WiiM Amp Ultra Users Experience

[slartibartfast]

1.
I find it astonishing how absolutism can apply to devices from a distance, without knowing the situation or my standards for heat generation. When I write that I find the WAU "too" warm compared to other D amplifiers, then that's how it is.
2.
I assume that heat is always dissipated upwards and that increasing the surface area promotes this (it's a physical principle).
3.
The WAU currently powers two main speakers (see appendix).
What surprised me was that it does not generate less waste heat with the large speakers. I can understand this with the "small" ones!

The large ones require hardly any power to generate a maximum of 65dB.

I'll go up to 80-85 dB at the listening position... significantly warmer than the other D-amps below it for the bass.

You can easily measure the power consumed which is a better indicator of efficiency than temperature rise.

 

[harkpabst]

How would the speaker efficiency influence the power dissipation of a touchscreen display, a streamer, a DSP, an Ethernet network controller and so on?

 

[slartibartfast]

How would the speaker efficiency influence the power dissipation of a touchscreen display, a streamer, a DSP, an Ethernet network controller and so on?

Eh, who mentioned speaker efficiency. I thought we were discussing amplifiers.

 

[harkpabst]

Eh, who mentioned speaker efficiency. I thought we were discussing amplifiers.

The poster you just replied to did so.

 

[Wiimer]

1.
I find it astonishing how absolutism can apply to devices from a distance, without knowing the situation or my standards for heat generation. When I write that I find the WAU "too" warm compared to other D amplifiers, then that's how it is.

How much will the internal temperature of the WAU decrease with the installation of fans?

 

[Goodnews]

The fan is not installed inside, but placed underneath. After listening for a long time, the temperature corresponds (max. 20 degress) to the room temperature.

From a technical point of view, the components, especially the amp chip, should be designed for significantly higher temperatures (e.g., 40 degrees). But that's not the point for me.
Basically, Wiim is very "innovative" and it should not be all that difficult to reduce power management in standby mode, for example.

To be fair, it should also be mentioned that the WAU housing accommodates ALL components in one all-in-one device and that heat management cannot be significantly changed without actually enlarging the housing.

In terms of power, there could also be a limitation.

To avoid misunderstandings and without making any judgments, the WAU concept is good, but with little effort, it could be elevated from its consumer class to a better level, at least in my opinion. Much to the annoyance of the hi-fi establishment

Side note:
WAU and WU also react to the type of power supply. I personally prefer the 3-pin connection, and the WAU has been fitted with an adapter for conventional IEC connectors.

 

[Wiimer]

After listening for a long time, the temperature corresponds (max. 20 degress) to the room temperature.

To be precise, where exactly was the temperature measured? If the fan can lower the temperature around the CPU to room temperature, that would be surprising to me.

 

[Goodnews]

The poster you just replied to did so.

the poster
has to generate the same dB value at the listening position, the volume level:

For the 98dB LS from 22 to 32 for the Heco ~ 91 dB
turn up.

What does the other poster think?

 

[harkpabst]

I already explained to you that a noticeable portion of the WiiM Amp Ultra's power consumption does not depend on the actual power required by the speaker. Consequentially, the difference in case temperature is not as big as you seem to expect.

 

[dankandi]

To be precise, where exactly was the temperature measured? If the fan can lower the temperature around the CPU to room temperature, that would be surprising to me.

After placing a 120mm fan on the position in my earlier photo, i saw a 2c reduction in TMP102. It used to be CPU and TMP102 end up the same after awhile but with USB Noctua fan, it helps to cool i guess

 

[Wiimer]

After placing a 120mm fan on the position in my earlier photo, i saw a 2c reduction in TMP102. It used to be CPU and TMP102 end up the same after awhile but with USB Noctua fan, it helps to cool i guess

Thanks. I think that's a reasonable effect.

 

[Goodnews]

Danke. Ich denke, das ist ein nachvollziehbarer Effekt.

In any case, the WAU and the VibeLink, which was only used briefly, remained almost cold with ventilation on the outer wall of the enclosure, but warm to hot without ventilation.

With the external D-amplifier, the cooling is directed straight onto the amplifier chip or the circuit board with the perforated underside, and the air then flows out the side. At maximum power (bass), I held my hand on it while the device was running – it was neither warm nor even slightly warm… cool.

The problem with the automatic shutdown of my D-amplifier is known from the subwoofer thread. The VibeLink really shines with the 18-inch dipole bass speakers.

I can't say whether this is relevant for a chip.

... To answer that, I'd have to check the datasheet again to see where the upper temperature limit is... I think I remember it being around 80 degrees Celsius.

So, I'm out of ideas.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, wherever you are!

 

[dankandi]

Thanks. I think that's a reasonable effect.

To be fair, i had not a problem using WAU just as it is. It is cooler than D3 Pro and similarish to AS701, the Yamaha has a bigger ventilated case, so apples may not be oranges.

But adding a fan ontop i did it from a tweaker mindset, i had the fan cool my AS701 earlier, and thank goodness WAU has same USB power to re-use it

 

[Goodnews]

In conclusion

DAP incl. stand/fan, in the truest sense of the word – cool.

You can see how the company has put a lot of thought into integrating a fan into the device's mounting bracket.
A design that is acceptable.

At another competing company, where the mono amplifiers have thermal problems, the fans keep the monos cool, with the effect that they do not "burn out."

In order to get ~ 200 possible watts / 4 ohms out of the TPA3255, power should be able to flow. How does this work when the streamer/display/DSP section requires the largest share of the power...

In plain language:
VibeLink used as a stereo amp did not stay cooler than the WAU.

I can't say for sure whether this is a problem.

The fan is attached to the top of the cover. My understanding of heat dissipation is that it flows from bottom to top and not from top to bottom.

Cooling "blocks" such as those in the WAU are better for heat peaks, but cooling fins are better for constant heat dissipation.

 

[EddNog]

I’m confused why the big fuss over this. Has anyone even managed to cook a VibeLink or an Amp Ultra yet?

-Ed

 

[QuarryHunslet]

I’m confused why the big fuss over this. Has anyone even managed to cook a VibeLink or an Amp Ultra yet?

-Ed

I find that highly unlikely, as they barely get luke warm when in use for prolonged periods.

 

[EddNog]

I find that highly unlikely, as they barely get luke warm when in use for prolonged periods.

That’s exactly my point! Why all the fuss over this?

-Ed

 

[QuarryHunslet]

That’s exactly my point! Why all the fuss over this?

-Ed

The people who complain that their Amp Ultra, or Vibelink are running very hot never seem able to give any temperature readings, other than they are very hot to the touch, which is very unlikely.

 

[Goodnews]

Is 100 watts at 8 ohms with an 18" dipole bass, with hardly any sound barrier
low, sufficient, or too much?

If using a fan makes the housing almost cool, then that's how it is.
That's what logic dictates.

It is irrelevant to me whether someone understands this or not, or whether I use my infrared thermometer to measure the different temperatures on the amplifier housing and adjust it accordingly.


I just want it designed that way.


And my first experience with the TPA3255 chip was a very hot one... now all Mac Mini/streamers, DACs, preamps, and mono amplifiers are on fans, WITHOUT background noise


AND IT WORKS FOR ME


Merry Christmas

 

[QuarryHunslet]

f using a fan makes the housing almost cool, then that's how it is.
That's what logic dictates.

The housing is almost cool without a fan.