Creating a digital music supply chain with HDMI and Wiim Ultra

[FluffyGTX]

Hi,
I got a PRE/AMP for my headphones. I got an existing digital chain e.g., Apple TV/PS5/etc -> Denon X-3800H -> LG OLED 65C8LLA
Since the Denon annoyingly does not have a digital out besides HDMI, I wanted to try the Wiim Ultra.
Everything is fine and without analog conversion, just the HDMI won't work.
I just discovered it has no full HDMI support, so I need to use HDMI ARC enabled outputs, meaning I have to go via the LG ARC.
So my Chain would usually look like this: Wiim Ultra -> FiiO K15 DAC/AMP -> Headphones. And now I try to achieve PS5 -> Denon -> LG -> Wiim Ultra -> DAC/AMP -> Headphones. Yes, this is a mess and I don't know how to solve that. Whatever I try, I don't get this to work. Is there another way to bring the Wiim to digest the Denon Output? I opened a ticket, but maybe there is some other way.

Thanks
Gerd

 

[Mr Ee]

Welcome.

So this is to be able to listen to the ps5 on headphones?
Could you go straight from the ps5 to the k15 via usb?
What's the rational to go via the wiim?

 

[FluffyGTX]

The rationale would be to have all sources on the Denon AVR hooked up to the headphones. It is Apple TV, PS5, UHD Player...). Would be super easy if the Denon had digital out. And I wanted to have a Tidal Connect Endpoint.

 

[Mr Ee]

Would be super easy if the Denon had digital out.

Yep...

Dare I suggest it... Analog out to wiim?

 

[FluffyGTX]

Yes you dare. I tried my best to avoid that to avoid the Denon DAC.
Which I probably would not notice in the first place. But anyhow.
But I failed to find a solution. Guess I will return the Ultimate and get a cheaper Tidal Connect device. I can use AirPlay with the K15 and connect my UHD player via Optical at least.

 

[Mr Ee]

Double dare...

Use the denon headphone socket for watching tv etc, and the decent setup for listening to music?
And to make it more palatable, convince yourself you need a 2nd set of headphones

 

[FluffyGTX]

Now you are pushing me too far!
No, I really like to EQ my headphones a
And so I would like to try to stay with he K15 as a source. I head good things about HDMI extractors as well, als long as you stay digital (Coax).
It would be easy to convince me, but my wife Is close to murdering me if I buy more gear.

 

[s3igell]

Here's your problem...

I just discovered it has no full HDMI support, so I need to use HDMI ARC enabled outputs

You've mixed the purpose and direction of data-flow on HDMI (and HDMI-ARC). HDMI Ports are either "Sources" (outputs) or "Sinks" (inputs) - except for HDMI-ARC which is a separate Input channel on an otherwise HDMI Source port. (confusing...)
TV's are HDMI Sinks (destinations/receivers). AVR / Receivers have both HDMI Sinks (labeled HDMI Inputs 1-6 on X3800H), and HDMI Sources (outputs) (labeled HDMI-Out 1-3 - with "Monitor1" output supporting ARC/eARC).
WiiM Ultra is a specialized case of ONLY supporting the ARC function as an input in what otherwise would be a HDMI Source.

In your chain, you are trying to use the LG TV as both a HDMI Sink (input from the Denon) AND a HDMI-ARC Source. Individually, either would work. But, TVs do NOT "bridge" Input from one HDMI Port to HDMI-ARC output on another Port.

Now, if your LG TV has an Optical or Coax Audio output... It should output Audio received from any HDMI Port to that Digital Out...

 

[s3igell]

Now, if your LG TV has an Optical or Coax Audio output... It should output Audio received from any HDMI Port to that Digital Out...

Oh, and with this convoluted Signal Chain you still won't be able to listen via Headphone to any non-HDMI Source (unless that is fed directly to the Ultra).

 

[hgo58]

... But, TVs do NOT "bridge" Input from one HDMI Port to HDMI-ARC output on another Port.

The purpose of the ARC is exactly that it outputs the audio from any source actually playing on the TV, no matter what the source is. So, yes, it do "bridge" audio if this is playing on the TV and the audio will be kept in sync with the video.

The HDMI input port on the WiiM will receive this audio via the dedicated ARC wire in the HDMI cable.

 

[FluffyGTX]

I just did not get this to work. But this is ok, I now have two other alternatives:
- I use a HDMI extractor to pull the audio signal out of the HDMI Port of Zone 2.
- Alternatively I have to accept I drop out of the digital chain and use the line out of the Denon. I probably won't hear a difference.

However, the while HDMI thing is still somehow magic. In theory, the Denon has a Monitor2-HDMI, which should mirror the output signal. But somehow it does not. The Zone2 works fine, but needs to be "powered on". The ARC output of the TV does strange things. In theory, digital should be easier, right?

 

[TonyE]

Using a WiiM Ultra to take the audio out from an analog/coax/HDMI extraction input only is to ignore the raison d'etre for the WiiM Ultra.

Audio over IP ( ethernet and WiFi ).

Unless you want to use something like Tidal Connect or mount a network file system on the Ultra, you're wasting it. It is, IMHO, it's biggest strength. But in the future it gives you a great way to expand your listening: use your laptop/cell phone/tablet to listen to music over your headphones. Bypassing everything else.

Anyhow, like the guy said... your LG TV has an optical output, right? It always works. I run it to take the stereo signal to my old Emo processor ( the processor has no eARC ports ). It should do the same thing for your Ultra/FiiO interface.

Now, are you using the USB interface between the Ultra and the FiiO?

 

[FluffyGTX]

I totally agree. I use the WiiM as a Tidal-Streamer. Yes, I do use the USB Interface and lt. works very well. Thank you for the advice of the always active Toslink.