Poll: Ultra with external DAC

[David Sydney]

I am now running USB out of Ultra to a Topping E70V Velvet (AK4499) DAC! Best ever sound for lowest price.

 

[Bill Mac]

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

When researching DACs recently I looked at all DACs no matter what the price range was. In that search measurements as well as overall sound quality were equally important. I read many reviews on different sites and also looked at which DACs seemed to show up often for sale used. I considered DACs from Topping, SMSL, RME, Benchmark, Denafrips and others. Looked briefly at Schitt but their lack of DSD support quickly eliminated them.

After weeks of extensive reading and viewing of reviews I ordered the Pontus 15th. I'm very happy with my choice and Pontus 15th is a great match with the Ultra using the USB output. I do wish WiiM would support DSD direct instead of the conversion to PCM 192/24. But that aside the combo sounds excellent in my bedroom system. Also in the system is a Yamaha A-S1100 integrated amp powering a pair of Philharmonic BMR v2 monitor speakers.

 

[adias]

Related to the topic... Check HERE.

 

[m_sherzod]

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

Also planning to get the J3 with Sparkos 2590 but into RCA. Is there a noticeable difference with the internal DAC of the Ultra?

 

[Dazza]

Also planning to get the J3 with Sparkos 2590 but into RCA. Is there a noticeable difference with the internal DAC of the Ultra?

I can't comment on the Geshelli DACS but I use digital output from the Ultra and feed them through a SMSL-SU9 Ultra and it's significantly better than the Ultra's internal DAC.

 

[m_sherzod]

I can't comment on the Geshelli DACS but I use digital output from the Ultra and feed them through a SMSL-SU9 Ultra and it's significantly better than the Ultra's internal DAC.

Thanks. Do use USB connection? Some say USB resets the clock and this is a good thing with the Ultra..

 

[Dazza]

Thanks. Do use USB connection? Some say USB resets the clock and this is a good thing with the Ultra..

I tried that for a few weeks but actually switched to a co-axial connection this morning and it sounds cleaner. The USB out allows you to let the external DAC do the re-clocking as the Ultra's clocking isn't great but USB is a noisy method and I personally found that had a bigger impact on on fidelity that the Ultra's clocking circuit. I've not tried feeding it through a USB hub which could help with the inherent noise of USB but, to be honest, 90% + of my listening is to lossless rips from my CD's so co-axial has all the bandwidth I need.

 

[m_sherzod]

I tried that for a few weeks but actually switched to a co-axial connection this morning and it sounds cleaner. The USB out allows you to let the external DAC do the re-clocking as the Ultra's clocking isn't great but USB is a noisy method and I personally found that had a bigger impact on on fidelity that the Ultra's clocking circuit. I've not tried feeding it through a USB hub which could help with the inherent noise of USB but, to be honest, 90% + of my listening is to lossless rips from my CD's so co-axial has all the bandwidth I need.

Thanks for sharing. The reason I am asking, I am thinking do I need the optional Amanero USB module on the J3 for extra 50$? )

 

[Dazza]

Thanks for sharing. The reason I am asking, I am thinking do I need the optional Amanero USB module on the J3 for extra 50$? )

For the sake of an extra 50 bucks, I would. If you ever have tracks with resolution above the limits of optical and co-axial, USB is your only options for the Ultra to feed the J3 at full resolution.

 

[Burnside]

For the sake of an extra 50 bucks, I would. If you ever have tracks with resolution above the limits of optical and co-axial, USB is your only options for the Ultra to feed the J3 at full resolution.

Ultra’s digital output is limited to 24/192 whether that be optical, coaxial or usb.

 

[Dazza]

Ultra’s digital output is limited to 24/192 whether that be optical, coaxial or usb.

Fair enough. I'd still spend the extra $50 if I was getting a J3 though. Just my opinion.

 

[m_sherzod]

Fair enough. I'd still spend the extra $50 if I was getting a J3 though. Just my opinion.

True I will go with the USB option))

 

[Dazza]

Just wish the Geshelli gear was easier to get in the UK

 

[m_sherzod]

Just wish the Geshelli gear was easier to get in the UK

I live in Uzbekistan. Might as well be the only person ordering a Geshelli product or similar here))

 

[pieterv1]

All of you using the Ultra with an external DAC connected to a power amp (without additional preamplifier), do you still control the volume with the Ultra? Or do you use the DAC as digital preamp, controlling the volume from there?

 

[jefft]

All of you using the Ultra with an external DAC connected to a power amp (without additional preamplifier), do you still control the volume with the Ultra? Or do you use the DAC as digital preamp, controlling the volume from there?

I am controlling the volume with the Ultra.

 

[Valentino]

I do the same. Optical out to the speaker system and line out (set to 1 V) to the (analog only) Topping L30 headphone amplifier, with its potentiometer volume control maxed out.

 

[jefft]

Also planning to get the J3 with Sparkos 2590 but into RCA. Is there a noticeable difference with the internal DAC of the Ultra?

I never tried the analog output of the Ultra. I trusted the reputable online reviewers who claims there is a noticeable difference.
My signal chain includes a minidsp which then goes into the J3. I always intended the Ultra to be a digital streamer only.

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

When researching DACs recently I looked at all DACs no matter what the price range was. In that search measurements as well as overall sound quality were equally important. I read many reviews on different sites and also looked at which DACs seemed to show up often for sale used. I considered DACs from Topping, SMSL, RME, Benchmark, Denafrips and others. Looked briefly at Schitt but their lack of DSD support quickly eliminated them.

After weeks of extensive reading and viewing of reviews I ordered the Pontus 15th. I'm very happy with my choice and Pontus 15th is a great match with the Ultra using the USB output. I do wish WiiM would support DSD direct instead of the conversion to PCM 192/24. But that aside the combo sounds excellent in my bedroom system. Also in the system is a Yamaha A-S1100 integrated amp powering a pair of Philharmonic BMR v2 monitor speakers.

hello, i also have a yamaha as1100. i now connect it to main in and use it as a power amp. but i wonder if it would sound more tube like if i use it as an integrated. Do you know how i should connect the wiim ultra so it doesnt use the sabre dac ? thanks in advance.

 

[Dazza]

hello, i also have a yamaha as1100. i now connect it to main in and use it as a power amp. but i wonder if it would sound more tube like if i use it as an integrated. Do you know how i should connect the wiim ultra so it doesnt use the sabre dac ? thanks in advance.

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If there are no digital inputs on the Yamaha then you'd need to put a DAC between it and the Ultra. Then you'd use a digital out from the Ultra and connect it to the DAC and use the analogue output from the DAC into the Yamaha. If you're after a cheap option, I'd suggest the SMSL SU-1. It has an AKM chipset in it. Please remember though, the chip used in a DAC is of far less importance than the quality of the output stage of the DAC.