Connecting external dac to ultra

I've got a Fiio K11 R2R and have been using the USB connection for a while now

My setup:
Tidal -> Wiim Ultra -> Fiio K11 R2R (NOS) -> Yamaha cx-1000 preamp -> 2 x NAD 218 THX amps (mono mode) -> Yamaha ns-1000m

Today I noticed a buzz coming from both woofers when using the Fiio.

I switched to using the Wiim internal DAC and the buzz was more obtrusive - now at midrange frequency. I eventually tried removing the USB connection from the Wiim and the buzz disappeared.

I then connected Wiim to Fiio using S/PDIF cable and the buzz then also disappeared when using the Fiio.

I had learnt to live with the very low level pops between songs when using the USB connection to the Fiio.

I set the sample rate switch latency to 100ms for the S/PDIF connection (something I had read on this forum) and I no longer get the pops between songs either.

I'm sticking with using the S/PDIF connection. The sound quality to me is as good - but I may be biased - as that buzzing was really annoying even if only just audible.
 
I've got a Fiio K11 R2R and have been using the USB connection for a while now

My setup:
Tidal -> Wiim Ultra -> Fiio K11 R2R (NOS) -> Yamaha cx-1000 preamp -> 2 x NAD 218 THX amps (mono mode) -> Yamaha ns-1000m

Today I noticed a buzz coming from both woofers when using the Fiio.

I switched to using the Wiim internal DAC and the buzz was more obtrusive - now at midrange frequency. I eventually tried removing the USB connection from the Wiim and the buzz disappeared.

I then connected Wiim to Fiio using S/PDIF cable and the buzz then also disappeared when using the Fiio.

I had learnt to live with the very low level pops between songs when using the USB connection to the Fiio.

I set the sample rate switch latency to 100ms for the S/PDIF connection (something I had read on this forum) and I no longer get the pops between songs either.

I'm sticking with using the S/PDIF connection. The sound quality to me is as good - but I may be biased - as that buzzing was really annoying even if only just audible.
Same DAC and same issues. I also switched to optical cable and clicks and buzzes are gone. I find that the sound was slightly fuller with USB (no, I don't measure) but the difference is so small that I don't care. I wonder if the issue has anything to do with the USB cable but I'm not willing to buy a second one.
 
Ground loops and other ways of injecting hum on interconnected devices can often be difficult to diagnose. I feel your pain ;)
 
I'm back using a USB connection to connect my Wiim Ultra to my Fiio K11 R2R.

I found the solution to the buzz I was experiencing using USB as set out in this post of mine in response to the suggestion of using a USB isolator in that thread:
 
I'm back using a USB connection to connect my Wiim Ultra to my Fiio K11 R2R.

I found the solution to the buzz I was experiencing using USB as set out in this post of mine in response to the suggestion of using a USB isolator in that thread:
Do you prefer the sound with the Fiio K11 R2R?
 
I still prefer the external DAC NOS mode as per my previous post(s) earlier in this thread:

I can only consciously determine the better DAC at extremely high volumes. But at normal listening volumes I'm finding listening to music to be less fatiguing with the DAC NOS mode - maybe this is subliminal as I can't (easily) distinguish the difference between the 2 DACs' at normal listening volumes.

I'm now finding the noise floor for for both USB and S/PDIF connections to external DAC to be equally quiet since using the USB isolator, so I'll need to find the time to determine if either is actually better than the other.
 
Hello fellow experimenters :-) I've been using my Ultra as my 'Integrated Pre-amp' for about a year now. Coupled with a Schiit Aegir 2 it gives me better sound stage and instrument separation than the mid-range integrated amp I had been using before. I've heard good things about R2R DACs and have decided to try a FiiO K11 R2R - hoping to get a meatier, perhaps even more tube like sound - I'm one of those old coots that fell in love with Heresy I's in 1974 and still have them (with appropriate Crites upgrades). I'm going to try the various connections (WiiM to FiiO) to see what sounds best but I question how to connect to the Aegir? If I connect the FiiO output to the Aegir - do I lose my sub-woofer out on the WiiM? But If I connect the FiiO back to the WiiM (analog input presumably) and then connect the WiiM to the Aegir don't I lose 'the sound' I'm trying to achieve with the FiiO? Thanks for the advice
 
If I connect the FiiO output to the Aegir - do I lose my sub-woofer out on the WiiM?
Welcome.
The sub out will still work.

But If I connect the FiiO back to the WiiM
You can't go wiim out to dac and then back to wiim.
This would effectively be trying to use two wiim inputs simultaneously.

Edit: note that the fiio's optical input is 96khz max, although mine doesn't seem to even like that.
 
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Welcome.
The sub out will still work.
Great News - thanks for the quick answer. Based on the various postings I've read the USB connection to the FiiO seems to be preferred by more people, but I'll be trying to give the various connections an honest listen.
 
Hello fellow experimenters :-) I've been using my Ultra as my 'Integrated Pre-amp' for about a year now. Coupled with a Schiit Aegir 2 it gives me better sound stage and instrument separation than the mid-range integrated amp I had been using before. I've heard good things about R2R DACs and have decided to try a FiiO K11 R2R - hoping to get a meatier, perhaps even more tube like sound - I'm one of those old coots that fell in love with Heresy I's in 1974 and still have them (with appropriate Crites upgrades). I'm going to try the various connections (WiiM to FiiO) to see what sounds best but I question how to connect to the Aegir? If I connect the FiiO output to the Aegir - do I lose my sub-woofer out on the WiiM? But If I connect the FiiO back to the WiiM (analog input presumably) and then connect the WiiM to the Aegir don't I lose 'the sound' I'm trying to achieve with the FiiO? Thanks for the advice

Given your liking of Schiit sound (so do I) - you may want to try a Modi Multibit 2 DAC (also R2R) and use the USB input. You may like it. :)
 
Great News - thanks for the quick answer. Based on the various postings I've read the USB connection to the FiiO seems to be preferred by more people, but I'll be trying to give the various connections an honest listen.
I actually switched from usb to optical (at 48khz max), but definitely see how you go / what suits you.
 
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