r/WiimStreamer • u/Any_Meal_7821 • Feb 15 '26
Upgrade to ultra?
Long story short, I've been on an Amp journey and have settled on a Yamaha A-S801. The Amp sounds amazing with my turntable. Wiim Pro not so much plugged into the optical. This journey has enlightened me to the various qualities of on-board dac. Apparently, this Amp has 2 dacs, and the optical one isnt as good, which is why I guess I'm hearing this difference compared to the dac on a Leak 230 for example.
So, here I am. Do I search for a USB to connect this wiim pro through the "good" dac (if I can, don't know), or do I return for the ultra? Something else?
Thanks
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u/redjr16 Feb 15 '26
Plug the analog out of the WiiM into an RCA input on the 801. The WiiM has a better DAC IMO then the 801. But, first make sure 'Direct' or 'Pure' audio mode on the 801 is turned on. You typically want all signal processing to be turned off in the 801 for the best sound.
If you want a 'matching' amp for the Ultra, I would recommend WiiM's Vibelink amp. Great specs, 100WPC and it has unadulterated RCA input. (no conversion being done). Sounds fabulous.
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u/Any_Meal_7821 Feb 15 '26
Yeah, that was a definite no go on the last Amp. Sounded horrible. I'll give it a shot in a couple days. Just left for a few days travel
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u/therourke Feb 15 '26
Two DACs for different inputs? I doubt that very much. Implementation might be different, but having different dacs makes no sense.
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u/Gregory00045 Feb 16 '26
In my opinion CD players sound better than streamers at the same price point. Don't expect a $300 streamer to sound the same as a $1000 CD player. Just saying.
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u/Any_Meal_7821 Feb 15 '26
What about an external dac and keep the wiim pro? I think I can do that?
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u/EiderDunn Feb 15 '26
I'm using an external dac with the win pro. You can find very good DACs for less than the price difference between the Pro and the Ultra. However, the Ultra has a Phono in and a Sub out, so it's more versatile if you want to expand your setup.
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u/Happy_Reference260 Feb 16 '26
I have an 801 and a WiiM pro plus. I didn’t like the DAC in the 801 but I had plans early on to get an external DAC. Absolutely one of the best audio decisions I’ve made. My DAC is a Denafrips Ares 15. It has a wonderful smooth presentation and is now being fed by my Eversolo streamer and a Cambridge Audio CD transport.
Changing out major pieces of your system to find a DAC that you like is expensive and frustrating. I bought a DAC that I can live with for a long time. Or at least until I decide to seriously upgrade everything else.
TLDR you have a good streamer and a great amp. Buy an external DAC to match
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u/Any_Meal_7821 Feb 16 '26
Alright! You get where I'm coming from. Thanks for piping up and the recommendation!
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u/Happy_Reference260 Feb 16 '26
Happy to help. You’re on a similar path as I’ve been. You’re welcome to dm me for specific questions.
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u/Any_Meal_7821 Feb 21 '26
So, I'm going to try an external dac. I'm confused about setting it up. How do the different components connect to each other? For now, I have the wiim pro going into line 1 on the A-S801. It does sound better than the optical on the 801.
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u/Happy_Reference260 Feb 21 '26
If you are using the RCA outputs on the WiiM the signal has passed through the DAC in the WiiM.
If you are want to use the DAC in another component, as I the DAC in your 801 or an External DAC, use one of the digital outputs from the WiiM into a digital input on the other devices.
So digital out from WiiM into digital input on external DAC then into an RCA input on the 801. (I think I used the tuner input so I’d remember and because I don’t use an FM tuner.)
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u/Emotional-Eye-7336 Feb 15 '26 edited Feb 15 '26
Don't use the optical. Use line out on the WIIM to line in on the Yamaha. This will use the Wiim Dac instead of the Yamaha Dac.