Wiim pro + DAC?

Hi, should I use an external DAC with Wiim Pro? Do I really hear any difference in sound quality?
Thx.

 

[Mr Ee]

Hi, should I use an external DAC with Wiim Pro? Do I really hear any difference in sound quality?
Thx.

These were my very unscientific thoughts on the wiim pro dac vs my external dacs.

https://wiim.community.forum/threads/output-switching-loses-now-playing.798/post-9440

 

[Mr Ee]

If you have the chance to try it do so! The only one who can answer this question is you.
I know that in the meantime a lot of people here will not longer read my repetitive opinion: The easiest way to improve sound is, in this order 1. speakers 2. amps 3. position of speakers 4. making your room more hifi-friendly with carpets, curtains and so on 5. DAC
My general answer to your question is yes. But do not expect miracles.

Where does a nice glass of wine fit into this list?

 

[BMoreJazz]

If you have to ask this question, then the answer is no.

 

[Maurizio]

Hi, should I use an external DAC with Wiim Pro? Do I really hear any difference in sound quality?
Thx.

Will you feel a difference? For sure. In sound quality? I do not believe. The external DAC will sound different. Not better or worse, just different.
Each DAC, like a phono cartridge, plays its own way.
It's up to you to figure out what kind of sound you like.
And......of course what @Achim said.

 

[hamedAMIR]

If you have the chance to try it do so! The only one who can answer this question is you.
I know that in the meantime a lot of people here will not longer read my repetitive opinion: The easiest way to improve sound is, in this order 1. speakers 2. amps 3. position of speakers 4. making your room more hifi-friendly with carpets, curtains and so on 5. DAC
My general answer to your question is yes. But do not expect miracles.

Thanks so much

 

[Manny]

Hi, should I use an external DAC with Wiim Pro? Do I really hear any difference in sound quality?
Thx.

I do and I notice a difference. Musical fidelity mx dac. But as everyone says, it’s all subjective so good luck!

 

[holsen]

Just to keep this going, even though I'm late to the party....
I bought a WiiM Ultra a couple of months ago to replace a Sonos piece and to get the HDMI from TV and because it's ROON Ready. Out of the box the Ultra was pretty lackluster going into my B&O system. But connecting the USB out into a Topping DX7 Pro was night and day. Fr the price of the Ultra used as a pure transport+ a Decent DAC you can run circles around Eversolo.

I like Ultra Combo so much I just bought a Pro and and doing the same thing: using the Pro as a pure transport and Coax out to a Topping D30 Pro into the Amp in my office. It's spectacular. Blows Sonos and Bluesound away, but really does need the external dac.

 

[Valentino]

Technically speaking (and I prefer that) the Ultra onboard DAC is about as good as DACs get.The Pro analog output is mediocre and it can benefit of an external DAC. The Pro Plus is on par with the Ultra.
Subjectively/how you like your sound is a toss up.

 

[ClaudeJazz]

As far as DAC comparisons go, I have been using a Wiim Pro Plus in my bedroom system for a while (Dynaudio Evoke 10 speakers, T+A PA1530 amp).

As I changed another hifi system in my house, I had a spare vintage DAC Electrocompaniet ECD-1, so I tried it in my bedroom system, the Wiim Pro Plus being connected with the coaxial digital out.

The ECD-1 from the late 1990's is outdated (no USB input, input limited to 24/96 PCM), but it cost $2000 at the time ( i got it second hand years later) and it has a very high quality analogue output stage.

ECD 1

The ECD1 is a 24Bit 192KHz upsampler DAC accepting 16 - 24Bit input and upsample it to 24Bit resolution. This will give app. 10dB more headroom by lowering the noise floor, with more details reproduced. The D/A converter is a sophisticated balanced 192KHz unit. Due to the higher sampling...

electrocompaniet.com

I much preferred the ECD-1 output compared to the Wiim Pro Plus analogue output. The sound is better defined and firmer, the treble is smoother and very detailed at the same time. But maybe what I am mostly hearing is the Electrocompaniet house sound which tends to be warmer.

I know this comparison is unfair in terms of price of the devices (it's like comparing a new VW Golf to a 20yo Mercedes S), but at the same time it showed to me that technical progress in DAC chips does not guarantee that new DACs are always superior to very old ones.