How to bypass av receiver’s internal dac?

[Forty six and two]

a question that has been asked lot of times on different platforms but still no clear answer.

I want to use external streamer/dac wiim pro plus with my denon avr 1913.
My question is how can i bypass denon’s internal dac so that only wiim dac is being used.
or is this even possible?
thank you all for your valuable inputs. Really appreciated.

 

[kyuu]

Perhaps I'm missing something but I believe the only way would be to feed the AVR with an analog signal (so probably RCA) and engage a "Pure Direct" mode or equivalent that bypasses all internal processing. Although at that point I have to ask what's the point of the AVR instead of a simple amplifier? And why are you afraid of the AVR's DAC in the first place? As long as it's more transparent than the amplifier section, which is generally the case, the additional DAC stage is really irrelevant.

 

[Forty six and two]

Perhaps I'm missing something but I believe the only way would be to feed the AVR with an analog signal (so probably RCA) and engage a "Pure Direct" mode or equivalent that bypasses all internal processing. Although at that point I have to ask what's the point of the AVR instead of a simple amplifier? And why are you afraid of the AVR's DAC in the first place? As long as it's more transparent than the amplifier section, which is generally the case, the additional DAC stage is really irrelevant.

Thanks for replying. Used Avr s are easy to find also i can connect my phone directly to steam music or airplay. Most of the integrated amplifiers are expensive.
The reason i want to use external dac is because this external dac has the latest akm chip which i want to use to see if therenis any sound difference overall. I am not looking for any tiny details but overall if it sounds better and also external dac supports MQA.

 

[Doodski]

The reason i want to use external dac is because this external dac has the latest akm chip which i want to use to see if therenis any sound difference overall.

There will not be any change in the sound. They are both clean and clear.

 

[ppataki]

If the AVR has analog inputs (RCA) just connect the external DAC's output to it and that's it, you bypassed the AVR's DAC
Turn on Pure Direct mode (if available)

 

[Forty six and two]

If the AVR has analog inputs (RCA) just connect the external DAC's output to it and that's it, you bypassed the AVR's DAC
Turn on Pure Direct mode (if available)

Thank you

 

[JSmith]

The...

denon avr 1913

... has analog passthrough mode.

https://www.denon.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-denon_europe_shared/default/dwf88abf84/downloads/archived/avr-1913-owners-manual-en.pdf

JSmith

 

[JeffS7444]

IIRC, @Weeb Labs posted about such a project awhile back.

 

[Forty six and two]

IIRC, @Weeb Labs posted about such a project awhile back.

Project?

 

[Doodski]

Project?

Yes @Weeb Labs did some changes to the DAC circuitry that are definitely for advanced experts.

 

[Chrispy]

Some Denon avrs have a set of inputs called "EXT IN" that bypassed processing, but as said direct mode and an analog input is pretty much the same thing. An external dac IMO is a waste of time.

 

[staticV3]

Yes @Weeb Labs did some changes to the DAC circuitry that are definitely for advanced experts.

Not sure how relevant since OP can, and wants to, bypass the DAC circuitry altogether.

 

[Forty six and two]

Some Denon avrs have a set of inputs called "EXT IN" that bypassed processing, but as said direct mode and an analog input is pretty much the same thing. An external dac IMO is a waste of time.

Why is it waste of time? Lot of companies sell them like topping smsl eversolo geshelli etc

 

[JeffS7444]

Project?

Ah, here's the thread in question, but the modification requires some non-trivial skills.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../adding-post-dsp-spdif-outputs-to-avrs.19468/

 

[Chrispy]

Why is it waste of time? Lot of companies sell them like topping smsl eversolo geshelli etc

Because the on-board dacs are fine. Lots of people coming from analog only systems I suppose is partly why we have so many separate dacs as they modernize.

 

[JSmith]

Why is it waste of time?

Is there an issue with the internal DAC? It's fairly likely there is no difference or very minimal difference, unless the DAC is "broken".

The noise and distortion of the amp stage would likely dwarf any noise or distortion from the inbuilt DAC.

wiim pro plus with my denon avr 1913

I assume you want to use the WiiM Pro Plus though for its features etc., so why not get a clean power amp to go with it?


JSmith

 

[Forty six and two]

Is there an issue with the internal DAC? It's fairly likely there is no difference or very minimal difference, unless the DAC is "broken".

The noise and distortion of the amp stage would likely dwarf any noise or distortion from the inbuilt DAC.

I assume you want to use the WiiM Pro Plus though for its features etc., so why not get a clean power amp to go with it?


JSmith

Power amps are super expensive. Any budget recommendations?

 

[NTK]

One of the most useful features of AVR is the room EQ and bass (subwoofer) management function. They rely on DSP to work and obviously require the signals to be either in digital form or A/D converted to digital. Other than the most high-end AV processors, they do not have digital outputs, and use their internal DAC's for analog outputs.

Why would you want to waste such a useful feature?

 

[Forty six and two]

One of the most useful features of AVR is the room EQ and bass (subwoofer) management function. They rely on DSP to work and obviously require the signals to be either in digital form or A/D converted to digital. Other than the most high-end AV processors, they do not have digital outputs, and use their internal DAC's for analog outputs.

Why would you want to waste such a useful feature?

I use the receiver mostly for 2 channel stereo and in direct mode. Other sound modes are too dynamic for my listening taste. So i already listen to music in direct mode which i think shuts off any EQ or other settings like audyssey

 

[JSmith]

One of the most useful features of AVR is the room EQ and bass (subwoofer) management function.

For sure, however does the OP have a sub? That wasn't made clear, @Forty six and two.

WiiM Pro Plus has PEQ functions.

Power amps are super expensive.

Not necessarily.

Any budget recommendations?

How much peak power do you need?


JSmith