Adam Audio D3V

[khuntim]

https://www.adam-audio.com/en/desktop/d3v/

Going to hear these today, I have a small REL sub (Tzero MKIII) that I may try to integrate. Listening distance is 1.8m.

my question is will the Ultra be able to control the volume to USB 1.1 input? 16bit with USB / 48khz

I can try the analog inputs, they are 1/4" TRS (Balanced?) not sure about converting to RCA.

 

[Burnside]

The Ultra should be able to vary the volume over the usb connection, but I’d also try the analog connection as I’d guess the Ultra’s DAC would be better than the speakers’ DAC.

 

[khuntim]

I got to hear them today and they are great. of course not for a large room. 2m listening is fine.

I would try both ways, most likely use the Ultra line-out.

Ultra streaming Tidal, line-out into the Vibelink amp with the KEF Q3 Meta, such a nice listen!

Hopefully find some 1/4" to RCA cables, these plugs look deeper than the speaker! maybe an adapter, not sure yet.

 

[harkpabst]

The Ultra should be able to vary the volume over the usb connection, but I’d also try the analog connection as I’d guess the Ultra’s DAC would be better than the speakers’ DAC.

The specs contain some vague information about a "24-bit ADC", so that probably would only make matters worse, as the signal would go through the Ultra's DAC, the D3V's ADC and finally through the D3V's DAC anyway. The result might still be transparent, I won't try to judge from afar.

At least, the TRS inputs seem the be good match to the maximum output voltage of the WiiM Ultra (2 Vrms). The maximum input voltage is specified as +9 dBu = 2.18 Vrms (even if this appears low for a balanced input).

 

[khuntim]

Thanks for this!

They sound great using the TRS inputs, any regular TRS to RCA adapter is fine? confused going from balanced to SE on Ultra.

 

[jed1]

You can use RCA to TS cable. It is OK to plug TS to TRS.

Dual 1/4 in TS to Dual RCA - Stereo Interconnect | Hosa Cables

Find Hosa Stereo Interconnects near you. We supply stereo interconnects with Dual 1/4 in TS to Dual RCA connectors perfect for connecting a variety of equipment.

hosatech.com

If you make your own, #18 configuration in the following would be appropriate;

Sound System Interconnection

RaneNote 110 explains the cause and prevention of ground loops and how to interface balanced and unbalanced gear with proper connections and wiring.

www.ranecommercial.com

 

[harkpabst]

@khuntim, If you can make your own cable, it's definitely advisable to do so, following the instructions in the note @jed1 linked to.

Most commercially produced cables won't follow this superior wiring scheme.

 

[khuntim]

This is great, the shop recommended a custom cable place, I'll see about the RCA to TRS (#18) cable.

 

[slartibartfast]

This is great, the shop recommended a custom cable place, I'll see about the RCA to TRS (#18) cable.

Amazon sell RCA to TS cables

 

[harkpabst]

Amazon sell RCA to TS cables

But you have no inside into the internal wiring. I wouldn't trust any of them.

 

[slartibartfast]

But you have no inside into the internal wiring. I wouldn't trust any of them.

Mine work fine connected to a Focusrite audio interface

 

[harkpabst]

Mine work fine connected to a Focusrite audio interface

Admittedly, it's not a matter of working or not. It's "just" a matter of getting the best shielding to minimise interferences. Why throw away an advantage if all it takes is a properly made cable?

 

[khuntim]

The custom cable shop only had one cable that made sense, thin Belden and very stiff.

all the music shops have TRS to TRS - have the cable shop replace one end with RCA?

 

[harkpabst]

all the music shops have TRS to TRS - have the cable shop replace one end with RCA?

If the cable used is a proper one for balanced connections (two wires plus an independent shielding) and it is wired correctly (R and S not connected) this is easily doable. This can be easily measured.

All they have to do is making sure is to not connect the shielding to the RCA signal ground.

 

[khuntim]

If the cable used is a proper one for balanced connections (two wires plus an independent shielding) and it is wired correctly (R and S not connected) this is easily doable. This can be easily measured.

All they have to do is making sure is to not connect the shielding to the RCA signal ground., and hard to know the wiring integrity of a store bought cable I guess.

Cable shop could probably measure the cables, I would have to purchase and bring to him.

having the shop make them makes more sense, not liking the stiff Belden cable.

 

[jed1]

If you don't mind soldering, you can buy the following TRS cable and cut it half to make a pair of 5-ft cables for example;

https://www.amazon.com/10-Foot-2xShielded-coverage-Balanced/dp/B014H2VA9G

And, solder the following RCA connectors to the end of each cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Neutrik-Rean-NYS373-9-Phono-Black/dp/B07KCSNQGX

 

[khuntim]

If you don't mind soldering, you can buy the following TRS cable and cut it half to make a pair of 5-ft cables for example;

https://www.amazon.com/10-Foot-2xShielded-coverage-Balanced/dp/B014H2VA9G

And, solder the following RCA connectors to the end of each cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Neutrik-Rean-NYS373-9-Phono-Black/dp/B07KCSNQGX

This makes sense, these cables not really available here. one place has Hosa and Warm Audio

I have a US trip coming up. I've had good luck with Blue Jeans Cable.

I have a couple TS to RCA adapters here that may work temporary?

https://warmaudio.com/cables

https://hosatech.com/products/analo...cables/hosa-pro-single-interconnects/hss-000/

 

[harkpabst]

I have a couple TS to RCA adapters here that may work temporary?

They should.

As said before, it's not so much a matter of making it work, but of getting the best possible noise suppression from the cable.

 

[khuntim]

They should.

As said before, it's not so much a matter of making it work, but of getting the best possible noise suppression from the cable.

Right. Now thinking I want to listen to a couple others first. hard with 6.5" / 165mm maximum speaker width. prefer smaller just not seeing much.

all the extra processing on these is kind of odd also. I guess the sound is most important.

 

[harkpabst]

Right. Now thinking I want to listen to a couple others first. hard with 6.5" / 165mm maximum speaker width. prefer smaller just not seeing much.

These are small speakers, indeed. Note that they do need some.space.tonthe left and right due to the passive radiators. Depending on what space permits, a conventional reflex design might be the better choice for you.

all the extra processing on these is kind of odd also. I guess the sound is most important.

Theses may be inexpensive desktop speakers, but they have been designed as (small) monitors, so all the DSP stuff generally makes some sense.

Except that your WiiM Ultra can do all that already, so you pay for something you don't really need. The choice of (better) loudspeakers is endless, but not at this very low price point (330 € per pair). These KEF Q3 plus WiiM Vibelink Amp are good example. They will certainly offer better performance, but you'll have to spend ~1070 €.

The walnut finish Q3 can currently be found at a discounted price, depending on where you live) that could save you 150 €.