WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[Mort]

what happens to the optical input now? can you fix it?

So far no, but hopefully it's just a piece of plastic or something...

 

[gasolin75]

SMSL PO100 2024 USB

S.M.S.L PO100, PO100 PRO & PO100 AK - Measurements (Digital Interfaces & DAC)

S.M.S.L PO100, PO100 PRO & PO100 AK Measurements Hey folks, It is time for my very last review of the year. A very special one, as there are three products to be measured today ! S.M.S.L released earlier this year the PO100, a tiny and fairly cheap USB to S/PDIF interface. Later in 2022...

www.audiosciencereview.com

SMSL PO100 2024 USB Interface Black

SMSL unveils its PO100 2024, a digital interface USB to SPDIF coaxial / optical Toslink. This is based on an XMOS XU316 interface and a CK-02 clock circuit, it supports up to PCM 24bit 192kHz and DSD DoP64. The PO100 2024 can also decode MQA.

www.audiophonics.fr

Is it for your pc or a digital device like a cdplayer ?

 

[Mort]

what happens to the optical input now? can you fix it?

I fixed it. The plastic shutter had become lodged in the socket. Had to pry it out. Toslink cord isn't quite as stable as it should be but it works.

 

[pat355]

I fixed it. The plastic shutter had become lodged in the socket. Had to pry it out. Toslink cord isn't quite as stable as it should be but it works.

Very cool! Now you can apply to become a surgeon.

 

[Rit]

Question,
I would like try sending the WiiM digital output into an outboard DAC, then return using the rca connection back to the WiiM to feed my amplifier.
1. Is the WiiM dac bypassed?
2. Is USB my best option?
3. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Mort]

Question,
I would like try sending the WiiM digital output into an outboard DAC, then return using the rca connection back to the WiiM to feed my amplifier.
1. Is the WiiM dac bypassed?
2. Is USB my best option?
3. Any thoughts on this?

doesn't work. it's an endless loop. You can't have two outputs, which is what this scenario requires.

 

[Rit]

doesn't work. it's an endless loop. You can't have two outputs, which is what this

doesn't work. it's an endless loop. You can't have two outputs, which is what this scenario requires.

is this because the WiiM rca input routes everything to its internal dac?

 

[Rit]

doesn't work. it's an endless loop. You can't have two outputs, which is what this scenario requires.

Is it because the WiiM RCA input sends everything to its internal dac?

 

[Mort]

Is it because the WiiM RCA input sends everything to its internal dac?

No, it's just that only one output and one input can be chosen at a time. Your flow requires two outputs.

Output Digital -> Outboard DAC -> Input RCA -> Output What?

You can't have two outputs in the chain.

 

[Miguelón]

Question,
I would like try sending the WiiM digital output into an outboard DAC, then return using the rca connection back to the WiiM to feed my amplifier.
1. Is the WiiM dac bypassed?
2. Is USB my best option?
3. Any thoughts on this?

Question, just by curiosity (It won't work): what is the purpose of that loop?

Even if WiiM Ultra was suited for 2 outputs (digital and RCA), why doing so?

 

[JeremyFife]

Step back for a minute:
#1 The WiiM digitises analogue input, so feeding it from any DAC is pointless
#2 The DAC in the WiiM is audibly transparent, there's no benefit from using another DAC downstream.

What are you trying to achieve?

 

[Rit]

Step back for a minute:
#1 The WiiM digitises analogue input, so feeding it from any DAC is pointless
#2 The DAC in the WiiM is audibly transparent, there's no benefit from using another DAC downstream.

What are you trying to achieve?

Experimentation.

 

[Rit]

Step back for a minute:
#1 The WiiM digitises analogue input, so feeding it from any DAC is pointless
#2 The DAC in the WiiM is audibly transparent, there's no benefit from using another DAC downstream.

What are you trying to achieve?

Just wanted try different dac but continue using the WiiM as the preamp.

 

[Rit]

No, it's just that only one output and one input can be chosen at a time. Your flow requires two outputs.

Output Digital -> Outboard DAC -> Input RCA -> Output What?

You can't have two outputs in the chain.

Wanted to continue use of the WiiM as preamp.

 

[JeremyFife]

Just wanted try different dac but continue using the WiiM as the preamp.

Ok ... source -> wiim -> digital -> DAC -> amp

WiiM as digital preamp (room correction, volume), external DAC as the DAC

Will not sound better (it cannot, see measurements) but perhaps you get different features, like balanced output?

Fair enough if you want to experiment ... but having a goal is a good idea

 

[GGroch]

Fair enough if you want to experiment ... but having a goal is a good idea

Looks like the perfect experimental setup for confirming the power of cognitive bias **

** Perhaps "Predictive Processing" is less pejorative, no one likes being called biased. In any case, it probably will sound better or worse while being objectively the same.

 

[Rit]

Looks like the perfect experimental setup for confirming the power of cognitive bias **

** Perhaps "Predictive Processing" is less pejorative, no one likes being called biased. In any case, it probably will sound better or worse while being objectively the same.

I don’t know what your getting at but bless your heart!

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

The dogma never ends.

 

[antcollinet]

The dogma never ends.

That sort of depends on what you are referring to as dogma

 

[Miguelón]

Ok ... source -> wiim -> digital -> DAC -> amp

WiiM as digital preamp (room correction, volume), external DAC as the DAC

Excuse me, but this is not exactly what @Rit mentioned: he specified the returning of the external DAC output to the WiiM input...

Perhaps a mistake in the redaction?

I personally tried WiiM => usb C => Ifi Zen DAC => XLR balanced => monitors.

It worked as expected, RC, PEQ... actual software It allows to use sub ouptut separately, the first versions didn't.

I couldn't disthinguish any difference (just in case I had EM interference or ground loops), so I returned to RCA outputs without external DAC by simplicity.