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

[HalSF]

I just set up the WiiM amp and everything is working and sounding great, with the exception of the volume of vinyl playback via the RCA line in being dramatically lower than other sources, as others have posted. The sound quality is fine, but even at 100% volume it’s only moderately loud. The WiiM Amp replaced a 30 year old JVC receiver that played *very* loud with the same vinyl gear and speakers.

My setup is Audio Technica AT-VM95E MM cartdge > +40db Darlington Labs MM-5 phono preamp > WiiM Amp > 89db Paradigm Studio Reference 20 speakers.

 

[Brantome]

The WiiM Amp has a line in, not a phono in like your amp probably had which would have had a preamp circuit to boost the phono input and apply RIAA equalisation. You really need an external phono pre-amp for your turntable to feed the WiiM Amp.

 

[harkpabst]

My setup is Audio Technica AT-VM95E MM cartdge > +40db Darlington Labs MM-5 phono preamp > WiiM Amp > 89db Paradigm Studio Reference 20 speakers.

As @Fender stated, this setup really should work. It's an absolutely reasonable use case.

Unfortunately, there is no binding standard for analog RCA connections. Modern sources might put out maximum values way in excess of 2 V. Because the analog input is digitized immediately, this input must not be overdriven, no matter what.

Typical phono pre-amps are not necessarily designed with this kind of input in mind. I think that WiiM should allow some digital gain on the analog Input. This would lead to a reduced signal to noise ratio but I don't expect this to be a real problem with records, as there should be plenty of headroom.

This dives into the territory of per-imput sensitivity (yes, please) vs. per-source volume control (not that useful or intuitive).

 

[HalSF]

As @Fender stated, this setup really should work. It's an absolutely reasonable use case.

Unfortunately, there is no binding standard for analog RCA connections. Modern sources might put out maximum values way in excess of 2 V. Because the analog input is digitized immediately, this input must not be overdriven, no matter what.

Typical phono pre-amps are not necessarily designed with this kind of input in mind. I think that WiiM should allow some digital gain on the analog Input. This would lead to a reduced signal to noise ratio but I don't expect this to be a real problem with records, as there should be plenty of headroom.

This drives into the territory of per-imput sensitivity (yes, please) vs. per-source volume control (not that useful or intuitive).

Assuming your suggestion of an increased gain option for the RCA audio in is something that could be provided in a firmware update, that would be awesome.

 

[harkpabst]

Assuming your suggestion of an increased gain option for the RCA audio in is something that could be provided in a firmware update, that would be awesome.

Accompanied by an app update to expose the user interface, yes.

 

[laxcoach47]

Assuming your suggestion of an increased gain option for the RCA audio in is something that could be provided in a firmware update, that would be awesome.

You might try a Douk line level booster. About $40 on Amazon.

 

[St David]

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

Can you get cables that will connect the CD outputs to the optic inputs on the Wiim Ultra? It would involve some kind of adapter?

 

[harkpabst]

Can you get cables that will connect the CD outputs to the optic inputs on the Wiim Ultra? It would involve some kind of adapter?

What do you call "CD outputs"?