Are the analog in and phono stage really analog?

[Fralle]

I have a couple of questions regarding the Wiim Ultra and was hoping someone here might have the answers.

1. Are the phono input and analog in on the Wiim Ultra really analog or are they digitaly converted?
2. How is the sound quality on these inputs?

I’m considering selling a lot of my expensive gear and go for something cheaper, and want to ensure that these inputs meet my expectations in terms of audio fidelity.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Burnside]

They’re digitally converted so things like volume control, eq etc can be applied.

Re how they sound, that’s very subjective but despite that I’m sure you’ll find opinions have been expressed here previously.

 

[Mr Ee]

Wiim wrote this re the adc on the amp

Doubts about WiiM Amp

Dear all, this is my very first thread so let me say hi to everybody and congrats to the WiiM team who are making quite a good job with their devices. I purchased a WiiM Amp a few days ago and there is a mix of doubts and questions I'd like to share. Connecting this little amp to a pair of...

forum.wiimhome.com

And this about the ultra in comparison to the pro plus
"The ADC chip is better in the WiiM Ultra using TI PCM1863."

You can set the adc sample rate and bit depth.
It's also been suggested (shown / proved? haven't looked for the link yet) that setting 192 sample rate on the analog input is 'noisier' than 96. Bigger isn't always better.

But what any of that specifically means for you / your expectations I can't say!

 

[henninggodske]

I have a couple of questions regarding the Wiim Ultra and was hoping someone here might have the answers.

1. Are the phono input and analog in on the Wiim Ultra really analog or are they digitaly converted?
2. How is the sound quality on these inputs?

I’m considering selling a lot of my expensive gear and go for something cheaper, and want to ensure that these inputs meet my expectations in terms of audio fidelity.

Thanks in advance for your help!

If you only want to go analog in and analog out, then the WiiM Ultra may not be the right one for you.
If you however go digitally all the way to the speakers (active speakers or amplifier with digital input) it is perfect.

 

[Fralle]

Actually planing on using it with a Ncore power amp from Audiophinics.

 

[henninggodske]

So you will need to use the WiiM Ultra ADC (Line and Phono in) and the Ultra DAC (Line out). That will still sound very good but it will enter the digital domain, as described above.

I do this myself and my turntable had never sounded better .
I use 24/96 phono stage sample.

 

[Fralle]

Yes Iv'e got no problem going digital. Actually I do this already with my Technics SU-G700. Glad that it sounds good!

 

[cc_rider]

I do hope folks realize that virtually all music recorded in the past couple of decades, past the microphones, was done in the digital domain - because it’s vastly superior to analog in every respect.

 

[henninggodske]

I do hope folks realize that virtually all music recorded in the past couple of decades, past the microphones, was done in the digital domain - because it’s vastly superior to analog in every respect.

Most of my vinyls are from the 60 & 70 .
But yes for recording and mixing, digital is absolutely the best.
And with devices such as the WiiM Ultra all can benefit from this.
My output from the Ultra is optical 24/96 directly to active speakers (Warfedale A2). Sounds amazing.

 

[saberger1]

I have a very large record collection, several high quality turntables, 2 McIntosh vintage tube preamps with wonderful sounding phono sections. But I'm also using the Ultra's phono and have found it to sound extremely natural and warm. Not what one might consider a digital sound. I would think anybody with a decent vinyl set up would have no issues with the quality of the Ultra's phono.

 

[Skull]

I have a very large record collection, several high quality turntables, 2 McIntosh vintage tube preamps with wonderful sounding phono sections. But I'm also using the Ultra's phono and have found it to sound extremely natural and warm. Not what one might consider a digital sound. I would think anybody with a decent vinyl set up would have no issues with the quality of the Ultra's phono.

I was impressed with the phono stage as well very happy using it
In fact it influenced my choice of amplifier I am buying later this year going for the quad Artera Solus which has no phono stage

 

[pjorgenunes]

I have a very large record collection, several high quality turntables, 2 McIntosh vintage tube preamps with wonderful sounding phono sections. But I'm also using the Ultra's phono and have found it to sound extremely natural and warm. Not what one might consider a digital sound. I would think anybody with a decent vinyl set up would have no issues with the quality of the Ultra's phono.

I use it with my AT-VM540ML and I'm very impressed (compared to my Schiit Many 2 didn't ear difference when switched to this new setup).

Since I use PEQ / Room Correction, primarly due to some two heavy room modes, the issue of converting to digital is not an issue to me (PEQ and Room Correctio is made on digital domain).

I set the phono input to 24/192 ADC and play records and forget settings

 

[Fralle]

I set the phono input to 24/192 ADC and play records and forget settings

Just out of curiosity: Where do I find these settings? Mine seem to default to 24/192 but Line in I can change the resolution.

 

[Mr Ee]

Just out of curiosity: Where do I find these settings? Mine seem to default to 24/192 but Line in I can change the resolution.

I believe the one setting affects both inputs.
As mentioned elsewhere, bigger isn't necessarily better.

 

[dangermouse]

Most of my vinyls are from the 60 & 70 .

The plural of 'vinyl' in English is 'vinyl' Henning.

 

[Mr Ee]

The plural of 'vinyl' in English is 'vinyl' Henning.

Are you suggesting the 'Divinyls' should have been called 'Divinyl'?
Surprised to find that Tidal doesn't have 'The Collection' album, so I know what I'll be spinning (cd) tomorrow.
Spotify doesn't have it either!

 

[pjorgenunes]

Just out of curiosity: Where do I find these settings? Mine seem to default to 24/192 but Line in I can change the resolution.

When I'm with the equipment I'll check it. I don't remember now if that setting is one for both line in and phono or not. Anyway, I just go for the top settings (although I may try th 96/24 cause it's more than enough for audio)

 

[pjorgenunes]

I believe the one setting affects both inputs.
As mentioned elsewhere, bigger isn't necessarily better.

Yes, I believe it's that. Sorry for misleading.

You're right that bigger isn't necessarily better. I shall try 96/24.

 

[pieterv1]

You'd mainly want to change to 24 bit for better dynamic range. There's little to no benefit to be made going from 48khz to 96khz with vinyl topping off at around 20khz per channel, but won't hurt if your (external) DAC can handle it

 

[henninggodske]

The plural of 'vinyl' in English is 'vinyl' Henning.

In the vinyl community, we like to use the term “vinyl” as the plural form of vinyl but it is a hobbyist term and not grammatically correct. Vinyl is not a mass noun despite people saying it is.