Searching for a digital preamp with multiple digital inputs and outputs.

[GratefulDAC]

Before getting serious about my office pc sound, I just ran everything through my Mackie mixer and into an amp or powered speaker. I loved the ability to play multiple sources at once and never really having to switch inputs. I then switched to running everything into my Yamaha receiver and then to some speakers. While I really missed the flexibility of having all inputs always available, I do not think there is a way to do this digitally with all the different clock sources, which is a bummer but understandable. The best solution would be to have everything going through its own converter and then into a high end audio mixer but that would be too many components and it would be costly as well.

I always realized that I was degrading the sound but when I got a Wiim Ultra I really heard the difference, even using consumer components elsewhere in the chain. I was surprised at how good my little system could sound. Unfortunately, the Wiim is very limited with digital inputs. I need to connect the digital inputs of my two computers and my shield. The shield is not that important when it comes to quality, and the secondary computer is also not that critical so I thought I would use the HDMI for one computer and the in for the shield. Unfortunately, the HDMI on the Ultra is not a regular audio through HDMI, and only works with TVs, so it would work with the shield but not my PC HDMI output. I could just run my PC through the audio inputs but I have always had issues with noise on cable runs from the pc to the receiver. There is a lot on EM signals at the back of the computer, which is why I would prefer to go digital to the preamp. It also irks me to have to convert the signal at least twice (from the pc and input the Wiim), even though the DAC of the Wiim is acceptable. Preferably I would keep everything digital until the amplification section, whether it be a powered speaker with a digital/usb input (or both, ideally, though USB may be more important) or an amp/speaker with a high quality audio input that DOES NOT covert the signal once again for processing. If the wiim had another digital input in would work, but it does not. I am wondering if there are any other options out there. Maybe the ultra is the best bet, and maybe I am being too anal about the cound of the secondary computer which is basically a server. I would just be sampling audio from movies, viewing some Youtube, may listening to some music non-critically. I have just started using my main computer for critical listening. That is the most important. But I would rather have everything be high quality, if possible. I eventually will get either a Kali (LP-UNF), Neumann (KH80 or 120 with sub) or Genelec (8030c or a) powered speaker this summer to complete the system.

Ideally the unit would have at least:
Input: 2 digital optical and 1 digital that can be optical/spdif (RCA)/HDMI audio or a high quality ADC audio input.
Output: 1 digital optical, 1 USB and, optionally, a high quality audio output.
I would love to discover that there is a mixer that can do this but my reading on this forum tells me there is not.

Any suggestions?

 

[DVDdoug]

If you want to use the mixer you may need an extra DAC (or two) to convert the digital to analog. (It's going to be analog eventually).

There is a lot on EM signals at the back of the computer, which is why I would prefer to go digital to the preamp.

Are actually hearing noise? I had that problem with a computer ONCE. I was getting noise in the speakers when the hard drive was accessed. (It's a more common problem n when recording through the mic input on a soundcard because the mic preamp amplifies any noise... But regular soundcards aren't compatible with "pro" stage-studio mics anyway.)

It also irks me to have to convert the signal at least twice

Ideally you'd like to avoid it but it's not likely to cause audible degradation and sometimes it's necessary or simply more convenient.

I always realized that I was degrading the sound but when I got a Wiim Ultra I really heard the difference, even using consumer components elsewhere in the chain.

There's no reason for it to sound different except for EQ. Most electronics don't have "sound" unless you get audible noise (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) or if you overdrive an amplifier (or something) into clipping/distortion.

 

[unpluggged]

Any suggestions?

Yes. Use the search mechanism:

Search results for query: digital preamp

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[somebodyelse]

Add a digital switch before the Wiim? This one has been recommended by owners in other threads and does automatic switching based on input priority. I've suggested elsewhere that Wiim really ought to make a stacking input expander that integrates into their streamers' controls if connected. Maybe one day...

 

[GratefulDAC]

Are actually hearing noise? I had that problem with a computer ONCE. ...There's no reason for it to sound different except for EQ. Most electronics don't have "sound" unless you get audible noise (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) or if you overdrive an amplifier (or something) into clipping/distortion.

Yes, I hear noise from the audio outputs of the computer and the electronics currently being used are affecting the sound negatively. The difference using the Ultra was evidence of this.
[/QUOTE]

Add a digital switch before the Wiim? This one has been recommended by owners in other threads and does automatic switching based on input priority. I've suggested elsewhere that Wiim really ought to make a stacking input expander that integrates into their streamers' controls if connected. Maybe one day...

Interesting...Thank you for your suggestion! This seems like an option. I wonder if it has been reviewed. I will check. I do wish it had a selector along with automatic detection, but it still may work.

Yes. Use the search mechanism:

Search results for query: digital preamp

www.audiosciencereview.com

Condescend or assume much? I did and I did not find much. Your search has three results from last year, none of which address my issues. For giggles I looked at some of your other results and NONE gave me anything to go on. So, what would I do? Post this thread. Please do not perpetuate the stigma of this forum being toxic. If you cannot be helpful, don't respond.

 

[EERecordist]

We like ASR very peaceful and quiet.

Have you looked into Dante and other digital audio over Ethernet? You can run virtual sound cards on Windows. Unfortunately the Nvidia shield does not have that, but there are analog to Dante dongles. Then you can run as many inputs as you need into a Dante mixing console which would have the analog outs to your speaker amplifiers, or you could use digital speakers.

 

[Keith_W]

I would love to discover that there is a mixer that can do this but my reading on this forum tells me there is not.

Unfortunately you are right. There is no device I am aware of that can do this. I am looking for such a device myself! I started a similar thread a few years ago, and so far there is nothing. Whilst it is possible to accomplish what I need to do with my interface + a whole bunch of add-ons, it is inconvenient and requires diving into the settings every time I want to change inputs. It is difficult enough that my wife would find it impossible.

 

[somebodyelse]

Interesting...Thank you for your suggestion! This seems like an option. I wonder if it has been reviewed. I will check. I do wish it had a selector along with automatic detection, but it still may work.

Use the forum search for the URL to see previous recommendations here. It was tested by RME in one of their forum threads - posts as @MC_RME here I think:

All I can say is: Highly recommended! Now the only thing missing is another version with remote control...

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?pid=149763#p149763