WiiM Vibelink Amp Review

[PowerGuyMark]

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.].
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I was relieved from the point of view of testing that is NOT a streaming product so no need to mess with apps and such to use it. Controls as you see are limited to just input select of RCA, Toslink and Coax digital input and volume control. I found the input selection button to be somewhat difficult to use in that pushing it doesn't quickly change selection. I had to hold it in for a bit for it to take action (or was it a delayed action)? Volume control is analog and I tested the amplifier at max volume (which happened to land in target area I like as far as gain).

Back panel has great attention to layout and design even though most people will never face it that way:
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I have grown fond of the recessed binding posts (adapters are provided to bring them out), make them a breeze to using my locking banana plugs. Nice to see trigger input provided. But mostly, the appreciate goes toward included AC power supply (its competitors using the same design have chunky external ones).

If you are not familiar with amplifier measurements, please watch my tutorial on it:

[And subscribe to the channel ]

WiiM Vibelink Amp Measurements
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):
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So I switched to Toslink input which not only solved that issue, but upped the performance as well:
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Very nice to see distortion that is below threshold of hearing at -115 dB or so. That let's SINAD just be a measure of noise which at 100 dB, puts the Vibelink in very respectable ranking:
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Unless noted, I stayed with Toslink for the remainder of tests, starting with signal to noise ratio:
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One of the important tests for these chip-based class D designs is to see if the output filter is part of the feedback loop (PFFB) as to eliminate load dependencies. We see that the Vibelink is essentially there:
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Channel separation is excellent:
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For multitone, I had to switch to analog input as Toslink doesn't support 192 kHz which is the native sampling rate of that test file:
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But for 19+20 kHz, I could go back to digital, showing very respectable output:
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We have good bit of power for its size and class:
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Especially when we allow 1% distortion:
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Dropping down to 40 Hz instead of 1 kHz above, we still have healthy amount of output:
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It was challenging to run my "FTC like" power sweep as the distortion that is captured at 20 kHz would NOT rise to 1% THD. So I had to lower that which means it causes less power to be measured than how we measured other amplifiers (and testing above):
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This became more complicated when trying to measure reactive loads as my AudioGraph loadbox does not like floating ground in these bridged amplifiers in the right channel. So I not only had ot drop down to 1 channel, but per above, also change the criteria for max distortion to get through the test:
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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.

Edit: forgot to post frequency vs power sweep:

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NOTE: all power ratings have built-in error in such tests. Run to run variations show a few percentage point differences due to measurements being a the knee of an exponential graph.

Amplifier is stable on power up:
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The top hardly changed temperature during testing. The bottom got a bit warmer but nothing remotely concerning so I didn't bother with taking thermal images. Either it doesn't get very hot internally and/or doesn't sync that to the case.

Conclusions
The Vibelink is a well executed class D (TI 3255?) amplifier with nice inclusion of a DAC that works together produce performance that is quite good. For those of you who already have a front-end that has streaming/EQ, this would be perfect pairing. Cost is more than some of its competitors but they don't have built-in power supply or in most cases, a nice DAC.

Overall, I am happy to recommend the WiiM Vibelink Amp. I believe it is slated to be on sale sometime this month (March).

NOTE: company has said that they want to make a donation to the forum. I have told them that while I appreciate that, it would not change how I review their product. And indeed can't due to nature of the objective measurements.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

You are the only reviewer of this Wiim Vibe Amp who correctly reported the power output at 4 ohms. BRAVO! Apparently the other reviewers didn't even bother to read the manual although myself I am a bit confused as to why the 4ohm output would differ so much according to the owner's manual ( 200w/4 ohms digital 140w/4 ohms RCA connected)

 

[harkpabst]

You are the only reviewer of this Wiim Vibe Amp who correctly reported the power output at 4 ohms. BRAVO! Apparently the other reviewers didn't even bother to read the manual ...

Wow, a full quote of the review is a pretty impressive start.

How would reading the manual affect the actual measurements? Which reviewer had it wrong and how do you know?

 

[PowerGuyMark]

You don't want to have a conversation you just want to argue. Multiple YouTube videos reviewing this product refer to a 200 watt per channel output at 4 ohms.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

You don't want to have a conversation you just want to argue. Multiple YouTube videos reviewing this product refer to a 200 watt per channel output at 4 ohms.

Measurement is how one determines the truthfulness of the stated output. Additionally, the rated power may or may not be at the same parameters unless specifically stated (e.g. at 1% distortion, 1KHz, etc.).

 

[harkpabst]

Multiple YouTube videos reviewing this product refer to a 200 watt per channel output at 4 ohms.

Multiple YouTube videos are exactly right. Amir is right, too. If you don't understand how this is possible you've come to the right place to learn. It's not even that hard.

And please refrain from any personal attacks.

 

[F1Fan72]

Any idea about wattage for 6 Ohms?

 

[harkpabst]

Any idea about wattage for 6 Ohms?

It's hidden in Amir's review: The maximum output voltage into 8 ohms and into 4 ohms is ~25 V. 25 V into 8 ohms equals ~78 W, 25 V into 4 ohms equals ~156 W.

If the maximum voltage is unchanged into 4 ohms, it's unchanged into 6 ohms as well, so the maximum output power under the same conditions is ~104 W.

 

[antcollinet]

Any idea about wattage for 6 Ohms?

roughly half way between the 8 ohm power and 4 ohm power.

 

[PowerGuyMark]

Multiple YouTube videos are exactly right. Amir is right, too. If you don't understand how this is possible you've come to the right place to learn. It's not even that hard.

And please refrain from any personal attacks.

We are in agreement and I made no personal attacks. Bite me

 

[wyup]

The Vibelink speaks Bluetooth and has a firmware update mechanism. Given that, surely it wouldn't be much to ask for it to have some basic configurability.

Did they finally solve the digital inputs signal detection to wake up the Vibelink from deep sleep with the latest firmware update?
Reaching out to push its back power button is a big turn off, specially when Bluetooth is alive for the app, so it's not really dead not to sense the inputs. 12-V trigger cable is such a mess and inconvenience, I don't want to buy unneeded equipment.

 

[anonyless]

Did they finally solve the digital inputs signal detection to wake up the Vibelink from deep sleep with the latest firmware update?
Reaching out to push its back power button is a big turn off, specially when Bluetooth is alive for the app, so it's not really dead not to sense the inputs. 12-V trigger cable is such a mess and inconvenience, I don't want to buy unneeded equipment.

i'm using a remote cable from the WiiM Ultra myself, but I can test this for you by turning off the Vibelink and disconnecting the remote cable

btw, remote cable doesn't have to be a mess. just get a really short one
EDIT: nope, the optical signal didn't wake the Vibelink

 

[wyup]

Thanks for the test. I'm let down: why should I need an Ultra when I have a better built-in DAC on the Vibelink?

What's the point of signal-sensing wake-up if it only works for 30 minutes?
What's the point the two stand-by and deep-sleep states? Stand-by is enough.
What's the point of omitting HDMI eARC to be able to control volume from any TV? Most tvs output fixed level optical.
I want to find an use for it but I can't. They made it so you must buy the Ultra to be functional and redundant. Otherwise you must stand up and reach for the damn back power button.
I'm not using the phone to power it up every time, it's counter-intuitive.

 

[kyuu]

Thanks for the test. I'm let down: why should I need an Ultra when I have a better built-in DAC?

What's the point of signal-sensing wake-up if it only works for 30 minutes?
What's the point the two stand-by and deep-sleep states? One is enough.
What's the point of omitting HDMI eARC to be able to control volume from any TV? Most tvs output fixed level optical.
I want to find an use for it but I can't. They made it so you must buy the Ultra to be functional.

I'm confused. This thread is for the Vibelink.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Thanks for the test. I'm let down: why should I need an Ultra when I have a better built-in DAC on the Vibelink?

What's the point of signal-sensing wake-up if it only works for 30 minutes?
What's the point the two stand-by and deep-sleep states? Stand-by is enough.
What's the point of omitting HDMI eARC to be able to control volume from any TV? Most tvs output fixed level optical.
I want to find an use for it but I can't. They made it so you must buy the Ultra to be functional and redundant. Otherwise you must stand up and reach for the damn back power button.
I'm not using the phone to power it up every time, it's idiot.

Can't you just use the 12V trigger connection? That's how I used it and the WiiM Ultra would always wake the Vibelink without fail, especially given the ARC input is on the WiiM and not the Vibelink.

 

[wyup]

Most sources lack trigger connection. Most amps have input sensing stand-by. I don't need the Ultra. Most would use it with a tv which is a streamer anybody already has.

 

[ATB]

I started with an Ultra and an old Rotel amp before wither the Vibelink or Ultra Amp were announced. When 1/2 the channels in the Rotel died and I went looking for a replacement the Vibelink checked all of the boxes. Some part of me was initially unsettled the best way to connect Ultra to Vibe is via digital thus making the DAC in my Ultra redundant. I was "wasting" the Ultra. Why couldn't I connect via analog and get the same output?

But after getting it connected I've forgotten about that tidbit and have simply enjoyed the matched look and easy integration between Ultra and Vibelink. It just works and works well.

And while slightly off topic, I have an LG OLED with the awful digital out such that I had been using the analog out before I got the ultra. ARC LG to Ultra has been perfect.

 

[wyup]

Interesting. Did your old Rotel sound better than the Vibelink? Curiously, I considered a Rotel A8 + a DAC instead of the Vibelink, but then we double the cost.
Does your Ultra sound better by analog out than via digital to the Vibelink? Using the TV optical out as source, for example. Some have reported more warmth and upper bass.
In theory the Vibelink DAC chip is newer, but in practice a standalone streamer dac's line-out should be better implemented than a power amp's dac addon, the power supply is cleaner on the streamer.

 

[pieterv1]

I considered a Rotel A8 + a DAC instead of the Vibelink

The A8 is probably great on its own, but with it you're not putting your money where it counts as you might not need the volume control, preamp section and various inputs + it lacks trigger input. I've been using the WiiM Ultra for a long time now with a Rotel RB-6 power amp and the combination has worked flawlessly - including 12 V trigger.

in practice a standalone streamer dac's line-out should be better implemented than a power amp's dac addon

Why would that be the case?

 

[ATB]

Interesting. Did your old Rotel sound better than the Vibelink? Curiously, I considered a Rotel A8 + a DAC instead of the Vibelink, but then we double the cost.
Does your Ultra sound better by analog out than via digital to the Vibelink? Using the TV optical out as source, for example. Some have reported more warmth and upper bass.
In theory the Vibelink DAC chip is newer, but in practice a standalone streamer dac's line-out should be better implemented than a power amp's dac addon, the power supply is cleaner on the streamer.

It's hard to say since I ended up swapping speakers and re-ran room fit at about the same time as adding the Vibelink. I have also never tried an analog connection between the Ultra and Vibelink since the digital connection worked so effortlessly.

But I am very happy with the Ultra/Vibelink combo being fed by my LG OLED via HDMI as well as an old AirportExpress (via optical) for AirPlay duties.

 

[redjr]

The analog input is a godsend in the Vibelink. But it's more than that. It's an unadulterated analog signal that reaches the 100w amplifier w/o any back and forth conversion process. 'Pure Audio' only. I rarely, if ever use the COAX or OPTICAL inputs cause I have a better, higher-end DAC that I feed then output stage of my DAC straight to the analog inputs. The sound is magical. By most of todays DAC standards, the one in the Vibelink is still very, very good, it's just that I don't need to use it. Very few streamers include an analog input which is a real shame. WiiM knows what people want (at least a few of us), and has answered with the great design of the VibeLink. And sound, IMO is perfectly balanced, articulate, and mellow at the same time. It has a very pleasing mid-range and just the right amount of bass, for a blend of rich, beautiful music. Oh. Did I forgot to mention it - how much I like it!