WiiM Ultra + DAC + Vibelink Amp

SKApretto71

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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!
 
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?
 
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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)
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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)
Fair enough - I suggested trying ultra rca to vibelink so you can hear for yourself how different (or not) using the vibelink analog input is with a comparable "external" dac (the ultra) to the vibelink's dac, as a baseline.
For me, ultra analog out to my amp and speakers sounds great; ultra optical to vibelink to speakers sounds great. Yet anything I've tried analog in to vibelink to speakers does not (no matter the input voltage).
If you were to have the same impression then adding pretty much any external dac between the ultra and vibelink may be folly.
 
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The main purpose of WiiM introducing the Vibelink to the market was to pair naturally with the Ultra, perfectly designed to fit together.. nothing else needed other than a good pair of speakers and maybe a sub upon taste.
 
Fair enough - I suggested trying ultra rca to vibelink so you can hear for yourself how different (or not) using the vibelink analog input is with a comparable "external" dac (the ultra) to the vibelink's dac, as a baseline.
For me, ultra analog out to my amp and speakers sounds great; ultra optical to vibelink to speakers sounds great. Yet anything I've tried analog in to vibelink to speakers does not (no matter the input voltage).
If you were to have the same impression then adding pretty much any external dac between the ultra and vibelink may be folly.
Good and practical strategy!
 
The main purpose of WiiM introducing the Vibelink to the market was to pair naturally with the Ultra, perfectly designed to fit together.. nothing else needed other than a good pair of speakers and maybe a sub upon taste.
Agreed and reaon for me to geth them.

At same time, the setup is quite similar to MXN10 + MXW70 from Cambridge Audio, where you may add a DacMagic 200 still from Cambridge in between and the sound would be noticeably increased in quality.

I was making an exercise for same approach, as MXN share same DAC than WiiM Ultra (while MXW only has analogue inputs, is a pure power amplifier). A theoretical exercise.

Not a comparison Cambridge - WiiM, just the approach viability using separates.
 
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