Amp Ultra vs Ultra/Vibelink?

M

midnightlightning

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My HiFi knowledge is pitiful but I am looking to replace a failing Denon Ceol Piccolo and was ready to purchase a Wiim Ultra and Vibelink until I saw the Amp Ultra.

They look pretty similar in many respects and having a single box would be nice but I would be interested to hear views on which might be best - and I acknowledge its probably a scenario dependent answer.

The amp Ultra hasn't been released in the UK yet but based on the EU version pricing is likely around £515 vs £600 for the Ultra/Vibelink. So, my immediate reaction is there is very little price difference and having two boxes provides more options for changing usage in the future.

Is there much to choose in terms of sound quality or other features, what should I be considering?

(BTW. I notice that Amazon.de ships to UK if anyone is desperate for one here).
 
midnightlightning said:
They look pretty similar in many respects and having a single box would be nice but I would be interested to hear views on which might be best - and I acknowledge its probably a scenario dependent answer.
Click to expand...

When compared in terms of functionality, there is nothing that Amp Ultra can do that Ultra+Vibe cannot. But there are a few things that the UltraVibe can do that the Amp Ultra cannot. These include phono input and headphone output.
(Note that Remote 2 is not included with Ultra 😄)

midnightlightning said:
So, my immediate reaction is there is very little price difference and having two boxes provides more options for changing usage in the future.
Click to expand...
I recommend the UltraVibe on it basis, but please choose one that more closely matches your objectives.
 
midnightlightning said:
The amp Ultra hasn't been released in the UK yet but based on the EU version pricing is likely around £515 vs £600 for the Ultra/Vibelink.
Click to expand...
Based on current UK pricing, the Ultra/vibelink pricing is 349+319=668, I’m guessing the Amp Ultra will come in at 549, given past uk pricing tends to be 20 more than the USA number.
 
Burnside said:
I’d go for the Amp Ultra as the price difference is more than suggested, if the OP won’t miss the phono and headphone connections. Plus the remote 2 is very nice…
Click to expand...
Yeah, indeed, if I were to choose myself now, it would be Amp Ultra. And based on your price calculations, could add three Remote 2 😄
 
Burnside said:
Based on current UK pricing, the Ultra/vibelink pricing is 349+319=668, I’m guessing the Amp Ultra will come in at 549, given past uk pricing tends to be 20 more than the USA number.
Click to expand...
The Ultra is currently available for £289 from a couple of reliable outlets so total at £608 vs £549 there isn't much in it :)
 
midnightlightning said:
Just looking at the DAC's used, it seems the Amp Ultra version is better on paper - not sure if this is noticeable in practice?
Click to expand...
The WiiM Vibelink Amp uses the same DAC chip as the WiiM AMP Ultra.

As long as you use a digital connection between Ultra and Vibelink Amp there won't be a difference.

Do you have hard to drive speakers with a impedance curve dipping to or even below 3 ohm? Then the Amp Ultra will probably be the better match.

Do you need the phono input, a headphone out right on the front or are you seeking the flexibility to replace the power amp at some point? Dou you need to output the signal to other devices occasionally? Then go for the Ultra plus Vibelink Amp.

There's no simple right or wrong.
 
slartibartfast said:
Better than the DAC in the Ultra or the DAC in the Vibelink?
Click to expand...

Okay, out of my depth:)

A quick google shows the Amp Ultra and Vibelink use the same ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC whereas the Wiim Ultra uses the earlier ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE DAC.

I didn't realise the Ultra and Vibelink both had DAC's.

I will be mainly listening to Radio and FLAC files from a NAS. Presumably only one DAC conversion is needed so when using Ultra/Vibelink can you choose which DAC to use, perhaps by choice of inputs/outputs, or have I got this completely wrong?
 
harkpabst said:
The WiiM Vibelink Amp uses the same DAC chip as the WiiM AMP Ultra.

As long as you use a digital connection between Ultra and Vibelink Amp there won't be a difference.

Do you have hard to drive speakers with a impedance curve dipping to or even below 3 ohm? Then the Amp Ultra will probably be the better match.

Do you need the phono input, a headphone out right on the front or are you seeking the flexibility to replace the power amp at some point? Dou you need to output the signal to other devices occasionally? Then go for the Ultra plus Vibelink Amp.

There's no simple right or wrong.
Click to expand...
Thanks, good to know.

I intend using existing Q Acoustics 2020i speakers (6 ohm).

I don't need headphones and whilst I don't need a phono in the kitchen, where this will live, its possibly I may have a use for this in the future in another room.

Looks like either solution will work well but, given the sound seems to be similar with either option, having separate units provides greater flexibility, and also if something fails in one box I would still be able to use the other.

Tough call, will probably wait to see the release price and then decide - perhaps the Vibelink/Ultras will come down once the Amp Ultra is widely available.
 
midnightlightning said:
I will be mainly listening to Radio and FLAC files from a NAS. Presumably only one DAC conversion is needed so when using Ultra/Vibelink can you choose which DAC to use, perhaps by choice of inputs/outputs, or have I got this completely wrong?
Click to expand...
You've got it right. The DAC is the component that converts the digital signal to analogue, something we can actually hear. :)

So, if you use the analogue RCA connection between the Ultra and the Vibelink Amp, then the Ultra's DAC has already converted the signal to analogue and the Vibelink Amp's DAC remains unused.

If you use the digital optical or coaxial connection, then the Ultra's DAC has been bypassed and the Vibelink Amp's DAC performs the conversion.
 
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I don't understand some of the comments regarding the Remote.

As far as I can see the Amp Ultra comes with remote 2 and the Ultra comes with the older black remote - is that correct?
 
harkpabst said:
You've got it right. The DAC is the component that concerts the digital signal to analogue, something we can actually hear. :)

So, if you use the analogue RCA connection between the Ultra and the Vibelink Amp, the the Ultra's DAC has already converted the signalmto analogue and the Vibelink Amp's DAC remains unused.

If you use the digital optical or coaxial connection, then the Ultra's DAC has been bypassed and the Vibelink Amp's DAC performs the conversion.
Click to expand...
Perfect, thanks
 
Skull said:
Lower wattage on rca higher on optical and coax 60 and 100 respectively
Click to expand...
Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the context.

Am I correct in thinking you are referring to the Ultra/Vibelink and if I use RCA between the two (i.e. using the DAC in theUltra) I get 60w output from the Vibelink. But if I use an Optical connection (which uses the DAC in the Vibelink) I get 100w output?
 
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