Tech Tuesday: Achieving Bit-Perfect Playback on Your WiiM Devices

[onlyoneme]

As far as AM is concerned, I don't think it does downsampling either. If limit of the playback device is 24/48, AM will play a 24/48 file .

That should be easy to verify. If you are right then both WHA and the DAC will show 48 kHz. If I am right then WHA will show the original sample rate.
In tidal we have the second scenario.

 

[LucAce]

This means you get to experience your music exactly as the artist intended

The acoustics of your own room will immediately ruin this. But bit-perfect sounds of course desirable at first.

A properly used EQ is much more beneficial for the sound than bit-perfect.

 

[Wiimer]

That should be easy to verify. If you are right then both WHA and the DAC will show 48 kHz. If I am right then WHA will show the original sample rate.
In tidal we have the second scenario.

Yes, both WHA and DAC indicate 48.

I've never used Tidal, but I recall that on Qobuz all tracks were played at 16/44.1.

 

[Valentino]

"Bit perfect" has turned into one of the many hifi dogmas. Maybe it's the word "perfect" that made it so.
That said It's a nice option to have, turning all processing off. Let's hope the digital filter will not default to NOS.

 

[canard]

"Bit perfect" has turned into one of the many hifi dogmas. Maybe it's the word "perfect" that made it so.
That said It's a nice option to have, turning all processing off. Let's hope the digital filter will not default to NOS.

you have to keep "control over the choice of digital filter"...

 

[Burnside]

Hi Mr Ee,

Currently, enabling bit-perfect playback mode is a bit complex. Next month, we will add a simple option in the WiiM Home app to allow you to easily enable bit-perfect playback.

Saved configs/profiles could have accomplished this too and made smart presets more flexible. Just saying

 

[hgo58]

Saved configs/profiles could have accomplished this too and made smart presets more flexible. Just saying

Yes. The @WiiM Team must get a more generic approach to the design.

All these small features all over makes it difficult to use and maintain. Think big!

 

[wiimamp user]

What are your thoughts about it?
Do you disable the options such as volume control,EQ to listen to the music without this?

Maybe with good recordings bitperfect listening? Not so good recordings choose EQ?
If there is too much clarity in a recording ( for instance if you prefer more bass) isn't it fatiguing to listen?
What are your thoughts about this?

For instance if I listen on my smartphone with the Shanling UP5 and my Moon drop Kato IEM i never did use EQ..
Haven't an EQ on the Shanling and never installed and app for EQ.
But sometimes I would think I want more bass..but a Kato has more bass then for instance another cheaper IEM from Moon drop.

So i would think using EQ could be important..or do you disagree?

 

[pjorgenunes]

...

How to Set Up Bit-Perfect Playback on WiiM Devices​

Setting up bit-perfect playback on your WiiM devices is a straightforward process. Our detailed guide will walk you through each step to ensure you achieve the best possible audio quality.

You can find the full step-by-step instructions here.

...​

Hi,

In the guide is stated:

1. Make the following settings:

• Enable Fixed Volume Output.
• Keep Volume Limit to its default setting (100%).

And also disabling per source volume control and input pre-gain.

In what measure does volume control impact "audio quality" via non-bit-perfect condition?

I will never disable Auto-EQ since I've manage to get awesome results with it.

In comparing to EQ what is the relative impact of volume control on sound quality?

Does setting volume control limit set to other than 100% as the same impact as volume control?

Of course the answers may be relative one.

Thank you.

 

[slartibartfast]

Hi,

In the guide is stated:

1. Make the following settings:

• Enable Fixed Volume Output.
• Keep Volume Limit to its default setting (100%).

And also disabling per source volume control and input pre-gain.

In what measure does volume control impact "audio quality" via non-bit-perfect condition?

I will never disable Auto-EQ since I've manage to get awesome results with it.

In comparing to EQ what is the relative impact of volume control on sound quality?

Does setting volume control limit set to other than 100% as the same impact as volume control?

Of course the answers may be relative one.

Thank you.

Probably no noticeable effect on audio quality but obviously not bit-perfect.

 

[pjorgenunes]

Probably no noticeable effect on audio quality but obviously not bit-perfect.

Thanks and it's what I assume (including ear listening).

I was just wondering if digital volume control would be to introsive in "audio quality".

Anyway I can not have bit perfect since EQ is of the most importance for me. My room has around a peak of +15dB around 49Hz which, if not compensated, mask my entire bass and is anoying.

I now have correction from 35-500Hz and have a pristine (detailed and deep - for my B&W 805S) bass and mid-bass.

 

[taube Taube]

If DSD was the best there is why didn,t they record all the music from now on this way?

Because it is impossible to perform any transformations on a dsd file, such as applying effects and mixing. It is necessary to mix and record on analog equipment and then digitize it into dsd. Mixing in the so-called dxd format is also used, which is nothing more than a regular pcm with a sampling frequency of 352.8 kHz, and only then conversion to dsd. It is impossible to play native dsd without bit-perfect.

 

[wiimamp user]

So its not practical.. maybe to make it sound good there has to be done more effort to perfect a recording.
Its difficult to say something about this as a noob om not a sound engineer.
Customers won't mind what format it is ..dsd,pcm for them they want the best there is available and could imagine.
But that's not how it's works in practice..it seems.
What clear dsd wont win ..

 

[taube Taube]

clear dsd wont win

The dsd format has one undeniable advantage, it is a very simple dsd-analog converter. In practice, it is one transistor key and a capacitor, so even a low- and mid-level DAC produces very high-quality sound. If you have a cheap DAC with a DSD function, it makes sense to convert any format "on the fly" to dsd, but this requires a lot of processor resources and energy.

Moreover, it is possible to make a powerful DSD-analog converter as an amplifier's final stage, and create a path without a DAC at all. So, perhaps, somewhere in the future, DSD has a future... : )

 

[wiimamp user]

The dsd format has one undeniable advantage, it is a very simple dsd-analog converter. In practice, it is one transistor key and a capacitor, so even a low- and mid-level DAC produces very high-quality sound. If you have a cheap DAC with a DSD function, it makes sense to convert any format "on the fly" to dsd, but this requires a lot of processor resources and energy.

Moreover, it is possible to make a powerful DSD-analog converter as an amplifier's final stage, and create a path without a DAC at all. So, perhaps, somewhere in the future, DSD has a future... : )

Thanks for explaining..hope it will have a future..

 

[DG77]

Welcome back to another edition of Tech Tuesday! This week, we're delving into the fascinating world of bit-perfect playback on your WiiM devices. If you're an audiophile who values pristine sound quality or someone who's simply passionate about getting the most out of your music listening experience, this article is for you.

What Is Bit-Perfect Playback?​

Bit-perfect playback is a method of audio playback that ensures the digital audio data is sent to your audio device exactly as it is stored or streamed, without any alteration or processing. This means you get to experience your music exactly as the artist intended, with no loss of quality.

Why Should You Care?​

Achieving bit-perfect playback can make a significant difference in your audio experience. Whether you're using high-resolution audio files or streaming your favorite tracks, bit-perfect playback ensures that you hear every nuance, detail, and layer of your music. It's about achieving the purest, most authentic sound possible.

While this may not be necessary for background audio, it’s invaluable for those interested in critical audio listening, or those folks who want to drive their equipment to its peak potential.

Who Will Benefit from This Guide?​

This guide is perfect for anyone who:

• Values high-quality audio and wants to experience their music in its truest form.
• Owns a WiiM device and wants to optimize its performance.
• Is curious about the technical aspects of digital audio and wants to learn more about bit-perfect playback.

If any of these sound like you, then you're in the right place.

How to Set Up Bit-Perfect Playback on WiiM Devices​

Setting up bit-perfect playback on your WiiM devices is a straightforward process. Our detailed guide will walk you through each step to ensure you achieve the best possible audio quality.

You can find the full step-by-step instructions here.

Enhancing Your WiiM Audio Experience​

For additional tips on enhancing your WiiM audio experience, don't miss our previous Tech Tuesday post where we shared 8 expert tips to take your audio setup to the next level. You can check it out here.

Join us soon for another exciting Tech Tuesday topic. Happy listening!

Have any more advice or requests? Jump into the comments!

I am curious, is not activating a subwoofer also "breaking" the "bit-perfect" signal?
I mean for it to apply a low/high-pass filter it must be processed right?
You can not just cut of a digital signal and send it as an analog signal via LFE out, since you are "breaking it" apart and applying some -db / octave etc. stuff..

 

[Mr Ee]

I am curious, is not activating a subwoofer also "breaking" the "bit-perfect" signal?
I mean for it to apply a low/high-pass filter it must be processed right?
You can not just cut of a digital signal and send it as an analog signal via LFE out, since you are "breaking it" apart and applying some -db / octave etc. stuff..

Would depend on the other subwoofer settings, surely?

 

[Danielck78]

The subwoofer volume doesn't seems to work if you enabled Fixed Volume.

 

[Mr Ee]

Oh yeah, I was fixated on crossover as you mentioned that!
But still, I could enable sub, set the 'bass too' mains option and still get bit perfect.
Just don't plug the sub in!

 

[deancacioppo]

Welcome back to another edition of Tech Tuesday! This week, we're delving into the fascinating world of bit-perfect playback on your WiiM devices. If you're an audiophile who values pristine sound quality or someone who's simply passionate about getting the most out of your music listening experience, this article is for you.

What Is Bit-Perfect Playback?​

Bit-perfect playback is a method of audio playback that ensures the digital audio data is sent to your audio device exactly as it is stored or streamed, without any alteration or processing. This means you get to experience your music exactly as the artist intended, with no loss of quality.

Why Should You Care?​

Achieving bit-perfect playback can make a significant difference in your audio experience. Whether you're using high-resolution audio files or streaming your favorite tracks, bit-perfect playback ensures that you hear every nuance, detail, and layer of your music. It's about achieving the purest, most authentic sound possible.

While this may not be necessary for background audio, it’s invaluable for those interested in critical audio listening, or those folks who want to drive their equipment to its peak potential.

Who Will Benefit from This Guide?​

This guide is perfect for anyone who:

• Values high-quality audio and wants to experience their music in its truest form.
• Owns a WiiM device and wants to optimize its performance.
• Is curious about the technical aspects of digital audio and wants to learn more about bit-perfect playback.

If any of these sound like you, then you're in the right place.

How to Set Up Bit-Perfect Playback on WiiM Devices​

Setting up bit-perfect playback on your WiiM devices is a straightforward process. Our detailed guide will walk you through each step to ensure you achieve the best possible audio quality.

You can find the full step-by-step instructions here.

Enhancing Your WiiM Audio Experience​

For additional tips on enhancing your WiiM audio experience, don't miss our previous Tech Tuesday post where we shared 8 expert tips to take your audio setup to the next level. You can check it out here.

Join us soon for another exciting Tech Tuesday topic. Happy listening!

Have any more advice or requests? Jump into the comments!

Although the term "as the musician intended" it's really about, as an option, bypassing any augmentations to the file when playing. Not looking for a battle about the "purest" source material, but if you are using DSP for room compensation, you are obviously augmenting the original signal. Almost all DSP filters have the same phase shift as analog.

@dtc i wonder those wanting bit perfect if they will be offered a cd being played bit perfect or playing perfect with EQ done by someone who knows what he,s changing, to make it , perfect,.... would they choose the bit ,perfect, one? I have my doubts...if you know what i mean.
It begins all by a perfect and well done recording i think..if this , lacks, one would make changes. And then on which hardware you are listening is important too. And bit perfect for what hardware? Because this could influences the sound too.
But a good recording is the start of it all.