Amp Ultra vs Ultra/Vibelink?

[Frank Varon]

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).

You might find this video interesting.

 

[harkpabst]

You might find this video interesting.

I won't comment on the usefulness of such subjective reviews in general and I don't even disagree that the WiiM Vibelink Amp sounds neutral and transparent.

But this video adds nothing to the discussion about WiiM Ultra + Vibelink Amp vs. WiiM Amp Ultra. The WiiM Amp Ultra sounds superb and is easily the best WiiM product out of the box so far.

It's a bit of an unfair comparison because the Amp Ultra does benefit from all the new and refined features that the previous models picked up over time. That doesn't take away anything from how good it really is. It's also the best suited WiiM amplifier so far for hard to drive low impedance speakers.

 

[Frank Varon]

It wasn't intended that way, it was a simple contribution on something I had seen. I found it relevant for a decision to purchase a Vibelink with my Ultra and perhaps somebody else found value in the video as well.
It does add something to the sister subject of whether a Vibelink is a good addition to an Ultra.

 

[harkpabst]

It wasn't intended that way, it was a simple contribution on something I had seen. I found it relevant for a decision to purchase a Vibelink with my Ultra and perhaps somebody else found value in the video as well.
It does add something to the cousin discussion of whether a Vibelink is a good addition to an Ultra.

All is well if it did influence your decision.

And yet it doesn't help at all regarding the topic of WiiM Amp Ultra vs. Ultra + Vibelink Amp.

 

[cooky560]

I am wondering about an amp ultra for my main system. I tried the wiim amp pro in there but it seemed a bit thin compared to my vintage kit. Given the ultra has more power, would this be a good replacement to the aging vintage parts in that system?

 

[Mr Ee]

I am wondering about an amp ultra for my main system. I tried the wiim amp pro in there but it seemed a bit thin compared to my vintage kit. Given the ultra has more power, would this be a good replacement to the aging vintage parts in that system?

For me it wasn't necessarily that it had more power, just that it (amp ultra) was a much better / cleaner / crisper presentation of the music (than amp pro), especially in my main system.
It's probably hard for us to say how it will compare to your vintage kit. It compared very favourably to my newer kit!

 

[purpleyams]

I am wondering about an amp ultra for my main system. I tried the wiim amp pro in there but it seemed a bit thin compared to my vintage kit. Given the ultra has more power, would this be a good replacement to the aging vintage parts in that system?

I’ve got a vintage Pioneer SX-650 handling vinyl duty, and I just added the Wiim Amp Ultra for streaming. Two totally different worlds when it comes to amplification. Both are connected to a pair of CSS 1TDX speakers through an A/B switch, and honestly—both setups sound awesome.

Putting aside the inherent differences between vinyl and streaming, the Wiim really surprised me. It delivers solid low end, smooth mids and highs, and a satisfying body to the sound. Some reviews mentioned a hint of warmth, and I’d agree—it’s subtle but pleasant. The Wiim definitely has a more modern and accurate sound than the Pioneer, but to my ears, it avoids sounding sterile or thin—even though it's a tiny chip amp sitting next to a hulking, glowing vintage receiver. Just a heads up, my room is pretty small so I'm rarely pushing near the volume limit of either amp.

I like having both options - the vintage/analog vibe for records, and the clean, dynamic punch of Class D for streaming. If space were tight and I had to give up the vintage “cool factor,” I’d still be more than happy with just the Wiim sound-wise.

 

[wordsum]

People keep mentioning that the vibelink allows for analog input, but what use is it really if you don't get the full watts? It's like downgrading the amplifier when used. One possible benefit of using the ultra + vibelink combo could be increased lifespan. There's a common saying about electrical components that for every 10 degrees celcius increase in temperature, there is a halving of the lifespan. We all know that the interior of these amplifier boxes get pretty warm indeed. ChatGPT estimates the lifespan of the wiim ultra to be 3-5 years longer than the vibelink amp.

 

[slartibartfast]

ChatGPT estimates the lifespan of the wiim ultra to be 3-5 years longer than the vibelink amp.

What question did you ask to get that response?

 

[Machiavelli]

People keep mentioning that the vibelink allows for analog input, but what use is it really if you don't get the full watts? It's like downgrading the amplifier when used.

one reason for buying the vibelink for me was that there is a theoretical possibility to connect one of my phono pre amps to the device. without digi digi round and round. i do not plan so, but it is fine i could

 

[wordsum]

What question did you ask to get that response?

I simply asked it to estimate the lifespan of the devices. Not saying it's accurate or relevant, just pointing out that even AI agrees that the ultra should outlive the amp ultra.

 

[EddNog]

People keep mentioning that the vibelink allows for analog input, but what use is it really if you don't get the full watts? It's like downgrading the amplifier when used. One possible benefit of using the ultra + vibelink combo could be increased lifespan. There's a common saying about electrical components that for every 10 degrees celcius increase in temperature, there is a halving of the lifespan. We all know that the interior of these amplifier boxes get pretty warm indeed. ChatGPT estimates the lifespan of the wiim ultra to be 3-5 years longer than the vibelink amp.

You'd be surprised the percentage of people who buy the VibeLink because it's a perfect match (visually/physically) for the WiiM Ultra that they already own, and actually only use a fraction of the power of the thing even when listening at full-tilt because the amount of power needed can be significantly less than you would expect, especially for people rocking high-sensitivity/-efficiency speakers and/or high-pass filtering them and using a separate powered subwoofer to cover the lower end of the frequency range which really demands power. Even the allegedly reduced power through analog input will be way more than they ever need. Furthermore, with the VibeLink's much lower than average gain (only +20dB), some upstream chains may even struggle to push that amp to full power (especially if they're using room correction that eats up a ton of gain due to boosting combined with clipping prevention).

-Ed

 

[Burnside]

I simply asked it to estimate the lifespan of the devices. Not saying it's accurate or relevant, just pointing out that even AI agrees that the ultra should outlive the amp ultra.

“Even AI agrees”?? I can sleep easy tonight then

My experience of AI is that I wouldn’t trust it to tell me the time, never mind hold it up as omniscient and infallible

 

[slartibartfast]

“Even AI agrees”?? I can sleep easy tonight then

My experience of AI is that I wouldn’t trust it to tell me the time, never mind hold it up as omniscient and infallible

AI is the new "bloke down the pub"

 

[Rubin Panis]

People keep mentioning that the vibelink allows for analog input, but what use is it really if you don't get the full watts? It's like downgrading the amplifier when used. One possible benefit of using the ultra + vibelink combo could be increased lifespan. There's a common saying about electrical components that for every 10 degrees celcius increase in temperature, there is a halving of the lifespan. We all know that the interior of these amplifier boxes get pretty warm indeed. ChatGPT estimates the lifespan of the wiim ultra to be 3-5 years longer than the vibelink amp.

Iz gives you the opportunity to try setups with different DACs and or re clockers in between. Driving the amp to it's limits in an average setup is quite unlikely. Erin's audio corner video of amp power on youtube is a great point to stop by to see which setup will match ones requirements. Using subwoofers will make this even more obsolete. Since lfe demands the most juice from an amp.

 

[harkpabst]

People keep mentioning that the vibelink allows for analog input, but what use is it really if you don't get the full watts? It's like downgrading the amplifier when used.

Don't worry about that. Independent measurements (in particular by Erin's Audio Corner) proved that the power output is >= 200 W with the analogue input, too.

These measurements were performed using the analoge RCA input, check the description and comments.

There's a common saying about electrical components that for every 10 degrees celcius increase in temperature, there is a halving of the lifespan.

Surely higher temperatures are never going to increase the lifespan of any electronic device. But where exactly do we have to measure the temperature to make this common saying true? Do new materials change this rule of thumb?

We all know that the interior of these amplifier boxes get pretty warm indeed. ChatGPT estimates the lifespan of the wiim ultra to be 3-5 years longer than the vibelink amp.

Is that 2 years vs. 5-7 years or 25 years vs. 30-32 years?

I don't think that ChatGPT is able to e.g. take into account the very special cooling solution implemented in the WiiM Vibelink Amp. It's different from all other WiiM amplifiers and also very unique in the Hi-Fi world.

 

[DazST]

I simply asked it to estimate the lifespan of the devices. Not saying it's accurate or relevant, just pointing out that even AI agrees that the ultra should outlive the amp ultra.

That would be reason enough for me to believe the opposite.

 

[wordsum]

That would be reason enough for me to believe the opposite.

Believe what you like then. It makes sense to me and there are other people that feel two devices are more reliable than one. A device is only as durable as its weakest link.