considering Wiim mini as bridge between turntable and digital active KEF LSX II LT speakers

[ncroza]

Hi,
I'm considering purchasing the KEF LSX II LT active speakers as a music streaming / TV system. I would also like to be able to connect my turntable, however the KEF's only have digital inputs (USB-C, optical and HDMI ARC)
Is a Wiim Mini connected to the turntable (aux input) going either optical or USB out, into the KEF's a sensible option?
Would this keep as much audio quality in tact as possible or could there be a better solution to this? The KEF's also support Airplay 2 streaming.

Many thanks,
Niels

 

[Burnside]

Hi,
I'm considering purchasing the KEF LSX II LT active speakers as a music streaming / TV system. I would also like to be able to connect my turntable, however the KEF's only have digital inputs (USB-C, optical and HDMI ARC)
Is a Wiim Mini connected to the turntable (aux input) going either optical or USB out, into the KEF's a sensible option?
Would this keep as much audio quality in tact as possible or could there be a better solution to this? The KEF's also support Airplay 2 streaming.

Many thanks,
Niels

While a Mini does have an analog aux input, I’d say you’d need at least an Ultra and its phono input, or a good phono pre-amp and a WiiM Pro Plus (because of its better analog input), using their optical output into the speakers to get the best out of your turntable.

 

[ncroza]

While a Mini does have an analog aux input, I’d say you’d need at least an Ultra and its phono input, or a good phono pre-amp and a WiiM Pro Plus (because of its better analog input), using their optical output into the speakers to get the best out of your turntable.

Thanks! I forgot to mention I do have a decent pre-amp as well to connect the Mini to, As I understand the Wiim Pro does have a better aux input (adc converter) than the mini ? Interesting..

 

[Burnside]

Thanks! I forgot to mention I do have a decent pre-amp as well to connect the Mini to, As I understand the Wiim Pro does have a better aux input (adc converter) than the mini ? Interesting..

The Pro Plus has a better ADC than the Mini - if I recall correctly, the basic Pro’s isn’t a great deal better than the Mini. As with all things, it depends on what you’re after - the Mini might well suit your needs, but the Pro Plus would arguably be better. Whether that matters to you, or whether you’d discern the difference is entirely subjective. At my age wearing hearing aids, I doubt if I could hear the difference

 

[Wiimer]

At my age wearing hearing aids, I doubt if I could hear the difference

I am still a novice with no hearing aids and of course cannot hear the difference.

 

[Doublej]

The KEFs have an AUX input which is an analog input. You do not need a WiiM to connect a turntable to the KEFs.

From the KEF manual:

13. Playback with Auxiliary Input
You can connect your devices with 3.5 mm audio output (e.g. turntables, computers, portable music players) to the speakers through an audio cable. The speakers must always be first connected to your local network before auxiliary connection.

13.1 Auxiliary Cable Connection
Connect the audio output jack of your device and the auxiliary input jack (X) on the back of the Primary Speaker via a 3.5 mm audio cable.

As stated by others, your turntable needs to have a phono preamp built into it, or you need a separate phono preamp, or if the other preamp you mention has a phono input you can connect the turntable to this other preamp using the phono input and then connect the analog output of this preamp to the KEFs.

If your preamp has a digital output, you could connect the digital output of the preamp to a digital input on the KEFs.