Wiim Ultra Gain Via USB

[andreilchimico]

good morning, I use the Wiim Ultra connected to a Gustard DAC via USB and then I use an Audio Research amplifier in a balanced connection. for various reasons too high gain reaches the preamp. how can I decrease the output gain from wiim ultra without losing bits or resolution or audio quality? Is it possible?
Is it enough to reduce the general volume or would this function reduce the output quality?

 

[hgo58]

good morning, I use the Wiim Ultra connected to a Gustard DAC via USB and then I use an Audio Research amplifier in a balanced connection. for various reasons too high gain reaches the preamp. how can I decrease the output gain from wiim ultra without losing bits or resolution or audio quality? Is it possible?
Is it enough to reduce the general volume or would this function reduce the output quality?

Just reduce volume. If possible you should do it on the DAC.

 

[andreilchimico]

thanks for the reply. So you confirm that there is no loss of quality? Because there would be other functions to use in the application such as the pre-gain function if using line output. I also confirm that I can adjust the volume from the DAC... but I would like to adjust the volume on the correct device so as not to lose any audio quality and definition. I would like to have some technical feedback on this, perhaps even from the Wiim producers

 

[slartibartfast]

thanks for the reply. So you confirm that there is no loss of quality? Because there would be other functions to use in the application such as the pre-gain function if using line output. I also confirm that I can adjust the volume from the DAC... but I would like to adjust the volume on the correct device so as not to lose any audio quality and definition. I would like to have some technical feedback on this, perhaps even from the Wiim producers

Can you adjust the gain of the Audio Research amplifier?

 

[andreilchimico]

Can you adjust the gain of the Audio Research amplifier?

sure, but at minimum volume the Game is too loud, so as soon as I take a few steps up, the volume is already too loud. I have to adjust the volume upstream somehow either from the Wiim or from the DAC

 

[Burnside]

thanks for the reply. So you confirm that there is no loss of quality? Because there would be other functions to use in the application such as the pre-gain function if using line output. I also confirm that I can adjust the volume from the DAC... but I would like to adjust the volume on the correct device so as not to lose any audio quality and definition. I would like to have some technical feedback on this, perhaps even from the Wiim producers

This is primarily a user forum, but the WiiM team have confirmed that their volume control is performed without lack of quality viz.

https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...mprove-digital-volume-control.3063/post-47075

 

[slartibartfast]

sure, but at minimum volume the Game is too loud, so as soon as I take a few steps up, the volume is already too loud. I have to adjust the volume upstream somehow either from the Wiim or from the DAC

I don't mean the amp volume control. Some amps allow the user to change the gain of the power amp. That would be the best place to adjust the gain. Which Audio Research amplifier is it? Is it an integrated amp?

 

[slartibartfast]

This is primarily a user forum, but the WiiM team have confirmed that their volume control is performed without lack of quality viz.

https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...mprove-digital-volume-control.3063/post-47075

Others have reported that doesn't apply to the USB output though. Volume control for USB can't be done at 32 bits.

 

[Burnside]

Others have reported that doesn't apply to the USB output though. Volume control for USB can't be done at 32 bits.

Thanks, must have glossed over that. Where was it explained?

 

[hgo58]

Others have reported that doesn't apply to the USB output though. Volume control for USB can't be done at 32 bits.

As I understand it, the volume control is always 32 bits but then converted back to 24 bits (or 16 bits). USB audio do support 32 bit, so maybe not even needed to convert down?

 

[hgo58]

I don't mean the amp volume control. Some amps allow the user to change the gain of the power amp. That would be the best place to adjust the gain. Which Audio Research amplifier is it? Is it an integrated amp?

Maybe try to use RCA input instead of the XLR? The XLR have higher gain than RCA.

 

[hgo58]

thanks for the reply. So you confirm that there is no loss of quality?

It will reduce the dynamic range, as the number of bits actually used will be reduced. You will however not be able to hear that, except if you play very very low on a 16 bit source.

 

[slartibartfast]

Thanks, must have glossed over that. Where was it explained?

Here
Post in thread 'Issue with Distortion at Very Low Volume When Using WiiM Ultra with External DAC' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...wiim-ultra-with-external-dac.6204/post-106277

 

[Burnside]

Here
Post in thread 'Issue with Distortion at Very Low Volume When Using WiiM Ultra with External DAC' https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...wiim-ultra-with-external-dac.6204/post-106277

Not sure I fully understand that especially “If you use the WiiM internal DAC then it's worked around by scaling the samples to 32 bits before attenuation” - who said the attenuation is done by the DAC?

 

[andreilchimico]

I don't mean the amp volume control. Some amps allow the user to change the gain of the power amp. That would be the best place to adjust the gain. Which Audio Research amplifier is it? Is it an integrated amp?

now I understand, no unfortunately it is not possible to adjust the gain of the preamplifier. The model is ls15. It's a preamp, not an integrated amplifier.

 

[andreilchimico]

Maybe try to use RCA input instead of the XLR? The XLR have higher gain than RCA.

I have already tried, but the Gain is still too high to adjust the volume correctly

 

[hgo58]

I have already tried, but the Gain is still too high to adjust the volume correctly

The RCA output gain (mV) from Ultra can be adjusted. Have you tried to use the WiiM Ultra DAC?

 

[andreilchimico]

The RCA output gain (mV) from Ultra can be adjusted. Have you tried to use the WiiM Ultra DAC?

yes, I tried, that way I can solve the problem. but I find my external dac qualitatively superior to that of the Wiim so I would like to use that. But in your opinion is it better to reduce the master volume of the Wiim or use the Wiim at maximum volume and lower the volume of the Gustard DAC?

 

[hgo58]

yes, I tried, that way I can solve the problem. but I find my external dac qualitatively superior to that of the Wiim so I would like to use that. But in your opinion is it better to reduce the master volume of the Wiim or use the Wiim at maximum volume and lower the volume of the Gustard DAC?

I don't think it matters. Try both and see if it makes any difference.

Do however only adjust one and set the other to max.

 

[slartibartfast]

now I understand, no unfortunately it is not possible to adjust the gain of the preamplifier. The model is ls15. It's a preamp, not an integrated amplifier.

OK so what are you using as a Power Amplifier?