Roadmaps - 10 Feb 24 updates

[d6jg]

The Go Link was also my suggestion. Not too expensive and the attached cable is resistent.

It is the cable and the plug that are always the weak points but my experience with these is good.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

I have this one which can output up to 32Bit 384 Khz.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[cooky560]

If he is on Android there is still UAPP as solution.

iPhone 15 I'm afraid.

 

[d6jg]

iPhone 15 I'm afraid.

iPhone 15 is capable of HiRes in conjunction with any of the suggested USB-C DACs so you are in luck

 

[cooky560]

It's possibly time that someone made a phone case with a DAC integrated into it, to restore the 3.5mm functionality, it was daft to remove it.

 

[d6jg]

It's possibly time that someone made a phone case with a DAC integrated into it, to restore the 3.5mm functionality, it was daft to remove it.

Someone did but I can't recall who or what phone is was for

 

[d6jg]

Someone did but I can't recall who or what phone is was for

These guys https://www.audiomod.com/

 

[jfbuk]

this is pretty small

TC35Pro (Mountain2) 3.5mm DAC Dongle - ddHiFi

T-Shaped 3.5mm USB DAC Dongle 2nd gen Tuning for a more comfortable listening experience CS43131 for decoding chip ES9603Q for independent amplifier chip Pro-level shell craftsmanship The indicator light Thoughtful lanyard hole

cn.ddhifi.com

 

[cooky560]

For the iFi Go Link and for a FiiO KA1 I can confirm it. This are the two dongles my wife uses every day with her iPhone!

How decent do they sound compared to say the DAC in my wiim pro plus?

 

[pssc]

Don't know if that's possible with the current chipset or licensing. Some have purchased a relatively cheap BT transmitter like this to get access to the higher BT codecs https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C3HBWYG4

Yes aptX may well require a licence or specific chipset, LDAC is available as a software encoder in debian for example. As said I have used external dongles/DAC's and they are suboptimal, no external DACS or headphone cables for me , due to the little destructor bots, Bluetooth and wireless CD quality is good enough. Oh and it needs to pass the wife test

 

[jxrxme]

Oohh, that should please some people, assuming we are actually talking about the same thing..
i.e. switch from, say, coax to analog out and the music keeps on playing.

I’m really looking forward to this update! If I can switch outputs without resetting playback (queue) it will significantly improve my life ;-)

 

[steadyshot]

Anybody tested the new upsampling feature in a beta firmware ? How does it work ?

 

[Brantome]

Anybody tested the new upsampling feature in a beta firmware ? How does it work ?

I recall seeing a screenshot from someone about a month ago (maybe on ASR?) but I don’t recall whether it commented on its efficacy.
Guess we must be due the release of a few features in the coming weeks, and hopefully the upnp casting beta - I wonder if that’ll provide hi res groups?

 

[steadyshot]

I recall seeing a screenshot from someone about a month ago (maybe on ASR?) but I don’t recall whether it commented on its efficacy.
Guess we must be due the release of a few features in the coming weeks, and hopefully the upnp casting beta - I wonder if that’ll provide hi res groups?

I hope it improves sound ! What do you mean by hi res groups ? In my case I want to set it at 24/96 fixed

 

[Brantome]

I hope it improves sound ! What do you mean by hi res groups ? In my case I want to set it at 24/96 fixed

That was referring to my second comment about upnp casting, not the fixed rate output. If WiiM implement UPNP casting, that may be a way to get round the 24/48 limit when linking WiiM devices, assuming of course they allow casting to more than one upnp player.

 

[Brantome]

I hope it improves sound !

I think the best we can hope for with upsampling is that it doesn’t adversely impact the sound. I understand the purpose of this feature is to get round inter track clicking caused by sample rates changes.

 

[steadyshot]

Here's a breakdown of how oversampling benefits Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) and audio quality, especially compared to the CD standard:

What is Oversampling?

Oversampling involves increasing the sampling rate of a digital audio signal above its original value. For example, CD-quality audio has a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. Oversampling might multiply that rate by 4x, 8x, or even higher.
This process doesn't add more detail to the original signal. Instead, it spreads existing quantization errors (introduced when converting analog to digital) over a wider frequency range.
How Oversampling Helps DACs

Simplified Reconstruction Filter:
The reconstruction filter in a DAC removes very high-frequency artifacts (above the audible range) created by the digital-to-analog conversion process. These artifacts are a form of noise.
Oversampling shifts these artifacts much higher in frequency. This allows the DAC to use a gentler, less complex analog filter. Simpler filters usually have better phase response, preserving the time relationships between different frequencies in the audio signal for more accurate sound reproduction.
Reduced Noise:
As mentioned, oversampling spreads quantization noise over a wider frequency range. Much of that noise gets pushed above the range of human hearing. When the reconstruction filter removes these ultrasonic frequencies, it significantly reduces the audible noise floor. This leads to a cleaner, more transparent sound.
Sound Quality Benefits vs. CD

Improved Dynamics: The lower noise floor achieved with oversampling allows very quiet passages in the music to be reproduced more faithfully, enhancing dynamic range.
Enhanced Detail: Although oversampling doesn't technically increase resolution, subtle low-level details become more apparent due to the reduction in noise.
Smoother Highs: The potential for harshness in high frequencies is reduced thanks to the less aggressive reconstruction filtering.
More Spacious Sound: Improved time-domain accuracy (from the simpler filter) helps create a more realistic and convincing soundstage for the listener.

 

[simbun]

Guess we must be due the release of a few features in the coming weeks, and hopefully the upnp casting beta - I wonder if that’ll provide hi res groups?

If by UPnP casting you mean to non-WiiM devices then surely that won't include grouping at all, or at least not synchronised?

 

[Brantome]

If by UPnP casting you mean to non-WiiM devices then surely that won't include grouping at all, or at least not synchronised?

Fair point, I hadn’t thought that far forward

 

[steadyshot]

@steadyshot
However, the whole thing is also viewed critically at many places: Robert Harley for example, sheds light on the concept of "marketing bits" in his book "The Complete Guide To High-End Audio". Altmann criticises on www.jitter.de that upsampling reduces the measurable jitter, but after extrapolating the signal is no longer the same - it now contains the time error immediately and is qualitatively irreversible changed. The problems of asynchronous extrapolation are also sometimes addressed.
However, I do not think many of "us" WiiM users will own gear what is able to show audible pros or cons. My devices f.e. are not able to do so, may be yours are. If so: Congratulations!

I will check the link you provided . The point is that at least in theory pushing the quantisation error at inaudible frequency will bring benefits or the dac will have to apply a less steep reconstruction filter will again at least in theory benefit more normal dacs