Coax vs optical...

[Mitko45]

I have Wiim pro plus connect to Smsl su1 dac and I can hear differences between coax and optical outputs. Coax sound richer, fuller, warmer, optical sound, flatter, colder thiner. I don't have golden ear nothing like that but I can hear the differences almost from the first notes. I tried Tidal streaming both ways, also my CD player has both outputs. Same results. My friend have same stremer connected to Topping D30.Same results,coax fuller, richer, optical thiner colder. I Didn't expect that much differences between digital outputs. Any other opinions?

 

[Mr Ee]

I have Wiim pro plus connect to Smsl su1 dac and I can hear differences between coax and optical outputs. Coax sound richer, fuller, warmer, optical sound, flatter, colder thiner. I don't have golden ear nothing like that but I can hear the differences almost from the first notes. I tried Tidal streaming both ways, also my CD player has both outputs. Same results. My friend have same stremer connected to Topping D30.Same results,coax fuller, richer, optical thiner colder. I Didn't expect that much differences between digital outputs. Any other opinions?

Welcome!

Oh no, asking a bunch of grumpy, argumentative 'audiophiles' for their opinion is madness!!

But personally, I can't say I've specifically noticed any difference between opt and coax into my dacs.
For me, whatever is simplest / most convenient works fine.
I'm sure I've seen it said that optical is the least coloured, and therefore while technically 'better' isn't perhaps as pleasing initially.

 

[harkpabst]

I have Wiim pro plus connect to Smsl su1 dac and I can hear differences between coax and optical outputs. Coax sound richer, fuller, warmer, optical sound, flatter, colder thiner. I don't have golden ear nothing like that but I can hear the differences almost from the first notes. I tried Tidal streaming both ways, also my CD player has both outputs. Same results. My friend have same stremer connected to Topping D30.Same results,coax fuller, richer, optical thiner colder. I Didn't expect that much differences between digital outputs. Any other opinions?

Same bit depth and sample rate configured in the WiiM Home App? Do the test tones play alright through both outputs and does the DAC display the same resolution?

Technically, there is no reason for such a massive difference. Faulty or unfitting cables could cause some difference.

 

[merifon]

Same identical protocol, running on different media, with specific problems to face. From impedance for coax to mechanical coupling of fiber and various others aspect to consider in order to have a good connection.
Errors can always be and in a synchronous transfer likely they are not corrected. What it's hard to believe for me, is that those errors, when presents can have so specific sound print...
As far i tested, never had perceptible differences when connected same source to same dac in both ways but i never had connection problems...