Help choosing a DAC/Preamp

[just1n]

Hey community,

I currently have Neumann KH120A, WiiM Pro, and SMSL C200 and recently purchased a guitar modeler (Quad Cortex Neural DSP). I want to be able to play everything through my monitors without a computer. The modeler only has balanced and USB. The USB is not compatible with the C200 USB input. I tried using balance-to-RCA to connect with the WiiM Pro, but latency with the WiiMs ADC make it unusable. I’m feeling the itch to make some changes because the AirPlay 2 function on the WiiM no longer works. I’ve ordered a WiiM mini to bring back Airplay 2. Hopefully that works and I know WiiM was the problem. Optical inputs are nearly universal with DACs so it can be used in the future.

I’ve been searching for a solution, but most DACs do not have line-in. The closest device I have found with optical/coaxial inputs AND balanced/unbalanced inputs is the Minidsp Flex. I, of course, lose the headphone output for silent playing.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[JeremyFife]

Slightly out of my area of knowledge but your Neumanns have a digital input i.e. they digitise anyway to use their internal DAC and DSP. You don't need a DAC.
Where I'm slightly lost, and where others may help, is in knowing whether you can use a simple digital switch (Quad Cortex and WiiM into the switch, one SPDIF output to the speakers.
What is also worth trying though is Quad Cortext USB => USB/SPDIF converter => WiiM => SPDIF => speakers

Those are cheap options, have a go

 

[just1n]

Thanks for the response, but they are K120A so no digital input. Editing the original post now.

Thank you for responding so quickly though. This forum is awesome like that.

 

[Robin L]

Hey community,

I currently have Neumann KH120A, WiiM Pro, and SMSL C200 and recently purchased a guitar modeler (Quad Cortex Neural DSP). I want to be able to play everything through my monitors without a computer. The modeler only has balanced and USB. The USB is not compatible with the C200 USB input. I tried using balance-to-RCA to connect with the WiiM Pro, but latency with the WiiMs ADC make it unusable. I’m feeling the itch to make some changes because the AirPlay 2 function on the WiiM no longer works. I’ve ordered a WiiM mini to bring back Airplay 2. Hopefully that works and I know WiiM was the problem. Optical inputs are nearly universal with DACs so it can be used in the future.

I’ve been searching for a solution, but most DACs do not have line-in. The closest device I have found with optical/coaxial inputs AND balanced/unbalanced inputs is the Minidsp Flex. I, of course, lose the headphone output for silent playing.

Anyone have any suggestions?

You should use the forum's search (upper right hand corner). I entered "DAC review", titles only and included "Amirm" as the author. Include the name of the company in the first box. I found one that performs great but doesn't have analog in.

Topping DX7 Pro+ Review (DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of Topping DX7 Pro+. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $699. As you see, the DX7 Pro+ sports the newer look of some Topping products. I did not care for it much before but it is growing on me. :) Three different headphone...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[just1n]

You should use the forum's search (upper right hand corner). I entered "DAC review", titles only and included "Amirm" as the author. Include the name of the company in the first box. I found one that performs great but doesn't have analog in.

Topping DX7 Pro+ Review (DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of Topping DX7 Pro+. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $699. As you see, the DX7 Pro+ sports the newer look of some Topping products. I did not care for it much before but it is growing on me. :) Three different headphone...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thank you, but I had used the search function but the analog/line-in/RCA input part wasn’t coming up with much. I used Google as well for searching the site.

Edit: there are lots of reviews on here but no easy way for access them quickly on any forum. The number of caveats for my use case have made it a challenge to find the right device.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Anyone have any suggestions?

Buy a mixer.

 

[Robin L]

Buy a mixer.

^This^