This subject elicits many responses.

[Frank Varon]

So I made some adjustments to my setup:

Wiim Ultra, USB out to SMSL PO 100 pro, then optical to SMSL SU-1 DAC back to line-in on the Ultra.
WiiM Ultra sub-out, split into the Vibelink line-in, then output to the 15 inch woofers in my vintage Diatone DS-90C speakers.
Wiim Ultra line-out to a lovely SET tube integrated amp, finally to the other half of the bi-amped Diatone DS90Cs.

First observation:
The AKM AK4493S DAC chip in the SU-1 traveling through this setup increased the soundstage in width, height and depth.
Tight controlled base, transparent mids and ethereal highs.
So some immediate and very clear first impressions, I was quite surprised.

I really enjoy the ESS Saber 9038Q2M DAC in the Ultra, so now I have two quite different sound profiles available for my listening pleasure.

Thanks to everybody at WiiM for bringing back my passion to this wonderful hobby, I'm enjoying every minute of it.

 

[Burnside]

Wiim Ultra, USB out to SMSL PO 100 pro, then optical to SMSL SU-1 DAC back to line-in on the Ultra.
WiiM Ultra sub-out, split into the Vibelink line-in, then output to the 15 inch woofers in my vintage Diatone DS-90C speakers.
Wiim Ultra line-out to a lovely SET tube integrated amp, finally to the other half of the bi-amped Diatone DS90Cs.

You can’t loop back into the Ultra like that as it only supports one output at a time, so it can’t output to both usb and line-out simultaneously.

What are your settings on the Ultra for input and output when you’re doing this and what’s your music source?

 

[Frank Varon]

You can’t loop back into the Ultra like that as it only supports one output at a time, so it can’t output to both usb and line-out simultaneously.

What are your settings on the Ultra for input and output when you’re doing this and what’s your music source?

Tidal and I'm listening to it now, so I believe they did some updates recently to support multiple outputs.

 

[Frank Varon]

Tidal and I'm listening to it now, so I believe they did some updates recently to support multiple outputs.

 

[Mr Ee]

I must admit I'm confused too.
To play tidal the input must be wifi/ethernet. To listen via line in the input must be line in.
Can't have two inputs at the same time, nor two outputs (subwoofer aside).

Seems to me it must be tidal straight to line out, as the screenshots suggests, not going via the smsls at all.

 

[Frank Varon]

Tidal by Ethernet, USB out to the two SMSL devices. (WiiM even detected the DAC by name, quite a surprise.)
So optical from the clocker to the DAC, line out from the DAC to line in on the WiiM.
Line out from the WiiM goes to the integrated.
Sub out goes to the Vibelink to the woofers on the bi-amping.

 

[Mr Ee]

Now turn the smsls off. Does it still work?
Because you simply can't have two active inputs on the wiim.
I'm sure Wiim also confirmed that you can't 'dac loop' the ultra.
And even if you could, the line in is digitised, and then the ultra's dac converts it again.

 

[harkpabst]

Sounds like the reclocker is not used then.

Input is Ethernet.
Output is Line out.
Sub out works in parallel with Line out or optical out or USB out, the same.

 

[slartibartfast]

Tidal and I'm listening to it now, so I believe they did some updates recently to support multiple outputs.

They didn't

 

[Mr Ee]

They didn't

And have you noticed that the wiim ultra FAQ pages has been updated recently (well, March 2025)?
The question / answer in there about supporting multiple outputs simultaneously has disappeared!

 

[Burnside]

Tidal and I'm listening to it now, so I believe they did some updates recently to support multiple outputs.

Not that I’ve seen in any firmware update - it’s a feature that’s often been asked for and I’m sure there would have been a deafening roar of cheers had it been released. As my fellow members have said, the SMSL devices are doing nothing in your setup, not even the much reported (but in my opinion misguided) belief that they bring benefit to the Ultra’s digital output.

 

[slartibartfast]

Sound like the reclocker is not used then.

Input is Ethernet.
Output is Line out.
Sub out works in parallel with Line out or optical out or USB out, the same.

So the massively increased soundstage isn't down to the AK4493 DAC then

 

[Burnside]

And have you noticed that the wiim ultra FAQ pages has been updated recently?
The question / answer in there about supporting multiple outputs simultaneously has disappeared!

In my opinion, that faq page long needed revision as it contained some misleading and ambiguous responses.

 

[Frank Varon]

Sound like the reclocker is not used then.

Input is Ethernet.
Output is Line out.
Sub out works in parallel with Line out or optical out or USB out, the same.

You are all correct, now I'm truly confused. I powered down the DAC and the sound disappeared and yet when I set it up earlier there was a musical clip from SMSL that I listened to.
So when I went to look at it actually reverted back to ethernet and line out.
I've just pulled everything out because it's too late here in Thailand to play with it now, I'll take a fresh look at it in the morning.
So what is the way to use the external DAC with the WiiM?
What is the proper way to connect it?

 

[Mr Ee]

Just change SMSL SU-1 DAC analog outs to your lovely SET tube integrated amp.
The ultra should then show ethernet input, usb output.

 

[Frank Varon]

So the massively increased soundstage isn't down to the AK4493 DAC then

Clearly it can't be, touché

 

[Frank Varon]

Just change SMSL SU-1 DAC analog outs to your lovely SET tube integrated amp.

And they were never connected, so now I'm confused as to how I could hear the proprietary sound bites coming from the SMSL DAC

 

[hgo58]

So what is the way to use the external DAC with the WiiM?
What is the proper way to connect it?

WiiM --> DAC --> Amp

The output from WiiM into DAC can be any supported by the DAC.

The output from the DAC is always analog into the amplifier.

Volume control is on the WiiM if you use the sub out.

 

[Frank Varon]

Just change SMSL SU-1 DAC analog outs to your lovely SET tube integrated amp.
The ultra should then show ethernet input, usb output.

Thank you

 

[Mr Ee]

And they were never connected, so now I'm confused as to how I could hear the proprietary sound bites coming from the SMSL DAC

Probably the ultra was set to both line in (it may have auto switched to line in) and line out, so you heard the dac sound coming into the wiim.