How to get the best sound using 'Headphones Only' with the Wiim Ultra ? Which output to use?

[Sake]

Hi All,

Very confident with the Wiim Ultra. Brilliant piece of equipment!

Most of the the time i like to play the Ultra with speakers thrue my amp and speakers, using Ultra's line out.

But often prefer the headphones. Especially later at night, so far, i connected the Ultra's line out to a headphone amp ( Pro-Ject Head Box S2 ) which solely adaps line in.

Sounds good, but wondering if this is a 'good' enough configuration to get the best sound of the Ultra with my pair of headphones?

Is there room for improvement that justify an additional investment in dedicated gear?

I am a noob about using optical out or usb from the Ultra.. Should it be a worthy upgrade buying a dedicated headphone amp with probably a dac build in?

Or leave the line out as it is, because it sounds also absolutely fine to my amp with normal floorstanding speakers ? ..

( I just simply splittet Ultra's Line Out: One set rca to the power amp's input en another set rca to the headphone amp's input )

Thanks for your thoughts in advance,
Sake

 

[Mr Ee]

other than my ears,

Bingo.
That, and ease of use.

 

[hgo58]

Last question?
The Wiim Ultra has been connected to the Fioo K7, listening with headphones. Its connected with USB, Line in, coax and optical cables as input sources.

Which source input one could be most preferred?
USB, Coax, Line or optical ?

Some opinions on fora suggest coax preferred over optical ( in my case Max support 96khz ) , or will USB preferred input preferred, something has to to with the native dac's 'clocking', i understood.

So much difference in opinions, probably there is no real through, other than my ears, all through they do not hear any difference, at least not that much , wich input they get.

Thanks for any, eh.. input

Follow you ears.
I would however not use the line in, as that involves an additional DAC/ADC signal path.

 

[Mr Ee]

I would however not use the line in, as that involves an additional DAC/ADC signal path.

And that's where ease of use comes in, as long as it doesn't sound terrible!

 

[harkpabst]

And that's where ease of use comes in, as long as it doesn't sound terrible!

Which triggers the question if the built-in headphone amp sounds terrible, so there is need for an external amp at all.

Is one optical connection (cable comes supplied with the Ultra) really more easy to use than a pair of RCA cables?

 

[Sake]

Thanks all, it seems that feeding the K7 headphone dac/amp from the Ultra Coax could be preferred above Optical. So, at this moment happy listening at the Ultra + Tidal by coaxial .

What next will happening?
Well, browsing at reviews of headphones, that 'might' be much better than my current Philips Fidelio X2HR. Open back type. This is an addiction hobby

It all started with a complaining neighbour, late night. Never imagined that listening Headphones does in certain cases have so much avantages over just floorstanding speakers. More than welcome in addition

Thanks you all for your thoughts and contributions, some nice words and good advice!! Happy with that.

Greetings,
Sake

 

[Mr Ee]

Well, browsing at reviews of headphones,

Please, please, please find a way to listen to them before buying them!

 

[WiiMer SJ]

Please, please, please find a way to listen to them before buying them!

And/or shop retail outlets with liberal return policies.