Connecting a Wiim Pro to a JDS Element 2 DAC

[Bernard23]

Owned the JDS dac/amp for a while, and no desire to change it. Was feeding it from a PC Desktop + Roon, but decided to replace that with a Wiim streamer. Didn't do my homework properly, and bought a used Pro, but I now have the issue of mating either a toslink or coax digital out into a USB-B in on the JDS. There are devices that can convert from optical to USB, but the only ones I can find are limited to 16 bit conversion.

Other than re-instating Roon which I am loathe to do, seems the only option is to replace the JDS with a dac with more inputs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cubilux-Adapter-Receiver-Interface-Computer/dp/B0BQQLFQ59?th=1

 

[Bernard23]

If the most effective solution is to replace the JDS, then what would be worth shortlisting (without having to read through all of the device reviews!), or I could swap out the pro for a pro plus which has a better dac and is as good as the one in the JDS.

 

[Zgrado1970]

Not sure why you would think the dac in the WiiM is better than the JDS. It’s not, and IMO, chasing “better” dacs is a fool’s errand. If you are not budget constrained, the WiiM Ultra has usb and spdif out, plus ARC, a little display, etc. About $110 more than the Pro Plus.

 

[Vincent Kars]

Ultra also has USB audio out.....

 

[Bernard23]

Not sure why you would think the dac in the WiiM is better than the JDS. It’s not, and IMO, chasing “better” dacs is a fool’s errand. If you are not budget constrained, the WiiM Ultra has usb and spdif out, plus ARC, a little display, etc. About $110 more than the Pro Plus.

My mistake and typo. The one in the pro measures crap, the one in the jds was perfectly OK as is the pro plus, but otherwise yes I agree. I've edited my comment to reflect what I meant

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, questions ... (of course)

Are you still using your PC as source? If so, there's no real benefit from adding a streamer anyway since you can stream and EQ directly from the PC.

Is there another reason for changing?

 

[staticV3]

There's no way to adapt the WiiM's SPDIF out to the JDS' USB in using a simple adapter cable, since the JDS can only receive USB data from a USB host device.

Some kind of computer between the two would be required.

 

[Bernard23]

Hi, questions ... (of course)

Are you still using your PC as source? If so, there's no real benefit from adding a streamer anyway since you can stream and EQ directly from the PC.

Is there another reason for changing?

Two reasons I guess, firstly complexity of setting up equaliser APO on the PC, and secondly portability.

 

[Bernard23]

There's no way to adapt the WiiM's SPDIF out to the JDS' USB in using a simple adapter cable, since the JDS can only receive USB data from a USB host device.

Some kind of computer between the two would be required.

I've been looking at using my pc as a digital bridge, so optical Wiim - > PC and USB PC - > DAC. It's probably easier to install and setup APO on my PC and we're back to above.
I'm tempted to simply add a DX3 pro+ and be done but I'm trying to avoid spending cash unnecessarily.

 

[antcollinet]

The one in the pro measures crap, the one in the jds was perfectly OK as is the pro plus,

Crap is relative. With noise and distortion of the pro below -90dB, even on the multitone I'd be prepared to bet quite a bit that you couldn't detect the difference in a blind test.

 

[Bernard23]

Maybe, maybe not but vintage flanker's conclusion of the pro was that it was a really poor performer. At some point that will be distinguishable.

 

[antcollinet]

Maybe, maybe not but vintage flanker's conclusion of the pro was that it was a really poor performer. At some point that will be distinguishable.

Generally people vastly overestimate the levels of distortion they can hear.

You can check yourself if you like:

Listening Test

www.klippel.de

 

[JeremyFife]

Streamers with usb out are a bit tricky; Zen Stream, Bluesound Node 130, Raspberry Pi (plus a bit of tinkering) are a few options

Perhaps time for a wholesale rethink, and replace the JDS kit - although there's nothing wrong with it at all

 

[Bernard23]

That's an option. It's a shame because the JDS is great. I've used it with a wide range of headphones including LCD-X to volumes way in excess of sensible.

 

[Bernard23]

Generally people vastly overestimate the levels of distortion they can hear.

You can check yourself if you like:

Listening Test

www.klippel.de

I'll try it, always curious to use these things, but surely the results are influenced by the quality of the hardware you use to test it on!

 

[Bernard23]

Streamers with usb out are a bit tricky; Zen Stream, Bluesound Node 130, Raspberry Pi (plus a bit of tinkering) are a few options

Perhaps time for a wholesale rethink, and replace the JDS kit - although there's nothing wrong with it at all

So I managed to bag a Fosi ZH3 from Ali Express for £112 net delivered to the UK which I'll pair with the Wiim for a semi portable highly capable headphone system. I'll keep the JDS as it powers my desktop monitors for my PC and I'll play around with Peace / Equaliser APO at some point

 

[JeremyFife]

Sounds very sensible, and you'll get plenty of help here on Peace / APO if you ask

 

[antcollinet]

I'll try it, always curious to use these things, but surely the results are influenced by the quality of the hardware you use to test it on!

Not when your gear has distortion down at -100dB - and you can't hear distortion at -50dB

 

[Bernard23]

Not when your gear has distortion down at -100dB - and you can't hear distortion at -50dB

Indeed and the inverse is true. If my gear is distorting at at an audible level then what's the truth. So you need to know something about the hardware before conducting the test.

I tried the klippel test, using rokit monitors I got to -21dB. Just tried again with my phone and crinear daybreaks and achieved -33dB. That's a big difference due to hardware.

 

[antcollinet]

That's a big difference due to hardware.

A big difference due to using IEM's vs speakers. It is well known that headphones/IEMs give a more accurate listening experience, combined with the isolation from environmental noise, obviously you are going to be able to hear distortion at lower levels.

But we are talking here about hearing distortion from electronics. The Wiim Pro that you described as "crap" has distortion down at around -80dB. 47dB lower than you can hear - even with IEMs. That is the Wiim Pro's distortion is 1/220th of that you are able to hear. You will not hear the difference between that, and any other dac up to the most SOTA achieving distortion levels even down at -120dB.