Pro Plus direct into amplifier and not using a pre-amp at all

macsmith777

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Is there a reason this would not work, or is not advisable? I won't be doing anything other than streaming, so why would I just not go straight to the amplifier if the volume can be controlled within the WiiM app? Is there a degradation of signal quality using the volume control on the Pro Plus?

Sorry if this is a foolish question, I'm still learning.
 
Is there a reason this would not work, or is not advisable? I won't be doing anything other than streaming, so why would I just not go straight to the amplifier if the volume can be controlled within the WiiM app? Is there a degradation of signal quality using the volume control on the Pro Plus?

Sorry if this is a foolish question, I'm still learning.
Yes, using the volume control will degrade the signal. But in reality, I don't think you can hear the difference.

If you want to get a bit perfect, turn on the fixed volume of the audio output and turn off the EQ.
 
Yes, using the volume control will degrade the signal. But in reality, I don't think you can hear the difference.

If you want to get a bit perfect, turn on the fixed volume of the audio output and turn off the EQ.
So if that is the case, and I can't really tell the difference, I could just run the a/v analog out straight to an amp (Schiit Vidar 2)? I can always add a preamp if this is not doing it for me sound wise.
 
Yes. However, if you connect the analog output directly to the power amplifier, pay attention to the output level. Start by setting "Line out revel" to 500mV in the audio settings section of the Wiim app. Then turn off the fixed volume and test from low volume.

As you say, you can add preamps and DACs later.
 
For your information.
This is the relationship between the Line out revel and SINAD in WIIM pro plus.

2 Vrms - SINAD 111.7
1 Vrms - SINAD 109.4
0.8 Vrms - SINAD 107.6
0.5 Vrms - SINAD 103.8

Quoted from the measurement of @onlyoneme.


You can also find measurements for volume and EQ in Pro here.

Post in thread 'Sound quality when using EQ or Volume Control' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/sound-quality-when-using-eq-or-volume-control.572/post-6626
 
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The vidar 2 is a pure power amp, right? No volume control at all.
So if using the wiim to control the volume, be very careful not to accidentally swipe it to 100%, although maybe if the wiim is set to 0.5v output full volume might not be really, really loud.
And / or use the volume limit % setting in the wiim app.
 
So if that is the case, and I can't really tell the difference, I could just run the a/v analog out straight to an amp (Schiit Vidar 2)? I can always add a preamp if this is not doing it for me sound wise.
Since you're already in the Schiit ecosystem, you could just pick up a Sys ($49, or even less on the used market): https://www.schiit.com/products/sys

IMHO, volume control and equalization is best done in the analog domain. And in your case, it could save your speakers if the WiiM accidentally plays something at full blast (the audio equivalent of a power surge).

Alternatively, if you're ever thinking of using headphones, Schiit is closing out the Magni+ headphone amp/preamp for just $79: https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-plus
 
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I am late to this thread, but this topic is really important IMHO.

The reason I say this is that I have been using lately my wiim pro plus as here described (connected directly to a power amp) The sound is great and I have been enjoying it so far.

However, I use Apple Music through Airplay on my Iphone. For this reason, I usually just use the Apple Music app. It has happened a couple times that, when the Iphone connected with the Pro Plus, the volume setting messed up somehow for some seconds and went full blast. Absolutely horrrible.

So I guess my question would be how to avoid this, the options that come to mind are:

a) Remain within the Wiim app (avoid using Apple Music and change to some other stremaing service)

b) Use (like proposed in this thread) an analog device like the Schiit Sys as a safety step in the signal chain. Turn its volume knob to almost max and then control volume from the Wiim App. However I wonder if this may introduce noise, distortion or channel imbalance issues.

c) Get a proper preamplifier and connect the Pro Plus either via rca or coax. However, this seems to be an expensive option.

Any thoughts or recommendations on this?
 
I am late to this thread, but this topic is really important IMHO.

The reason I say this is that I have been using lately my wiim pro plus as here described (connected directly to a power amp) The sound is great and I have been enjoying it so far.

However, I use Apple Music through Airplay on my Iphone. For this reason, I usually just use the Apple Music app. It has happened a couple times that, when the Iphone connected with the Pro Plus, the volume setting messed up somehow for some seconds and went full blast. Absolutely horrrible.

So I guess my question would be how to avoid this, the options that come to mind are:

a) Remain within the Wiim app (avoid using Apple Music and change to some other stremaing service)

b) Use (like proposed in this thread) an analog device like the Schiit Sys as a safety step in the signal chain. Turn its volume knob to almost max and then control volume from the Wiim App. However I wonder if this may introduce noise, distortion or channel imbalance issues.

c) Get a proper preamplifier and connect the Pro Plus either via rca or coax. However, this seems to be an expensive option.

Any thoughts or recommendations on this?
Does setting the volume limit in wiim app help?
i.e. so that full volume isn't.
 
Yes, of course, but this also limits the output capabilities of the device - for instance if one wants to listen to music loud.
Also, since this limitation takes place in the software domain, couldn't it also be affeced by an occasional software failure?
 
I am late to this thread, but this topic is really important IMHO.

The reason I say this is that I have been using lately my wiim pro plus as here described (connected directly to a power amp) The sound is great and I have been enjoying it so far.

However, I use Apple Music through Airplay on my Iphone. For this reason, I usually just use the Apple Music app. It has happened a couple times that, when the Iphone connected with the Pro Plus, the volume setting messed up somehow for some seconds and went full blast. Absolutely horrrible.

So I guess my question would be how to avoid this, the options that come to mind are:

a) Remain within the Wiim app (avoid using Apple Music and change to some other stremaing service)

b) Use (like proposed in this thread) an analog device like the Schiit Sys as a safety step in the signal chain. Turn its volume knob to almost max and then control volume from the Wiim App. However I wonder if this may introduce noise, distortion or channel imbalance issues.

c) Get a proper preamplifier and connect the Pro Plus either via rca or coax. However, this seems to be an expensive option.

Any thoughts or recommendations on this?
I use a 10db attenuator at my amp input so a 100 percent boo boo incident with the Wiim doesn't blow out my speakers.
 
Does it alter the signal or introduce any noise/distortion at audible levels?
Audible no. I don't know how it measures but I don't hear any difference with it in or out of the circuit. An analog preamp would be a more elegant solution but this is a cheap fix that protects the amp and sounds fine. I may insert a preamp at some point but I'm in no hurry. For $20 give it a try and send back if you don't like them.
 
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