Wiim Amp with Dac to Fosi V3 Mono Block?

[Chrial Sequenz]

Hello folks, this is my first post and say hello to everyone here!

Sorry about this question. But I've been looking for a question like this here for the last two weeks but unfortunately I couldn't find it.
There is a lot of talk about the Ultra and DAC and almost never about an AMP with a DAC.

I bought the Wiim Amp 8-9 months ago and am very happy with it.
The only thing is that I'm a little annoyed now that I didn't wait for the Wiim Ultra.

The devices I have connected so far are:
a Sony BluRay player via Optical, a turntable via LineIn and 2 Elac floorstanding speakers.
And ELAC SUB 111.2 ESP from W-Amp SubOut to LFE (Mono) in on Sub.

Now finally to my question:
The USB output is now also supported on the amplifier and that's why I'm thinking about whether I should buy a DAC (Topping D10b) (via USB out from WiiM Amp) and then get into 2x Fosi V3 monoblocks.

It should work like that and the amp is only operated as a pure streamer?

Of course I could buy an Wiim Ultra. That would probably be the best solution. Then I didn't need an external DAC to have an output to Fosi V3 Mono Block (pre out). But you can't get anything on the market for a Wiim amp, even if it's only 8 months old, and that's too good for me.

Where do I control the volume then?
1st question:
Will the internal 10 Band EQ in the WIIM Amp then be ignored and turned off? (from USB Out to DAC) I think this doesn't work

2nd question:
How do I set up the 3 devices?
SonyBRp and Turntable to AMP (per USB to DAC- DAC per RCA to FosiV3 Mono Block

Which volume levels should I set for each device?
I would like to further regulate the volume on the Wimm AMP because my SUB is directly on the WIMM AMP.

I would be grateful if someone could help me with this.

(AutoTranslate to english)

 

[Chrial Sequenz]

But I also have to say that I don't know whether it's that good. Maybe I just want too much and always want more sound or power and I just forget to enjoy the music. ;-)

My speakers are very old and are not good.
Maybe I should just look for new speakers and listen to this first. However, I was put off by which one I should buy. Because the amp cannot cope with all speakers.

Music ranges from electronic synth and prog rock.

 

[harkpabst]

It should work like that and the amp is only operated as a pure streamer?

Yes, technically this is possible. You're just not using the internal DAC and power amplifier you already paid for.

Please note that only the very latest firmware released for the WiiM Amp two days ago supports the subwoofer output together with USB output to an external DAC:

Thread 'WiiM Amp Firmware v5.0.704664 Update - Jan 15, 2025'

Jan 16, 2025

Please review the WiiM Amp update release notes below. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to us. This firmware update is being rolled out in stages, with devices updating sequentially over the next few days.

5.0.704664 (In Progress)​

Release date:

1 / 15 / 2025

What's New:

1. Simultaneous USB and Sub Output: Enjoy simultaneous USB and subwoofer output for an enhanced audio experience.

Bug Fixes:

1. Room Correction Fix: Resolved an issue that prevented the completion of Room Correction.

• WiiM Team
• Replies: 8
• Forum: WiiM Amp Firmware Updates

• 

This feature is still very new, there might be some glitches.

Where do I control the volume then?

Volume control can still be performed by the WiiM Amp using the knob, the remote or the WiiM Home app. No change.

Will the internal 10 Band EQ in the WIIM Amp then be ignored and turned off? (from USB Out to DAC) I think this doesn't work

No, the EQ will not be turned off. WiiM support EQ/PEQ and room correction for all outputs except Bluetooth.

How do I set up the 3 devices?
SonyBRp and Turntable to AMP (per USB to DAC- DAC per RCA to FosiV3 Mono Block

Generally yes, but I assumed that by "Topping D10b" you were referring to the balanced version of the D10. The balanced version doesn't have RCA outputs but balanced TRS outputs, so you have to use TRS cables to the V3 Mono or use the TRS to XLR adapters and XLR cables.

Warning!
I'm not entirely sure if the D10b is supported by the WiiM Amp. I couldn't find anybody using this combination here. The manual states that a driver must be installed for a PC connection. Not sure if this indicates a problem or not.

Personally, I prefer the new 3e Audio range of finished power amplifiers over the V3 Mono, especially the A5 or the A7 if more power is really needed. Better build quality, better parts and finally better measurements, see e.g.:

3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e Audio A5 Stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $229.99. Despite its simplicity, the A5 has very well thought out features. Clipping indicators are provided for each channel. And selection of inputs is made...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The A5 doesn't have more power into 8 or 4 ohm than the WiiM Amp, but can power speakers down to 2 ohm, shows no load dependency and very low distortion due to Post Filter Feedback. The V3 Mono also has PFFB, but the 3e Audio amps just perform even better.

Warning 2!
Like you already found out yourself the question is if this all makes much sense and if you will hear a lot of a difference. I tend to think, you should stick with your current setup for now. Make sure to get the best out of your system by optimising speaker and sub placement, fine tuning of the subover output and playing around with WiiM room correction. It's still getting better over time. Maybe investing a little money and learing effort into a miniDSP UMIK-1 microphone and free software like Room Equalization Wizard (REW) will keep you busy and have better sound until you can invest in new speakers and maybe an even better WiiM product at some later point.

 

[Chrial Sequenz]

Yes, technically this is possible. You're just not using the internal DAC and power amplifier you already paid for.

Please note that only the very latest firmware released for the WiiM Amp two days ago supports the subwoofer output together with USB output to an external DAC:

Thread 'WiiM Amp Firmware v5.0.704664 Update - Jan 15, 2025'

Jan 16, 2025

Please review the WiiM Amp update release notes below. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to us. This firmware update is being rolled out in stages, with devices updating sequentially over the next few days.

5.0.704664 (In Progress)​

Release date:

1 / 15 / 2025

What's New:

1. Simultaneous USB and Sub Output: Enjoy simultaneous USB and subwoofer output for an enhanced audio experience.

Bug Fixes:

1. Room Correction Fix: Resolved an issue that prevented the completion of Room Correction.

• WiiM Team
• Replies: 8
• Forum: WiiM Amp Firmware Updates

• 

This feature is still very new, there might be some glitches.


Volume control can still be performed by the WiiM Amp using the knob, the remote or the WiiM Home app. No change.


No, the EQ will not be turned off. WiiM support EQ/PEQ and room correction for all outputs except Bluetooth.


Generally yes, but I assumed that by "Topping D10b" you were referring to the balanced version of the D10. The balanced version doesn't have RCA outputs but balanced TRS outputs, so you have to use TRS cables to the V3 Mono or use the TRS to XLR adapters and XLR cables.

Warning!
I'm not entirely sure if the D10b is supported by the WiiM Amp. I couldn't find anybody using this combination here. The manual states that a driver must be installed for a PC connection. Not sure if this indicates a problem or not.

Personally, I prefer the new 3e Audio range of finished power amplifiers over the V3 Mono, especially the A5 or the A7 if more power is really needed. Better build quality, better parts and finally better measurements, see e.g.:

3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e Audio A5 Stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $229.99. Despite its simplicity, the A5 has very well thought out features. Clipping indicators are provided for each channel. And selection of inputs is made...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The A5 doesn't have more power into 8 or 4 ohm than the WiiM Amp, but can power speakers down to 2 ohm, shows no load dependency and very low distortion due to Post Filter Feedback. The V3 Mono also has PFFB, but the 3e Audio amps just perform even better.

Warning 2!
Like you already found out yourself the question is if this all makes much sense and if you will hear a lot of a difference. I tend to think, you should stick with your current setup for now. Make sure to get the best out of your system by optimising speaker and sub placement, fine tuning of the subover output and playing around with WiiM room correction. It's still getting better over time. Maybe investing a little money and learing effort into a miniDSP UMIK-1 microphone and free software like Room Equalization Wizard (REW) will keep you busy and have better sound until you can invest in new speakers and maybe an even better WiiM product at some later point.

Thank you very much for this detailed answer. I will consider the whole point. I think that I will now deal with the current setup and make further room corrections. Until now, they've never been anywhere near good for my ears. But I think that's because of the microphone on my iPhone 12.
It's really awesome what kind of help you can get here. really 1000 thanks