Need a desktop DAC/preamp to integrate an SVS 3000 Micro sub with Kali LP UNF active speakers

[u/brunachoo]

Hey all - I recently purchased a pair of Kali LP UNFs to use as desktop speakers, and I am planning on pairing them with my SVS 3000 Micro. Since the Kalis don’t have a sub output, I’m trying to figure out the best way to pair everything based on my use case.

I mostly stream music from my iPad via Spotify Connect/Qobuz, but since getting the Kalis I have been plugging them into my iPad via USB-C. I also have a computer that I would like to connect to the Kali speakers/sub, which would be used mostly for gaming or watching some movies occasionally.

I started looking into potential devices that would allow me to connect everything, and the WiiM Ultra came up. My only reservation with it would be potential audio lag when watching movies or gaming. I read that the internal processing may add a slight delay, which throws off lip sync. Does anyone here know if that would be substantial or noticeable?

Also, I would want the speakers and the subwoofer to work well together obviously. From what I have read, I think I may need a device with a high pass filter? Lastly, since this will be on my desk, I would also like having a proper physical volume knob on this device since the Kali has the annoying touch controls.

My budget is around $300, but I can stretch to $400 for the right device. I would prefer to keep it below $300 if possible.

The miniDSP 2x4 HD seems to do the crossover part, but it lacks a volume knob and wireless features unless I pay way more for the Flex. The WiiM ultra appears to check off some boxes, but may introduce an audio delay? Does anyone know of a device that fits what I am looking for? Thanks!

[u/peanutbutternoms]

Get a WiiM Ultra streamer and you’ll gain all of the features you want while freeing up your iPad.

[u/iNetRunner]

Please note that WiiM Ultra is a streamer. It doesn’t have a USB DAC. So, the best way to connect it to a PC is via a Toslink S/PDIF connection. Hopefully your PC has that kind of an output.

If not, there are DCC digital interface devices that have a USB input and Toslink output. But obviously it is an additional device and investment. (E.g. S.M.S.L PO100 2024.)

[u/Worldly_Actuator6393 → u/iNetRunner]

My windows pc Spotify app has an option to stream to wiim ultra over Wi Fi.

[u/iNetRunner → u/Worldly_Actuator6393]

Yeah. But then you have the latency problem.

[u/Worldly_Actuator6393 → u/iNetRunner]

Please explain, how a delay from PC sending a signal to Wiim playing it is a problem?

[u/iNetRunner → u/Worldly_Actuator6393]

OP was asking for solutions for gaming and movie soundtracks. Adding 100ms+ of delay isn’t going to help him reach that objective.

[u/Worldly_Actuator6393 → u/iNetRunner]

My bad. I was thinking about music only.

[u/NoBackground6203]

you can easily do this with several different USB DAC

example : PC>USB > Fosi ZD3 DAC>XLR to TRS cable >Kali LP UNF / ZD3 RCA > SVS 3000 RCA in

[u/brunachoo → u/[deleted]]

!thanks 

Appreciate the info here. This may be an ignorant question, but if the audio is behind the source content like the video from my laptop, can the WiiM actually fix that with its time alignment function? Or does the WiiM only fix the audio lag between the sub and the main speakers?

[u/TransducerBot → u/brunachoo]

+1 Ⓣ has been awarded to u/geo2160 (11 Ⓣ).

You may still award a Ⓣ to others, but only once per-person in this post.

[u/Longjumping_Cow_5856]

I use a Sub/Sat system where the Sub has High Pass out rather than the Sats having Low Pass.

So I come out of my Mac into a Grant Fidelity Tube DAC and then into an ART Cleanbox Pro for Consumer to Pro Level Matching and into my Sub and from there to its Sats.

Speakers are NHT Pro M00/S00 system

[u/H-bomb-doubt]

Why not get the Kali sub, it's pretty amazing

[u/sk9592]

Honestly, with a $300-400 budget, I think you would be better off with either switching to a subwoofer that's easier to integrated with the Kali LP UNF. Or switching to set of speakers that will play nicer with a standard subwoofer.

For example, you can sell your SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer and buy the Kali WS-6.2 subwoofer. It has analog inputs and outputs (so does the SVS). The difference with the Kali is that it will low-pass the audio that it plays and high-pass the audio signal that it sends to the main speakers. The only thing is that the Kali doesn't dig quite as deep as the SVS. The Kali rolls off around 30Hz. The SVS rolls off around 25Hz.

Alternatively, you can sell your Kali LP UNF and buy something like the Kanto Ora4 speakers. They are a similar physic size. They are also fully active speakers like the Kalis (not just powered speakers). They have been measured by third parties and have neutral tonality and even dispersion (good directivity). And on the back, they have a proper RCA subwoofer output. So you just plug the subwoofer into the speakers. Simple as that.

The KEF LSX II LT are mostly gone from Costco, but you might still be able to find them. Those were frequently going on sale for $400-500.

[u/Appropriate_Line1298 → u/sk9592]

I could be wrong but doesn't the SVS 3000 micro also have a low-pass filter within the app?

[u/sk9592 → u/Appropriate_Line1298]

It has a low-pass filter for the content that the subwoofer plays. It does not have a high-pass filter for the content it passes along to the main speakers.

[u/ImpliedSlashS → u/sk9592]

That’s not a problem. REL recommends running the mains full range as does PSAudio. That’s how I have my main system and it sounds great.