Ultra USB input query

[Witterings]

I know the input will play USB sticks but can it also be used as an input from USB out on a computer, if so and anyone's done this, can the volume be controlled by the computer or is it just passing data and the volume has to be controlled by the WiiM?

 

[hgo58]

No, that is not possible.
See thread 'PC to Ultra' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/pc-to-ultra.6155/

 

[Witterings]

No, that is not possible.
See thread 'PC to Ultra' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/pc-to-ultra.6155/

Cheers for that, in the other thread you posted a link for a USB to Toslink adapter, do you have one of those and if so do you know if you can adjust the volume from the computer's controls or can it only be from the amplifier?

 

[hgo58]

Cheers for that, in the other thread you posted a link for a USB to Toslink adapter, do you have one of those and if so do you know if you can adjust the volume from the computer's controls or can it only be from the amplifier?

It will not change the WiiM device volume but you might be able to adjust the volume from the PC. It will just lower the input level to the WiiM optical input.

 

[Witterings]

It will not change the WiiM device volume but you might be able to adjust the volume from the PC. It will just lower the input level to the WiiM optical input.

I have tried a Behringer UCA222 in the past which I'm guessing is similar and you can't control the volume from the PC I think because it's just sending data which on it's own doesn't have a volume as such .... guess the only way I'll find out is try one.

 

[hgo58]

it's just sending data which on it's own doesn't have a volume as such

For sure the data has a volume. That is just the level defined by the audio samples. That is what the volume control of the WiiM USB output is.

If you can change that level from the PC is another question. Check if there is a volume slider on the sound settings for the USB on the PC.

 

[Witterings]

Check if there is a volume slider on the sound settings for the USB on the PC.

There's certainly a volume slider which works with USB out from my PC to USB in on my amp but it didn't work before when using the Behringer, I think I also put a DAC in the chain though as well .. I'll have a play and try directly into the WiiM and see if it makes a difference.

 

[hgo58]

There's certainly a volume slider which works with USB out from my PC to USB in on my amp but it didn't work before when using the Behringer, I think I also put a DAC in the chain though as well .. I'll have a play and try directly into the WiiM and see if it makes a difference.

The Behringer UCA222 is an ADC, taking analog input and converting it to a USB audio signal. That is the opposite of what I understand you are trying to do.

 

[anonyless]

The Behringer UCA222 is an ADC, taking analog input and converting it to a USB audio signal. That is the opposite of what I understand you are trying to do.

actually it's marketed as a "USB audio interface" that takes USB from a PC as input and outputs analog and optical. that's basically a DAC (but quite a bad one according to ASR review), and ADC , as it can take RCA input and mix it with the USB input

 

[anonyless]

I know the input will play USB sticks but can it also be used as an input from USB out on a computer, if so and anyone's done this, can the volume be controlled by the computer or is it just passing data and the volume has to be controlled by the WiiM?

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/903.html (small, cheap, simply works)
this is what you want. in Linux, you can control its volume, I'm pretty sure that's same for Windows

 

[Witterings]

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/903.html (small, cheap, simply works)
this is what you want. in Linux, you can control its volume, I'm pretty sure that's same for Windows

I just stuck it into Gemini and asked and this is the response I got so I guess they're saying it's not possible.

‎Google Gemini

Meet Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. Get help with writing, planning, brainstorming, and more. Experience the power of generative AI.

gemini.google.com

I think the only way I'll be able to do it is with an audio interface that has software you install on your PC that then integrates with the Windows volume control, something like this

Pardon our interruption...

I used to have a Focusrite Sapphire 40 Pro and used it to mix the USB from my computer with the optical in from a WiiM and then out to my amp but they stopped updating the firmware so it became incompatible unfortunately

 

[anonyless]

I just stuck it into Gemini and asked and this is the response I got so I guess they're saying it's not possible.

‎Google Gemini

Meet Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. Get help with writing, planning, brainstorming, and more. Experience the power of generative AI.

gemini.google.com

I think the only way I'll be able to do it is with an audio interface that has software you install on your PC that then integrates with the Windows volume control, something like this

Pardon our interruption...

I used to have a Focusrite Sapphire 40 Pro and used it to mix the USB from my computer with the optical in from a WiiM and then out to my amp but they stopped updating the firmware so it became incompatible unfortunately

i don't know what answer Gemini gave you , and also don't understand why do you need volume control when you're basically connecting your PC to the Ultra as a digital input, while the Ultra already has volume control (because that's what it does as a preamp).
but anyway, as you can see on this post

S.M.S.L PO100, PO100 PRO & PO100 AK - Measurements (Digital Interfaces & DAC)

I just got this email from my store today. Is this true "end-of-life" because they still sell them at Audiophonics? Thank you for your message and your positive feedback about our webshop. Unfortunately, the SMSL PO100 2024 is no longer available because this product is end-of-life and no...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Windows recognize the SMSL PO100 2024 as headphones

 

[Witterings]

i don't know what answer Gemini gave you , and also don't understand why do you need volume control when you're basically connecting your PC to the Ultra as a digital input, while the Ultra already has volume control (because that's what it does as a preamp).
but anyway, as you can see on this post

Sorry .... I thought it'd post the same result it gave me but I can see it doesn't but basically it infers what I said before that it just passes data for which you can't vary the volume from a computer.

I don't actually own an Ultra, I was asking because if it did I'd buy one.

The room for this setup, I can't reach the amp nor streamer easily so adjusting volume (and switching input) is a pain unless I can do it from the computer I'm sitting at.
I'm currently using a WiiM Mini although I do have a spare Pro Plus I could use and set it to automatically switch to whichever input is live, I also use an Echo Dot and set the WiiM is as it's preferred speaker so I can give it voice commands to play music and adjust volume as well.

My ideal would be to continue to be able to use the Echo Dot the same way, even if it means using one of my other WiiMs and my computer plugged into a WiiM using it's input autodetect
I know I could take the 3.5mm jack out of the computer to RCA in on the WiiM but computer's DACs are often rubbish.

 

[Burnside]

Sorry .... I thought it'd post the same result it gave me but I can see it doesn't but basically it infers what I said before that it just passes data for which you can't vary the volume from a computer.

I don't actually own an Ultra, I was asking because if it did I'd buy one.

The room for this setup, I can't reach the amp nor streamer easily so adjusting volume (and switching input) is a pain unless I can do it from the computer I'm sitting at.
I'm currently using a WiiM Mini although I do have a spare Pro Plus I could use and set it to automatically switch to whichever input is live, I also use an Echo Dot and set the WiiM is as it's preferred speaker so I can give it voice commands to play music and adjust volume as well.

My ideal would be to continue to be able to use the Echo Dot the same way, even if it means using one of my other WiiMs and my computer plugged into a WiiM using it's input autodetect
I know I could take the 3.5mm jack out of the computer to RCA in on the WiiM but computer's DACs are often rubbish.

You can always install the beta desktop WiiM Home app and change the volume and input of any WiiM device on your network. You'll find it here: https://wiimhome.com/app

 

[Mr Ee]

Or use the (bluetooth) remote that comes with the Ultra...

 

[Witterings]

@anonyless .... you are a star and bang on the money, ordered the PO100 on Amazon yesterday and it arrived this morning and is working a treat so a great big thank you.

Apologies as well if I seemed sceptical, it's only because that's how all the other variants I tried have worked so brilliant and really pleased

 

[anonyless]

you need to clarify what equipment you're ACTUALLY using right now and how, if you want relevant advise.
the Pro Plus comes with a bluetooth remote. Why do you use the Mini when you have a much better sounding and flexible streaming device...?

anyway, as mentioned above, best way to connect a PC (of anykind) to a WiiM device, is by using a Digital to Digital Converter (DDC) to its optical input.
with the Pro Plus, I would use DDC from the PC (its USB port) to the optical input, and the Echo Dot to its analog RCA input. and yes, it will auto switch between sources (or at least it should out of my own experience with a samiliar configuration with the Ultra)