DAC with HDMI/CoAx input I can stream to via WIFI

[Fisten]

Hey ppl.

I am looking at adding a 2nd hand CD/DVD/Blueray player as a transport. Most have CoAxe out, with some Blu-rays/DVD's also having HDMI. There are plenty out there.

My DAC, a WiiM Pro only has RCA (I don't want to use the CD player's DAC), and optical-in.

So I'm hunting for a better DAC with the following features: HDMI and/or CoAx input for the CD player, something I can stream HiRes to via WiFi, and maybe with a phono-in.

I was wondering what other options out there, which were not "Stream Centric", Ie, don't have a "built-in streamer service interface", colour LED screen etc. Instead, just a generic HiRes capable WiFi stream-in, from my phone/device.

I know the WiiM Ultra has all the above, but it is built around a built-in streamer, with colour LED display, etc. I dont want all the frills. Id rather the money was put into the DAC features then streaming. QoBoz app is fine for that.

I considered the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M but it looks like I can only stream to it via bluetooth.

Anything else out there I should be looking at for sub $400-ish?

 

[linuxfan]

Ouch. This sounds like another attempt to tragically over-complicate a hifi configuration.

 

[Fisten]

Ouch. This sounds like another attempt to tragically over-complicate a hifi configuration.

How so? As mentioned, most of that functionality already exists in the wiim ultra. So its a way to simplify into a single DAC.
I'm just wondering if there are alternatives I should also consider. What's your solution?

 

[justin_r_23]

Just curious about what you have against the optical input on the WiiM Pro? If you can find CD/DVD/Blu-ray players has optical out, it does exactly what you want, and you can ignore (some of) the streamer functionality. You would need a phono pre-amp to use the WiiM Pro's analog inputs with a record player, though.

The HDMI inputs on devices like the WiiM Ultra are ARC/eARC ports, which expect to be plugged in to a TV and may not work when hooked up directly to a Blu-ray player (I may be wrong about this).

I toy with buying one of these, sometimes:

DNP-2000NE - High-resolution audio streamer Powered by HEOS™ | Denon - US

Upgrade any existing audio system to play most digital audio sources—including your television—using HDMI ARC for an improved audio experience. The DNP-2000NE also connects to your home network, so you can enjoy your favorite music services using HEOS®.

www.denon.com

or its far less spendy cousin:

https://www.denon.com/en-us/product/amplifiers/heos-link-hs2/137149.html

(Supports streaming, but also DAC functionality; very similar to WiiM Pro / Pro-plus, and only has optical input as well).

Largely because I wouldn't mind a digital preamp in my vintage stack that I can use with my Marantz Cinema 70s in my TV room stack.

 

[Fisten]

Just curious about what you have against the optical input on the WiiM Pro? If you can find CD/DVD/Blu-ray players has optical out, it does exactly what you want, and you can ignore (some of) the streamer functionality. You would need a phono pre-amp to use the WiiM Pro's analog inputs with a record player, though.

The HDMI inputs on devices like the WiiM Ultra are ARC/eARC ports, which expect to be plugged in to a TV and may not work when hooked up directly to a Blu-ray player (I may be wrong about this).

I toy with buying one of these, sometimes:

DNP-2000NE - High-resolution audio streamer Powered by HEOS™ | Denon - US

Upgrade any existing audio system to play most digital audio sources—including your television—using HDMI ARC for an improved audio experience. The DNP-2000NE also connects to your home network, so you can enjoy your favorite music services using HEOS®.

www.denon.com

or its far less spendy cousin:

https://www.denon.com/en-us/product/amplifiers/heos-link-hs2/137149.html

(Supports streaming, but also DAC functionality; very similar to WiiM Pro / Pro-plus, and only has optical input as well).

Largely because I wouldn't mind a digital preamp in my vintage stack that I can use with my Marantz Cinema 70s in my TV room stack.

Hey Justin.
Re optical vs coax or hdmi: I understand that the last two transport higher fidelity signal.

Really, I'm just wanting to upgrade from my wiim pro to a DAC that is a little more sonically advanced, and those inputs are on my preferred list. The Ultra has crazy good reviews for the price, and I wanted to check off any competitors before pulling the trigger.

Yeah, I could just run optical from a CD player and things are covered. But I'm looking for an overall bump in DAC fidelity.

 

[justin_r_23]

In that case, you could just get a DAC with no streamer and keep the WiiM for streaming transport duties and try out different "more advanced" DACs until you find the one you like.

 

[Fisten]

In that case, you could just get a DAC with no streamer and keep the WiiM for streaming transport duties and try out different "more advanced" DACs until you find the one you like.

That's a really good idea that didn't occur to me!

What would be the best way to connect from the streamer?

Coaxe out keeps it digital all the way.

Rca out would be converting the digital stream to analogue, then the new DAC would convert back to digital again......

 

[justin_r_23]

The WiiM has a coax out and a TOSLINK (optical) out, so just use either of those to any new DAC's coax or optical input.

 

[linuxfan]

I'm just wanting to upgrade from my wiim pro to a DAC that is a little more sonically advanced

OK fair enough. I could not determine that from post #1, especially where a DAC was being referred to as a device which can be streamed to - that's not the function of a DAC.

you could just get a DAC with no streamer and keep the WiiM for streaming transport duties and try out different "more advanced" DACs until you find the one you like.

Perfect answer.

The WiiM has a coax out and a TOSLINK (optical) out, so just use either of those to any new DAC's coax or optical input.

Yes. I would add that the WiiM supports USB audio output, which is arguably the optimal form of connection to a DAC, so if you use a USB connection, then your new DAC's coaxial and optical connections are free to use for other devices.

Re optical vs coax or hdmi: I understand that the last two transport higher fidelity signal.

No. HDMI is technically awful for audio, particularly for 44.1k sample rates, and multiples thereof.
Optical S/PDIF does have slightly higher jitter than its coaxial brother, but they are generated (and received) from the same chip device, so they're not much different otherwise.

 

[awdiofile]

Hey Justin.
Re optical vs coax or hdmi: I understand that the last two transport higher fidelity signal.

Really, I'm just wanting to upgrade from my wiim pro to a DAC that is a little more sonically advanced, and those inputs are on my preferred list. The Ultra has crazy good reviews for the price, and I wanted to check off any competitors before pulling the trigger.

Yeah, I could just run optical from a CD player and things are covered. But I'm looking for an overall bump in DAC fidelity.

Just add a Khadas Tone 2 Pro DAC. Excellent specs with ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip and XMOS XU216 processor for MQA decoding. Up to 32bit 768KHz sample rate, bit-perfect DSD512, and -118dB THD+N. Coax input. And it sells for $129 on Amazon.