Wiim Ultra connections - Internal or external DAC

[TK421]

Morning all,

Got myself a Wiim Ultra over the weekend and am wondering about the DAC situation.
As I understand it, dependent on which output you use, it uses either the internal DAC or the external one/the on in the amp.
Is this correct and if so, which is best? The amp's DAC or the Wiim's DAC?

 

[Al ears]

Morning all,

Got myself a Wiim Ultra over the weekend and am wondering about the DAC situation.
As I understand it, dependent on which output you use, it uses either the internal DAC or the external one/the on in the amp.
Is this correct and if so, which is best? The amp's DAC or the Wiim's DAC?

I guess you are really the only one that can answer that.
Try both and see which you prefer.

 

[TK421]

I guess you are really the only one that can answer that.
Try both and see which you prefer.

I guess I didn't phrase that properly. Which output uses the internal DAC and which output uses the amp's DAC?

 

[RTHerringbone]

Just use the optical out or USB to bypass the internal DAC on the Ultra.

 

[Al ears]

I guess I didn't phrase that properly. Which output uses the internal DAC and which output uses the amp's DAC?

Ah, I see, anything connected to the analogue RCA outputs will obviously use the Wiim internal DAC.

 

[PieterG]

The Ultra has a higher end chip, so you'll probably want to use that as your first DAC option. In this case you send its RCA out to your amp.
I would do an A/B comparison with a digital out from the WiiM to the amp, then decide which sounds best and keep the setup you prefer. When you use the digital out, turn the amp volume down and set WiiM output volume to fixed for best signal.

 

[TK421]

I was convinced by Youtube to try the SMSL PO100PRO inbetween the Wiim Ultra and my Cambridge CXA81. Anybody have experience with this?

 

[RTHerringbone]

I absolutely wouldn't bother. I would try the RCA connection to your amp and then switch to optical / USB to see if you can hear a difference. It's pretty likely you won't, so then just go with whichever of those two options has the nicest cable! Simple as that. You won't need another box in the chain, and certainly not a £55 one.

 

[nopiano]

I was convinced by Youtube to try the SMSL PO100PRO inbetween the Wiim Ultra and my Cambridge CXA81. Anybody have experience with this?

Thousands like you have done the same. I’m not sure about budget miracles, but I do read a Wiim group on Facebook where many swear by this tweak, and others can’t see the point.

As before, you’re in a great position to experiment. Fish, chicken, or beef? Your choice! 😂

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

"Fish, chicken, or beef? Your choice! 😂"

I feel like I'm sitting at the front of the plane!

 

[TK421]

I absolutely wouldn't bother. I would try the RCA connection to your amp and then switch to optical / USB to see if you can hear a difference. It's pretty likely you won't, so then just go with whichever of those two options has the nicest cable! Simple as that. You won't need another box in the chain, and certainly not a £55 one.

I need to learn how to trust my own judgement instead of being influenced by the idea that something different will be better than what I already have.

 

[TK421]

I absolutely wouldn't bother. I would try the RCA connection to your amp and then switch to optical / USB to see if you can hear a difference. It's pretty likely you won't, so then just go with whichever of those two options has the nicest cable! Simple as that. You won't need another box in the chain, and certainly not a £55 one.

I'll try this and see if I can hear a difference. Chances are that, with my ears, I won't..

 

[RTHerringbone]

I need to learn how to trust my own judgement instead of being influenced by the idea that something different will be better than what I already have.

I suspect many of us are guilty of it (I certainly am!) but I'd just see how things sound with your current amp and unless you are *sure* you're missing something, then save yourself a few quid.