Phono Ouput still Low WITH +36db Preamp on Line Input

[Petevid]

If I were to connect a CD player I’d connect it to the optical input.

 

[harkpabst]

If I were to connect a CD player I’d connect it to the optical input.

You would be connecting a CD transport then, not a CD player.

 

[Petevid]

So what Is my Nad C538, a cd player or cd transport?

 

[harkpabst]

So what Is my Nad C538, a cd player or cd transport?

Depends on how you connect it.

If you are bypassing its DAC (e.g. using the optical output) then you are using it as a CD transport.

 

[Petevid]

So cd transports and cd players can be and indeed most are the same thing?

 

[harkpabst]

Strictly speaking, a CD transport is a CD player with no DAC (but only digital outputs). The only reason for buying one instead of a CD player in the same price range would be hoping that the difference in price has been spend on the mechanics.

In practice the question is if you want to use the in-built DAC or rather leave that to an external DAC (like the one build into the WiiM Amp).

No magic involved.

 

[Petevid]

I think we know that but with respect that doesn’t answer my question.

 

[harkpabst]

What question?

Are you trying to get picky or asking for help?

Starting to get confused.

 

[Petevid]

The question was ….So cd transports and cd players can be and indeed most are the same thing?

 

[Petevid]

Anyway, the point I’m try to get to is that the analogue line input of the Wiim amp is just as likely to be used for turntables as CD players. As most CD players are also CD transports (and not many are just players ie lacking any digital output) and have digital outputs then there are two options available to connect a cd player/transport but only one for a turntable. Hence it is not unreasonable to suggest that the analogue line input could be better matched for connection to a turntable pre amp . After all many HiFi aficionados also like to play vinyl; cd players can be connected digitally, streaming is taken care of by the amp itself and NAS devices by the usb input.

 

[harkpabst]

If you were serious about your (questionable) argument you would have issued a feature request by now, as suggested before.

Instead, you're wasting your time discussing pointless stuff with fellow WiiM users so far. It's all up to you.

 

[Petevid]

No, merely taking issuing with your point that the line input should be optimised for cd players

 

[Brantome]

If you were serious about your (questionable) argument you would have issued a feature request by now, as suggested before.

Instead, you're wasting your time discussing pointless stuff with fellow WiiM users so far. It's all up to you.

Please keep comments courteous as per the forum rules. Thanks

 

[canard]

if only one analog input, limiting it to a phono input would be a shame when we know that for a few dozen euro-dollars you can find decent modest phono stages because you may want to connect a tuner, a tape, dat, compact flash, a telephone. soundcard etc. seeing a qualitative phono stage (and the settings often necessary for this function)...

not realizing what would be generated is astonishing

 

[Petevid]

No, it’s not being suggested that the analogue line input be changed to a phono input. What’s being questioned is the sensitivity of the line input.

All the devices you mention would also struggle if they have a line output level of 500mV or thereabouts which is the common line level output of phono pre amps designed to be connected to line inputs. Line inputs on Denon, Nad, Yamaha, Rotel , Marantz amps etc manage to achieve better matching capabilities on their line inputs than that currently available on the Wiim amp.

Also please don’t get me wrong I otherwise love the amp.

 

[canard]

you are faced with a new, very mainstream brand which is discovering audio step by step...
you shouldn't expect too much or think about comparisons with audio brands present since the 60s and 70s etc
;-)

 

[Brantome]

you are faced with a new, very mainstream brand which is discovering audio step by step...
you shouldn't expect too much or think about comparisons with audio brands present since the 60s and 70s etc
;-)

Well perhaps they could take a leaf out of Isaac Newton’s book and potentially see further by standing on the shoulders of giants

 

[Petevid]

you are faced with a new, very mainstream brand which is discovering audio step by step...
you shouldn't expect too much or think about comparisons with audio brands present since the 60s and 70s etc
;-)

I think they’ve hit the ground running and have understood the needs of the audio market well and are taking it by storm.

 

[canard]

that's not really my feeling... ;-)

 

[JohnEss]

Anyway, the point I’m try to get to is that the analogue line input of the Wiim amp is just as likely to be used for turntables as CD players. As most CD players are also CD transports (and not many are just players ie lacking any digital output) and have digital outputs then there are two options available to connect a cd player/transport but only one for a turntable. Hence it is not unreasonable to suggest that the analogue line input could be better matched for connection to a turntable pre amp . After all many HiFi aficionados also like to play vinyl; cd players can be connected digitally, streaming is taken care of by the amp itself and NAS devices by the usb input.

Part of the problem with using line level input devices with a phono preamp is that there aren't any standards for the output level of the cartridges. Between MC and MM and high output and low output, there's too much variety to have a standard. It seems like finding a good combination may take some investigation and being able to demo a pre before committing. Looking for optimal playback quality with vinyl has never really been plug and play. Using a line level input device with gain cranked to max is likely to create more distortion than desired.