Upgrade advice: External DAC or WiiM Sub Pro?

[SKApretto71]

I'm very happy of my WiiM Ultra + VibelinkAmp that I connect via Optical. I'm very happy of my loudspeakers (AE500) as well.

Thinking on upgrades, would you first go External DAC (Topping / SMSL / ...) to fit in between, or WiiM Sub Pro? DAC second hand at same price of WiiM Sub Pro are quite great.

In my listening sessions I do not feel need for extra bass and I primarily enjoy high sound clarity, separation and presentation.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

If you are very happy with everything, then why are you even thinking about upgrading?
Save your money, and simply enjoy what you have, and keep listening to the music.

 

[dominikz]

Adding a sub would definitely be a much more drastic upgrade than a DAC.

Note that the reason to add sub isn't really to get extra/more bass, but rather to get better quality bass and deeper extension. The subwoofer shouldn't draw attention to itself, if integration is done well. I wrote about this recently here.

A properly placed and integrated subwoofer allows you to:

• Avoid or at least decrease SBIR-induced nulls in the bass response (i.e. "bass suckout")
• Actually hear the bottom octave in content where it exists
• Decrease excursion demands from your main speakers, allowing them to play cleaner and louder

For reference, here you can find simple go-to starting points for speaker and subwoofer placement to avoid SBIR nulls and maximize headroom (prior to using RoomFit). Here you can find a more detailed explanation of the reasoning behind these recommendations.

Lastly, I'd suggest to consider other subwoofer models as well, not just WiiM Sub Pro. WiiM Sub Pro has some benefits for sure (e.g. wireless connection with other WiiM devices and built-in RoomFit), but there are other similarly priced models that offer better audio performance for the price.

 

[SKApretto71]

If you are very happy with everything, then why are you even thinking about upgrading?
Save your money, and simply enjoy what you have, and keep listening to the music.

Just wondering and looking ahead. There is no rush and I do fully enjoy music 24/7

 

[Mr Ee]

imo, stick with digital into vibelink.
For me, no external dac sounded good analog into vibelink.

 

[SKApretto71]

Adding a sub would definitely be a much more drastic upgrade than a DAC.

Note that the reason to add sub isn't really to get extra/more bass, but rather to get better quality bass and deeper extension. The subwoofer shouldn't draw attention to itself, if integration is done well. I wrote about this recently here.

A properly placed and integrated subwoofer allows you to:

• Avoid or at least decrease SBIR-induced nulls in the bass response (i.e. "bass suckout")
• Actually hear the bottom octave in content where it exists
• Decrease excursion demands from your main speakers, allowing them to play cleaner and louder

For reference, here you can find simple go-to starting points for speaker and subwoofer placement to avoid SBIR nulls and maximize headroom (prior to using RoomFit). Here you can find a more detailed explanation of the reasoning behind these recommendations.

Lastly, I'd suggest to consider other subwoofer models as well, not just WiiM Sub Pro. WiiM Sub Pro has some benefits for sure (e.g. wireless connection with other WiiM devices and built-in RoomFit), but there are other similarly priced models that offer better audio performance for the price.

Thanks, I'm with you on the value of a sub (have one in my living room / primary system). Reason to evaluate the WiiM one is for the wireless integration with the Ultra as placement requires so, but at same time I can save space in my modest size room as the home office and invest in a DAC not adding one more box (well, adding a smaller one ).
E.g. a Topping E70V, maybe switching the Vibelink Amp with 2 mono Topping B100 as are visually same.

 

[SKApretto71]

imo, stick with digital into vibelink.
For me, no external dac sounded good analog into vibelink.

You are not the first to report that - even if the Vibelink Amp by not getting into digital conversion should not be bad, beside the drop in power output.
For that reason I'm possibly looking for Vibelink switch as well

 

[Wiimer]

I take care not to end up like this.


What I'm most afraid now is of course Black Friday.

 

[Mr Ee]

But don't get me wrong - I really like my ultra / vibelink combo!

 

[Wiimer]

Sorry, I've just come back from the local festival and I'm a bit tipsy. It's Sunday, so please forgive me.

 

[Burnside]

Sorry, I've just come back from the local festival and I'm a bit tipsy. It's Sunday, so please forgive me.

Put on some music and just relax to round your day off nicely

 

[Mr Ee]

Sorry, I've just come back from the local festival and I'm a bit tipsy. It's Sunday, so please forgive me.

Relax. Pah!

 

[Wiimer]

I'm very happy of my WiiM Ultra + VibelinkAmp that I connect via Optical. I'm very happy of my loudspeakers (AE500) as well.

Thinking on upgrades, would you first go External DAC (Topping / SMSL / ...) to fit in between, or WiiM Sub Pro? DAC second hand at same price of WiiM Sub Pro are quite great.

In my listening sessions I do not feel need for extra bass and I primarily enjoy high sound clarity, separation and presentation.

As @dominikz mentioned, I believe it's worth considering adding a subwoofer. I have five subs at home, currently active across three systems. And I genuinely appreciate the impact they make.

WiiM has provided me with almost everything I need. I'm satisfied with the sound quality too. So I've stopped spending more money on audio equipment. Speakers are the exception, however. My next upgrade goal is to own a high-end speakers from my favourite brand

 

[Aquaman]

… Speakers are the exception, however. My next upgrade goal is to own a high-end speakers from my favourite brand

Which is … ?

When you do that add a Purifi 1ET9040BA amp and you can sell your subs.
A bit of a tongue-in-cheek statement but as usual, there‘s a grain of truth in it.

 

[SKApretto71]

As @dominikz mentioned, I believe it's worth considering adding a subwoofer. I have five subs at home, currently active across three systems. And I genuinely appreciate the impact they make.

WiiM has provided me with almost everything I need. I'm satisfied with the sound quality too. So I've stopped spending more money on audio equipment. Speakers are the exception, however. My next upgrade goal is to own a high-end speakers from my favourite brand

I'm with you. Good hunting!

 

[taube Taube]

I'm very happy of my WiiM Ultra + VibelinkAmp that I connect via Optical. I'm very happy of my loudspeakers (AE500) as well.

Thinking on upgrades, would you first go External DAC (Topping / SMSL / ...) to fit in between, or WiiM Sub Pro? DAC second hand at same price of WiiM Sub Pro are quite great.

In my listening sessions I do not feel need for extra bass and I primarily enjoy high sound clarity, separation and presentation.

Sorry, but your question is: what should I buy for the kitchen first, a meat grinder or a microwave? The answer: whatever you need most.

 

[SKApretto71]

Sorry, but your question is: what should I buy for the kitchen first, a meat grinder or a microwave? The answer: whatever you need most.

Indeed. Theory would be a sub (because is additive, something that I have not) while a DAC would be evolutive ( incremental to the one in Vibelink Amp).
Both?

 

[Eddie Spaghetti]

A properly placed and integrated subwoofer allows you to:

• Avoid or at least decrease SBIR-induced nulls in the bass response (i.e. "bass suckout")
• Actually hear the bottom octave in content where it exists
• Decrease excursion demands from your main speakers, allowing them to play cleaner and louder

I second considering adding a sub. While these are all absolute benefits, the last bullet here is a huge one that I think too often gets overlooked, probably because many people only think of a sub as adding booming bass. The improvement across the whole frequency range is real.

 

[dominikz]

Which is … ?

When you do that add a Purifi 1ET9040BA amp and you can sell your subs.
A bit of a tongue-in-cheek statement but as usual, there‘s a grain of truth in it.

While that is certainly an impressive amp (and a great option for people needing lots of power), it simply isn't a solution to the same issues that a sub addresses.

probably because many people only think of a sub as adding booming bass.

Indeed, this seems to be a common misconception!
Though I guess many people that have subs in their systems probably do get booming bass (e.g. if integration isn't done well), so I can understand where the misconception comes from.

 

[Aquaman]

While that is certainly an impressive amp (and a great option for people needing lots of power), it simply isn't a solution to the same issues that a sub addresses.

The thing is, there is no issue to address if you have the right speakers.