Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra

[kyuu]

Sorry I'm not sure what you don't understand

Have to agree with Matt_Holland, your previous statement is missing context and I have no idea what you're talking about either.

 

[Matt_Holland]

I think Erin’s SPL measurement is not that meaningful as his meter was set to dB(A) and he measures music and not a test signal.
I think if he used dB(C) on his meter he would measure around 8dB higher. But really he should use the same test conditions that he used to measure the speaker sensitivity.

 

[early rejecter]

Have to agree with Matt_Holland, your previous statement is missing context and I have no idea what you're talking about either.

I’ve not watched the video, but I believe he’s trying to suggest that Erin also found it odd given the specs, and that is why he noted it in the review.

 

[kyuu]

I’ve not watched the video, but I believe he’s trying to suggest that Erin also found it odd given the specs, and that is why he noted it in the review.

Ah yeah you might be right (that that's what Karmacoma meant). However, I wouldn't agree with that. Erin doesn't say anything about it being odd, he just seems to say that 200W@4R isn't enough and implies that you might need more power. Which again, I think he just needed to up the gain on the HDMI input, which can be done from the Wiim app.

 

[Matt_Holland]

dB(A)
Low HDMI gain
Music signal that got nowhere close to making the amp deliver 200W

His power tests showed the amp easily delivers 200W so it’s his measurements that are either incorrect, misleading or both.

Or the amp can’t deliver rated power continuously both channels driven? Data for that wasn’t shown.

 

[Karmacoma]

dB(A)
Low HDMI gain
Music signal that got nowhere close to making the amp deliver 200W

His power tests showed the amp easily delivers 200W so it’s his measurements that are either incorrect, misleading or both.

Or the amp can’t deliver rated power continuously both channels driven? Data for that wasn’t shown.

It's most likely the case, my bet is that it can't deliver that much power continuously, not even close. Waiting for amir's results.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Just use the Vibelink measurements if you want to compare! It is the same power amp.

 

[kyuu]

It's most likely the case, my bet is that it can't deliver that much power continuously, not even close. Waiting for amir's results.

Define "continuously".

 

[Karmacoma]

Define "continuously".

As opposed to peak?

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Guy's take it easy you can see the measurements here. The Vibelink is build in the WiiM amp Ultra.

WiiM Vibelink Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Vibelink stereo class D amplifier with DAC. It was sent to me by the company and I believe will cost US $299 [original estimatews $400.]. I was relieved from the point of view of testing that is NOT a streaming product so no need to mess...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[kyuu]

Guy's take it easy you can see the measurements here. The Vibelink is build in the WiiM amp Ultra.

WiiM Vibelink Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Vibelink stereo class D amplifier with DAC. It was sent to me by the company and I believe will cost US $299 [original estimatews $400.]. I was relieved from the point of view of testing that is NOT a streaming product so no need to mess...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Are we sure it's the same? The graphs in Erin's video don't appear to be the same as in Amir's review of the Vibelink:

Granted, difference is small and ultimately the conclusion seems to be that it meets the 200W spec, and there's no appreciable difference between continuous and peak.

 

[harkpabst]

Just use the Vibelink measurements if you want to compare! It is the same power amp.

No, it's not the same power stage.

It cannot be since the Vibelink Amp uses one chip only. The WiiM Amp Ultra features dual TPA3255 chips. It is somewhat puzzling that the all-in-one has a higher spec power section than the (flexible) power amp.

No details are known about further differences of the implementation. But honestly, just the fact that the PCB is different can mean a lot at this level of performance.

 

[scott_arm]

Looks like it has a USB output that should allow for a headphone DAC/amp. Wish it just had a headphone output, but something had to give by smushing a WiiM Ultra and a WiiM Vibelink together. I'm weighing whether I want to go all-in on this device or just go with a WiiM Pro Plus just to try out the room eq feature with my current setup.

 

[Vitus]

Hi. Is USB an input for digital media or an audio output?

 

[Tonton_ZEeD]

Hmm, is this the ideal combination with ACSII F6Bs and a subwoofer for near-field listening and gaming?

What do you think?

 

[Matt_Holland]

Hmm, is this the ideal combination with ACSII F6Bs and a subwoofer for near-field listening and gaming?

What do you think?

Yes. Ideal for any system with listening distance up to 12ft I reckon.

 

[anonyless]

Hi. Is USB an input for digital media or an audio output?

if it's the same as the WiiM Ultra (99% sure it is) - it's actually both -
you can connect USB DAC to it, or a USB drive (or both)

 

[Tonton_ZEeD]

Yes. Ideal for any system with listening distance up to 12ft I reckon.

I'll wait until the amp and speakers are available at Audiophonics, I sell some gear and have a great desktop setup

 

[Matt_Holland]

No, it's not the same power stage.

It cannot be since the Vibelink Amp uses one chip only. The WiiM Amp Ultra features dual TPA3255 chips. It is somewhat puzzling that the all-in-one has a higher spec power section than the (flexible) power amp.

No details are known about further differences of the implementation. But honestly, just the fact that the PCB is different can mean a lot at this level of performance.

3e seem to have the lead on the dual TPA3255 implementation in terms of power output and current delivery into sub 4-ohm loads with the A7. Based on Erin’s measurements the Amp Ultra doesn’t quite match it which suggests it is power supply limited (understandable as it’s an all-in-one design).

I wonder if Wiim have left the door open for another power amp with higher spec power supply and maybe balanced inputs, but without the unnecessary (in my view) DAC and volume control. If they did this with balanced inputs that would then leave the door open for an Ultra Pro streamer pre with balanced outputs.

 

[ZinMe]

No, it's not the same power stage.

It cannot be since the Vibelink Amp uses one chip only. The WiiM Amp Ultra features dual TPA3255 chips. It is somewhat puzzling that the all-in-one has a higher spec power section than the (flexible) power amp.

No details are known about further differences of the implementation. But honestly, just the fact that the PCB is different can mean a lot at this level of performance.

Agreed. Also on the WiiM forums, the product manager mentions improvements in the power supply and some improvements in some unspecified analog circuitry: "From a purely sonic standpoint, the Amp Ultra is our most advanced unit to date. The combination of the dual amplifier, upgraded power capabilities, and refined analog circuitry brings out more detail and dynamic range."

https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/wiim-talks-inside-amp-ultra.7520/