Connecting M2tech EVO Phonodac Two to Wiim Amp Ultra

[Patagonia]

Hello,
I want to try my M2Tech EVO Phonodac Two as phono preamp to feed my Amp Ultra.
The Phonodac Two is a very versatile unit that can act as a DAC, phono preamp (or reel etc) and ADC. As the RIIA eq is done in digital domain my idea is to feed the Amp Ultra through its USB out (The Phonodac has only USB out for digital) and thus not having two ADC/DAC stages, but its seems cannot be done easely.

First idea was to use a USB-Toshlink converter, but think it cannot be done as nor the M2tech or the converter would act as a Host, is this correct? dont have the converter so cannot try, the specs of the M2tech say its a "USB 2.0 interface which is compatible with USB Audio Device Class 2" not requiring drivers for mac/linux but yes for windows.

So, AI chatbot says I would need to put a computer in the middle to act a host, I could eventualy try it but it would not be a reasonable solution for long term, so looking for suggestions or just get rid of the idea.

Phonodac Two specs in english:
https://manunta-audio.com/prodotti/fuori-produzione/evo-phonodac-two/?lang=en

Thanks!

 

[Burnside]

Not entirely sure how you intend to use the WiiM Amp Ultra's USB port from your description, but it should be noted that it's USB audio out only, not usb audio in. If you did intend to use the m2tech's phono output, that would need to connect to the WiiM's line-in which would go thru the WiiM's ADC and then its DAC for output to speakers. If you used the m2tech's usb output, you would need some usb to optical convertor to connect to the amp's optical input which again would use the WiiM's DAC for outputting to the speakers. I can't where the WiiM's USB interface would figure in any solution.

 

[Patagonia]

Not entirely sure how you intend to use the WiiM Amp Ultra's USB port from your description, but it should be noted that it's USB audio out only, not usb audio in. If you did intend to use the m2tech's phono output, that would need to connect to the WiiM's line-in which would go thru the WiiM's ADC and then its DAC for output to speakers. If you used the m2tech's usb output, you would need some usb to optical convertor to connect to the amp's optical input which again would use the WiiM's DAC for outputting to the speakers. I can't where the WiiM's USB interface would figure in any solution.

Thanks, Idea would be to connect the M2thech and Wiim in the digital domain so ACD on the M2Tech and DAC on the Wiim, as the USB interfase on the Wiim is not of use for this case I thought of the usb-toslink converter, but aparently from what I have read I would need a device acting as Host but nor the converter or the M2tech do hence requiring a computer in the middle.

I dont have much knowledge on the different aspects of USB audio, converters, etc so my question is if the assumption of needing a Host is correct and/or if there are usb-toslink adapters on the market that do have Host capabilities ...or just forget the idea and connect on the analog side.

 

[Burnside]

While you can get relatively cheap usb to optical convertors such as those from cubilux (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cubilux-TOSLINK-Optical-Converter-Compatible/dp/B09QFYNB7Y) you may fare better with a unit like one of the following DDC devices: the DoukAudio U2PRO USB Digital Interface ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/DoukAudio-U2PRO-USB-Digital-Interface/dp/B0FFGQDMCC) or the SMSL PO100 PRO MQA DDC (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converters-Interface-PCM32Bit-Digital-Digital-Converter/dp/B0BM4D9Q9Q)

Using a DDC means that you'd be using the WiiM amp's DAC with going through another ADC conversion stage.

Just check that the usb cables you use have the appropriate usb-a or usb-c connectors.