Wiim Ultra with external DAC: what output?

[MrMan]

“I hope you can appreciate that noise, ok”
Lol
His voice is more ‘annoying’

 

[onlyoneme]

A ‘high end’ USB cable is never going to deliver more / better anything that a standard robust cable will do when attached to a Wiim, so pointless exercise imho.

Not true. I can see that it has been already explained to you.

 

[hgo58]

Not true. I can see that it has been already explained to you.

The cable discussions again

For USB cables the length matters a lot, as it is two way communication.

If longer than 3m the construction of the cable needs additional care. The very high priced USB cables is however an overkill.

 

[onlyoneme]

The cable discussions again

Some people should finally remember that cables quality matter. That's all.

 

[hgo58]

Some people should finally remember that cables quality matter. That's all.

Yes quality matters but you don't need to pay $100 for a USB cable. Most cables would do.

 

[slartibartfast]

Here’s a video by Archimago , a annoying sound from his dac using asynkron USB

MEASUREMENTS: Computer USB port noise, USB hubs and the 8kHz PHY Microframe Packet Noise

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

He does end by saying
"Okay, to end off... Let me remind everyone one more time that what I'm measuring with the 8kHz noise here is because of the Emotiva XSP-1's sensitivity to noise through the "Home Theater Bypass" input. The 8kHz tone is NOT something I have ever heard / measured coming out of a reputable DAC's analogue outputs! Nor is it something that's found in Stereophile USB DAC measurements. If it were not for this noise sensitivity, I would not even have bothered with looking at ways to attenuate the computer USB noise."

 

[slartibartfast]

Yes quality but you don't need to pay $100 for a USB cable. Most cables would do.

$100 is peanuts

Siltech Royal Double Crown USB - Reference USB Digital Interconnect - Audio Lounge London

Royal Crown series digital interconnects are made to the very best standards, with absolutely nothing left to chance.

www.audiolounge.co.uk

 

[Zap Rekowski]

Great idea for a new product category: Maybe we should use WiFi to transfer digital data to a DAC.

 

[hgo58]

Great idea for a new product category: Maybe we should use WiFi to transfer digital data to a DAC.

That is actually how my wireless speakers works.

 

[badunn]

$100 is peanuts

Siltech Royal Double Crown USB - Reference USB Digital Interconnect - Audio Lounge London

Royal Crown series digital interconnects are made to the very best standards, with absolutely nothing left to chance.

www.audiolounge.co.uk

Now were into 'Reference' territory. Forget your 'high end' slouch!
Honesty... Companies like this should seriously look in the mirror at themselves.

 

[badunn]

Some people should finally remember that cables quality matter. That's all.

Again... can't disagree... but let's not assume 'robust' and 'high end' always mean the same.

 

[Musician]

He does end by saying
"Okay, to end off... Let me remind everyone one more time that what I'm measuring with the 8kHz noise here is because of the Emotiva XSP-1's sensitivity to noise through the "Home Theater Bypass" input. The 8kHz tone is NOT something I have ever heard / measured coming out of a reputable DAC's analogue outputs! Nor is it something that's found in Stereophile USB DAC measurements. If it were not for this noise sensitivity, I would not even have bothered with looking at ways to attenuate the computer USB noise."

But he is wrong on this , lots of people both measuring the USB 8 kHz package noise problem and complaining about noise.

8kHz USB noise: How do I get rid of it?

TLDR: PC as my source, Massdrop SDAC, no music playing, volume set to 100%, noise floor measurement, how do I get rid of this 8kHz spike? Some history: I bought my first external DAC, SMSL SU-8, this past summer and while it was a huge update over my existing equipment in terms of sound...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I just want all to see that the ”asynkron usb religion ” is not without flaws.

The technically best transmission is toslink because the jitter problem is nowadays a non issue.

With that said - use the transmission that sounds best with your dac.

 

[onlyoneme]

Usually a proper USB isolator solves it.

 

[DG77]

Interesting!
I was not aware, so many issues with different connection types

 

[Valentino]

No issues with optical in 2025.

 

[Nitra987]

I'm using Wiim Ultra with an external DAC (Gustard) and I would like to hear you guys opinion on what output sounds better: coax, optical or USB?

I know it really boils down to personal taste, but I'm still very curious about your findings. Can you share?

I found that using a Toslink optical connection between Geshelli J3 (with Sparkos 2590s on the RCA) to my WiiM Pro Plus (Ultra should be similar) produced excellent sound. The coax was inferior, for whatever reason.

 

[Bill Mac]

Interesting!
I was not aware, so many issues with different connection types

I’m having no issues with USB out of the Ultra to the USB input of a Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC.

 

[lecko]

sorry about totally beginner question but I want to know directions how things are connected : ULTRA. DAC and Amplifier. Is it Ultra - DAC - AMP or it is DAC - ULTRA - AMP. And you are discussing conneciton between ULTRA and DAc, but which way ?

 

[Valentino]

It’s Ultra > DAC > Amp.
Putting a DAC in front of the Ultra has little merit since it’s analog input is just not bad and it does (almost) all it’s sound processing in the digital domain anyway.

 

[lecko]

Thank you! Currently my Ultra acts also as Subwoofer mgmt and Pre-AMp. When I use ULTRA volume control, both volume of main speakers and subwoofer change. But If I buy a better DAC and connect it to ULTRA and then DAC to AMP, I guess the volume control may be done by DAC, and volume for SUb will have to be done separately (as it is connected to ULtra).