WiiM Vibelink Amp Review

[Ismapics]

WiiM is currently beta testing support for Dolby Digital 5.1 and the WiiM Vibelink Amp could be used for amplification in such a configuration.

This for 5.1, I guess but that spece is occupied by HTR with more capabilities. Ok I guess

 

[Ismapics]

I am still waiting for an upgraded version of Wiim amp pro (Wiim amp ultra?). Hope they will put a headphone amp in it and make the next Wiim amp an all-in-one solution (streaming, dac, speaker amp, headphone amp, room correction)

We need a Wiim Ultra Balanced out put.

 

[JSmith]

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 $400.

You're on a roll with testing and videos mate, cheers for the testing on this amp. Quite a good little amp, decent power, good measurements, a shame analog in wasn't better along with that power supply noise... but then most will use the digital ins anyway.


JSmith

 

[wwenze]

I started with the RCA analog input but had trouble getting optimal output due to ground loops (which could be unique to my setup with analyzer and such):

If it's so bad with AP I worry about real life setups...

No, I don't know why it likes 2 ohm with 60 degree inductive phase. I repeated the test a few times and consistently got that result.

I believe that is not the first amp like this, as some members have been kind enough to post others amps like that in the B200 thread

When it says max power it's more like max reactive power or max VA. Which is also why that value can exceed the power supply. Basically there's a lot of current that flows back and forth instead of getting used up. A high current capable with inductive loads suggests this reactive power is flowing between the supply capacitor and the load inductor combination.

With a tightly regulated power supply with small capacitors and low output impedance across all frequencies, the power supply would eat up all the reactive power or back EMF / back current.

 

[tmtomh]

If it's so bad with AP I worry about real life setups...

What Amir wrote - and what you quoted in your comment - was that "I started with the RCA analog input but had trouble getting optimal output due to ground loops (which could be unique to my setup with analyzer and such)."

This suggests that his AP setup is worse creating ground loops than a regular "real life" setup is, not better.

 

[Lukerator]

it use 192khz sample rate to test multi-tone and 19+20 kHz ？a bit strange

 

[Chrispy]

Seems fine but the lack of networking doesn't make it particularly useful to my interests.

 

[mlsstl]

For those complaining about the lack of networking and other features, I suspect the primary purpose of Wiim coming out with this amp is that it's a size & appearance match for the Ultra. (The current Amp & Amp Pro models are smaller and don't visually pair well with the Ultra, plus contain features that duplicate those on the Ultra.) Pair the Vibelink with the Ultra and you have all the features and controls you need to select and play music. The only question for me is whether I'm willing to spend an estimated $400 to having an amp that visually matches my Ultra. The Aiyima A70 I have currently sounds great and I have no expectation that the Vibelink would sound any better.

 

[Guddu]

For those complaining about the lack of networking and other features, I suspect the primary purpose of Wiim coming out with this amp is that it's a size & appearance match for the Ultra. (The current Amp & Amp Pro models are smaller and don't visually pair well with the Ultra, plus contain features that duplicate those on the Ultra.)

RCA input performance of Vibelink Amp is not worth matching with Wiim Ultra, at least the measurements don’t suggest it IMO.
If it is to be used with Wiim Ultra then it has to be optical/coax out on Ultra to optical/coax input on Vibelink amp.
And so, it makes more sense (performance wise) to pair Wiim Mini or Pro with digital out to Vibelink.
PS. This is excluding things like small display or other unique features wrt Ultra.

 

[D700]

Damn nice job WiiM. Now make it in champagne and slap some real VU meters on the front for another $200.

 

[EeeGee]

Not having USB input is a strange design choice .

Thanks Amir for the review.

 

[morillon]

the behavior in FR under your"" complex load""?
not just power-thd....

a question is asked about digitization, and other wiim products, on the ana input..or not??
chip of dac?
(it may be interesting to observe in comparison with the wiim amp pro)

 

[wwenze]

the behavior in FR under your"" complex load""?
not just power-thd....

a question is asked about digitization, and other wiim products, on the ana input..or not??
chip of dac?

The problem with FR and complex load is that, for a complex load of fixed inductance value or capacitance value, the impedance changes with frequency. An inductor at 2ohm at 1kHz would be 4ohm at 2kHz without considering other factors.

The implication is that you won't be able to keep the power constant while sweeping frequency.

 

[morillon]

The problem with FR and complex load is that, for a complex load of fixed inductance value or capacitance value, the impedance changes with frequency. An inductor at 2ohm at 1kHz would be 4ohm at 2kHz without considering other factors.

This is what happens in real life...
we can found more than 8ohm in tweeter reponse ;-)
see test on simple 16ohm or 32 ohm?

 

[morillon]

analog input processing adc and same dac as the wiim amp pro?

 

[wwenze]

This is what happens in real life...
we can found more than 8ohm in tweeter reponse ;-)

Then present a case where high impedance causes problems with FR. This topic has been repeated to death here. Calculate the deviation from perfect with a 0.1ohm output impedance vs no output impedance.

 

[morillon]

Then present a case where high impedance causes problems with FR. This topic has been repeated to death here. Calculate the deviation from perfect with a 0.1ohm output impedance vs no output impedance.

I don't understand...
I just ask if possible to observe the fr on the complex load used on other measured observations or at least at simple16 and 32ohms..... not just 4 and 8ohm...

 

[pieterv1]

How does this one fit in the rest of the Wiim line? I get that it does not have any streaming components or connections so we supply content. However, It's not for the ultra, it does not substitute the Wiim Amp Pro, or the Wiim Amp. Maybe match it with the Pro or Pro Plus. I dont see what space its supposed to be in when it does not have Sub Out / Bass Management that I can tell (still to up in their site). Yes its seems more powerful, but no Sub Out limits its application. @WiiM Team please comment.

It is aimed exactly at use in combination with the Wiim Ultra (same size) or WiiM Pro. As you would use a poweramp - so with the volume fixed at max level.

But that's why I find it a bit weird to include volume control and a DAC (without USB). Curious to hear/find out if the internal DAC is supposed to be an upgrade compared to the Ultra's internal one.

 

[GXAlan]

We need a Wiim Ultra Balanced out put.

Yes. I can only imagine what WiiM could do if they had a target price point of $600…

 

[morillon]

Yes. I can only imagine what WiiM could do if they had a target price point of $600…

the ultra costs 400 euros including tax in France......the presence of balanced as we can see on many DACs (see in jack) does not cost very much..and even less to produce in China ;-)
but you are probably right "target price stories" ;-)