Optical output issues (again) at 24/192 kHZ to external iFi DAC

[BigLol]

I have the WiiM Mini connected, via the optical output, to an iFi ZEN One Signature DAC and when I switch the SPDIF Output to 24/192 kHZ the Test Audio track is horribly distorted. The same happens to any of my local 24/192 FLAC files sent to the DAC from the Wiim Mini over DNLA. The 24/192 FLACs work on other DAC's and I've tested the optical TOSLINK cable(s), incuding the one that came with the Wiim and they work too. If I set the output to 24/96 kHz it works fine and it plays the FLACs but I have quite a large library of >24/96 HD tracks on my SAN.

Is anyone else using an iFi DAC as an external DAC from the WiiM mini? ...and yes I have a ticket open with iFi support.

 

[jim]

Aha, the 192 khz issue on a Mini (btw, a stupendously successful $90 product). Got Qobuz, in addition to Idagio and Spotify, to try the Hi-Rez path, via Ifi Neo I DSD and Dynaudio Excite 14 A. Even got an “upgrade” -a Monoprice SPDIF. Played first through the QApp on I Phone via Airplay. Excellent. Better IMO than Idagio. Tracks show 24/192, but … when tried Bunker Analogue speaker setup soundstage restricted. Then played directly through Mini App Qobuz setting. Much better than anything before.
However, on the 24/192 got distortion! Emailed IFI, but got the answer from this Forum- reintroduced the original cable (the size of a human hair) and it works!!! Clear test tone and reproduction. Wonderful. Now, there are a few AngloSaxon and EasternEuropean expressions to illustrate this attack on audiophile senses, but the question remains - an “audiophile”, “aftermarket” cable upgrade?!

 

[jim]

Aha, the 192 khz issue on a Mini (btw, a stupendously successful $90 product). Got Qobuz, in addition to Idagio and Spotify, to try the Hi-Rez path, via Ifi Neo I DSD and Dynaudio Excite 14 A. Even got an “upgrade” -a Monoprice SPDIF. Played first through the QApp on I Phone via Airplay. Excellent. Better IMO than Idagio. Tracks show 24/192, but … when tried Bunker Analogue speaker setup soundstage restricted. Then played directly through Mini App Qobuz setting. Much better than anything before.
However, on the 24/192 got distortion! Emailed IFI, but got the answer from this Forum- reintroduced the original cable (the size of a human hair) and it works!!! Clear test tone and reproduction. Wonderful. Now, there are a few AngloSaxon and EasternEuropean expressions to illustrate this attack on audiophile senses, but the question remains - an “audiophile”, “aftermarket” cable upgrade?!

 

[jim]

Well, it distorts at 192 khz, even with it’s original cable. It was working well for a day. Not good. Will try to get a new one as a warranty claim, if possible. Withdrawing “stupendously good $90 product”.

 

[jim]

And again, today, it works. Just when I asked how to proceed with the warranty claim…

 

[Brantome]

And again, today, it works. Just when I asked how to proceed with the warranty claim…

During your experiences, have you submitted a ticket to WiiM (or iFi) so they can inspect your device logs and perhaps diagnose your problem?

 

[jim]

During your experiences, have you submitted a ticket to WiiM (or iFi) so they can inspect your device logs and perhaps diagnose your problem?

I did. To both.
For almost a year I never noticed. Never looked at the streaming “speed” on the Ifi. I was just happy listening to my music. Now that I decided to try Qobuz…
Still, the quirks notwithstanding, I think the Mini is a uniquely solid, high quality product, at the right price.

 

[BMoreJazz]

Ju

I did. To both.
For almost a year I never noticed. Never looked at the streaming “speed” on the Ifi. I was just happy listening to my music. Now that I decided to try Qobuz…
Still, the quirks notwithstanding, I think the Mini is a uniquely solid, high quality product, at the right price.

just to let you know, your problem is with ifi

 

[jim]

Ju

just to let you know, your problem is with ifi

After reading the forums…So many users, with so many different DACs and under so many different circumstances and yet the same problem.

 

[Brava210]

I had loads of problems with iFi DACs.....pops clicks distorted MQA etc
Topping has been faultless

 

[audiobliss]

My old and new Mcintosh has been flawless, since I reduced the digital gain on the new one. I am now a coax convert however.

 

[johnzena]

Just last night I got distortion going from the coax output 24/192 from the wiim pro to the geshelli j2 dac coax input. Worked for a long time until now. Took me a while to figure out the problem. Thought my speakers were blown.

 

[pmalecek]

Toslink can’t do 192k. It's only good up to 92k

That's not quite true. 192kHz/24bit will still do. No more. Then only Coaxial.

 

[johnzena]

Found out that it was not distortion from the wiim but from geshelli dac itself. I tried different power supply (the upgraded ifi psu) that wasn't compatible. Switched back to default psu and no more distortion.

 

[onlyoneme]

Found out that it was not distortion from the wiim but from geshelli dac itself. I tried different power supply (the upgraded ifi psu) that wasn't compatible. Switched back to default psu and no more distortion.

Incorrect voltage or your DAC simply prefers the stock PSU?

 

[johnzena]

It prefers the stock. Specs were the same.

 

[buybeach]

That's not quite true. 192kHz/24bit will still do. No more. Then only Coaxial.

I had a similar head-scratching issue with optical, switched to coax, all good. Coax is simply a higher bandwidth connector than Toslink (junk).

 

[onlyoneme]

I had a similar head-scratching issue with optical, switched to coax, all good. Coax is simply a higher bandwidth connector than Toslink (junk).

Both can handle around 15 MHz which is needed for spdif transmission of 192 kHz content.

 

[onlyoneme]

It prefers the stock. Specs were the same.

A good precaution for people who think that a "better" PSU will always give better results.

When I had Volumio Primo for tests, every PSU I used resulted in higher distortions when compared to the stock PSU.

 

[buybeach]

Both can handle around 15 MHz which is needed for spdif transmission of 192 kHz content.

But I cannot get optical to play high (above 5 kbps) bandwidth streams, coax works fine. Whet can I say?

 

[audiobliss]

I also have a LG tablet that I stream from using its USB , I tried to use a upgraded ifi power supply, same 5v , but it doesn’t work, only works with the cheap wall wart it came with.