-
Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
WiiM Vibelink Amp Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
harkpabst
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Sure, why shouldn't it?
The maximum undistorted SPL will be limited by the F6B, not by the WiiM Vibelink Amp. The Vibelink Amp is specified for loads down to 2.7 Ω and the F6B minimum impedance is clearly above that at 3.4 Ω. It delivers 134 W into 4 Ω at a negligible THD+N of ~-100 dB, when Amir recommended >= 100 W for the F6B.
This should be a perfect match, similarly for C6B.
So many good amp options now, I don’t know where to land. Do I get this or do I go for a Purifi or Hypex power amp?
I’m using a WiiM Ultra into an old Naim Nait 5i, powering a pair of KEF Q Concerto Metas. I have a Project TT plugged into the WiiM’s MM stage and an Arcam CD running into the WiiM’s optical in.
The Vibelink would tuck in nicely, but I wonder if I should go for something else with more power? I only want to buy once…
I’m using a WiiM Ultra into an old Naim Nait 5i, powering a pair of KEF Q Concerto Metas. I have a Project TT plugged into the WiiM’s MM stage and an Arcam CD running into the WiiM’s optical in.
The Vibelink would tuck in nicely, but I wonder if I should go for something else with more power? I only want to buy once…
Your KEF speakers have a somewhat low sensitivity at 85 dB, so regarding power, the two big questions are: 1) How loudly do you listen? 2) How big is your room? Make sure you get a sound level meter or an app for your phone -- lots of good options ranging from free to $20 or $30. That'll give you a realistic number to work with.
With 4 ohm speakers the Vibelink is spec'd at 200 watts/ch, though tests a bit lower than that depending on the max distortion level one picks. One watt at one meter gets you 85 dB. You lose a bit from that volume further away but also gain a bit when running two speakers (e.g. stereo). For many people, an average listening level of 85 dB is fairly loud. You've got plenty of power left for peaks. Doubling the Vibelink's power gains you an extra 3 dB.
However, if you are a headbanger and like 100 dB listening levels, you have the wrong speakers.
With 4 ohm speakers the Vibelink is spec'd at 200 watts/ch, though tests a bit lower than that depending on the max distortion level one picks. One watt at one meter gets you 85 dB. You lose a bit from that volume further away but also gain a bit when running two speakers (e.g. stereo). For many people, an average listening level of 85 dB is fairly loud. You've got plenty of power left for peaks. Doubling the Vibelink's power gains you an extra 3 dB.
However, if you are a headbanger and like 100 dB listening levels, you have the wrong speakers.
Moderate volumes, though I know that this subjective without a dB meter! Definitely not loud. I might not hear someone call my name from the next room over but I will hear them fine if they come up to talk to me. Room is not large but is bizarrely shaped, so not conducive to a quality listening environment, but it’s what I’ve got. I’m sitting about 7-8 feet from the speakers.
I have the amp pro and around 85.5 db sensitive speakers
in my whole apartment (not big) max volume i have limit my amp to (85%) is more than enough, if i use 60 or 120 watt i don't know (8 ohm min 4 ohm speakers)
Max volume = no distortion from the amp, they just don't have gain high enough to make them distort or a limit high enough, as amirm say in a review of one of the wiim amps or all of them
in my whole apartment (not big) max volume i have limit my amp to (85%) is more than enough, if i use 60 or 120 watt i don't know (8 ohm min 4 ohm speakers)
Max volume = no distortion from the amp, they just don't have gain high enough to make them distort or a limit high enough, as amirm say in a review of one of the wiim amps or all of them
The two options will be audibly indistinguishable.
Why are you thinking of changing the Naim amp? If you are currently not running out of power, then you are unlikely to hear any difference between it - and any other competent amp - so don't change thinking you are going to get better sound quality.
If for aesthetics, then the vibelink will be a good option, while delivering a little more power.
If you are short of power with the naim (eg if it distorts when cranked to your highest listening level - and you are sure that it is the amp distorting, and not the speakers) then the vibelink doesn't offer enough extra power to make the difference (only 1.2dB), and you need something beefier. But then you are talking about needing something in the 300W (4ohm)+ range before you will get a real difference.
ask yourself if you need another DAC - because that's what you're getting and paying for with the Vibelink
Digital out of a streamer like a wiim ultra = much better sinad than analog
Analog
Digital
Last edited:
harkpabst
Addicted to Fun and Learning
What's the point in comparing the Ultra's analog input with it's digital output?
The question risen by @anonyless was if the DAC really needs to sit in a separate box or if the DAC built into the WiiM Vibelink Amp isn't really all that's needed. The output from the streamer is digital in both cases.
The question risen by @anonyless was if the DAC really needs to sit in a separate box or if the DAC built into the WiiM Vibelink Amp isn't really all that's needed. The output from the streamer is digital in both cases.
If the amp doesn't have digital in you have to use analog out of the streamer = 30 db difference in sinad
Last edited:
harkpabst
Addicted to Fun and Learning
You're still comparing apples to oranges. Not all analog inputs are the same, not all digital inputs are the same.
@anonyless had explicitly referred to the WiiM Vibelink Amp, which does have an optical and coaxial digital input.
this is just one owner subjective opinion of the Vibelink + Ultra combo - the only thing "unique" about the Vibelink is the way it looks sitting above/under the Ultra.
if I were in the market for class D TPA based power amp, I would wait a couple of months for 3e Audio's new line of amps.
if I were in the market for class D TPA based power amp, I would wait a couple of months for 3e Audio's new line of amps.
No, that's not what i meant
Mulit-channel Amp,Which one you would like to own?
Hi Amigoes We are preparing to build a multi-channel amp. Wanna know which model is more popular for users? If you are interested, please help us get your vote. Leverage A5(TPA3251),A7(TPA3255) PFFB design with built-in GaN Power supply Pure-Amplifier without volume control, configurable...
www.audiosciencereview.com
higher quality amp? absolutely not. Power, maybe, Ascilab is on the inefficient side of speaker (< 85dB) so if you want to play them very loud - as low as they can (100dB+) this might lack the power to push that far. But you'd be damaging your ears very quickly
This is fine.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2024
- Messages
- 2,625
- Likes
- 4,571
I would alternatively ask, does it really matter if there's another DAC in the Vibelink? Why the framing as though it's a negative?
Similar threads
