What external DAC to improve the Ultra?

The Ultras onboard DAC is very good, but I would be tempted to play around with it. Analogue, Toslink and usb into the Yamaha. Just make sure that the differences you maybe hear are not a playback level thing.
The Yamaha uses an ES9010K2M DAC.
 
A Chord Mojo 2 is relatively affordable and is so good it will never be the weakest link in your audio chain unless you spend ludicrous amounts of money. I agree that other components are likely to have a larger effect on the sound but from a ‘front end first’ philosophy it means you can concentrate future purchases elsewhere.
 
Hiphiman said:
A Chord Mojo 2 is relatively affordable and is so good it will never be the weakest link in your audio chain unless you spend ludicrous amounts of money. I agree that other components are likely to have a larger effect on the sound but from a ‘front end first’ philosophy it means you can concentrate future purchases elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with that. My Ultra/Mojo2 via USB works absolutely brilliantly.
 
LennyBruce said:
Before I bought the Ultra, I had a Wiim Pro connected to a Topping D30 DAC.

I didn't expect the Ultra onboard DAC to sound equal to the external Topping DAC.

It did, I could not tell the difference between the 2.

I know the Topping D30 was a "budget" option but I was wondering what options would offer a decent upgrade?
Click to expand...
Your expectations were too high for a $329 device. If you’ve got a WiiM + external DAC I wouldn’t recommend buying the ultra. Only reason to buy the ultra is for the subwoofer output.
 
GusGusNFT said:
Your expectations were too high for a $329 device. If you’ve got a WiiM + external DAC I wouldn’t recommend buying the ultra. Only reason to buy the ultra is for the subwoofer output.
Click to expand...
If he didn't expect the Ultra to sound equal to the Topping and it did, how could expectations be too high?
 
GusGusNFT said:
Your expectations were too high for a $329 device. If you’ve got a WiiM + external DAC I wouldn’t recommend buying the ultra. Only reason to buy the ultra is for the subwoofer output.
Click to expand...
That’s why I bought the Ultra. My Willsenton r8 doesn’t have a sub out. Bought the Ultra added a RSL 10s mkii sub to my Wharfdale speakers. Sounds sublime Honestly the Pro Plus was an amazing streamer loved the AKM dac. Minus the sub out it did pretty much everything I needed.
 
Bill Mac said:
This is why I bought the Ultra. To be able to connect a USB hard drive to a WiiM streamer and sync it with my Pro in another system.
Click to expand...

Sure, that is an input source application and it does that. But for many others it is the USB out to connect the Ultra as a streamer transport to an external DAC. The DAC (presumed higher-end with precision clocks) receives the asynchronous connection and re-clocks the stream.
 
Last edited:
adias said:
Sure, that is an input source application and it does that. But for many others it is the USB out to connect thee Ultra as a streamers transport to an external DAC. The DAC (presumed higher-end with precision clocks) receives the asynchronous connection and re-clocks the stream.
Click to expand...
I should have added that I also use the USB out to a Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC. I'm using a USB hub to facilitate both the input (USB hard drive) and output (Pontus 15th).
 
Hello all,
Does anyone knows something about the quality of a Pro-ject Pre Box RS Digital as a DAC for the Ultral? Is the USB section good enough to use it this way? Excuse the question...I did not find Informations about the clocking capabilities of the unit. And I am not this specialist to be able to compare the two DAC of the units...
B R
 
Last edited:
Wojc said:
According to Audio Science Review it's very good DAC...
Click to expand...
audiosciencereview.com

WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Ultra network streamer, DAC, phono stage and preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $329. Physical attribute are modern and attractive enough. Alas, I can't say the same thing about the graphical interface. Icons seem...
audiosciencereview.com audiosciencereview.com
 
redwards said:
I have the j2 and j3 won't know never listen to them without geshelli had both before wiim
Click to expand...
Hello. Also planning to order the J3. Going to connect to my amp using the RCA. What is the preferred way to connect the DAC with the Ultra? Should I go for the USB option (extra 50$)? Thanks
 
Grossmeister_T said:
Is the USB section good enough to use it this way?
Click to expand...
How could the USB section not be good enough? Do USB sections have a sound to them since 2025? ;)

Grossmeister_T said:
I did not find Informations about the clocking capabilities of the unit.
Click to expand...
What exactly do you mean by "clocking capabilities"?

Grossmeister_T said:
And I am not this specialist to be able to compare the two DAC of the units...
Click to expand...
Nobody can from the manufacturer's specs alone. Those who don't believe in measurements have to hear the difference. Those who don't believe in non-blind non level matched subjective hearing experiences need to look at the measurements. :)
 
d6jg said:
Based solely on the age of the Yamaha I would expect that the DAC chip in the Ultra would be considered better than the one in the Yamaha. If correct then the Ultra connected via RCA is better option. However as @Burnside says try both and let your ears decide. Yamaha have been making audio gear a lot longer than WiiM. There may be other factors than the DAC chip.

PS. For others. I can find that the Yamaha uses a ESS Sabre DAC but not the model no.
Click to expand...
what DAC chip does the Wiim ultra have in it? by the way my DAC chip in the Yamaha A-S801 has a ESS Sabre ES9010 K2M how does it come pair to the "Ultra" ? Thanks for all your help by the way.
 
harkpabst said:
How could the USB section not be good enough? Do USB sections have a sound to them since 2025? ;)


What exactly do you mean by "clocking capabilities"?


Nobody can from the manufacturer's specs alone. Those who don't believe in measurements have to hear the difference. Those who don't believe in non-blind non level matched subjective hearing experiences need to look at the measurements. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your help. What I meant is that people write: USB Connection might be superior to other connections if the DAC does the "clocking" good for Synchronisation of the stream(timing) . I hope I did the right description - I am not native english speaking.

Br
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Is this a good option for an external DAC?
Replies
15
Views
788
hgo58
hgo58
D
NOS/OS mode when using external DAC?
Replies
10
Views
500
Bill Mac
B
E
2 in 1
Replies
4
Views
302
Eni
E
P
  • Poll Poll
Poll: Ultra with external DAC
7 8 9
Replies
162
Views
9K
adias
adias
S
USB output-DAC stanby- DSD DoP vs Nativ DSD.
Replies
6
Views
897
JaccoW
J
Back
Top