The other optimisation is the DAC itself is in preamp mode, direct drive to Amp (BAL), digital vol control by DAC. So one less box 🙂
Gain staging on DAC itself to 9V rms output and the AHB2 Amp set to lowest gain to match for best SNR
Gain staging on DAC itself to 9V rms output and the AHB2 Amp set to lowest gain to match for best SNR
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Another interesting thing about the WiiM is a ground plug at the back. The power connector misses out on earth line so maybe this gnd plug can be useful for shielding…
Hi, did anybody close off the not used RCA ports on the W. Ultra with caps? I usually do so on my preamps. I reordered just a few as I ran out of/misplaced the other caps 😉
Maybe it`s snake oil ... some folks swear on it and hear a difference ... who am I to judge. I started closing of unused RCA outs on my preamp. It doesn't impact my system negatively...
Reduction of Interference
Shielding Against Electromagnetic Interference
The caps help block unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) that can negatively affect audio quality.
Noise Reduction
By shielding against interference, the baseline noise in the audio system is minimized, resulting in a cleaner sound profile.
Potential Audio Improvements
Clearer Sound
Reducing interference and noise can lead to a sound that is overall clearer and more detailed.
Improved Spatial Imaging
A cleaner signal can enhance spatial imaging and stereo separation.
Reduced Distortion
Lower levels of interference can reduce subtle distortions in the audio signal.
It is important to note that the actual impact of these caps depends on the overall quality of the audio system and its environment. In high-quality systems that are already well-shielded, the difference might be minimal. However, in systems prone to interference, the improvements could be more noticeable.
Reduction of Interference
Shielding Against Electromagnetic Interference
The caps help block unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) that can negatively affect audio quality.
Noise Reduction
By shielding against interference, the baseline noise in the audio system is minimized, resulting in a cleaner sound profile.
Potential Audio Improvements
Clearer Sound
Reducing interference and noise can lead to a sound that is overall clearer and more detailed.
Improved Spatial Imaging
A cleaner signal can enhance spatial imaging and stereo separation.
Reduced Distortion
Lower levels of interference can reduce subtle distortions in the audio signal.
It is important to note that the actual impact of these caps depends on the overall quality of the audio system and its environment. In high-quality systems that are already well-shielded, the difference might be minimal. However, in systems prone to interference, the improvements could be more noticeable.
In case I can improve the sound reproduction by 1% than I would say, 5 bucks well spent. I made worse decisions financially in the past 😉
I found the caps for unused RCA "IN"s ... and closed the phono and analog IN on the W. Ultra ... these caps are different from the ones for RCA-out. Do I hear a difference? Of course 🤓 ... actually the music stage got elevated a bit ... the singer is standing taller than before. How much? Maybe an inch? Sorry for being way off topic 😏
Attachments
They seem to be shorting RCA plugs like a dead short. That should change the sound signature somewhat. Is it for the better? Not likely. But you'll hear it for sure.
The only thing that will improve the sound is the power supply quality/power rails regulation/decoupling; all other things stay the same.
Upgrading the analog stage, for example, will also produce a different sound, but it could actually improve the sound (measured improvements as well) if the power supply is upgraded. Otherwise, the sound will be different, and you may like it better.
An interesting fact about upgrading the OPAmps to discrete ones is the introduction of oscillations at high frequencies. This is routinely perceived as better sound, smoother, and more pleasing - especially in bright systems.
The only thing that will improve the sound is the power supply quality/power rails regulation/decoupling; all other things stay the same.
Upgrading the analog stage, for example, will also produce a different sound, but it could actually improve the sound (measured improvements as well) if the power supply is upgraded. Otherwise, the sound will be different, and you may like it better.
An interesting fact about upgrading the OPAmps to discrete ones is the introduction of oscillations at high frequencies. This is routinely perceived as better sound, smoother, and more pleasing - especially in bright systems.
This makes absolutely no sense.
How can the digital side where the external dac is hooked up to be affected by something that is done to the analog side behind the internal DAC?
How can the digital side where the external dac is hooked up to be affected by something that is done to the analog side behind the internal DAC?
RF can creep in various ways but via unused RCA inputs without cables would be a first to me. RF in all its varieties is enemy number 1 in audio today. Quite underestimated by many really.
Imagine using wooden boxes 😉
Imagine using wooden boxes 😉
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Just to put things into perspective, you are discussing here a streaming DAC/preamp for £349 (what I paid for my WiiM off Amazon) and below is what you get for $25000 as reviewed in Stereophile for the Moon 891 Streaming Preamp. The set of measurements indicates superb performance but is it that much better that it’s worth paying about $24500 more? Law of diminishing returns 😊. In absolute measurement terms, the WiiM gets you to 99.99% of the Moon 891
Mmmm odd reasoning. It seems a well executed low budget device no more no less. Also because of no hands on/personal experience with any similar digital audio player product in 20 years.
Stuff is finally at a good level but devices differ. In different features/possibilities just as the control apps. One of these can be decisive in determining what device suits best. There are good devices out there.
Stuff is finally at a good level but devices differ. In different features/possibilities just as the control apps. One of these can be decisive in determining what device suits best. There are good devices out there.
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