. Want to try an external dac, how do I hook this up?

Regards Johannes

Which DAC did you connect to WiiM Ultra? My guess was the DAC should be capable of preamp functions too with volume control. Or does the WiiM Ultra do the volume in digital domain before hitting the external DAC? Would like to know how you configured it and was there any improvements doing so.

 

[Chazz6]

Which DAC did you connect to WiiM Ultra? My guess was the DAC should be capable of preamp functions too with volume control. Or does the WiiM Ultra do the volume in digital domain before hitting the external DAC? Would like to know how you configured it and was there any improvements doing so.

The RME ADI FS 2 has digital volume control, up to 13 dB analog gain (probably done by an opamp chip), a five-band parametric equalizer, balance, stereo/mono and more.

 

[Pausi]

My setup with the WiiM Ultra, Topping E50 II DAC and Cymax 1ET6525SA stereo power amplifier that work very well. I have set the filter to no. 6 in the Topping E50 II since I imagine (could be pure psychoacoustics) some less sibilants from compressed audio via streaming services like Netflix.

 

[john61ct]

My guess was the DAC should be capable of preamp functions too with volume control

Not necessary, the digital outputs are by default subject to all Wiim's preamp and other DSP functionality, just as with the Analog outputs.

You COULD do "bit-perfect pass through" but there will IMO be no audible benefit to doing that

except for headphone usage.

If you only want streaming transport don't pay all the extra for a Wiim at all, much less the premium for Ultra.

> Or does the WiiM Ultra do the volume in digital domain before hitting the external DAC?

Yes afaik nothing tge Ultra does to the signal is analog

 

[john61ct]

On the front end side, I think a cleaner ADC like PocketADC "might" make an audible difference, IF you have young "golden ears"?