I have two usb devices here , a jlsounds i2soverusb and Douk U2 pro . As standard using i2s out the jlsounds is noticeably better sounding . If using spdif output the Douk is better . The Jlsounds allows external XO which I use with a reclocker which improved things further . Just what I found anyway
Apparently you can use a usb splitter for hard drive input and external usb dacs , I’ve not tried that
Apparently you can use a usb splitter for hard drive input and external usb dacs , I’ve not tried that
I beg to differ and some others too. BTW that skysong DDC didn't make it to the semi finals in my house.
Not everything that is gold plated is necessarily of quality.
More the other way around.
The stone cold unemotional jury decided otherwise with equally stone cold facts as you can see. We, the believers of the church of Sparkos might feel otherwise but that is a religion you know.
The stone cold unemotional jury decided otherwise with equally stone cold facts as you can see. We, the believers of the church of Sparkos might feel otherwise but that is a religion you know.
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I only had an M1 MacBook Pro , main comparison was for Amazon music unlimited as both units can stream it with an app. When using usb out the sound between MacBook and ultra so far is very close , 44.1,48k,96k and 192k files all run smoothly.
I only have the trial version of HQ player on the MacBook , I’ve not compared MacBook and Wiim Ultra using external HD yet but will do .
The biggest advantage the wiim Ultra has is its convenience, compactness .
Btw I tried the ultra spdif out , for me personally I much preferred the usb output
There is certainly a chance that the reclocking in the $1100 Rega dac is of high quality.
Btw the I2S input of the Ultra coming from my LG 710 projector caused lip sync problems that the optical in does not have.
It could of course be that the recent firmware update (that is indicated to have improved jitter performance) could mean a significant difference when comparing the Ultra today with its own DAC and recomparison with the USB train connected.
Apparently things are not carved in stone as absolute truths. Imagine the Ultra now sounding better with its own DAC and the extra USB train becoming practically superfluous just by software. Can't be can it? 😀
Radian, that issue could of course be the LG HU710PW needing an update. Much stuff today that needs interfacing with other stuff (that itself gets regular automatic firmware updates) also may need a firmware update. The more smart stuff you daisy chain the more dependencies and software related issues may or may not occur certainly when some devices have automated firmware updating and others in the chain don't. Here it is: https://gscs-b2c.lge.com/downloadFile?fileId=r1i6YYShTAAP9F5QVWiKwQ
Apparently things are not carved in stone as absolute truths. Imagine the Ultra now sounding better with its own DAC and the extra USB train becoming practically superfluous just by software. Can't be can it? 😀
Radian, that issue could of course be the LG HU710PW needing an update. Much stuff today that needs interfacing with other stuff (that itself gets regular automatic firmware updates) also may need a firmware update. The more smart stuff you daisy chain the more dependencies and software related issues may or may not occur certainly when some devices have automated firmware updating and others in the chain don't. Here it is: https://gscs-b2c.lge.com/downloadFile?fileId=r1i6YYShTAAP9F5QVWiKwQ
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Now, there are difference in jitter performance between different WiiM streamers with 44.1 kHz .
WiiM mini toslink out :
WiiM Ultra , toslink out same signal
These measurements are done by onlyoneme using a dac where he could switch off the recklocking and dejittering function. So, above pictures are the raw jitter performance of the WiiM mini and WiiM ultra without any sort of dejittering at the external dac.
With the dejittering at ”on” with the Holo dac , the measurements went to be perfect from both units with 44.1 kHz material.
( the WiiM mini is significally worse than the Ultra at 192 kHz )
WiiM mini toslink out :
WiiM Ultra , toslink out same signal
These measurements are done by onlyoneme using a dac where he could switch off the recklocking and dejittering function. So, above pictures are the raw jitter performance of the WiiM mini and WiiM ultra without any sort of dejittering at the external dac.
With the dejittering at ”on” with the Holo dac , the measurements went to be perfect from both units with 44.1 kHz material.
( the WiiM mini is significally worse than the Ultra at 192 kHz )
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No surprise, Wiim Mini was/is their ultra low cost 100 Euro market entrance product lacking a lot of desired functionality also not targeted at audio enthusiasts. So normal evolution.
Now an extra device may improve on jitter but most wil appreciate the source not having jitter (and no extra device) as what has not gone wrong needs no correction. It is surprising that we as audio fanatics take for granted that there always must be extra devices. Our house with watertight roofing will receive an extra roof even more watertight.
Now an extra device may improve on jitter but most wil appreciate the source not having jitter (and no extra device) as what has not gone wrong needs no correction. It is surprising that we as audio fanatics take for granted that there always must be extra devices. Our house with watertight roofing will receive an extra roof even more watertight.
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Eyepattern for WiiM ultra at 192 kHz spdif :
Eyepattern for WiiM pro/pro+ at 192 kHz , spdif :
As one can see - big differences at 192 kHz, the ultra is better, but those differences on the digital spdif out are almost gone at cd material, 44.1 kHz.
This time Stereophile, Eyepattern for WiiM mini, toslink out at 16 bit 44.1 kHz .
As one can see, almost perfect at 16 bit, 44.1 kHz material.
Many ”high end transports” are not better than the WiiM mini if one read the measurements done by stereophile.
Conclusion: the highend industry is for the most part, a hoax.
Eyepattern for WiiM pro/pro+ at 192 kHz , spdif :
As one can see - big differences at 192 kHz, the ultra is better, but those differences on the digital spdif out are almost gone at cd material, 44.1 kHz.
This time Stereophile, Eyepattern for WiiM mini, toslink out at 16 bit 44.1 kHz .
As one can see, almost perfect at 16 bit, 44.1 kHz material.
Many ”high end transports” are not better than the WiiM mini if one read the measurements done by stereophile.
Conclusion: the highend industry is for the most part, a hoax.
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Today in 2024 maybe, things have been different. Digital audio has matured, quite normal as it just had its 40th birthday. We celebrated with cake together with Amir and the chinese entrepreneurs that recently have accelerated developments, set a relatively high standard and made stuff commodity.
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You could check as you noticed an issue. Works better than assumptions.
Anecdote: having solved some firmware imperfections or noticing imperfections that were passed to a team of firmware developers to be solved and then tested in the field once earned me the nickname Flash Gordon 😉
Anecdote: having solved some firmware imperfections or noticing imperfections that were passed to a team of firmware developers to be solved and then tested in the field once earned me the nickname Flash Gordon 😉
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Karma works like that. Also eventually ending up in technology where several firmwares MUST be checked, updated, verified, logged and personally signed off also in a strict sequence at every opportunity.
As it stands the separates, especially external DACs doing better than the built-in one. Looks like there are some updates to improve jitter performance of the internal DAC. Has anyone found these of substantial improvements to justify removing external devices?