Connecting external dac to ultra

Bozzz

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Nov 5, 2023
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I have a fiio k11 r2r dac coming to try out. Was going to connect it to the ultra with usb but in the ultra settings I don’t see an audio output for usb. Should I use optical or coax instead? Thanks.
 
I have a fiio k11 r2r dac coming to try out. Was going to connect it to the ultra with usb but in the ultra settings I don’t see an audio output for usb. Should I use optical or coax instead? Thanks.

I'm considering the fiio k11 r2r dac too - would be interested to hear your thoughts on it compared to the dac in the ultra once you've had a chance to hook it up.
 
Time passes by... Anything to report from your site - how are the results/feelings with the R2R compared to the Ultra DAC.

Or anybody else? :-)
 
I have received a Fiio k11 r2r which my plan is to use as a headphone amp close to my listening position, but I have issues at the moment to get an input to it but as I have it I tried it plugged in to the Ultra, I'm actually surprised by the extra bass depth and punch that this gives, I need to listen longer and to a few tracks that I know well to make sure that it's not just uncrontrolled bass rather than better bass.
By the way I was listening without the r2r enabled, will try again tomorrow.
 
Time passes by... Anything to report from your site - how are the results/feelings with the R2R compared to the Ultra DAC.

Or anybody else? :-)
I’ve had the Fiio r2r for a few weeks now and love it. Leave it in NOS mode mostly. When I listen with NOS off I can tell a difference. Not a huge difference but a little. NOS with my tube amp and my Wharfdale speakers sounds more relaxed less fatiguing if that makes sense. Honestly I do love the ESS dac in the ultra and probably would have just used that if I wasn’t gifted the Fiio. It’s a great dac. But I do love the sound of an r2r dac. Sounds sublime.
 
I’m also thinking about getting the Fiio K11 R2R DAC. It’s interesting to hear how it sounds in NOS mode and how relaxed it feels. Can anyone share more about how it compares to the ESS DAC in the Ultra, especially for vocals or acoustic music?
 
I was listening to an album I've played a lot earlier today via the k11 r2r.
Most of the individual tracks are in my favourites too, but a couple of the more vocal biased ones aren't.
And yet today they seemed more mellifuous than I ever remember and I added them as individual tracks too.

As ever, your mileage may vary!
 
I was listening to an album I've played a lot earlier today via the k11 r2r.
Most of the individual tracks are in my favourites too, but a couple of the more vocal biased ones aren't.
And yet today they seemed more mellifuous than I ever remember and I added them as individual tracks too.

As ever, your mileage may vary!
I heard a rumor in the wind that K11 R2R has an oversampling mode (NOS/OS). Which one do you use? 🙂

Does using OS mode result in higher sound quality, even with Spotify? 🤔
 
I use the oversampling mode.
When I was first frantically switching between the two I couldn't always tell the difference, but in general I seemed to prefer OS so just left it there.
At some point you have to get back to the music itself and stop worrying!
 
I use the oversampling mode.
When I was first frantically switching between the two I couldn't always tell the difference, but in general I seemed to prefer OS so just left it there.
At some point you have to get back to the music itself and stop worrying!
Thanks.

It is a bit expensive in JP, so I may give it a try when the price comes down a bit more. 😁
 
I’m also thinking about getting the Fiio K11 R2R DAC. It’s interesting to hear how it sounds in NOS mode and how relaxed it feels. Can anyone share more about how it compares to the ESS DAC in the Ultra, especially for vocals or acoustic music?
Have had my Fiio K11 R2R dac for a few weeks now. Love it. NOS mode is so sublime and relaxed sounding. The ESS dac in the ultra is quite good though. Little bright for my tastes. The R2R matches well coming out of my Ultra into my Integrated Tube amp and Wharfdale speakers. Highly reconnected dac.
 

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I have received a Fiio k11 r2r which my plan is to use as a headphone amp close to my listening position, but I have issues at the moment to get an input to it but as I have it I tried it plugged in to the Ultra, I'm actually surprised by the extra bass depth and punch that this gives, I need to listen longer and to a few tracks that I know well to make sure that it's not just uncrontrolled bass rather than better bass.
By the way I was listening without the r2r enabled, will try again tomorrow.
Replying to my own post, It is using an input on my Arcam amp that I have never used, there is an ip config page and the subwoofer was enabled, this is what was giving me the extra punch:(
For me (without the extra from the subwoofer) there is a slight increase in bass hardness and possibly little more soundstage, it's not a great improvement, marginal, to be honest I was quite shocked initially before I took out the subwoofer as I have never noticed a big improvement with different DACs, maybe my equipment maybe my ears:)
 
I was listening to an album I've played a lot earlier today via the k11 r2r.
Most of the individual tracks are in my favourites too, but a couple of the more vocal biased ones aren't.
And yet today they seemed more mellifuous than I ever remember and I added them as individual tracks too.

As ever, your mileage may vary!

R2R DACs can sound very natural. They need to be stabilized thermally. A cold start is not good sound. Mine takes days to stabilize.
 
R2R DACs can sound very natural. They need to be stabilized thermally. A cold start is not good sound. Mine takes days to stabilize.
I’ve read that r2r dacs should be powered on all the time. Thoughts on that?
 
Simple.... connect via the ultra usb output and it'll never auto turn off :ROFLMAO:
My DACs do not turn off even if the input signal stops. Heck, their on/off switches are tiny levers positioned in the back… as they should. :)
 
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