subwoofer management

[catchmeifyoucan]

Hello guys,

quick question. I want to use a different pre amp to my power amplifier and use the wiim ultra as a streamer only.
Can i still use the sub out/ bass management if i do so ?
I just wanted to test some older/vintage pre amplifiers to see if i can get a warmer sound. The wiim ultra sounds quite harsh to my ears.

thanks in advance.

 

[Wiimer]

Hello guys,

quick question. I want to use a different pre amp to my power amplifier and use the wiim ultra as a streamer only.
Can i still use the sub out/ bass management if i do so ?
I just wanted to test some older/vintage pre amplifiers to see if i can get a warmer sound. The wiim ultra sounds quite harsh to my ears.

thanks in advance.

Hi

Yes sure.
The Sub out can be used simultaneously with all output ports on the Ultra. As long as a subwoofer is connected to the Ultra's Sub out, bass management features (such as RoomFit and subwoofer settings) can be used.

 

[dominikz]

Just note that if you do this you will still need to control the volume on the Ultra (and not on your external preamp), as that is the only way to ensure subwoofer and loudspeaker relative volumes remain consistent.

If I may suggest a potential alternative solution: if you want to make the Ultra sound warmer, try configuring a single high-shelf PEQ as a treble control, and decrease its gain until you find the tonality more pleasing:

• Treble Control (high-shelf):
  • Filter type=HS
  • Freq=4000Hz
  • Gain=according to your preference
  • Q=0.70

(Concept from this post)

Good luck!

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

Just note that if you do this you will still need to control the volume on the Ultra (and not on your external preamp), as that is the only way to ensure subwoofer and loudspeaker relative volumes remain consistent.

If I may suggest a potential alternative solution: if you want to make the Ultra sound warmer, try configuring a single high-shelf PEQ as a treble control, and decrease its gain until you find the tonality more pleasing:

• Treble Control (high-shelf):
  • Filter type=HS
  • Freq=4000Hz
  • Gain=according to your preference
  • Q=0.70

(Concept from this post)

Good luck!

thank you, im going to give this a try first !

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

Hi

Yes sure.
The Sub out can be used simultaneously with all output ports on the Ultra. As long as a subwoofer is connected to the Ultra's Sub out, bass management features (such as RoomFit and subwoofer settings) can be used.

i guess as long as you dont use the variable volume, it can be used. thanks for clarifying.

 

[dominikz]

thank you, im going to give this a try first !

If you try it would be interesting to read your impressions.

One note: when you are configuring the high-shelf PEQ remember to set PEQ mode to "stereo" so it applies to both channels

Filter type (HS for high-shelf) is set per-filter:


I suggested 4kHz frequency as a good starting point, but you can experiment with other values as well - depending on where you perceive the harshness.

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

If you try it would be interesting to read your impressions.

One note: when you are configuring the high-shelf PEQ remember to set PEQ mode to "stereo" so it applies to both channels
View attachment 32192
Filter type (HS for high-shelf) is set per-filter:
View attachment 32193

I suggested 4kHz frequency as a good starting point, but you can experiment with other values as well - depending on where you perceive the harshness.

okay i will report back !

 

[slartibartfast]

W

i guess as long as you dont use the variable volume, it can be used. thanks for clarifying.

Which variable volume? You have to use variable volume on the Ultra.

 

[jdavis417]

Hello guys,

quick question. I want to use a different pre amp to my power amplifier and use the wiim ultra as a streamer only.
Can i still use the sub out/ bass management if i do so ?
I just wanted to test some older/vintage pre amplifiers to see if i can get a warmer sound. The wiim ultra sounds quite harsh to my ears.

thanks in advance.

I am interested if the pre-gain settings and/or output voltage affect overall sound signature? It might be something to consider?

 

[jdavis417]

W

Which variable volume? You have to use variable volume on the Ultra.

Is he running the streamer in fixed output mode?

 

[slartibartfast]

Is he running the streamer in fixed output mode?

No idea, ask him

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

right now i am not, i am using my marantz pm8006 (power amp mode) and using the ultra as pre amp and streamer. the volume i regulate with the ultra.

 

[jdavis417]

Well shoot, I went and turned off room correction and equalization and it sounded pretty-darned bright to me! That wasn't my initial impression, as I recall.

Oh well, let us know your experiences and I'll see if I can get some overtime

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

yeah, it helps to change de dac filter. Minimum slow roll off worked to some extend. But overall i feel like its not super musical. I ones heard older gear ( pre amps from the 70s) that sounded my warmer and more soulful. I guess there are people who like that analytical sound where you can hear every little details but for me that doesnt make it nice to listen to.

 

[dominikz]

I am interested if the pre-gain settings and/or output voltage affect overall sound signature? It might be something to consider?

There are two answers to this, depending on perspective:

1. From a technical perspectivethere is no change to the 'sound' until you either hit the Ultra internal limiter at 0dBFS, or if you overdrive the input of the next stage. Below those limits the pre-gain and output voltage will work pretty much like additional volume controls.
   • Here's an oversimplified example: assuming some (pre)amp starts to clip with 1V input, if you set the Ultra pre-gain and voltage to produce anything below that you always get the same 'sound' - i.e. same spectral balance and no added distortion.
     In this same example going above 1V output from the Ultra would result in progressive amount of distortion added to the signal, which could at some point start to be perceived as additional brightness and crunchiness.
2. From an auditory perception perspective humans hearing simply becomes less sensitive to bass and very high treble as playback level is reduced (look up "equal-loudness contours"). So you may perceive some tonality change as you decrease pre-gain and/or output voltage due to the simple difference in overall level and human hearing non-linearity. This is one of the reasons why we often associate louder=better, and why some devices implement "dynamic loudness"/"dynamic bass"/"dynamic EQ" type functions.