All I see about that upgraded Wiim amp are those youtube videos. I don't see them for sale anywhere or any technical info. I never use youtube for anything audio. Besides, I don't need the amplifier function. I have a Pass integrated.
Yet another streamer options thread...
I'm thinking about a new streamer. I currently use a Logitech Squeezebox Touch with enhanced digital output via coax to a Oppo UDP-205 used as the dac. I also have a RPI piCorePlayer and a Wiim Ultra. I am kind of hooked into the Squeeze infrastructure, so compatibility with that is a must have. I also require a screen display for album art etc. Other nice to haves (but not required to have) are balanced outputs, headphone output, and internal dac that outperforms the Oppo.
The piCorePlayer is not an option for my main rig, But I like the Wiim Ultra pretty well and might go that route. Another option is the Eversolo DMP-A6. Budget is $1k. Any other suggestions?
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Some small inexpensive options to consider. If you have the Pi, Ian Canada designed a transport to attach also with a connected power supply. It’s seen some very positive reviews. The WiiM Ultra has lots of fans, whether as a stand alone or using an external DAC. It doesn’t easily allow for any external LPS type solution. Many say the WiiM Pro/Plus with an external DAC sounds better especially when coupled with a very good external power option. I’m currently using a WiiM Pro with an external 5v battery power bank solution which proved superior to an 5v LPS. Thinking of trying a 5v conditioner from Ian Canada. It was surprising how a 5v battery powered TalentCell device easily beat a 5v LPS. Anyway, here’s one person who went with the Ian Canada additions to their Pi. Also, the Gabster YouTube channel goes in depth on a lot of streamers and these diy options. He says a streamer with external DAC can be done very well and that the DAC is the more important. I lean in his direction and appreciate his efforts. For my "upgraded" externally powered WiiM Pro, I run two Cisco Meraki from a fiber router. It sounds great. |
Interesting video. While I don't think there is much performance difference between LPS and a well designed switcher ( I used to design high performance switching supplies ), I am a big fan of the super capacitor implementation ( I've done a few of those as well). Even though I went ahead an got a second Ultra for my main system. I think I am going to build something similar just for the fun of it. |
As an additional note, I've run fiber with the media converter boxes and also with the Cisco Meraki. Used one LPS on the second media converter. While it adds clarity, it is very much system dependent. I've found it helpful in some instances but not so good in others. The Cisco Meraki were easily superior and offered both options of fiber connection and copper. At first I thought to go fiber and that would be great. It was excellent. Then I noticed the switch audio tests at Alpha Audio included a Cisco Meraki. They didn't go SFP with fiber; they went copper. Surely, that's a mistake I thought. Had not run copper (Ethernet) between the two but remembered I had a shielded ethernet cable stored. So, I took that and whoa. The sound was more meaty and full with all the details and clarity still there as with the fiber. Thinking of trying an Ian Canada 5v Uccapacitor into the WiiM Pro. Curious if that will see another improvement. Interested in the Ian Canada streamer solution too. But I really like the WiiM software. Regular updates and features added is nice. |
Interesting. Like everything in this hobby it comes down to implementation. There are so many posts over the years claiming huge improvements with replacing the wall wort with a linear power supply, and that is true, but that has given the title "switch mode power supply" a bad rap. Many don’t realize some of the best streamers use switch mode power supplies, or some proprietary hybrid power supply- specifics of which is beyond my pay grade- but this is a whole world of difference compared to the cheap $10 wall wort. Linn uses only switch mode power and have for many years in all their products, DAC’s included. Apparently according to some of the experts who design and listen to this stuff, linear power supplies are too slow for digital, and they have gone with switch mode and have instead found a way to reduce the nasty switching mode noise. Even Network Acoustics in developing their Tempus network switch tried many top level linear power supplies and ended up with a switch mode as that is what they determined sounded best. No idea if they tried a battery option. *edit* yes, apparently they did try battery power. *edit 2* apparently it is some hybrid power supply, so it may be wrong to call it a simple "switch mode power supply". Like I mentioned, above my pay grade. Next thing you know network switches are going to have tubes.
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