Poll: Ultra with external DAC

[Burnside]

I use iOs but heard that Apple Music on Android can use Chromecast. It might work up to 96kHz.

Unfortunately not - Chromecast doesn’t support ALAC, so again you get 256kbps AAC

 

[manyung1987]

Sure, but if using a wired iPad (as I do) why don't you connect it to the DAC directly? Assuming the DAC has a USB input as many today do.

Also for an AirPlay remote control experience.... for tracks up to CD quality (the majority), an iPad/iPhone can Airplay 1 to an Airport Express connected via toslink to Urd. And even higher res tracks are transcoded quite well. Apple does a good job at that, better than others.

Good catch
coz I have to use Room Correction for Apple Music.

Also, later the DAC will be replaced by a digital crossover DSP with AES In and Out.
The digital preamp volume knob of wiim ultra does the job.
A physical rotary volume knob is a-must for production purpose.

In addition, there is a 3-IN-1-OUT toslink switch before the wiim ultra to switch between (iPad/Audio Interface for PC/Apple TV).
So that I can make use of the above wiim ultra features for all my sources, plus my USB DDC's purification.

 

[Wiimer]

@adias, @Burnside,

Thanks both of you
I don't know when it will come, but I would like to try Apple Music when DLNA cast comes along.

 

[jefft]

Geshelli J3 with Sparkos 2590 op amps. XLR out to NAD M23 power amp.

 

[adias]

@adias, @Burnside,

Thanks both of you
I don't know when it will come, but I would like to try Apple Music when DLNA cast comes along.

Can you play Apple Music wired to a DAC? or get a used Airport Express and use AirPlay 1.

 

[Matt_Holland]

None of these subjective opinions on DAC comparisons should be taken seriously unless the comparisons were made blind and with output levels matched. Sorry to be a party pooper but if anyone is genuinely interested in making comparisons like this then they absolutely have to rule out sighted bias (the more expensive or aesthetically pleasing product usually wins) and level differences (the louder product is almost always preferred, even if by less than 1dB louder).

The correct thing to do is first do a controlled blind test to see if you can even hear a difference. Then you can test for preference.

It’s not what most passionate audiophiles want to hear, but sighted, uncontrolled comparisons mean nothing.

Anyway, as you were, lol!

 

[onlyoneme]

Thank you for your valuable explanation.

 

[Bozzz]

Qobuz vs tidal guys?

Airplay Apple Music. My 54 year old ears can’t tell the difference between aac and lossless.

 

[adias]

Airplay Apple Music. My 54 year old ears can’t tell the difference between aac and lossless.

Indeed they are very close. OTOH I can hear the difference between Qobuz 256k vs lossless.

 

[Bill Mac]

None of these subjective opinions on DAC comparisons should be taken seriously unless the comparisons were made blind and with output levels matched. Sorry to be a party pooper but if anyone is genuinely interested in making comparisons like this then they absolutely have to rule out sighted bias (the more expensive or aesthetically pleasing product usually wins) and level differences (the louder product is almost always preferred, even if by less than 1dB louder).

The correct thing to do is first do a controlled blind test to see if you can even hear a difference. Then you can test for preference.

It’s not what most passionate audiophiles want to hear, but sighted, uncontrolled comparisons mean nothing.

Anyway, as you were, lol!

Normally I would agree with all of your thoughts in regard to audio comparisons. But the recent addition of a Denafrips Pontus 15 DAC has changed my mind this one time. The Pontus 15 obviously sounds better than the Technics SL-G700 CD/SACD player that was used previously as a DAC.

I did quite a bit of research on DACs leading up to buying the Pontus 15. The many positive reviews led me to buy one and I'm very happy with it.

https://www.denafrips.com/pontus

 

[Bozzz]

Normally I would agree with all of your thoughts in regard to audio comparisons. But the recent addition of a Denafrips Pontus 15 DAC has changed my mind this one time. The Pontus 15 obviously sounds better than the Technics SL-G700 CD/SACD player that was used previously as a DAC.

I did quite a bit of research on DACs leading up to buying the Pontus 15. The many positive reviews led me to buy one and I'm very happy with it.

https://www.denafrips.com/pontus

Probably sounds quite a bit better than my Fiio k11 r2r would love to get a Denafrips but my wife would probably hire a hit man to take me out of I spent that kind of money lol

 

[Matt_Holland]

Normally I would agree with all of your thoughts in regard to audio comparisons. But the recent addition of a Denafrips Pontus 15 DAC has changed my mind this one time. The Pontus 15 obviously sounds better than the Technics SL-G700 CD/SACD player that was used previously as a DAC.

I did quite a bit of research on DACs leading up to buying the Pontus 15. The many positive reviews led me to buy one and I'm very happy with it.

https://www.denafrips.com/pontus

I stand by my previous advice on making comparisons and the kind of things that can create a bias in a subjective assessment, but it’s great you’re pleased with the purchase.

 

[usatencu]

Probably sounds quite a bit better than my Fiio k11 r2r would love to get a Denafrips but my wife would probably hire a hit man to take me out of I spent that kind of money lol

How it s fiio r2r over ultra s dac?

 

[spiritlevel]

Probably sounds quite a bit better than my Fiio k11 r2r would love to get a Denafrips but my wife would probably hire a hit man to take me out of I spent that kind of money lol

Hey Bozz - would love to hear your impressions of the R2R over the Ultra's internal DAC - can you hear a clear difference?

 

[Dazza]

Do you know how they measure in comparison? I cannot find any data on this version of the SMSL.

(My speaker system needs 8 DAC channels, and the way my MiniDSP Flex Eight handles 24/96 optical input does not have any artifacts one can hear. Luckily one can hear what it does to the received signal.
I use the Ultra Ultra line out to feed my headphone amp.)

Here you go: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/smsl-su-9-balanced-dac-review.16150/

 

[Valentino]

Thanks. Great data. Even more inaudible than the Ultra.
Of course I see the possible benefits of differential outputs, which the Ultra is lacking.

 

[PeterR]

Cool! Are they fully wireless or rather active speakers with built-in DAC? Which brand/model?

I use the Ultra's digital out (coax) to feed the digital input of a set active Dynaudio Focus XD speakers.
These have DSP and digital amps inside so all music is kept in the digital domain.
I still have to make a comparison between the Arcam St60 and Utra outputs

 

[krasty]

Ditched Audiolab Q-Dac....a sad story

 

[Smartplug]

The old saying dac is flavoring to your music. If neutrality is too polite to your taste you can always color it to your liking by using eq. Prior to rc, we were craving for bit perfect but those users since then don’t care about those since how rc changes it sound signature based on room character.

 

[dangermouse]

Ditched Audiolab Q-Dac....a sad story

Do tell.