WiiM Ultra with 2 FOSI V3 MONO or an AB amplifier ?

[avchd]

Is there a phono amplifier that can be connected to the Wii Ultra's USB input, but is it really good quality?

 

[avchd]

What do you think of the quality of the amplifier of the wiim ampl ultra version??

 

[john61ct]

Is there a phono amplifier that can be connected to the Wii Ultra's USB input, but is it really good quality?

Wiim Ultra has no USB audio input, only output.

Reading off storage, like a thumb drive is different.

Its included phono input is hard to beat.

 

[john61ct]

What do you think of the quality of the amplifier of the wiim ampl ultra version??

It's a great TPA3255 implementation but for the streamer / preamp side, a non-Amp Ultra is better

 

[avchd]

It's a great TPA3255 implementation but for the streamer / preamp side, a non-Amp Ultra is better

In fact, I am using the Wiim Ultra connected only in analogue mode to the RCA line inputs of my Rega amplifier and, alternatively, the Mission Cyrus One Issue 06 if I can fix it because of the distorted nasal audio.

If you listen to hi-fi retailers in Italy, they all say to use the Wiim Ultra for transport and connect it to a better external DAC, but I've never been convinced by this. I think it's just a sales pitch for commercial purposes. I find it hard to believe that an external DAC could improve the sound enough to justify the expense.

Then it turns out that the improvements are only at an instrumental level for nerdy users.

 

[john61ct]

In fact, I am using the Wiim Ultra connected only in analogue mode to the RCA line inputs of my Rega amplifier

Nothing wrong with that, whatever amp input gets its best performance, matters not to the Wiim.

> If you listen to hi-fi retailers in Italy

Don't do that

> they all say to use the Wiim Ultra for transport and connect it to a better external DAC

pure bollocks, except maybe to get a better HPamp.

> Then it turns out that the improvements are only at an instrumental level for nerdy users.

If any. Called inaudible, waste of money.

 

[avchd]

Nothing wrong with that, whatever amp input gets its best poerformance, matters not to the Wiim.

> If you listen to hi-fi retailers in Italy

Don't do that

> they all say to use the Wiim Ultra for transport and connect it to a better external DAC

pure bollocks, except maybe to get a better HPamp.

> Then it turns out that the improvements are only at an instrumental level for nerdy users.

If any. Called inaudible, waste of money.

Hi friend, you're absolutely right about everything.
Then there are other users who are heavily influenced by sellers or those who have spent a lot of money, and so, having spent that money, they convince themselves that their system, in this case the DAC, is superior, when in fact, in a blind listening test, none of them would be able to tell which DAC is working, whether it's a Wiim Ultra or another much more expensive one.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you V.b. I will follow your recommendations now that I decided on WiiM Ultra without an amp for more flexibility.

 

[Ruediger]

In your budget you might look at Yamaha A-S300 to A-S701 amps. The 1 in the end are the newer models with digital in. Would not use that at all with the superior dac in the WiiM, just analogue in and pure direct on. So the previous generation is fine and preferred by many.

They are available used and 500 € should get you somewhere. Look at the specs which model you need.

Got a A-S301 myself. It's just 130 € used nowadays, so I keep it. These are good amps that do the job for a small budget. Classic stereo appliance chassis.

Under 500 € the hottest pick is the 3e a5 or a7 for me. Or look for offers on the WiiM Vibelink, a perfect looking pair with the Ultra. The a7 has more power though and costs roughly the same.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you.
I was going to go with the 3E A7, seems like a good deal at audiophonics.

Later on I will try out a tube amp.

The yamaha A-S701 looks more like an amp for multimedia than for pure music.

 

[Ruediger]

It takes more sources, but can be a simple stereo amp with pure analogue pathway.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

so the sound would be different than with a 3E A7 ?

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

and you mean the yamaha with the WiiM ultra or to replace the wiim ultra ?

 

[renoxd]

The Fosi V3 Mono should be very clean and free of distortion, right? That’s at least what the measurements and graphs on this forum suggest. However, when I listen at higher volumes, even though my speakers are quite easy to drive (92 dB), the sound becomes fatiguing. All the “S” sounds and dense electronic music elements start to irritate my ears after a moment.

When I connected a Purifi amplifier for comparison, this issue didn’t occur. I could listen at very high volumes and there was no such effect.

The graphs indicate that nothing should be audible in either the Fosi V3 Mono or the Purifi amplifiers, but in practice, the difference is clearly noticeable.

Answering the OP’s question, it depends on your other gear (loudspeakers). In some cases, even cheaper Class D amplifiers like fosi v3 mono are perfectly fine, while in others, listening fatigue may occur.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

yes I heard about these problems with the Fosi and yes I also think that you cannot boil everything down to graphs on the pc, we also have ears !

I was going to buy the 3E A7 but actually Audiophonics with whom I discussed quite a bit tells that more and more people abandon the D class for AB because feeling tired of the D sound.

However I saw a blind test between the A AB and D and there were no D sound in that test BUT BUT, those were all very expensive amplifiers, not to compare with I think when you pay under 500 euros/dollars.

I am still going to buy the WiiM Ultra for streaming I think but perhaps I should think about what amplifier to get ?

The Purifi ? Looks as if it is only available in diy kit ?

 

[renoxd]

I also have Wiim Ultra and I believe this is a great choice.

There are a lot of options with Purifi, you can also go for Hypex. But maybe you don't have to go that way.

With my Heco 700 speakers, Fosi v3 synergy was perfect. You just need to check it in your enviroement

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Purifi and Hypex are both DIY amps, aren't they ?

 

[renoxd]

Check Nord Acoustics, Apollon Audio, Audiophnics companies with Purifi / Hypex modules.

Remember that the mentioned amps will be very linear - you will not find there any 'additionall emotions' in sound. The same will be with Fosi v3 mono.

AB amps, especially not the expensive ones are adding often some distortion that can be pleasant to hear. With AB integrated amps you will also have a preamp that often change the tonality a bit - it can be also a good direction - depends on the preferences.

There is no good or bad way to go. You just need to find your way

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

thank you, but my question, these are all DIY amps, aren't they not ?
I do not think I am able to do this....DIY amps

 

[renoxd]

The companies I mentioned are not DIY. They are ready to use