How to properly set volume on a WiiM Ultra + WiiM VibeLink setup?

[adisano]

Hey! I’ve just got this combo and I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle volume control.

1. From what I understand, volume is controlled electronically — does that mean there’s no sound quality loss when lowering the volume?
2. And is this setup correct?

• VibeLink at 100%
• WiiM Ultra volume limit at 70%
• Final volume control through WiiM Ultra via the app / remote.

What do you think about it? Is that right? I don’t want to lose any sound quality.

 

[Aquaman]

Ad 1.) Yes, volume control is digital on both devices. No loss of quality. It‘s upsampled to 32 bits and only the top 8 bits are used for attenuation.
Ad2.) This is how I would do it. But w/o the volume limitation.

PS. Reportedly this como sounds best when the Ultra is connected digitally (via SPDIF) into the Vibelink.

 

[Burnside]

Ad 1.) Yes, volume control is digital on both devices. No loss of quality. It‘s upsampled to 32 bits and only the top 8 bits are used for attenuation.
Ad2.) This is how I would do it. But w/o the volume limitation.

I think the vibelink volume control is analog…

 

[Aquaman]

I think the vibelink volume control is analog…

Is it? If so, I stand corrected.

 

[Burnside]

I’d set the vibelink volume right down and initially set the ultra volume at 100%, then turn the volume up on the vibelink to as loud as you’d ever want to play it. Then dial the ultra volume back and use that, and don’t touch the vibelink volume again.

 

[Burnside]

See this and similar posts

S

Thread 'WiiM Ultra + Vibelink Amp - Volume control curiosity'

Jun 3, 2025

Curiosity from a new joiner.

I have Ultra and Vibelink Amp connected via optical link, connected with a pair of loudspeakers that can handle - by specs - over 120W.

I never listen to high volume.

Is there any difference between
1. Max Vibelink volume and keep the ultra to 10-20% volume
2. Set Vibelink volume to 50% and keep the Ultra volume to 15-40%

The latter feels more flexible in fine tuning the volume I want, but I'm wondering if there are sound quality effects based on the approach chosen.

• SKApretto71
• wiim ultra wiim vibelink amp
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Getting Started and General Questions

 

[Mr Ee]

I think the vibelink volume control is analog…

That's a very polite way of saying I know the vibelink volume control is analog.

 

[Ivan]

Vibe set to 100% and Ultra used as a Pre.
This is how to do it.

 

[Burnside]

Vibe set to 100% and Ultra used as a Pre.
This is how to do it.

Danger in doing that is that you might inadvertently set your Ultra volume to 100% and maybe damage your system. Safer limiting your vibelink volume to the max you'd ever expect to listen at.

 

[Ivan]

For decades people lived with power finals without volume control, using only the control from the pre, don't see where is the problem.

 

[Burnside]

For decades people lived with power finals without volume control, using only the control from the pre, don't see where is the problem.

A software bug that suddenly sets the pre volume to 100%? But if you don’t see a problem, fine

 

[Ivan]

Yes, even a lighting bolt that hits my house and blows out my electrical system, including the amplifier and speakers...

 

[adisano]

I think the best setup is probably this one as I though right now:

1. Keep the WiiM VibeLink at 100% volume
2. On the WiiM Ultra, set the Volume Limit to the loudest level you’d ever want to listen at. The easiest way is to start with the Volume Limit at around 50%, then crank the Ultra to 100% (from remote or by Knob) and see if that matches the maximum volume you normally use. It’s a bit hard to explain since English isn’t my native language, but the idea is simple.

That way the VibeLink always runs at full output, and you have zero risk of blowing your speakers or your ears if something suddenly glitches and jumps to 100%.

 

[Burnside]

I think the best setup is probably this one as I though right now:

1. Keep the WiiM VibeLink at 100% volume
2. On the WiiM Ultra, set the Volume Limit to the loudest level you’d ever want to listen at. The easiest way is to start with the Volume Limit at around 50%, then crank the Ultra to 100% (from remote or by Knob) and see if that matches the maximum volume you normally use. It’s a bit hard to explain since English isn’t my native language, but the idea is simple.

That way the VibeLink always runs at full output, and you have zero risk of blowing your speakers or your ears if something suddenly glitches and jumps to 100%.

That doesn't protect you against any software glitch that might suddenly cause the Ultra to output full volume into the vibelink. I much prefer what I suggest in comment #5

 

[harkpabst]

The easiest way is to start with the Volume Limit at around 50%, then crank the Ultra to 100% (from remote or by Knob) and see if that matches the maximum volume you normally use.

It's also worth noting that the "volume limit" is more of a digital volume transformation than an actual limiter.

Personally, I've never been bitten by any software related volume accident since the WiiM Ultra was introduced. Also, with the WiiM Amp, the WiiM Amp Pro and the WiiM Amp Ultra volume control is always digital and controlled by software and there's no way to protect yourself from such potential software glitches. I don't hear reports about this happening.

But if - for whatever reason - someone wants to be on the very, very safe side, then using the physical analogue volume potentiometer on the WiiM Vibelink Amp makes most sense to me.

My Ultra's analogue output runs straight into a 3E AUDIO A5 with the volume pot bypassed.