Native DSD support via USB

[Devon]

I bought a Wiim Ultra for DSD files, unfortunately the files downloaded from the DLNA server are converted by Wiim Ultra to PCM 192/24. Is there any way to add full DSD support via USB output? Are there any hardware limitations of the Wiim Ultra or is it just a software issue?

 

[KNVPStudios]

WIiM does not support native DSD data, and instead as you witnessed, converts it to PCM.

 

[Devon]

I know, that's why I reported it as feature request.

 

[Burnside]

I know, that's why I reported it as feature request.

This is primarily a user community forum, if you wish to “report” this, you’re better off using the more/feedback section in the WiiM Home app to contact WiiM directly.

 

[dtc]

Some people have been able to send DoP data to an Ultra and have it send bit perfect output to optical and coax. According to one report that does not work for usb. Given that only 192 KHz data is supported, that is limited to DSD64.

I do not think the architecture can support native format (non-DoP) output but Wiim would have to comment on that.

The internal DAC has the capability of decoding DSD but that has not been implemented.

 

[Nvermelho90]

Some people have been able to send DoP data to an Ultra and have it send bit perfect output to optical and coax. According to one report that does not work for usb. Given that only 192 KHz data is supported, that is limited to DSD64.

I do not think the architecture can support native format (non-DoP) output but Wiim would have to comment on that.

The internal DAC has the capability of decoding DSD but that has not been implemented.

Do you know how to bit perfect in the wiim ultra? even with MQA or other formats I don't been able to perform.

I have EQ turned off, and volume fixed, even tried MQA beta in the mac wiim app, but nothings seems to perform
also using a fisical mqa cd from a cd player throu spdin in and the to a spdif out to a smsl d6s...

Thank's in advance

 

[harkpabst]

Do you know how to bit perfect in the wiim ultra? even with MQA or other formats I don't been able to perform.

I have EQ turned off, and volume fixed, even tried MQA beta in the mac wiim app, but nothings seems to perform
also using a fisical mqa cd from a cd player throu spdin in and the to a spdif out to a smsl d6s...

Thank's in advance

Is this related to DSD? I cannot quite follow what you are after and what you're getting instead.

 

[EddNog]

I bought a Wiim Ultra for DSD files, unfortunately the files downloaded from the DLNA server are converted by Wiim Ultra to PCM 192/24. Is there any way to add full DSD support via USB output? Are there any hardware limitations of the Wiim Ultra or is it just a software issue?

Do you know how to bit perfect in the wiim ultra? even with MQA or other formats I don't been able to perform.

I have EQ turned off, and volume fixed, even tried MQA beta in the mac wiim app, but nothings seems to perform
also using a fisical mqa cd from a cd player throu spdin in and the to a spdif out to a smsl d6s...

Thank's in advance

Too much DSP going on in the WiiM Ultra to avoid conversion to PCM because Native DSD format cannot be processed in any way. Even volume adjustment (because it is done in the digital domain, and this includes the separate maximum volume setting) causes conversion to PCM. As will, of course, using PEQ, room correction, fade in/out, or even bass management (high-pass filter is done in the digital domain).

-Ed

 

[harkpabst]

Ah, OK. If the question was about pass-through DSD then no, not going to work.

 

[Mike in NY]

This could still be a feature for certain settings combinations whereby no volume control is in use, and no DSP for room correction etc...

There are some users who simply connect the Ultra to a native DSD compatible DAC via USB, it shouldn't be an impossibility to allow DSD passthrough assuming no volume control or DSP is in use.

While I appreciate that part of the value proposition of the Ultra is it's ability to operate as a preamp and with DSP, not everyone uses it that way, and the Ultra still represents value at $329 even just as a straight streamer with a display, e.g. a nice looking Squeezelite endpoint.

 

[slartibartfast]

This could still be a feature for certain settings combinations whereby no volume control is in use, and no DSP for room correction etc...

There are some users who simply connect the Ultra to a native DSD compatible DAC via USB, it shouldn't be an impossibility to allow DSD passthrough assuming no volume control or DSP is in use.

While I appreciate that part of the value proposition of the Ultra is it's ability to operate as a preamp and with DSP, not everyone uses it that way, and the Ultra still represents value at $329 even just as a straight streamer with a display, e.g. a nice looking Squeezelite endpoint.

I would just use a Raspberry Pi for that use case.

 

[Mike in NY]

I would just use a Raspberry Pi for that use case.

I do with pCP, including one with a display, though I'd still like the Ultra to offer passthrough anyway.

 

[seiger30]

This could still be a feature for certain settings combinations whereby no volume control is in use, and no DSP for room correction etc...

There are some users who simply connect the Ultra to a native DSD compatible DAC via USB, it shouldn't be an impossibility to allow DSD passthrough assuming no volume control or DSP is in use.

While I appreciate that part of the value proposition of the Ultra is it's ability to operate as a preamp and with DSP, not everyone uses it that way, and the Ultra still represents value at $329 even just as a straight streamer with a display, e.g. a nice looking Squeezelite endpoint.

I requested this feature (USB passtrought) and they replied that they would consider the request

 

[seiger30]

Unfortunately two updates have already been made but this request has not yet been fulfilled

 

[hgo58]

I wonder why are people using DSD at all? It's and old and outdated format used by recording studios when storage was expensive.

It's a format that doesn't allow any manipulation at all, so no need to push it through a device that offers EQ, RC and of cause volume control.

 

[slartibartfast]

Why are people using DSD at all? It's and old and outdated format used by recording studios when storage was expensive.

It's a format that doesn't allow any manipulation at all, so no need to push it through a device that offers EQ, RC and of cause volume control.

Probably because record companies often use different mastering for the SACD in an effort to convince you that the format is higher quality

 

[hgo58]

Probably because record companies often use different mastering for the SACD in an effort to convince you that the format is higher quality

Probably. And it may have better copy protection.

This article explains it well I think.

What is DSD audio? How the format works, where to download files, and more

A niche digital music format for audiophiles explained

www.whathifi.com

 

[canard]

It's just a shame that the SACD shift wasn't fully embraced in the early 2000s... 20/25ans!
but it was at the same time as the "music shouldn't cost anything" and piracy that were so fashionable at the time...

even if we're not so far off now with the major streaming services, 98% of music costing a few dollars a month... (with, on the other hand, management of what should be listened to by the "mass media"...)

SACD is an interesting format, "more than enough" for music... the shortcut/unconscious connection with video and its obviousness from VGA to 4K 8k etc was silly...

and machines that could read the CD/SACD format, which allowed a slow shift in formats, etc.


Too bad... the topic could have been closed
;-)

 

[dtc]

I wonder why are people using DSD at all? It's and old and outdated format used by recording studios when storage was expensive.

There is a significant amount of music, especially classical music, that is only available on SACD/DSD, in particular multichannel classical music.

There are also some who think that, at least in some cases, DSD sounds better than PCM. We can leave a discussion of that to another time, but there are people who believe that.

It's a format that doesn't allow any manipulation at all, so no need to push it through a device that offers EQ, RC and of cause volume control.

The ultra is typically the main, or only, connection to a user's DAC. That means both PCM and DSD need to go through the same device. Hence the need to pass DSD through unaltered.

 

[BK308]

There are also some who think that, at least in some cases, DSD sounds better than PCM. We can leave a discussion of that to another time, but there are people who believe that.

That’s like asking “What do you prefer, sunrises or sunsets?” There’s no wrong answer lol