WiiM Vibelink Amp Review

[F1 Fan]

Introducing the Vibelink Amp – Unleash the Power of Pure Sound

Hello WiiM community! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our latest innovation: the Vibelink Amp! Designed with your needs in mind, this 100W per channel amplifier brings high-fidelity sound and unmatched versatility to your audio setup. Perfect for passive speakers, the Vibelink Amp...

forum.wiimhome.com

 

[Deleted member 72219]

The only potentially audible improvement I think would be the lack of load dependency for the Vibelink versus the Amp. Of course, you can also just get the Amp Pro if that's a concern.

What's fascinating is that WiiM is claiming a rather substantial power increase for VibeLink (200watts/100watts into 4ohms/8ohms) over Amp Pro (120watts/60watts into 4ohms/8ohms).

Whereas Amir's test results for VibeLink:

Versus Amp Pro:

-Ed

 

[RVT]

We need a Wiim Ultra Balanced out put.

You the use the WiiM Ultra RCA out ports to carry a balanced signal as long as 2 things:
1. The cable you purchase is balanced and has one end with an RCA connection (for WiiM Ultra) and the other end with an XLR connection (for your speaker) .
2. Your speaker specs for balanced input and uses XLR connector.

 

[kyuu]

What's fascinating is that WiiM is claiming a rather substantial power increase for VibeLink (200watts/100watts into 4ohms/8ohms) over Amp Pro (120watts/60watts into 4ohms/8ohms).

Whereas Amir's test results for VibeLink:
View attachment 437250

Versus Amp Pro:
View attachment 437251

-Ed

Yes, but in a small room, near-/mid-field setup that the poster I was replying to described, I doubt that the additional wattage or resiliency down to 2 ohms would make any audible difference.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Yes, but in a small room, near-/mid-field setup that the poster I was replying to described, I doubt that the additional wattage or resiliency down to 2 ohms would make any audible difference.

Yes, right. My response was more in general.

I think it would be beneficial, for example, in my case (compared to Amp or Amp Pro). So we shall see how the VibeLink holds up driving my LS50 Metas in comparison against my current setup (not very fair comparison whatsoever, two 400watt into 4ohm bridged mono SMSL PA200 power amps, more than twice the MSRP cost).

-Ed

 

[RVT]

Indeed...

View attachment 434998

From: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/ster...rst-integrated-amp-with-no-streaming-elements

$300 on Amazon

 

[RVT]

Would I be able to drive my 38 ohm headphones with (one of each) L. and R. RCA ports on the Vibelink?

(Yes I know I would need to adapt my headphone's 1/8 inch TRS cable)

(it appears Vibelink output impedance is low enough to drive my headphones but I'm asking to make sure)

 

[Berwhale]

Would I be able to drive my 38 ohm headphones with (one of each) L. and R. RCA ports on the Vibelink?

(Yes I know I would need to adapt my headphone's 1/8 inch TRS cable)

(it appears Vibelink output impedance is low enough to drive my headphones but I'm asking to make sure)

The RCA connections are inputs, not outputs.

 

[RVT]

Would I be able to drive my 38 ohm headphones with (one of each) L. and R. RCA ports on the Vibelink?

(Yes I know I would need to adapt my headphone's 1/8 inch TRS cable)

(it appears Vibelink output impedance is low enough to drive my headphon but I'm asking to make sure)

The RCA connections are inputs, not outputs.

My bad, I should have said L. and R. banana plug ports.

Please reconsider with my question worded this way:

"Would I be able to drive my 38 ohm headphones with (one of each) L. and R. Banana Port plugs on the Vibelink?"

 

[Berwhale]

Would I be able to drive my 38 ohm headphones with (one of each) L. and R. RCA ports on the Vibelink?

(Yes I know I would need to adapt my headphone's 1/8 inch TRS cable)

(it appears Vibelink output impedance is low enough to drive my headphon but I'm asking to make sure)

My bad, I should have said L. and R. banana plug ports.

Please reconsider with my question worded this way:

"Would I be able to drive my 38 ohm headphones with (one of each) L. and R. Banana Port plugs on the Vibelink?"

Why do you want to drive your headphones from a speaker amplifier?

 

[RVT]

Why do you want to drive your headphones from a speaker amplifier?

I'm learning here. If the output impedance is low enough why not?

Edit: To avoid purchase of headphone amp (that would need to be plugged into the WiiM Ultra's USB out port.)

What am I missing?

 

[Berwhale]

I'm learning here. If the output impedance is low enough why not?

Edit: To avoid purchase of headphone amp (that would need to be plugged into the WiiM Ultra's USB out port.)

What am I missing?

You would plug a headphone amp into the line out of the Wiim Ultra (or just use the built-in headphone output). There are other threads on ASR discussing using a speaker amp for headphones (hint: it's do-able, but generally not a very good idea, especially when you can buy better performing HP amplification for less money).

Example discussion... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/driving-headphones.46179/

 

[Romario]

Bummer, feel so sorry for your mum. $29 above what you'd be willing to spend for her.

Indeed. 300 usd means that it will be around €380, -. I'll buy her a Yamaha S301 instead for less.

With a remote

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Indeed. 300 usd means that it will be around €380, -. I'll buy her a Yamaha S301 instead for less.

With a remote

Is this due to taxes or tariffs? Because that’s far from the exchange rate for € versus $.

-Ed

 

[harkpabst]

Indeed. 300 usd means that it will be around €380, -.

The WiiM Amp, which also sells for $299 in the States, is 369€ on Amazon in Germany. It's <350€ if you don't insist on buying from Amazon. Actual pricing is different from country to country, see below.

I'll buy her a Yamaha S301 instead for less.

With a remote

If she's in need of an integrated amp it's definitely a good idea to not buy her a pure power amplifier.

Is this due to taxes or tariffs? Because that’s far from the exchange rate for € versus $.

WiiM products - like most stuff - have always been a little more expensive in the EU. That's nothing new. And, of course, EU pricing always includes the VAT. No other taxes or fees apply (except for shipping costs, depending on the seller). VAT is not the same across all EU countries, it ranges from 17% to 27 percent, depending on where you live.

What's fascinating is that WiiM is claiming a rather substantial power increase for VibeLink (200watts/100watts into 4ohms/8ohms) over Amp Pro (120watts/60watts into 4ohms/8ohms).

That's quite some difference, indeed, and I have no explanation for that. I just hope that Amir did remember to turn the volume pot to max prior to performing these measurements. I must admit that his practice of adjusting the volume so that gain falls into his preferred range is not fully transparent for me.

 

[Burnside]

What's fascinating is that WiiM is claiming a rather substantial power increase for VibeLink (200watts/100watts into 4ohms/8ohms) over Amp Pro (120watts/60watts into 4ohms/8ohms).

It may be fascinating but WiiM have been touting a more powerful amplifier since way back in Sep’23 when they revealed the two amplifiers they were developing for the CI market. I initially thought the Amp Pro might have been that more powerful model, but it appears the Vibelink now is.

Origin Acoustics and WiiM Partner to Create and Distribute Professional Smart Audio Solutions

Origin Acoustics and WiiM Partner to Create and Distribute Professional Custom Installation Smart Audio Solutions

www.blog.wiimhome.com

 

[morillon]

It may be fascinating but WiiM have been touting a more powerful amplifier since way back in Sep’23 when they revealed the two amplifiers they were developing for the CI market. I initially thought the Amp Pro might have been that more powerful model, but it appears the Vibelink now is.

Origin Acoustics and WiiM Partner to Create and Distribute Professional Smart Audio Solutions

Origin Acoustics and WiiM Partner to Create and Distribute Professional Custom Installation Smart Audio Solutions

www.blog.wiimhome.com

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www.son-video.com

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for integration
( amp pro and pro plus (
akm))

 

[Ismapics]

You the use the WiiM Ultra RCA out ports to carry a balanced signal as long as 2 things:
1. The cable you purchase is balanced and has one end with an RCA connection (for WiiM Ultra) and the other end with an XLR connection (for your speaker) .
2. Your speaker specs for balanced input and uses XLR connector.

Hello: off course I can adapt RCS to XLR, however the output voltage remains low.

 

[Ismapics]

Exactly. I just don't get this device. You wouldn't buy it to match the WiiM Amp/Amp Pro or the Ultra. Would you buy it instead at that price? What benefit does it being over choosing between the others? What the value proposition. Funnily the value proposition seems to be that you lose things like steaming.

For me, this is such a bizarre product that will barely sell.

Agree their first dud.

 

[Burnside]

Reserved for @AdamG to kindly post the specs when they become available.

Manufacturer Specifications: (As promised WIIM published)

View attachment 437280
For a complete spec list and additional product details see link below:

WiiM Vibelink Specs

www.wiimhome.com

DAC is actually an ESS 9039Q2M - typo in original info/press pack. Link provided has this corrected