curious rookie

[Xelusalientes]

Hello everybody!

I'm just getting my new audio set up: although it's quite basic in terms of the number of components, I'm really happy with the sound quality I'm experiencing. Specifically, I'm very excited about the performance of the Wiim Pro plus. I am absolutely impressed by its quality. So, I still have to do some tests, but I have a couple of questions about the possible configurations, in case anyone feels like commenting:

1. I currently have "Turntable AT-LP120XUSB --- Active Speakers (Edifier S2000MKIII)" connected directly..., Is it worth including the Wiim Pro Plus as a preamp in the middle of the route? Will the essence of the analog sound of the vinyl be lost?

2. In the "Ethernet - Wiim Pro Plus - Active Speakers (Edifier S2000MKIII)" route, which output offers better sound quality, RCA-analogic output or Optical output?


Tips, recommendations or suggestions are welcome!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Burnside]

“Better” is very subjective - try each and decide for yourself

 

[harkpabst]

I currently have "Turntable AT-LP120XUSB --- Active Speakers (Edifier S2000MKIII)" connected directly..., Is it worth including the Wiim Pro Plus as a preamp in the middle of the route? Will the essence of the analog sound of the vinyl be lost?

No, nothing will be lost. But you should ask what could potentially be gained by adding another box to the audio chain.

In this case, the answer is simple. There is no need for an additional pre-amp in the sense that it would add further amplification. But the WiiM Pro Plus will bring extremely flexible EQ and room correction to the mix! Even if you consider the Pro Plus just as a room correction processor it's a pretty cost effective choice. This can be a real game changer.

The main reason why most people buy the Pro Plus is its streaming capabilities, which support a wide range of streaming services (both paid and free) as well as internet radio stations.

In the "Ethernet - Wiim Pro Plus - Active Speakers (Edifier S2000MKIII)" route, which output offers better sound quality, RCA-analogic output or Optical output?

Using the optical out/in means using the S2000MKIII's DAC whereas using the anologue RCA out/in means you'd be using the DAC built into the WiiM Pro Plus. The DAC chip used in the S2000MKIII isn't specified. It could be better, chance are it's worse than the one used in the Pro Plus. But in the end the DAC chip is just one piece of the puzzle. In the end you have to try what suites your taste, as @Burnside mentioned. The optical connection is immune to RFI, which might be a reason to use it, depending on your environment.

Should you go with the WiiM Pro Plus and opt for the RCA connection, make sure to connect the WiiM's line out to the Line in 2 on the speaker and set the output voltage in the WiiM Home app to 800 mV. Fully turn down the volume on the speaker. Raise the volume on the Pro Plus to 90% or higher. Play some music and adjust the volume on the speaker to the highest level you'd probably ever want to listen to. Leave it like that, safely lock away the speaker's remote (so the cat won't step on it) and start using the WiiM's remote instead.

 

[Xelusalientes]

No, nothing will be lost. But you should ask what could potentially be gained by adding another box to the audio chain.

In this case, the answer is simple. There is no need for an additional pre-amp in the sense that it would add further amplification. But the WiiM Pro Plus will bring extremely flexible EQ and room correction to the mix! Even if you consider the Pro Plus just as a room correction processor it's a pretty cost effective choice. This can be a real game changer.

The main reason most people buy the Pro Plus is its streaming capabilities, which support a wide range of streaming services (both paid and free) as well as internet radio stations.


Using the optical out/in means using the S2000MKIII's DAC whereas using the anologue RCA out/in means you'd be using the DAC built into the WiiM Pro Plus. The DAC chip used in the S2000MKIII isn't specified. It could be better, chance are it's worse than the one used in the Pro Plus. But in the end the DAC chip is just one piece of the puzzle. In the end you have to try what suites your taste, as @Burnside mentioned. The optical connection is immune to RFI, which might be a reason to use it, depending on your environment.

Should you go with the WiiM Pro Plus and opt for the RCA connection, make sure to connect the WiiM's line out to the Line in 2 on the speaker and set the output voltage in the WiiM Home app to 800 mV. Fully turn down the volume on the speaker. Raise the volume on the Pro Plus to 90% or higher. Play some music and adjust the volume on the speaker to the highest level you'd probably ever want to listen to. Leave it like that, safely lock away the speaker's remote (so the cat won't step on it) and start using the WiiM's remote instead.

Ok, thanks a lot for your reply.
Yeah, you are right about using the latest DAC: I´m sure I will choose the one integrated in the Wiim Pro Plus + RCA cable to the speakers, as I am very happy with its performance, in general (with the optical output, I have felt greater power, but not necessarily a higher quality in detail).

Even though there is little distance between my Wiim Pro Plus and the speakers (about 70-80 centimeters), now my interest is focused on the quality of the final RCA cable that reaches the speakers, as I think it is a wide field and not sufficiently explored by me (currently, I am using the RCA cable included in the Wiim Pro Plus)... So, any suggestions in relation quality-price?

Thanks in advance and have a good start to the week!!

 

[d6jg]

Ok, thanks a lot for your reply.
Yeah, you are right about using the latest DAC: I´m sure I will choose the one integrated in the Wiim Pro Plus + RCA cable to the speakers, as I am very happy with its performance, in general (with the optical output, I have felt greater power, but not necessarily a higher quality in detail).

Even though there is little distance between my Wiim Pro Plus and the speakers (about 70-80 centimeters), now my interest is focused on the quality of the final RCA cable that reaches the speakers, as I think it is a wide field and not sufficiently explored by me (currently, I am using the RCA cable included in the Wiim Pro Plus)... So, any suggestions in relation quality-price?

Thanks in advance and have a good start to the week!!

Don't waste your money. The cables that come with the WiiM are perfectly adequate for use in your system. You could buy some expensive ones but I doubt very much that you would ever hear any difference. Use the saving towards a new turntable.

 

[Mr Ee]

Use the saving towards a new turntable.

Where you will definitely hear a 'difference'

 

[Xelusalientes]

Alright !
I will