PC to WIIM Amp audio output

[MichaelR]

I want to setup a PC to output audio to the WIIM Amp. I have reviewed a lot of documentation regarding this. One solution is to connect the PC headphone jack to the WIIM line-in ports with a 3.5mm to RCA connector. Is this a reasonable solution with good quality sound?

Other solutions that utilize DLNA/music streaming apps seem to be overkill. I do not own that much music. The PC and the WIIM Amp are on the same network. If there is a network solution, that would be better than a direct connect to the WIIM, but I don't see one.

My music streaming service allows me to create playlists but the WIIM Amp does not recognize the playlists. So, the goal is to be able to play playlists through the streaming website to take advantage of the high-quality speakers attached to the WIIM.

 

[anonyless]

get a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter): output bit perfect audio from your PC using USB connection to the DDC as output and SPDIF (optical) to the WiiM amp spdif input
this is the one i use and recommend https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/903.html (SMSL PO 2024)
it costs about 30 USD and takes hardly any desk space

 

[BMeek]

This thread makes me wonder if anyone's created 'virtual USB' drivers to allow for peer-to-peer (or to Hub) connections to USB accessories via LAN or internet connections. Could be useful.

Anyway, you refer to a browser sound source - have you tried Google Cast from Chrome to the WiiM Amp's receiver? I would prefer a generic PC Sound output as @anonyless recommends, but you've stated your preference for a network connection.

 

[MichaelR]

get a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter): output bit perfect audio from your PC using USB connection to the DDC as output and SPDIF (optical) to the WiiM amp spdif input
this is the one i use and recommend https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/903.html (SMSL PO 2024)
it costs about 30 USD and takes hardly any desk space

Has anyone tried the 3.5mm to RCA connector? Is the cost of a DDC and connectors ($30 vs. $10)? worth it? Does the 3.5mm to RCA connector approach lack in quality?

 

[MichaelR]

This thread makes me wonder if anyone's created 'virtual USB' drivers to allow for peer-to-peer (or to Hub) connections to USB accessories via LAN or internet connections. Could be useful.

Anyway, you refer to a browser sound source - have you tried Google Cast from Chrome to the WiiM Amp's receiver? I would prefer a generic PC Sound output as @anonyless recommends, but you've stated your preference for a network connection.

I stay clear of Google. A connector seems more generic. A network solution seems ideal.

 

[d6jg]

Has anyone tried the 3.5mm to RCA connector? Is the cost of a DDC and connectors ($30 vs. $10)? worth it? Does the 3.5mm to RCA connector approach lack in quality?

It’s not the cable per se it’s the quality of the PCs onboard audio card.
For better audio quality a DDC will be better - USB to Optical would be how I would connect. Cubilux make a good cheap one. Make sure you get USB to Optical and not the reverse. They make both and they look identical. This is the correct one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cubilux-TOSLINK-Converter-Compatible-Computer/dp/B0B2DBGKL3
For non cable connection consider Stream What You Hear https://github.com/dheijl/swyh-rs
This will stream whatever audio that hits your PC sound card to your WiiM

 

[Aquaman]

I stay clear of Google. A connector seems more generic. A network solution seems ideal.

If you install foobar2000 (free) on your PC and make it you music player you can stream via your network to the WiiM. It will detect UPnP renderers and offer them as the output stage. No cables, no loss of quality and a very powerful software also for music library management.

 

[dtc]

I use JRiver (not free) both to play directly to my Wiim via DLNA and to serve up the files via DLNA using WHA. It also has a lot of DSPs that you can apply in either case.

The most common way to connect a PC to Wiim is probably Lyrion (free).

 

[Aquaman]

The most common way to connect a PC to Wiim is probably Lyrian (free).

I suppose you mean Lyrion.

It‘s definitely not very common though highly valued by those who use it and can get their heads around setting it up and configuring it which is a long learning process.
It is not a player but a server and primarily intended for squeezelite renderes. Most WiiMs have the option to run squeezelite but this a server solution, not a direct connection. Lyrion does indeed also have UPnP casting function but it‘s very glitchy from my experience.

For a simple to set up and use PC to WiiM connection Lyrion is at the bottom of my list.

 

[d6jg]

I use JRiver (not free) both to play directly to my Wiim via DLNA and to serve up the files via DLNA using WHA. It also has a lot of DSPs that you can apply in either case.

The most common way to connect a PC to Wiim is probably Lyrian (free).

Lyrion it isn't going to be able to stream something from a browser session unless you can determine the URL that actually contains the stream.

If using Chrome then you could "cast" the audio to the WiiM if Chromecast is enabled on the WiiM. I believe it will support 24/96 but not gapless. Otherwise Foobar 2000 and the ilk will play local files but I am only aware of Stream What You Hear as a mechanism to play anything that hits the sound card. If you didn't want system sounds etc you would need to mute them via Volume Mixer.

 

[Aquaman]

Lyrion it isn't going to be able to stream something from a browser session unless you can determine the URL that actually contains the stream.

If using Chrome then you could "cast" the audio to the WiiM if Chromecast is enabled on the WiiM. I believe it will support 24/96 but not gapless. Otherwise Foobar 2000 and the ilk will play local files but I am only aware of Stream What You Hear as a mechanism to play anything that hits the sound card. If you didn't want system sounds etc you would need to mute them via Volume Mixer.

I‘m sure your link is very valid and useful to those who know what github is, works and what it contains.
As a non-techie I find github to cause the maximum of bemusement possible .

 

[d6jg]

I‘m sure your link is very valid and useful to those who know what github is, works and what it contains.
As a non-techie I find github to cause the maximum of bemusement possible .

You don't need to know anything about GitHub in this instance provided you can scroll down and find the "Releases" download link which is obvious.

 

[Roedelheim]

I‘m sure your link is very valid and useful to those who know what github is, works and what it contains.
As a non-techie I find github to cause the maximum of bemusement possible .

 

[Aquaman]

You don't need to know anything about GitHub in this instance provided you can scroll down and find the "Releases" download link which is obvious.

Every day is school day. Thank you.