WiiM Ultra to KEF LS50 Wireless (version1 )

[calugg23]

I purchased the WiiMI Ultra as an experiment. I have a pair of KEF LS50 Wireless (version 1), that has a state of the art electronics from 2016. I wanted to see if I could use the Ultra as the Streaming DAC, then have the KEFS work as amp/speakers. So far, so good. The big surprise??? The sound is better using the WiiM Dac (out RCA to KEFS), instead of using the USB out to USB in on the KEFs. Go figure. I really like the WiiM Ultra. And it does a better job of handling the SVS Micro 3000 sub.

 

[BowsAndArrows]

I purchased the WiiMI Ultra as an experiment. I have a pair of KEF LS50 Wireless (version 1), that has a state of the art electronics from 2016. I wanted to see if I could use the Ultra as the Streaming DAC, then have the KEFS work as amp/speakers. So far, so good. The big surprise??? The sound is better using the WiiM Dac (out RCA to KEFS), instead of using the USB out to USB in on the KEFs. Go figure. I really like the WiiM Ultra. And it does a better job of handling the SVS Micro 3000 sub.

Did you try the optical input as well as a fun comparison?

 

[calugg23]

Not yet. But I would prefer to bypass the KEF's internal DAC. I think by using the optical input (from the Wiim to KEFs), I give up WiiM's DAC. I could be mistaken, because I'm happily playing with it all. But I did notice an improvement by ditching the USB out to USB in.

 

[BowsAndArrows]

Not yet. But I would prefer to bypass the KEF's internal DAC. I think by using the optical input (from the Wiim to KEFs), I give up WiiM's DAC. I could be mistaken, because I'm happily playing with it all. But I did notice an improvement by ditching the USB out to USB in.

Yeh you're right about that. And it's interesting that you prefer the analog output of the ultra... thanks for sharing and keep us updated

I may be wrong, but I think the LS50s have built-in DSP that is applied to all inputs. This means that even when using the analog inputs - you still are using the speaker's internal DAC for the final D>A conversion. (With an additional A>D conversion occurring prior to applying the DSP).

Please correct me if I'm wrong about this... t

 

[calugg23]

I'll have to dig into the documentation in a bit. That would be a bit of a buzzkill if the internal DAC of the KEFS are also working their magic (?) with the RCA inputs. Back in a bit.

 

[huw]

I may be wrong, but I think the LS50s have built-in DSP that is applied to all inputs.

I believe you're correct - the KEF active loudspeakers implement the crossover in the digital domain. Also the connection between left and right speaker must be digital anyway.

 

[calugg23]

Alas, my lying ears. From: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/kef-ls50-wireless. "However, the LS50W incorporates internal DSP, so analogue input signals go through an entire A-D/D-A process, and a signal chain incorporating that extra conversion round trip doesn’t seem ideal. Using the LS50 as a USB output device in the DAW also worked perfectly, and to my ears, sounded better than the analogue inputs, however as soon as the DAW job in hand leaves ‘the box’ and requires inputs or outputs, or even a pair of headphones or a second pair of monitors, it’s no good if the monitors have exclusive use of the DAW interface." That said the WiiM's USB out *IS* glitchy, and forces me to reboot every few days. So, I'll stick with the RCA outs/ins, for how.

 

[BowsAndArrows]

Alas, my lying ears. From: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/kef-ls50-wireless. "However, the LS50W incorporates internal DSP, so analogue input signals go through an entire A-D/D-A process, and a signal chain incorporating that extra conversion round trip doesn’t seem ideal. Using the LS50 as a USB output device in the DAW also worked perfectly, and to my ears, sounded better than the analogue inputs, however as soon as the DAW job in hand leaves ‘the box’ and requires inputs or outputs, or even a pair of headphones or a second pair of monitors, it’s no good if the monitors have exclusive use of the DAW interface." That said the WiiM's USB out *IS* glitchy, and forces me to reboot every few days. So, I'll stick with the RCA outs/ins, for how.

I wouldn't dismiss your own senses for no reason... there could be other reasons why the analog inputs sound better to you.

 

[calugg23]

I wouldn't dismiss your own senses for no reason... there could be other reasons why the analog inputs sound better to you.

You're very kind. I have serious hearing loss and have been wearing hearing aids since 2018, so I will be the first to admit I do NOT have golden ears. Furthermore, I have tinnitus, so metal tweeters can be a pain. *SIGH!*

 

[Valentino]

Sometimes D/A-A/D sounds better than digital straight through. Not all sample rate converters are created equal.

 

[calugg23]

Sometimes D/A-A/D sounds better than digital straight through. Not all sample rate converters are created equal.

And this is precisely what I am finding. The most "palatable" connection between my WiiM Ultra and the KEF LS50 wireless (version 1), for me is....the RCA outs to RCA ins. The optical connection was a total bust. I actually had to turn it UP using both the Optical and the USB outs by comparison. Hmmmmm.