Turntable (with Built-in Amp) connection issue

D

dicksonhornist

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2025
Messages
8
Hi! I just bought the Wiim Ultra, I think it is a very good purchase for my setup.
I want to connect many inputs into the Wiim Ultra. I have a Macbook and a IKEA Turntable.
Here's my ideal setup:

Line-in [RCA] < [RCA] Interface [USB] < [USB] Macbook
Phono [RCA] < [RCA] Turntable

And the issue is: the IKEA Turntable has a built-in amp (I think, I'm not sure). So when I connect to the Phono in Wiim Ultra, the sound is super funky.
Seems there's nothing I could change from the Turntable (no other output, no switch for the amp, nothing).
I am thinking if it is possible that I should:
1) use a RCA to Optical from Turntable to the Optical input?
2) use a RCA switcher and put them both in the Line-in?
3) Get another input from my Macbook (with or without Interface)?
 
I'd use the Turntable with the RCA Line In and get a USB to Optical converter for Macbook.
The stuff you listen to via Macbook will stay in digital domain.
Turntable is analogue anyway.
 
d6jg said:
I'd use the Turntable with the RCA Line In and get a USB to Optical converter for Macbook.
The stuff you listen to via Macbook will stay in digital domain.
Turntable is analogue anyway.
Click to expand...
^ came to say this
dicksonhornist said:
Hi! I just bought the Wiim Ultra, I think it is a very good purchase for my setup.
I want to connect many inputs into the Wiim Ultra. I have a Macbook and a IKEA Turntable.
Here's my ideal setup:

Line-in [RCA] < [RCA] Interface [USB] < [USB] Macbook
Phono [RCA] < [RCA] Turntable

And the issue is: the IKEA Turntable has a built-in amp (I think, I'm not sure). So when I connect to the Phono in Wiim Ultra, the sound is super funky.
Seems there's nothing I could change from the Turntable (no other output, no switch for the amp, nothing).
I am thinking if it is possible that I should:
1) use a RCA to Optical from Turntable to the Optical input?
2) use a RCA switcher and put them both in the Line-in?
3) Get another input from my Macbook (with or without Interface)?
Click to expand...
You ideally want as little conversions between digital and analogue as you can for optimal quality and latency (which you might care about given your use of an interface). The previous reply put it perfectly: turntable to line in, computer usb to optical converter to the Ultra's optical input. For live monitoring while recording, it would be best to run your interface directly to your speakers/headphones for 0 latency (if your interface has that, which i think most do). Hopefully your speakers have more than one input for this (rca from WiiM, xlr or 1/4in from interface for example). If not, you can get a cheap rca switch.
 
If your IKEA turntable is this one
IMG_0055.webp
Then it does have a preamp and you cannot switch it off so you are feeding line level audio into the phono input which is why it sounds “funky”
As per the previous posts you need to connect to the turntable to the line in RCAs on the Ultra

A Cubilux adaptor or similar will work for the USB output of your MacBook into the optical input of the Ultra

Cubilux
 
Krabin said:
^ came to say this

You ideally want as little conversions between digital and analogue as you can for optimal quality and latency (which you might care about given your use of an interface). The previous reply put it perfectly: turntable to line in, computer usb to optical converter to the Ultra's optical input. For live monitoring while recording, it would be best to run your interface directly to your speakers/headphones for 0 latency (if your interface has that, which i think most do). Hopefully your speakers have more than one input for this (rca from WiiM, xlr or 1/4in from interface for example). If not, you can get a cheap rca switch.
Click to expand...
Great advise!! I will look for some USB > Optical cable ;)
 
Krabin said:
A popular one brought up a lot and measured on ASR is the SMSL PO100 for like $40 USD. It's been a while since I've looked so maybe there's a cheaper one that's just as good
Click to expand...
Some Updates!
I have put my IKEA Turntable to the line-in. It sounds really nice!!
Then I have bought this: Cubilux USB Type C to SPDIF Transmitter (this one: https://www.cubilux.com/products/usb-c-to-s-pdif-optical-audio-converter-1)
It says it has 24/192. And I have also set my configuration in the "Audio MIDI Setup" on my Mac to 24/192. But when I am playing some Hi-Res Lossless Audio on Apple Music through my Mac, my Wiim shows to me that is only 16/192.
Now I'm confused again.
 
The MacBook will probably show the Cubilux as some kind of USB Soundcard. Check its properties in the MacBook.
 
dicksonhornist said:
Some Updates!
I have put my IKEA Turntable to the line-in. It sounds really nice!!
Then I have bought this: Cubilux USB Type C to SPDIF Transmitter (this one: https://www.cubilux.com/products/usb-c-to-s-pdif-optical-audio-converter-1)
It says it has 24/192. And I have also set my configuration in the "Audio MIDI Setup" on my Mac to 24/192. But when I am playing some Hi-Res Lossless Audio on Apple Music through my Mac, my Wiim shows to me that is only 16/192.
Now I'm confused again.
Click to expand...
what is the audio source and what software are you using to manage playback ?
send a ticket to Wiim if its the Wiim home app
 
jfbuk said:
what is the audio source and what software are you using to manage playback ?
send a ticket to Wiim if its the Wiim home app
Click to expand...
It's my Macbook going through a USB-C to SPDIF to the input of SPDIF of Wiim Ultra. I only play Apple Music on my Mac... so it's pretty direct.
 
d6jg said:
Any piece of audio equipment that has a bitrate/samplerate display.

Alternatively try downloading and playing a test 24/192 FLAC from the internet. There are many if you Google.
Click to expand...
I have tried to use a 24/192 wav from Internet and play through normal music player (VLC). And it's still the same.
 
I think you should report it to WiiM via Feedback in app to see if it is a display issue or actually a fault in the Cubilux.
 
d6jg said:
I think you should report it to WiiM via Feedback in app to see if it is a display issue or actually a fault in the Cubilux.
Click to expand...
I have just tried a test with my Cubilux USB C to Optical adapter connected to an iPad, and then optical to my Ultra, and am seeing the same with a 24 bit 192 kHz file showing in the WiiM Home app as 16 bit 192 kHz.

I seem to recall that this was changed by WiiM a while ago when the display showed 24 bit for all things connected via optical, including CD players, and TVs so it was changed to only show 16 bit for everything.
 
Post 7 in this thread is what @QuarryHunslet may be referring to

kinghol

Thread 'Bit depth always 16bit optical/hdmi'

on Optical and HDMI the Wiim app always shows 16bit depth but when playing with eg. Tidal connect there will be a change based on song quality.
At first I thought it was an error config from my Linux PC via optical but trying this on my TV via hdmi there will always be 16bit!

Sound playing perfectly fine for my old ears so it is only a question out of interest!

Cheers
 
jfbuk said:
Post 7 in this thread is what @QuarryHunslet may be referring to

kinghol

Thread 'Bit depth always 16bit optical/hdmi'

on Optical and HDMI the Wiim app always shows 16bit depth but when playing with eg. Tidal connect there will be a change based on song quality.
At first I thought it was an error config from my Linux PC via optical but trying this on my TV via hdmi there will always be 16bit!

Sound playing perfectly fine for my old ears so it is only a question out of interest!

Cheers
Click to expand...
Yes, that is probably the issue here, as previously the WiiM did display up to 24 bit 192 kHz via the Cubilux adapter, and I have posted screenshots previously in at least one of the Apple Music threads.
 
QuarryHunslet said:
Yes, that is probably the issue here, as previously the WiiM did display up to 24 bit 192 kHz via the Cubilux adapter, and I have posted screenshots previously in at least one of the Apple Music threads.
Click to expand...
This is one of my posts.

QuarryHunslet

Post in thread 'Apple Music question'

It should be pointed out that using this method will not give you any album art on your Ultra screen, or in the WiiM Home app.

The following screenshots show a Hi-Res Lossless tune in the Apple Music app, and what you see in the WiiM Home app Now Playing screen.

IMG_0618.pngIMG_0619.png
 
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