Streamer for KEF LS50 Wireless (Gen 1)

[pbc]

Not sure if this is the right section...just picked up some used KEF LS50 Wireless speakers and have them paired with an old SVS SB13-Ultra sub for a simple 2 channel setup. Currently not using a streamer, and admittedly the legacy KEF Stream app is, well, not great (occasional dropouts, latency issues, etc). I use TIDAL for music streaming.

Thinking about adding a dedicated streamer, and the WiiM line in particular. But wondering if it's "worth it" to get something like the Ultra vs say the basic WiiM Mini. Putting aside cost, is there anything I should be considering as it relates to connections and DAC's. I.e., The Ultra has a better DAC from what I've read vs the Mini, but would I just end up dealing with duplicative ADC conversions etc?

I understand from resesarch that the LS50 has 4 DACs in total, and are supposed to be Wolfson WM8740E. The ADC on the Aux is a Wolfson as well. Believe the DAC is always in use regardless of input?

Also, would I be constantly dealing with multiple volume controls in this scenario (the remote for the KEF + the volume controls for the WiiM devices)?

Does what I'm asking even make sense!?

 

[staticV3]

With the Ultra, you could connect to the KEF via SPDIF (avoiding double conversions) and to the SVS via RCA Sub out, then use the WiiM for room correction and subwoofer integration.

In that scenario, you'd have to configure the KEF and SVS volume once, then leave them where they are and from then on only use the WiiM volume control.

 

[pbc]

With the Ultra, you could connect to the KEF via SPDIF (avoiding double conversions) and to the SVS via RCA Sub out, then use the WiiM for room correction and subwoofer integration.

In that scenario, you'd have to configure the KEF and SVS volume once, then leave them where they are and from then on only use the WiiM volume control.

Is the SPDIF the optical out on the Ultra? Seems to have both a toslink and a coaxial.

Would that still involve using "both" DACs within the Ultra and KEF, but one ADC?

 

[staticV3]

Is the SPDIF the optical out on the Ultra? Seems to have both a toslink and a coaxial.

Toslink out, yes.

Would that still involve using "both" DACs within the Ultra and KEF, but one ADC?

WiiM DAC would not be used for the KEF since Toslink isn't analog, ditto for the KEF ADC.

WiiM DAC would only be used for the SVS

The SVS ADC would be in play as well to enable the latter's DSP functions.

 

[kyuu]

Curious, the LS50 Wireless doesn't act as an endpoint for Tidal Connect? You have to use the KEF app?

Also, are you using wifi or do you have a wired network connection for the LS50s?

With regards to the Wiim devices, I would get either the Pro or Pro Plus unless you like the idea of having the screen on the Ultra (or cost is no object to you). The differences between the DACs are irrelevant if you're using a digital out (and aren't audible anyways even if they were in play).

 

[pbc]

Curious, the LS50 Wireless doesn't act as an endpoint for Tidal Connect? You have to use the KEF app?

Also, are you using wifi or do you have a wired network connection for the LS50s?

With regards to the Wiim devices, I would get either the Pro or Pro Plus unless you like the idea of having the screen on the Ultra (or cost is no object to you). The differences between the DACs are irrelevant if you're using a digital out (and aren't audible anyways even if they were in play).

Correct, Tidal Connect doesn't work so I'm using the KEF app for Tidal.

LAN cable connecting the left and right speakers, wifi to connect to network.

Will look up the Pro vs Pro Plus, though admittedly, the screen is pretty cool.

 

[pbc]

The Ultra seems to be the only one with a subwoofer out? Or would I just use the Sub-out from the LS50w?

 

[staticV3]

Will look up the Pro vs Pro Plus, though admittedly, the screen is pretty cool.

From what I can tell, the sub integration features built into the SB13-Ultra and LS50W can effectively replace those built into the WiiM Ultra.

If true, then the Ultra would offer no advantage in sound quality compared to the Pro or arguably even the Mini.

The Ultra seems to be the only one with a subwoofer out? Or would I just use the Sub-out from the LS50w?

Both would work.

 

[kyuu]

The Ultra seems to be the only one with a subwoofer out? Or would I just use the Sub-out from the LS50w?

That is one reason to use the Ultra, bass management. But if that's built-in to the LS50W, you can just use that no problem as well. If you use the Ultra for bass management, then you would have to use the Ultra for volume control. If you use the LS50W's bass management, you could do your volume control either way.

 

[pbc]

So the WiiM products all alow you to fix the volume to a specific level? I.e., if I went with the WiiM Mini, I could leave it at a specific volume (full...unless there is an audible gain issue), and then just use the remote on the LS50w for adjusting volume? Or would I constantly be fiddling with the WiiM app volume control and then the LS 50 remote?

 

[staticV3]

if I went with the WiiM Mini, I could leave it at a specific volume (full...unless there is an audible gain issue), and then just use the remote on the LS50w for adjusting volume?

Correct.

 

[Doublej]

One needs the KEF LS50 Wireless II to get Tidal Connect support in the KEFs.

I would not buy a WiiM Mini. The WiiM Mini is likely a fine device but due to hardware limitations not all of the WiiM features are available on the Mini. If you decided to use the LS50 subwoofer output instead of the WiiM subwoofer output, then a WiiM Pro may suffice.