So impressed with WiiM Pro optical connection to external DAC ..

[Dru2k]

Using optical to connect to SMSL D0100. Able to output 24 bit / 192khz , fixed output, 1 VRMS. DAC is set to DPLL of 1. DAC to AVR via RCA. Listening to John Coltrane 24 bit / 192 khz FLAC on my Denon x3700h. Sound mode pure direct with LFE+Main.

Two Canton karats 300, velodyne cht-15 sub, dual Polk psw10 sub. Velodyne handling low end, psw10 only boosting midbass. Phase , delay, level matched , with house curve via minidsp 2x4 hd. WiiM parametric EQ to remove any double bass at crossover frequencies and highlight specific desired frequencies on top of individual L+R room correction.

So very impressed the WiiM pro can handle such a stable connection, tight sync with external DAC. Everything sounds so sharp and precise. Testament to the quality components used. And this is not even the WiiM pro plus or better.

 

[Burnside]

As an aside, the VRMS setting has nothing to do with digital optical output, it’s just for analogue output. And I’d personally not use fixed output unless the external DAC had issues switching sample rates.

 

[Dru2k]

As an aside, the VRMS setting has nothing to do with digital optical output, it’s just for analogue output. And I’d personally not use fixed output unless the external DAC had issues switching sample rates.

I see. I have it set for fixed volume output but fixed resolution off.

 

[Burnside]

I see. I have it set for fixed volume output but fixed resolution off.

Sorry misread it as fixed resolution given its proximity to 24/192. Fixed volume is understandable

 

[Dru2k]

Sorry misread it as fixed resolution given its proximity to 24/192. Fixed volume is understandable

I had no idea VRMS only applies to analog though, just figured hey it's under fixed volume it must apply lol. Thank you for informing me

 

[holsen]

Using optical to connect to SMSL D0100. Able to output 24 bit / 192khz , fixed output, 1 VRMS. DAC is set to DPLL of 1. DAC to AVR via RCA. Listening to John Coltrane 24 bit / 192 khz FLAC on my Denon x3700h. Sound mode pure direct with LFE+Main.

Two Canton karats 300, velodyne cht-15 sub, dual Polk psw10 sub. Velodyne handling low end, psw10 only boosting midbass. Phase , delay, level matched , with house curve via minidsp 2x4 hd. WiiM parametric EQ to remove any double bass at crossover frequencies and highlight specific desired frequencies on top of individual L+R room correction.

So very impressed the WiiM pro can handle such a stable connection, tight sync with external DAC. Everything sounds so sharp and precise. Testament to the quality components used. And this is not even the WiiM pro plus or better.

Did you by any chance test or compare Optical vs COAX - My WiiM Pro shows up this afternoon and trying to decide which connection to use to my DAC. I've got an Ultra in my living room connected via USB and it phenomenal. No USB on the Pro, though

 

[Burnside]

Did you by any chance test or compare Optical vs COAX - My WiiM Pro shows up this afternoon and trying to decide which connection to use to my DAC. I've got an Ultra in my living room connected via USB and it phenomenal. No USB on the Pro, though

As per the usual advice, try each and decide which you prefer, if indeed you can discern a difference.

 

[Dru2k]

Did you by any chance test or compare Optical vs COAX - My WiiM Pro shows up this afternoon and trying to decide which connection to use to my DAC. I've got an Ultra in my living room connected via USB and it phenomenal. No USB on the Pro, though

I switched to COAX. coax seems to be best option over optical. connecting to etopping e30 II via coax now.

 

[iPat]

Did you by any chance test or compare Optical vs COAX - My WiiM Pro shows up this afternoon and trying to decide which connection to use to my DAC. I've got an Ultra in my living room connected via USB and it phenomenal. No USB on the Pro, though

a few pointers that may help: one reason to go optical is the isolation, if your power is clean and stable, maybe power supply to WiiM upgraded, if maybe galvanic filter on your Ethernet cable and your fibre (has no copper) is solid, the difference between both will be minimal. If power, Ethernet and all other connections are not optimal, optical is the sure way to keep all the interferences from entering your DAC and high resolution system. Optical well implemented, with a good SPDIF chip on both ends and a good, solid cable (nothing stellar) can be at least as performant if not cleaner. A quick comparison make coax sometimes produce more highs that have proven to be a form of distortion (Chord's argument). Nowadays I switch happily between 'BJC Belden PRO coax to BNC' coax and Supra ZAC optical from WiiM PRO plus to DAC (with Ethernet galvanisation, iFI X power, very good power supply). Without the extra conditioning, I would personally stick with good optical cable (nothing fancy) and enjoy 24/192 with full galvanic isolation for the cleanest most 3D sound from WiiM streamer used as a bridge (not using WiiM DAC function. Quite a few variables to consider.
Furthermore, the better the DAC design, the less above parameters matter as the DAC manages the issues. There is probably no standard answer. Hope this helps.

 

[holsen]

That's a great answer and helpful explanation; and pretty much exactly what I ended up doing. For Power I picked up an Austere Series VII Powerstrip / Conditioner / Surge Protector with all components pugged into it and power supplied to the WiiM Pro through the built in USB ports. It made a big difference stage widened a bit but a cleaner blacker background.

I was so impressed that I bought anther Austere for my Living Room where an Ultra feeds an external DAC via USB and there too, the results were dramatic the bass went deeper and again the sound became so much more cleaner. And that's the thing it sounded great, it sounded clean, but putting this Power Bar in the system made the improvement so apparent - even my wife noticed and commented on it.

The results were so good that I sold off the WiiM Pro and upgraded it to s second Ultra to replace it and now it is feeding the same DAC the Pro was but via USB. Such is the journey!

​

 

[Dru2k]

i ended up switching to IFI power and COAX to external dac as well