Hello everyone,
I would like to share an experience and see if anyone has encountered something similar.
My system includes a WiiM Ultra connected to an Audiophonics LPA-S450ET power amplifier (Purifi based).
When connecting the Ultra directly to the power amplifier, I noticed a clear hiss, audible both with music and without music. The noise was strong enough that using the system in this configuration was simply not possible.
At first I assumed that the unit might be defective, so the Ultra was returned and replaced with another one. However, the second unit behaved exactly the same. Since two different units produced the same result, I concluded that it was unlikely to be a defect in a specific device, and more likely some kind of interaction or compatibility issue between the Ultra and the power amplifier.
To check whether the power amplifier might be responsible, I inserted a NAD C320 integrated amplifier used only as a preamplifier between the Ultra and the power amp.
With the NAD acting as preamp the result was complete silence — no hiss at all, both in silence and during music playback. This confirmed that the power amplifier itself was not the source of the problem.
Based on this, it seems that the behaviour may be related to how the WiiM Ultra output stage interacts with the input stage of this Purifi amplifier.
So my question to the community is:
Has anyone experienced something similar when connecting a WiiM Ultra directly to a Purifi power amplifier, especially the Audiophonics LPA-S450ET?
What preamplifiers (tube or solid-state) are people successfully using with the Ultra?
For reference, in my case:
Connection used: RCA from WiiM Ultra to the amplifier
Amplifier gain setting: 20 dB
Thanks in advance for any insights.
I would like to share an experience and see if anyone has encountered something similar.
My system includes a WiiM Ultra connected to an Audiophonics LPA-S450ET power amplifier (Purifi based).
When connecting the Ultra directly to the power amplifier, I noticed a clear hiss, audible both with music and without music. The noise was strong enough that using the system in this configuration was simply not possible.
At first I assumed that the unit might be defective, so the Ultra was returned and replaced with another one. However, the second unit behaved exactly the same. Since two different units produced the same result, I concluded that it was unlikely to be a defect in a specific device, and more likely some kind of interaction or compatibility issue between the Ultra and the power amplifier.
To check whether the power amplifier might be responsible, I inserted a NAD C320 integrated amplifier used only as a preamplifier between the Ultra and the power amp.
With the NAD acting as preamp the result was complete silence — no hiss at all, both in silence and during music playback. This confirmed that the power amplifier itself was not the source of the problem.
Based on this, it seems that the behaviour may be related to how the WiiM Ultra output stage interacts with the input stage of this Purifi amplifier.
So my question to the community is:
Has anyone experienced something similar when connecting a WiiM Ultra directly to a Purifi power amplifier, especially the Audiophonics LPA-S450ET?
What preamplifiers (tube or solid-state) are people successfully using with the Ultra?
For reference, in my case:
Connection used: RCA from WiiM Ultra to the amplifier
Amplifier gain setting: 20 dB
Thanks in advance for any insights.
