Amp Ultra or 3e A7 with Ultra

[Shotgun Rico]

I have found the service manual and did finally find the actual pinout. Still have to think about this some more, but pins 6 and 7 just carry the control voltage of 30 V. This is obviously incompatible with modern trigger outputs, but that's not much of an issue. The speakers can be switched on manually.

Pin 2 is always (?) the ground pin with DIN plugs. Pins 3 and 5 carry the hot right and left signal. Did you get any cables with these speakers? If you already have at least one DIN cable to connect both speakers you just need a new one for connecting the Ultra to one speakers. I don't think that any adapters are readily available fro this very special use case.

I believe I have several of those specific cables. I have seen recently rca to din cables just not sure how reliable.

 

[harkpabst]

I believe I have several of those specific cables. I have seen recently rca to din cables just not sure how reliable.

You'll need a stereo RCA (4 plugs!) to 7 pin DIN cable. I don't think that there's a standardised pinout for that.

Does that mean that you didn't get any cables along with the speakers?

 

[Goodnews]

mMn
I own a Wiim Amp Ultra, whose amp is used in the TMT/HT range. The range < 75 Hz is served by a pair of A7 Mono.

The situation
The main speakers (98dB / 16 ohms ) also run full range down to 60 Hz.

With my LS setup, the WAU is not as precise and homogeneous as another setup on the LS.

So I needed an external DAC with an ESS ES9039Q2M chip.

Then Wiim Amp Ultra, as a streamer via USB output to the external DAC, and the second pair of 3e A7 Mono then served the TMT/HT range, both listening runs were leveled at 80dB, through 1 KHz sine wave/1m.
The 3e Audio A7 Mono has better transparency and layering of the soundstage than the WAU internal amp. What I also find better is the identical amp circuitry in the TMT/HT.
The 3e Audio A7 Mono has better transparency and layering of the soundstage than the WAU internal amp. What I also find better is the identical amp circuitry in the TMT/HT.

Here too, the 3e A7 Mono's overall setting is better than the Wiim Amp Ultra & VibeLink setting.

 

[Shotgun Rico]

You'll need a stereo RCA (4 plugs!) to 7 pin DIN cable. I don't think that there's a standardised pinout for that.

Does that mean that you didn't get any cables along with the speakers?

It came with 2 power cables to plug each powered speaker in. It also came with two 7 pin din cables. One to plug into the pre amp and the other I assume to plug the two speakers together.

 

[harkpabst]

It came with 2 power cables to plug each powered speaker in. It also came with two 7 pin din cables. One to plug into the pre amp and the other I assume to plug the two speakers together.

Sorry for the delayed response, but I didn't have a lot of spare time recently. Here is my final analysis and conclusions.

The two 7-pin DIN cables should be absolutely identical. You can use either cable to connect the pre-amp to the first speaker or the first speaker to the second speaker. They are fully interchangeable. The input jack used on the first speaker determines which channel it will play (left or right). Plug the cable between the speakers into the other channel input on the second speaker.

You need an RCA to DIN adapter to connect the WiiM Ultra to the DIN cable that goes into the first speaker. I'm still sure that you won't find such a thing readily made, so you will either have to make it yourself of have somebody make it for you. The pinout is relatively simple:


This image is generated by ChatGPT and it's not exactly beautiful. But the DIN pinouts are not exactly intuitive anyway, so it's best to strictly adhere to the pin numbering. Use a shielded 2-core cable. The ring (signal ground) of both RCA connectors must be connected to pin 2 on the DIN jack. Ignore pins 6 and 7, wich are for the 30 V control voltage and cannot be used with modern equipment anyway.

You will also have to set the level to -6 dB or -10 dB to make it a good match with the WiiM Ultra's output voltage. Isn't it great how Braun designed this thing in a way so it's still usable today?

And yes, each power cable goes to its own power outlet, of course. If you have a male to female power cord you could also connect just one speaker to a power outlet, but in modern homes it's probably easier to connect each speaker to its own outlet.

The LV 1020 is a real engineering masterpiece. I'd love to see you bring it back to life with your Ultra. Please report back. If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact me.

 

[Shotgun Rico]

So I ended up with Ultra A7 combo with the 48v 10a brick. Sounds great so far! Very happy.

 

[harkpabst]

So I ended up with Ultra A7 combo with the 48v 10a brick. Sounds great so far! Very happy.

So, no use for the ancient Braun LV 1020?

 

[Shotgun Rico]

Sorry for the delayed response, but I didn't have a lot of spare time recently. Here is my final analysis and conclusions.

The two 7-pin DIN cables should be absolutely identical. You can use either cable to connect the pre-amp to the first speaker or the first speaker to the second speaker. They are fully interchangeable. The input jack used on the first speaker determines which channel it will play (left or right). Plug the cable between the speakers into the other channel input on the second speaker.

You need an RCA to DIN adapter to connect the WiiM Ultra to the DIN cable that goes into the first speaker. I'm still sure that you won't find such a thing readily made, so you will either have to make it yourself of have somebody make it for you. The pinout is relatively simple:

View attachment 34341
This image is generated by ChatGPT and it's not exactly beautiful. But the DIN pinouts are not exactly intuitive anyway, so it's best to strictly adhere to the pin numbering. Use a shielded 2-core cable. The ring (signal ground) of both RCA connectors must be connected to pin 2 on the DIN jack. Ignore pins 6 and 7, wich are for the 30 V control voltage and cannot be used with modern equipment anyway.

You will also have to set the level to -6 dB or -10 dB to make it a good match with the WiiM Ultra's output voltage. Isn't it great how Braun designed this thing in a way so it's still usable today?

And yes, each power cable goes to its own power outlet, of course. If you have a male to female power cord you could also connect just one speaker to a power outlet, but in modern homes it's probably easier to connect each speaker to its own outlet.

The LV 1020 is a real engineering masterpiece. I'd love to see you bring it back to live with your Ultra. Please report back. If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks I really appreciate it! I have the rca to 7 pin din coming today. I just hooked up my new ultra to my living room setup. I have that paired with the A7. So far it’s great. I will connect the ultra to the LV 1020’s probably this weekend to test them.

 

[Shotgun Rico]

So, no use for the ancient Braun LV 1020?

No no I’m definitely going to use them!

 

[Shotgun Rico]

So, no use for the ancient Braun LV 1020?

Those are in my music room

 

[Shotgun Rico]

If the rca to 7 pin din works I will be getting a second ultra.

 

[harkpabst]

Thanks I really appreciate it! I have the rca to 7 pin din coming today. I just hooked up my new ultra to my living room setup. I have that paired with the A7. So far it’s great.

The 3E AUDIO A7 is pretty fantastic, too. Good choice.

No no I’m definitely going to use them!

Those are in my music room

I'm delighted to hear this!

If the rca to 7 pin din works I will be getting a second ultra.

Another great decision.

 

[Shotgun Rico]

Is there any to do away with play/pause buttons on the screens? I would prefer that whenever you select an input it’s always on and remains in a “play” state and never goes pause. I was playing a cd and record for the first time and it takes few seconds to kick on. At least with amp I could toggle the on when the went to pause.