My thoughts on the Vibelink Amp

[onlyoneme]

First test added to the main post.

 

[canard]

No extensive tests this time, just some thoughts and findings instead. Incrementally, of course.

First case, how to make sure that the analog inputs are not digitized? Any ideas?

Let's make some tests. I connected output of the signal generator to the scope and to the input of WiiM Amp first. Its outputs are connected to the differential scope. Result is below:

View attachment 19064

We can see how the AD/DA conversion affects the square wave. We can also see the time shift which may indicate the delay in the processing.

Now the Vibelink Amp.

View attachment 19065

This time there is almost no delay. And no sign of the conversion affecting the wave, except the overshoot of the amp.

my doubts about the ADC lifted.. ;-)

 

[slartibartfast]

my doubts about the ADC lifted.. ;-)

 

[canard]

but, as I said, basically on a machine of this modest range it would not have been so important if a well-made A/N ( if done correctly).....
on the other hand the quality of this input or this story of loop ground, that is a real subject...
;-)
thank you onlyoneme...
(Until recently, I wasn't so sure you received one ;-) )

well seen the approach to observing the latency of dominikz ;-)

 

[canard]

One of the main things to check on this type of machine ( especially on modest machines), integrated , preamp etc., is not the case with ASR, it is the balance of the channels according to the travel of the potentiometer (of which we hardly know the type)


;-)

 

[bkellyusa]

I'm sure the Vibelink is a great amp, better chipset, etc... but why not put a streamer in it, there is already a great DAC inside. I don't need to buy another box with another DAC (ultra) or even a mini just to stream Tidal or Radio Paradise in FLAC. I was hoping the new amp would have the same features as the Wiim Amp Pro, only better. I will wait for the spec upgrade in the Wiim Amp product line. The Wiim software is so much better than anything out there, you should put it in every box you make.

I really hope they make a Vibelink version of the Wiim Amp Pro with streaming and the latest internet and Bluetooth version. Plus streaming like the Wiim Amp Pro.

 

[slartibartfast]

I really hope they make a Vibelink version of the Wiim Amp Pro with streaming and the latest internet and Bluetooth version. Plus streaming like the Wiim Amp Pro.

That would just be a WiiM Amp Pro.

 

[wiimamp user]

I think they wanted to keep such things separated.
You can choose a streamer what you want..pro, ultra.
Amp components.. streaming components.. separated.

 

[mlsstl]

That would just be a WiiM Amp Pro.

But with a bit more power....

 

[harkpabst]

But with a bit more power....

It's really just a bit more power ... and that is mainly due to the fact that the WiiM Amp and WiiM Amp Pro are protected from clipping very strictly, while the Vibelink Amp allows for some higher distortion.

Looking at Amir's measurements there are other differences. The PFFB implementation seems to be seriously refined with the WiiM Vibelink Amp. Load dependency is noticeably lower above 20 kHz and multitone distortion is improved, too (even using the analogue input, which has been plagued by a bit of a noise issue in his setup).

Also, the increase of THD+N with frequency has been reduced dramatically (>= 10 dB for 5 kHz, 10 kHz and 15 kHz at 100 W into 4 Ω). This is now on par with the best TPA325x implementations out there!

The Vibelink Amp is simply the better power amp compared to the already very good Amp Pro.

 

[Mr Ee]

The Vibelink Amp is simply the better power amp compared to the already very good Amp Pro.

I could have told you that just by listening to them.
Oh, wait, I did.

But it's really good to have something scientific to back it up, rather than just my aging jugs.

 

[onlyoneme]

The Vibelink Amp is simply the better power amp compared to the already very good Amp Pro.

That's why there are opinions that it should be released as the better Amp Pro.

 

[Burnside]

That's why there are opinions that it should be released as the better Amp Pro.

Which would only have come in for more criticism for repeating a lot of the features the ultra already had…

 

[onlyoneme]

Which would only have come in for more criticism for repeating a lot of the features the ultra already had…

Of course

 

[builtbyty]

Which would only have come in for more criticism for repeating a lot of the features the ultra already had…

Exactly.

 

[EddNog]

It's really just a bit more power ... and that is mainly due to the fact that the WiiM Amp and WiiM Amp Pro are protected from clipping very strictly, while the Vibelink Amp allows for some higher distortion.

Looking at Amir's measurements there are other differences. The PFFB implementation seems to be seriously refined with the WiiM Vibelink Amp. Load dependency is noticeably lower above 20 kHz and multitone distortion is improved, too (even using the analogue input, which has been plagued by a bit of a noise issue in his setup).

Also, the increase of THD+N with frequency has been reduced dramatically (>= 10 dB for 5 kHz, 10 kHz and 15 kHz at 100 W into 4 Ω). This is now on par with the best TPA325x implementations out there!

The Vibelink Amp is simply the better power amp compared to the already very good Amp Pro.

Which is why at this point, their logical next step may likely be to move on from TI chips to Purifi- or Hypex Nilai-based amplification solutions.

-Ed

 

[Musician]

It's really just a bit more power ... and that is mainly due to the fact that the WiiM Amp and WiiM Amp Pro are protected from clipping very strictly, while the Vibelink Amp allows for some higher distortion.

Looking at Amir's measurements there are other differences. The PFFB implementation seems to be seriously refined with the WiiM Vibelink Amp. Load dependency is noticeably lower above 20 kHz and multitone distortion is improved, too (even using the analogue input, which has been plagued by a bit of a noise issue in his setup).

Also, the increase of THD+N with frequency has been reduced dramatically (>= 10 dB for 5 kHz, 10 kHz and 15 kHz at 100 W into 4 Ω). This is now on par with the best TPA325x implementations out there!

The Vibelink Amp is simply the better power amp compared to the already very good Amp Pro.

Yes, the 19+20 kHz test is one of the best with tpa3255 , makes me wonder if this amp in reality is a dual mono PFFB with tpa3251, driven at 36-38 V ?