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.

 

[Hiphiman]

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

Can I ask what difference, if any, swapping out your expensive streamer while keeping your impressive DAC in place has made to sound quality?

 

[HotDiggedy]

Can I ask what difference, if any, swapping out your expensive streamer while keeping your impressive DAC in place has made to sound quality?

Very little with the WiiM, the other streamer did sound perhaps a little better, more ‘solid’ and ‘extended’ at the top and bottom (sorry for cheesy cliches but it’s difficult to describe audio). The differences though are very small, I think it depends more on the processing though? The usability and cost saving are easily worth it.

I did experiment with moving the Dave dac out of the chain and using the Wiims analogue outs straight to the amp, but I really like what the Chord does.

 

[Musician]

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

My experience yesterday is that WiiM ultra somehow ( with new firmwares ? ) has made the internal dac better sounding than before, so I’m gonna sell my external dac now .

If others experience similar , please write.
It was a year ago the last time I tested the internal dac of the Ultra. At that time it sounded slightly inferior to my external dac.

 

[Persona Grata]

Very interesting. I have noticed a reduction in digital pop and click glitches after the latest update when using external DAC via USB. If they have improved the sibilants from the internal DAC that would be great and my Topping will be passed along to a new owner.

 

[Musician]

Very interesting. I have noticed a reduction in digital pop and click glitches after the latest update when using external DAC via USB. If they have improved the sibilants from the internal DAC that would be great and my Topping will be passed along to a new owner.

Please sheck it out , yes this is good news. I use Tidal connect for most music.

 

[mlsstl]

Here's my data point. I had a Schiit Bifrost 2 in my main system when I got the Ultra. I did quite a.bit of back-to-back level-matched switching and couldn't tell a difference. Ended up selling the Bifrost (for more than the Ultra cost!) and haven't looked back.

 

[BMeek]

Prior to buying the WiiM Ultra as a DSP & 2.1-channel preamp, I had the Ampapa D1 amplifier. Until last night I simply ran the WiiM Ultra's line out to the D1's RCA input, then I decided to move my rarely-used-lately iFi Zen DAC v2 into use between the WiiM Ultra's USB port and the Ampapa D1's balanced inputs. Ahh!!

I realize that my reaction is part expectation bias, but not only does this addition sound more revealing in clarity - it has also eliminated a problem I was having with the Ampapa. When turning down the Ultra's volume, the resulting low signal voltage would cause the ampapa to give up and display a 'No signal' error. Now, the iFi's balanced line out, switched to "Fixed" output, keeps the Ampapa's XLR inputs happy, even with music paused for extended periods I don't see that No signal screen. To avoid said screen, my gain-staging of the Ampapa on RCA inputs was hindered in order to keep the Ultra's output higher at lower volumes... Anyway, the system now has the right level of power and volume headroom overall and a happy DAC-power amp duo.

The Ultra continues to properly manage the 80Hz crossover between the SVS SB1000Pro and KEF Q1 Metas, and it controls volume of all very nicely in sync with my HDMI CEC-enabled habits. FWIW, I was also able to find a more optimal division of labor between the SVS DSP, with its Room Gain Compensation and 3 PEQ filters, and RoomFit in its efforts to tame my 'bass megaphone corner room' into line with a B&K curve . Amazing what can be done with well-configured high-value audio/video components in modern times!

 

[Pausi]

Well, after some testing and gain level matching I have also removed the Topping E50 II external DAC and gone back to the internal ESS ES9038Q2M with Brick Wall filter. Using EQ at 1 kHz with +1.5dB for my Wharfedale Lintons. The Lintons need that little extra boost especially for snare drums. Pregain set to -4.5dB to prevent ISP and EQ-clipping. Gain setting for my Purifi 1ET6525SA power amp set to max at 29.3dB. It has a buffer board with an independent power supply and dual OPA828 op-amps. I must admit that I can't heard any difference with this combination through RCA compared to the Topping via XLR with 11.3 Vrms high output level and the amplifier gain set at the default Purfi level at 12.3dB with bypassed op-amps. I guess both solutions have so low THD and SNR that it doesn't matter for our human ears.

 

[Musician]

Well, after some testing and gain level matching I have also removed the Topping E50 II external DAC and gone back to the internal ESS ES9038Q2M with Brick Wall filter. Using EQ at 1 kHz with +1.5dB for my Wharfedale Lintons. The Lintons need that little extra boost especially for snare drums. Pregain set to -4.5dB to prevent ISP and EQ-clipping. Gain setting for my Purifi 1ET6525SA power amp set to max at 29.3dB. It has a buffer board with an independent power supply and dual OPA828 op-amps. I must admit that I can't heard any difference with this combination through RCA compared to the Topping via XLR with 11.3 Vrms high output level and the amplifier gain set at the default Purfi level at 12.3dB with bypassed op-amps. I guess both solutions have so low THD and SNR that it doesn't matter for our human ears.

Good news for all with external dacs , no need for them any more, topping 50II is very well regarded.