WiiM Ultra with external DACs (user experiences)

[Pausi]

This is my setup with the WiiM Ultra, Topping E50 II DAC and stereo power amplifier with Purifi 1ET6525SA Class D-modules that work very well. I have set the filter to no. 6 in the Topping E50 II since I imagine (could be pure psychoacoustics) some less sibilants from compressed audio via streaming services like Netflix. Only drawback is the sound cut-off delay from the Ultra every time you change or stop playback from external sources or streaming services. Guess this is a software setting in WiiM Ultra to avoid pop or crackle noise and ensure smooth playback. Wish they would fix this, but maybe we have to wait for Ultra 2 for this to be eliminated.

What are your experiences with the use of external DACs with the WiiM Ultra, via USB, optical or coaxial?

My setup:

 

[HotDiggedy]

I haven’t gone about it as scientifically as you but my set up works for us. The key criteria for purchasing the WiiM ultra was to simplify the operation of the system, while losing as little sound quality as possible. The Ultra replaced a significantly more expensive audio streamer.

WiiM Ultra - 192/32 fixed resolution output via USB, volume controlled by WiiM
Chord Dave - DAC mode, HF filter off, phase pos, RCA out
Norma IPA140 - bypass preamp into power amps

Usage ranges from internet radio to Spotify lossless, Plex, USB files and TV (Apple TV 4k) via hdmi. The flexiblity and usability of the WiiM system (inc. voice control) is first class.

 

[Persona Grata]

I haven’t gone about it as scientifically as you but my set up works for us. The key criteria for purchasing the WiiM ultra was to simplify the operation of the system, while losing as little sound quality as possible. The Ultra replaced a significantly more expensive audio streamer.

WiiM Ultra - 192/32 fixed resolution output via USB, volume controlled by WiiM
Chord Dave - DAC mode, HF filter off, phase pos, RCA out
Norma IPA140 - bypass preamp into power amps

Usage ranges from internet radio to Spotify lossless, Plex, USB files and TV (Apple TV 4k) via hdmi. The flexiblity and usability of the WiiM system (inc. voice control) is first class.

Thanks for sharing. A very interesting setup indeed.

 

[dominikz]

This is my setup with the WiiM Ultra, Topping E50 II DAC and stereo power amplifier with Purifi 1ET6525SA Class D-modules that work very well. I have set the filter to no. 6 in the Topping E50 II since I imagine (could be pure psychoacoustics) some less sibilants from compressed audio via streaming services like Netflix. Only drawback is the sound cut-off delay from the Ultra every time you change or stop playback from external sources or streaming services. Guess this is a software setting in WiiM Ultra to avoid pop or crackle noise and ensure smooth playback. Wish they would fix this, but maybe we have to wait for Ultra 2 for this to be eliminated.

What are your experiences with the use of external DACs with the WiiM Ultra, via USB, optical or coaxial?

My setup:
View attachment 36473

Just a note that the stream is not 'bit-perfect' anymore (by definition) if you decrease volume in the digital domain (e.g. by setting a volume limit in WiiM, like you did).

That being said, the fact that decreasing global volume helps with inter-sample overload protection is IMO much more important than 'bit-perfect' - so I'd say your choice is very reasonable!

In case someone finds it interesting, I wrote more about potential issues with 'bit-perfect' in this post.

 

[Persona Grata]

Just a note that the stream is not 'bit-perfect' anymore (by definition) if you decrease volume in the digital domain (e.g. by setting a volume limit in WiiM, like you did).

That being said, the fact that decreasing global volume helps with inter-sample overload protection is IMO much more important than 'bit-perfect' - so I'd say your choice is very reasonable!

In case someone finds it interesting, I wrote more about potential issues with 'bit-perfect' in this post.

Yeah, I know it’s not bit-perfect. That’s some hallucination cooked up from Nano Banana 2. Thanks for sharing more about this topic.

 

[Valentino]

Eight external DAC channels here. Flow chart of the setup:

As you can see the Ultra is the control center and it's analog inputs are not in use. The DSP in the Ultra is active for Turntable input and headphones output. I've chosen native sample rate through the Ultra and let the Flex Eight do any resampling. I'm also fond of Toslink and I need the Flex Eight USB for updates and main speakers EQ trim anyway. The whole shebang is domesticated. Right speaker and subwoofer is outside the frame and the Flex Eight and the main speaker power amplifiers are behind the door:

A note on the Windows logo paraphrase joke: Back in 2009 when the speaker system was new the crossovers and EQ was run under Console in Windows, and this thing can make furniture rattle.