Ultra compared to Pro + when using outboard DAC

[RAAM]

I have a brand new Ultra I have never used yet, had a Pro + I should of kept until I could test them against each other but unfortunately I sold it. Full time in an RV, space is at a premium so considering buying another Pro + and selling the Ultra or make a part trade, etc.....Everything has to fit on a 24x54" desktop A 27" monitor, SFF computer, keyboard, mouse, computer speakers, small tube amp, streamer, tablet, DAC, etc...and not look crowded, right

I will be using a very good older tablet to control the streamer so the Ultra screen does not matter. I also have the ifi power supply for the Pro +

My main question is if using a good outboard DAC does one streamer sound better than the other?
(My current DAC is the Topping E70 Velvet)

I like the idea of the sub out on the Ultra but likely will not need or use it as my DAC can be used to drive the sub(s) if I end up needing them which would have it's own gain control.

Any other helpful info would be greatly appreciated as well.

For those of the measurements are all the matters crowd kindly keep your opinions to yourself, if you cannot hear a difference I am actually glad for you, makes things much easier I am only interested in responses from those that can hear differences.

Thanks!
Rick

 

[Mr Ee]

My main question is if using a good outboard DAC does one streamer sound better than the other?

As an example, into my rme adi2 dac fs I can't tell the difference between any of my wiims (mini, pro, ultra) / connection methed (optical, coax, usb).
All pass the rme's bit perfect test.
All sound great.
Others may (and will ) disagree.

 

[Wiimer]

I have a brand new Ultra I have never used yet, had a Pro + I should of kept until I could test them against each other but unfortunately I sold it. Full time in an RV, space is at a premium so considering buying another Pro + and selling the Ultra or make a part trade, etc.....Everything has to fit on a 24x54" desktop A 27" monitor, SFF computer, keyboard, mouse, computer speakers, small tube amp, streamer, tablet, DAC, etc...and not look crowded, right

I will be using a very good older tablet to control the streamer so the Ultra screen does not matter. I also have the ifi power supply for the Pro +

My main question is if using a good outboard DAC does one streamer sound better than the other?
(My current DAC is the Topping E70 Velvet)

I like the idea of the sub out on the Ultra but likely will not need or use it as my DAC can be used to drive the sub(s) if I end up needing them which would have it's own gain control.

Any other helpful info would be greatly appreciated as well.

If I were you.
If I hear the Ultra and feel that the sound quality has improved, I would not let it go.

If the sale price of the Ultra is significantly less than the purchase price, I would not sell it.

However, if I really need a Pro plus, I will buy more or replace it.

For those of the measurements are all the matters crowd kindly keep your opinions to yourself, if you cannot hear a difference I am actually glad for you, makes things much easier I am only interested in responses from those that can hear differences.

If I answer that question, how can you determine that I have a superior ear?

 

[Mr Ee]

I am only interested in responses from those that can hear differences.

lol, I obviously didn't read to the end of the post!

 

[RAAM]

Thanks for the replies!

I will look at the Pro as well, I would like at least 3 inputs but can use less as my DAC has some extra ones as well.

I was just looking at the Ultra again and realize my most favorite amp would sit on top of it just fine, just hope no noise introduced into the system doing so. It is a Baby Sophia 10 watt PP amp with all upgrades and sounds incredible to me, plenty good enough, and building a fairly large set of rear horn loaded speakers so more than enough power.

I will also be building one or two high quality D class amps when I can get to it, just to try them out on the main speakers but could power a couple of small subs if needed with the main speakers I am building. (Frugal-Horn Joan cabinets, Mark Audio MA200 drivers that I hope give enough bass to not need subs)

As for you having a "superior ear" only you can determine if you can hear a difference and as mentioned I am glad for those that cannot hear differences, things are much simpler and less costly that way, I am just not one of those types

I can also hear cable differences but draw the line on how far I will go, DIY only and most of my cables cost $25 or less to build, most I would ever imagine investing might be $100 per pair, etc...as my belief is that once you get past a certain point you might hear differences but that does not mean better, just different and some might match a particular system and ones sound preferences.

Rick