WiiM Ultra... Am I missing something?

[elshaddai]

I tried a similar Cubilux USB-C to Optical adapter and heard consistent dropouts/clicks when connected to both my MacBook Pro and Lenovo PC. Returned that and ordered the SMSL PO100 (2024 edition) off eBay before it was listed on Amazon. Received it in about a week and it has worked flawlessly. It's only been 3-4 weeks, so hard to say what long-term quality will be, but I'm happy to endorse that solution for now as a way to get optical from a computer with only USB.

Still haven't decided on the Ultra - may just wait for a MKII and see what they clean up. But at least I have a solution for connecting my PC (assuming they don't add USB input lol),

 

[Dennis_FL]

In what way was it "bad"?

Cubilux -- Horrible sound...clicks and pops. SMSL - Great, no issues.

 

[antcollinet]

And I still wonder why the HDMI in - that is supposed to only be to get sounds from a TV - not will accept sounds from my notebook, or my receiver? Have anyone tested that?

It is ARC (Audio Return Channel) rather than HDMI.

So it uses the HDMI channel that is coming from the TV back to an audio amp (typically used by a sound bar or AVR). Where the HDMI on your laptop is using the channel for sending TO the TV. Separate wires in the connector.

You could use an HDMI to Toslink adapter - but that will not be a better solution than USB to Toslink - except it frees up a USB Port.

 

[antcollinet]

Cubilux -- Horrible sound...clicks and pops. SMSL - Great, no issues.

So actually faulty then. Fair enough.

 

[staticV3]

I tried a similar Cubilux USB-C to Optical adapter and heard consistent dropouts/clicks when connected to both my MacBook Pro and Lenovo PC. Returned that and ordered the SMSL PO100 (2024 edition) off eBay before it was listed on Amazon. Received it in about a week and it has worked flawlessly. It's only been 3-4 weeks, so hard to say what long-term quality will be, but I'm happy to endorse that solution for now as a way to get optical from a computer with only USB.

View attachment 415698

Still haven't decided on the Ultra - may just wait for a MKII and see what they clean up. But at least I have a solution for connecting my PC (assuming they don't add USB input lol),

Are you able to control volume via the default macOS volume control (e.g the volume up/down keyboard buttons)?

Also, if you don't mind, could you open the Midi control panel, select the PO100, and send a screenshot of the available controls? Tyvm!

 

[elshaddai]

Are you able to control volume via the default macOS volume control (e.g the volume up/down keyboard buttons)?

Also, if you don't mind, could you open the Midi control panel, select the PO100, and send a screenshot of the available controls? Tyvm!

Yes, volume level is controllable with the volume up/down buttons on my MBP.

I assume this is what you're looking for? The "Format" dropdown allows selection up to "2 ch 32-bit integer" for 768.0 kHz.

 

[staticV3]

Yes, volume level is controllable with the volume up/down buttons on my MBP.

I assume this is what you're looking for? The "Format" dropdown allows selection up to "2 ch 32-bit integer" for 768.0 kHz.

View attachment 415724

Nice, thanks a bunch!

 

[elshaddai]

Nice, thanks a bunch!

Here's a photo I'd taken of the packaging specs and can confirm that when I switch the Mac from 44.1 to 192 the indicator light on the PO100 switches from green (not blue as printed) to red.

 

[VanTechMag]

But the solution with SMSL PO100 work only FROM my notebook and to Ultra... And I need to also to get music in to my Notebook, sometimes... And I have "only" 3.5mm headphone out (at a bad location) LAN, 3 usbA, usbC and HDMI...

And I don't even know if my notebook can recieve music trough HDMI or USB (??) that is something I been wondering about for many years... I could naturally visit the city and ask in a computer shop, but I was hoping to find that out "by the way" on internet!

Somtimes is there like companies and people assume you know everything, since you was born and if you don't have anyone near to ask, is it sometimes impossible to find basic info...

Okay, I have a 15 years old Sound Blaster THX true studio pro SB 1095 connected trough usbA with both 3.5mm in and RCA out, plus 3.5mm mic in and spdif out - But it sometimes refuse to work, so it may be good to replace that old machine with WiiM Ultra...

So is there any really fine adapter that work both ways, as the possible rotten Cubilux UCSTR-B3 with in & out 24/192kHz... Yes, other adapters from Cubilux work very bad (according to several forum members above) so it might be best to avoid Cubilux!

And can I not use the LAN to receive music? I guess I can "see" WiiM ultra and what it play, in my notebook??

Very complicated this... Would be smarter with a "multi" usb port on Ultra!

 

[antcollinet]

But the solution with SMSL PO100 work only FROM my notebook and to Ultra... And I need to also to get music in to my Notebook, sometimes... And I have "only" 3.5mm headphone out (at a bad location) LAN, 3 usbA, usbC and HDMI...

And I don't know for example if my notebook can recieve music trough HDMI or USB (??) that is something I been searching information about for many many hours... Somtimes is there like companies and people assume you know everything, since you was born and if you don't have anyone near to ask, is it sometimes impossible to find basic info...

Okay, I have a 15 years old Sound Blaster THX true studio pro SB 1095 connected trough usbA with both 3.5mm in and RCA out, plus 3.5mm mic in and spdif out - But it sometimes refuse to work, so it may be good to replace that old machine with WiiM Ultra...

So is there any really fine adapter that work both ways, as the possible rotten Cubilux UCSTR-B3 with in & out 24/192kHz... Yes, other adapters from Cubilux work very bad (according to several forum members above) so it might be best to avoid Cubilux!

And can I not use the LAN to receive music? I guess I can "see" WiiM ultra and what it play, in my notebook??

Very complicated this... Would be smarter with a "multi" usb port on Ultra!

You can either try one of the cheap Toslink input devices, and see how it goes. Or you can go up market, and get one of the audio interfaces with Toslink in. The Focusrite 16i16 can do it.

 

[Abstracted]

I've been using the Cubilux (UAO-B2) SPDIF convertor. Wiim Amp Pro is reporting an LPCM stream at 16-bit. Anyone know how to force 24 bit?
Even if I change it to 24 bit in Windows Sound>>Properties>>Output>>Format, it remains 16 bit.

 

[Grovkalle]

I have the Wiim Ultra hooked up to a SMSL Raw Dac1 using a SMSL PO100 Pro and I can't explain scientifically how and why but
this combo sounds really nice. Not sure if it is imagination but using the PO100 Pro into the SMSL Raw sound better then going USB straight
from the Ultra to the SMSL Raw.

 

[antcollinet]

I have the Wiim Ultra hooked up to a SMSL Raw Dac1 using a SMSL PO100 Pro and I can't explain scientifically how and why but
this combo sounds really nice. Not sure if it is imagination but using the PO100 Pro into the SMSL Raw sound better then going USB straight
from the Ultra to the SMSL Raw.

(my bold)

Perceptive bias is the only rational explanation.