WiiM Vibelink Amp Review

[SoySalsaPicante]

it only happens when it goes into standby (there's no off) from the app / button / Ultra trigger.
didn't have that pop sound with the 3e Audio A5 previously connected to the Ultra through SU1 DAC , so just found it weird this happens

If you turn the volume dial on the VibeLink all the way down, is the pop still just as loud when it goes into standby? Does it make this pop regardless of which input you use (analog/RCA, TosLink, coax), or does it go away when you use optical input?

 

[anonyless]

If you turn the volume dial on the VibeLink all the way down, is the pop still just as loud when it goes into standby?

just tried that (volume all the way down) and yes - exact same click

Does it make this pop regardless of which input you use (analog/RCA, TosLink, coax), or does it go away when you use optical input?

yes again, i have both RCA and toslink connected, it doesn't matter in which setting the amp is in - when it goes to standby, i hear a low sounding click (from the speakers)

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

just tried that (volume all the way down) and yes - exact same click

yes again, i have both RCA and toslink connected, it doesn't matter in which setting the amp is in - when it goes to standby, i hear a low sounding click (from the speakers)

Sorry, I was not clear, did you try having only Toslink connected from the WiiM, no trigger, no RCA, no coax?

 

[anonyless]

Sorry, I was not clear, did you try having only Toslink connected from the WiiM, no trigger, no RCA, no coax?

yes, just tested this - disconnected the RCAs and the trigger cables. same thing (i used the app to turn it "off" ), i hear the small pop right after the amp goes into standby.
I can also hear the relay inside the Vibelink when it's turning on - but that's something else.

 

[kyuu]

Amir hasn't tested for power on/off pop on any of the Wiim amps for some reason, but I believe I recall hearing a soft power on/off pop whenever my Wiim Amp (base model) goes into and out of standby. It's a normal thing for many amplifiers.

 

[Alexx]

@anonyless
I checked more carefully, I hadn't noticed...

I can confirm that when I turn it on and off/take it out of standby and put it back on, it makes a little "click" sound on the speakers.

I think it's normal; it probably has no delay on the activation relay and makes this noise. Some devices have a 1-second delay on activation and this noise isn't audible.
I think this could be an explanation.

@rageworm
I also asked Wiim support for an explanation, and they told me that the power was limited on the RCA inputs because VibeLink couldn't properly control the temperature of the RCA outputs, which is why it was reduced, while on the digital inputs it has temperature control.

They also told me not to go above 90% of the volume when VibeLink is controlled by the Wiim Ultra.


I don't know... I'm thinking about getting the IOM Ultra. It seems more reliable. It only costs €100 more, but it seems like a better device, more powerful, and with different outputs. I don't have to adjust the volume.
I have to decide!

 

[anonyless]

Amir hasn't tested for power on/off pop on any of the Wiim amps for some reason, but I believe I recall hearing a soft power on/off pop whenever my Wiim Amp (base model) goes into and out of standby. It's a normal thing for many amplifiers.

"normal thing" or not, it's a bug - it shouldn't be making a pop noise when it goes into standby. but go tell that to the "WiiM enthusiasts" on their forums

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

"normal thing" or not, it's a bug - it shouldn't be making a pop noise when it goes into standby. but go tell that to the "WiiM enthusiasts" on their forums

The Hypex NC252MP-based amps have a pop when turning on as well as turning off (much louder turning on).

 

[kyuu]

"normal thing" or not, it's a bug - it shouldn't be making a pop noise when it goes into standby. but go tell that to the "WiiM enthusiasts" on their forums

On what basis have you determined it's a bug? As stated, power on/off pop is an extremely common (and typically harmless) phenomenon with amplifiers.

 

[anonyless]

On what basis have you determined it's a bug? As stated, power on/off pop is an extremely common (and typically harmless) phenomenon with amplifiers.

on the basis that it shouldn't be / not suppose to be happening, therefore - a fault. "extremely common" is the same excuse i got on the WiiM forums .
EDIT: common or not, the Vibelink replaced 3e Audio A5 in my setup, which didn't make any popping sound (the A5 goes into a second setup)

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

on the basis that it shouldn't be / not suppose to be happening, therefore - a fault. "extremely common" is the same excuse i got on the WiiM forums .
EDIT: common or not, the Vibelink replaced 3e Audio A5 in my setup, which didn't make any popping sound (the A5 goes into a second setup)

Seems your perspective is simply different than ours. We see quite high-performing/high-end amps, for example, the Hypex nCore amps, that still have these pops when powering up or down. Personally, I wouldn't call it a fault or faulty design, it is simply what it is, given that it doesn't do any harm to the amps and, unless you're using exceedingly sensitive speakers, won't harm them either (and if you're using extremely sensitive speakers, why plug them into any amp with this much power anyway?). Is it annoying, yeah, probably, but will it break anything? Probably not(hing that is mean to be attached to an amp making this kind of power). Of course, money speaks--if enough people refuse to buy it, and specifically cite the power-on/-off pops as a main reason why, then maybe they'll try to apply a better pop-prevention circuit.

 

[kyuu]

on the basis that it shouldn't be / not suppose to be happening, therefore - a fault. "extremely common" is the same excuse i got on the WiiM forums .

Not supposed to be happening according to who? Unless the manufacturer says it's not supposed to be happening, it's not a fault. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it isn't normal and expected behavior.

If you don't like it, that's fine. You're allowed to prefer an amplifier that doesn't have that behavior. Just don't expect a lot of sympathy for the position that it's a defect that must be fixed.

 

[anonyless]

Not supposed to be happening according to who? Unless the manufacturer says it's not supposed to be happening, it's not a fault. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it isn't normal and expected behavior.

when a manufacturer adds this popping sound to the amp's manual, i would be willing to consider this as "normal"

If you don't like it, that's fine. You're allowed to prefer an amplifier that doesn't have that behavior. Just don't expect a lot of sympathy for the position that it's a defect that must be fixed.

it is a defect. my "problem" right now are people in denial of this issue (or try to normalize it), just because it's a really small defect.
Did I know before I bought the Vibelink about this pop sound? no. if i had known, would it make me not buying it? maybe

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

when a manufacturer adds this popping sound to the amp's manual, i would be willing to consider this as "normal"

it is a defect. my "problem" right now are people in denial of this issue (or try to normalize it), just because it's a really small defect.
Did I know before I bought the Vibelink about this pop sound? no. if i had known, would it make me not buying it? maybe

Where'd you buy it?

Return it.

Tell them what you said here (manual does not say there may be pops, so it must be broken, please take it back). For your sake, hopefully they agree with you.

 

[anonyless]

Where'd you buy it?

Return it.

Tell them what you said here (manual does not say there may be pops, so it must be broken, please take it back). For your sake, hopefully they agree with you.

i bought it on Amazon US on Prime day.
as international customer, shipping it back to Amazon would cost me money (shipping costs)

 

[Guddu]

when a manufacturer adds this popping sound to the amp's manual, i would be willing to consider this as "normal"

it is a defect. my "problem" right now are people in denial of this issue (or try to normalize it), just because it's a really small defect.
Did I know before I bought the Vibelink about this pop sound? no. if i had known, would it make me not buying it? maybe

No manufacturer would just advertise it if the product has ON/OFF pop, many might simply ignore the product because of this.
I am quite sure that its a common knowledge that Power ON/OFF pop aren't rare and many of TPA3255 amplifiers have it.
Would I call it normal - "NO", this could very well cause issues to rather expensive components like connected speakers.
Fosi v3 mono has this issue, many (including me) reported it and I had to part with it because of that (and heat as well).

When I started creating "User Impressions & Feedback" threads for products I own, I specifically used to mention this.
I have also seen Amir testing this lately with amplifiers and adding the plot towards the end, he might have forgot to do the same for this one I presume.

Not supposed to be happening according to who? Unless the manufacturer says it's not supposed to be happening, it's not a fault. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it isn't normal and expected behavior.

This is something which has been ignored in many products and no manufacturer would mention it otherwise.

If you don't like it, that's fine. You're allowed to prefer an amplifier that doesn't have that behavior.

+1

Just don't expect a lot of sympathy for the position that it's a defect that must be fixed.

Power ON/OFF pop behavior has been notified here on ASR to manufacturers and it has been taken care by then in some of their future products. Aiyima A70 mono is such an example.

I would also call it an issue and in fact an annoying as well as something that could potentially cause damage to speaker. I simply avoid such a product but also does not mean someone else will do the same.

 

[Guddu]

i bought it on Amazon US on Prime day.
as international customer, shipping it back to Amazon would cost me money (shipping costs)

If you do decide to keep it then you can lower down the volume before you power off, it could be a headache but at least something you could do.

 

[anonyless]

No manufacturer would just advertise it if the product has ON/OFF pop, many might simply ignore the product because of this.
I am quite sure that its a common knowledge that Power ON/OFF pop aren't rare and many of TPA3255 amplifiers have it.

this is my 2nd TPA32xx amp. before that, i had the 3e Audio A5 connected - no pop sound coming from the speakers when it goes into standby

Would I call it normal - "NO", this could very well cause issues to rather expensive components like connected speakers.
Fosi v3 mono has this issue, many (including me) reported it and I had to part with it because of that (and heat as well).

When I started creating "User Impressions & Feedback" threads for products I own, I specifically used to mention this.
I have also seen Amir testing this lately with amplifiers and adding the plot towards the end, he might have forgot to do the same for this one I presume.


This is something which has been ignored in many products and no manufacturer would mention it otherwise.

too many replies i receive on WiiM forums (and here) are sort of normalizing this issue. i honestly don't understand WHY

and by the way - I like it. A lot. it sounds great, looks great. I don't like that pop sound and the future damage it might cause to my speakers. it's not easy at all returning items to Amazon when you're an international customer, and honestly I don't want to

 

[anonyless]

If you do decide to keep it then you can lower down the volume before you power off, it could be a headache but at least something you could do.

doesn't help, already tried that - i can hear the pop sound even with the volume all the way down

 

[Guddu]

doesn't help, already tried that - i can hear the pop sound even with the volume all the way down

Okay, but is it loud enough to cause any issues to speakers? Hope not.