Wiim Ultra with external DAC: what output?

[mogily]

"I would also recommend trying each digital output into the external DAC to decide which suits (as well as RCA line-output, bypassing an external DAC because the DAC in the Ultra is reputed to be excellent in"

I so using USB will bypass the DAC inside the wiim and use the external dac instead?

RCA your Wiim's DAC is in use
USB will give full control to the external DAC this is in relation to data requests and receipt it manages it all. So to my ears its the smoothest sound.
COAX/Toslink means the Wiim is in control of sending the data to the external DAC to receive and process. So you will hear your external DAC.

You can easily try them all and see what you prefer, just by switching outputs on the Wiim and your DAC/AMP (as you will go direct to Amp via RCA)

 

[j84]

RCA your Wiim's DAC is in use
USB will give full control to the external DAC this is in relation to data requests and receipt it manages it all. So to my ears its the smoothest sound.
COAX/Toslink means the Wiim is in control of sending the data to the external DAC to receive and process. So you will hear your external DAC.

You can easily try them all and see what you prefer, just by switching outputs on the Wiim and your DAC/AMP (as you will go direct to Amp via RCA)

Hi thanks. What if I want to add sb2000pro subwoofer to my setup?

If I use the sub out on the wiim ultra and and then use USB or COAX to connect to the external DAC/preamp, will I still be able to hear the external DAC? Like will the external DAC still have control?

I want to use the external DAC/preamp to control volume and not use the digital control of the wiim.

 

[hgo58]

Hi thanks. What if I want to add sb2000pro subwoofer to my setup?

If I use the sub out on the wiim ultra and and then use USB or COAX to connect to the external DAC/preamp, will I still be able to hear the external DAC? Like will the external DAC still have control?

I want to use the external DAC/preamp to control volume and not use the digital control of the wiim.

If you use the subwoofer output of the WiiM, you must use the WiiM volume control.

 

[slartibartfast]

Hi thanks. What if I want to add sb2000pro subwoofer to my setup?

If I use the sub out on the wiim ultra and and then use USB or COAX to connect to the external DAC/preamp, will I still be able to hear the external DAC? Like will the external DAC still have control?

I want to use the external DAC/preamp to control volume and not use the digital control of the wiim.

You have have been told many times that to use the sub out on the Ultra you must use Ultra volume control.

 

[j84]

If you use the subwoofer output of the WiiM, you must use the WiiM volume control.

Hi thanks. Will using the wiim volume control use the wiim internal DAC? Like will it bypass the external DAC? Like will I not be able to hear the internal DAC?

 

[hgo58]

Hi thanks. Will using the wiim volume control use the wiim DAC? Like will it bypass the external DAC? Like will I not be able to hear the internal DAC?

No. The DAC is not related to volume control.

 

[j84]

No. The DAC is not related to volume control.

Thanks.

 

[mogily]

Thanks.

I tried the Wiim as pre and thats via RCA out - thats if you have a power amp and/or your amp has an ability to switch modes from integrated to power amp. Watch out for the volume you it start at, as pretty shocking if you don't start it low and then gain - I made that mistake! You can adjust gain steps in the menus etc

 

[Audiaholic]

I have all 3 connected (TOS, Cox and USB). I use the DAC in my audiolab 8300cdq.
I can hear distinct differences between each, but depending upon your system, you may not notice.
Personally I'd say go with the most affordable option and if you're not satisfied, try one of your other 2 options.
I've found that depending on what I'm listening to, depends upon output required. Regular FLAC at 44.1khz at 16 bit is a choice between coax or TOS (optical). Personally I'm finding coax to be smoother all round. However for hi-res (192khz at 24bit) USB performs best
However, that's just me and what I can notice on my system.
With no intent to offend anyone, some systems don't reveal things like that, the person can't pick up on that, the genres you enjoy don't expose that or a mixture of any of of the above.
ALl I will say is that if you decide to use USB, I suggest a cable that's optimised for audio and nit just any old one off the shelf.
Believe it or not, there's a HUGE difference.
My digital connections from the wiim are all using audioquest cinnamon, just for reference. Don't take that as a "this is what you must have" statement.

Usually, optical/TOS is cheaper, followed by coax and then USB.

Like I say, go with the budget. Whatever you choose you'll notice a difference in comparison analogue connection.