Which amp to match the Ultra?

[Ivan]

My Wiim ULTRA is paired with a QUAD 77 to push 2 KEF LS3/5A (Raymond Cooke Limited).
Waiting to test this Vibelink one day or another, but i fear that the result will be worse than with my Quad.

 

[harkpabst]

My Wiim ULTRA is paired with a QUAD 77 to push 2 KEF LS3/5A (Raymond Cooke Limited).
Waiting to test this Vibelink one day or another, but i fear that the result will be worse than with my Quad.

I had totally forgotten about the 77 integrated! Quite a rare piece of kit, very cool looks.

Unfortunately, the power section is not a "current dumping design but a traditional class A/B amp (unlike e.g. the 707, 606, 405 or 306). Honestly, I wouldn't bet my money on it bettering the WiiM Vibelink Amp in general ... but the so far unanswered question is how well the Vibelink amp will deal with the highish impedance in the treble region. The Raymond Cook signature model obviously uses the "modern 11 ohm" crossover, so it's not as critical as the older 15 ohm versions, but we haven't seen any measurements or sound impressions of this combination.

You could be the first ...

 

[Papa]

Yamaha Rn-803 receiver and Wiim ultra with Dali Oberon 5 speakers. Works for me.

 

[manyung1987]

3eAudio A7 power amp

 

[harkpabst]

3eAudio A7 power amp

If you don't need all the power of the A7, the little brother A5 measures even better.

Both need an external power brick.

 

[manyung1987]

If you don't need all the power of the A7, the little brother A5 measures even better.

Both need an external power brick.

Yes.
A7 is measured well enough.
Just have enough power on hand in case

 

[manyung1987]

3eAudio A7 power amp

Ultra USB out to Matrix Audio X-Spdif 3 DDC

Then DDC,
I2S to SMSL M400 DAC, SMSL SP400 Preamp (XLR)

For extra personal taste,
Coaxial to Fiio K11 R2R, Yaqin SDCD3 Tube Buffer (with psvane Art series 6SN7 tubes), Relay Volume Control Passive Preamp (RCA)

Switch between 2 paths (XLR and RCA) by only pressing on the A7, amazzzing

 

[remcojan]

I had totally forgotten about the 77 integrated! Quite a rare piece of kit, very cool looks.

Unfortunately, the power section is not a "current dumping design but a traditional class A/B amp (unlike e.g. the 707, 606, 405 or 306). Honestly, I wouldn't bet my money on it bettering the WiiM Vibelink Amp in general ... but the so far unanswered question is how well the Vibelink amp will deal with the highish impedance in the treble region. The Raymond Cook signature model obviously uses the "modern 11 ohm" crossover, so it's not as critical as the older 15 ohm versions, but we haven't seen any measurements or sound impressions of this combination.

You could be the first ...

i'm using my Ultra as streamer/preamp directly connected to my 606 from 1990. It's a perfect match, it's up there with the best modern amps. Maybe only a Hegel 190/390 is better. Current dumping is still soooo good.

 

[harkpabst]

i'm using my Ultra as streamer/preamp directly connected to my 606 from 1990. It's a perfect match, it's up there with the best modern amps. Maybe only a Hegel 190/390 is better. Current dumping is still soooo good.

I still have two 606 here. And two 306 (because they're so cute).

 

[Jon Ray]

I owned the Audiolab 6000A before buying the Wiim Ultra. There is some duplication as the 6000A is a streaming amp. That said the sound quality is terrific from the Ultra. The DAC in the Ultra seems to sound warmer than playing directly through the amp. The Audiolab is 50w a channel into 8 ohms. My speakers are the Dali Oberon 5, which could handle a meatier amp. I'm looking at the Wiim Ultra amp. as a potential replacement for the Audiolab. After reading the WhatHiFi review of the Wiim amp, which was not glowing, I'm hesitating Any comments?

 

[Burnside]

1. Whathifi is seldom on the ball; 2. The amp pro has been released since then; and 3. the amp ultra is several months off, maybe Aug/Sep time.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

I owned the Audiolab 6000A before buying the Wiim Ultra. There is some duplication as the 6000A is a streaming amp. That said the sound quality is terrific from the Ultra. The DAC in the Ultra seems to sound warmer than playing directly through the amp. The Audiolab is 50w a channel into 8 ohms. My speakers are the Dali Oberon 5, which could handle a meatier amp. I'm looking at the Wiim Ultra amp. as a potential replacement for the Audiolab. After reading the WhatHiFi review of the Wiim amp, which was not glowing, I'm hesitating Any comments?

The WiiM does not sound ‘warmer’, unless yours is broken. In audio ‘warmth’ denotes a slight increase in lows and mids. Both the WiiM and Audiolab have been measured as having a ruler flat frequency response.

 

[dangermouse]

After reading the What HiFi review of the Wiim amp, which was not glowing...

I would consider that to be a badge of honour.