WiiM Ultra + DAC + Vibelink Amp

[SKApretto71]

Basic question. I currently connect Ultra to Vibelink over SP/DIF Optical, setting the volume on the Ultra.

If I add a DAC, with input the same Optical and output an RCA that then becomes input on the Vibelink, will I still be able to set volume on the Ultra?

I assume yes, but I'm not sure if I need to validate any support in the DAC for this type of setup with variable level of signal in input over optical.

Thanks!

 

[Mr Ee]

If I add a DAC, with input the same Optical and output an RCA that then becomes input on the Vibelink, will I still be able to set volume on the Ultra?

Yes.

However, and this is just my experience, I greatly preferred ultra digital directly into vibelink over any other dac in the middle.

Edit: I've gone back to using ultra, optical into vibelink in my office again (the amp ultra wanted change of scenery ) and although I have an RME ADI2 Dac FS in the office too I only use if for headphones, fed by ultra usb.
Ultra to RME to vibelink is very noticeably worse than ultra optical to vibelink.
All imo, of course.

Double edit: have you tried ultra rca out to vibelink? How do you find that compares to digital into vibelink?

 

[SKApretto71]

I never tried RCA because:
- DAC is the same in Ultra as in Vibelink, but a minor revision better in Vibelink
- Optical in Vibelink provides higher power as output, there was a discussion on it when Vibelink launched

It's a question I'm asking myself in case I evaluate a materially better DAC, just to know if I'll ever have such option (even considering the power topic above)

 

[harkpabst]

I never tried RCA because:
- DAC is the same in Ultra as in Vibelink, but a minor revision better in Vibelink
- Optical in Vibelink provides higher power as output, there was a discussion on it when Vibelink launched

It's a question I'm asking myself in case I evaluate a materially better DAC, just to know if I'll ever have such option (even considering the power topic above)

Comparing the datasheets the ES9039Q2M appears to be technically quite a bit different from the ES9038Q2M.

 

[Smartplug]

Yes.

However, and this is just my experience, I greatly preferred ultra digital directly into vibelink over any other dac in the middle.

Edit: I've gone back to using ultra, optical into vibelink in my office again (the amp ultra wanted change of scenery ) and although I have an RME ADI2 Dac FS in the office too I only use if for headphones, fed by ultra usb.
Ultra to RME to vibelink is very noticeably worse than ultra optical to vibelink.
All imo, of course.

Double edit: have you tried ultra rca out to vibelink? How do you find that compares to digital into vibelink?

I tried both analog and optical. I find optical has better musical separation and has deeper soundstage. This tells me vibe link may have better dac and analog stage before gets to speakers.