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At WiiM, we know that our community is the heart of everything we do. Your questions, feedback, and insights inspire our innovations and drive us to keep pushing the boundaries of audio technology. That’s why we’re thrilled to kick off a new series where we address the topics that matter most to you.
For our first installment, I sat down with the Product Manager behind Vibelink and many other WiiM innovations to dive into your most pressing questions.
Jump on into the comments to add questions for the future, we’ll try to answer them in future posts! From the inspiration behind our designs to our plans for the future, this series is all about connecting with you and sharing the stories that drive us forward.
Ryan: Thanks for joining me today! Our community has been eager to learn more about Vibelink and your perspective as a Product Manager. Let’s start with one of the big questions: How will the introduction of Vibelink and wireless Dolby technology influence future WiiM products?
Product Manager: My pleasure, Ryan! I love hearing what our community has to say. Since it launched, I’ve started most of my days with reading the Vibelink threads.
The Vibelink Amp sets the stage for more products that combine power with precision. As we integrate wireless Dolby technology, you can expect future devices to support even richer, more immersive audio experiences. We’re talking about making your ears very happy!
We’ve also heard a lot of curiosity about the design choices for the Vibelink Amp. Why does it lack features like streaming capabilities, subwoofer output, and a remote control?
PM: That’s an excellent point! The Vibelink Amp was designed with two core priorities: pure sound reproduction and simplicity, offering seamless, plug-and-play integration with Hi-Res WiiM streamers. Think of it as the minimalist audiophile’s dream—it cuts the fluff and delivers outstanding performance where it matters most. With premium components like the ESS 9039Q2M DAC, TI TPA3255 amplifier chips, six TI OPA1612 op-amps, and Post-Filter Feedback (PFFB) technology, it’s all about clean, dynamic, and highly accurate audio. By skipping features like streaming or a subwoofer output, the Vibelink Amp keeps the focus on top-notch sound. For users who’d still like these additional features, pairing the Vibelink Amp with a WiiM Ultra not only adds streaming and control options but also makes for a dynamic duo that looks great together.
I think many users will love the detail behind that! Speaking of technical performance, how does the Vibelink Amp address common issues users have faced with external DACs or amps?
PM: Many WiiM streamer users have faced issues where external DACs or amps struggle with Hi-Res audio, especially when switching sample rates or bit depths, resulting in pops and clicks. The Vibelink Amp is engineered to handle these transitions flawlessly, making it the ideal companion for a true Hi-Res streaming experience.
To expand on this, I want to highlight some of the following key benefits:
- It supports up to 192 kHz / 24-bit Hi-Res audio for exceptional sound fidelity.
- It seamlessly manages varying resolutions between tracks, preventing pops, clicks, or dropouts.
- It streamlines the audio setup by reducing the need for multiple external components.
These points clearly highlight the value we offer—especially when compared to many third-party DACs and amplifiers that struggle with high-resolution playback and dynamic switching between sample rates. These limitations often force users to cap audio quality or rely on fixed-resolution resampling, which compromises the listening experience. By addressing these challenges head-on, our product delivers a more reliable and superior Hi-Res audio experience.
We’ve seen people asking about the use case for the Vibelink Amp in a few different ways, especially compared with using a WiiM Amp or Amp Pro instead. What do you think is the primary use case here?
PM: The Vibelink Amp fills a distinct role in the WiiM product lineup as a Hi-Fi amplifier packed with premium components at an affordable price. It offers nearly double the power of the WiiM Amp Pro (100W per channel vs. 60W per channel at 8 ohms) and includes advanced features like Post-Filter Feedback (PFFB) technology, the ESS 9039Q2M DAC, and six TI OPA1612 op-amps. This makes the Vibelink Amp an excellent choice for users who want extra power and premium sound quality to pair with their WiiM streamers or other audio sources. When combined with a WiiM Ultra, it provides streaming functionality, additional inputs, and a display screen for a seamless and high-performance setup.
Why the switch to the ESS 9039Q2M DAC? Was it to address those who believe the latest chip matters or to create a differentiator between products that have the earlier ESS 9038Q2M DAC?
PM: The switch to the ESS 9039Q2M DAC reflects WiiM's commitment to continuous product improvement and delivering exceptional audio performance. This advanced DAC, together with our careful engineering implementation, provides enhanced performance metrics, including better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reduced total harmonic distortion (THD), resulting in cleaner, more detailed sound. By incorporating this upgrade, we’re able to refine sound quality in the lineup for audiophiles seeking the highest audio fidelity when pairing it with any WiiM streamer.
The Vibelink feels like more than just an Amp Pro with the streaming components removed and a power boost. It delivers a more refined, cleaner, and engaging sound. What design or implementation changes does WiiM attribute to this improvement?
PM: The WiiM Vibelink Amp is much more than an Amp Pro with streaming removed and power increased. It's been purpose-built to deliver a refined, cleaner, and more engaging sound, and that comes down to thoughtful design and component choices.
The Vibelink Amp is engineered for neutral, highly accurate sound reproduction, focusing on clarity, detail, and dynamic range. It uses premium components such as the ESS 9039Q2M DAC, TI TPA3255 amplifier chips, TI OPA1612 op-amps, and Post-Filter Feedback (PFFB) technology, all working together to minimize noise, distortion, and interference.
The result is a balanced tonal character, a precise soundstage, and deep, controlled bass, making it a versatile performer across different speaker types and music genres.
Beyond component upgrades, there are also key architectural improvements:
- Direct analog input path, ensuring no unnecessary signal processing or degradation—unlike some systems where analog inputs are digitized.
- Coaxial input support, which is not available on the Amp Pro.
- Increased power output paired with enhanced thermal management, ensuring cleaner performance even at higher volumes.
- A more efficient system powered by RTOS (Real-Time Operating System), which enables faster boot times and lower latency compared to the customized Linux OS used in the Amp Pro.
Together, these changes make the Vibelink Amp a true audiophile-grade amplifier, purpose-built for those who value sonic purity and high-performance audio.
Will "Vibelink" be part of a series in the future as a different product lineup than "WiiM," with products like a Vibelink CDP, DAC, DSP, or NAS?
PM: Possibly! The Vibelink lineup introduces a complementary brand within the WiiM family, focusing on non-streaming devices designed for pure audio performance. It’s feasible to expand into specialized categories, with the Vibelink name growing into its own series, featuring non-streaming, audiophile-focused devices like DACs, DSPs, or even a CDP.
Is WiiM planning to create a higher-end line of products, such as a dedicated streamer with an emphasis on low-noise, high-quality audio?
PM: We’ve seen some requests for devices with advanced noise isolation, dedicated power supplies, and even more audiophile-grade DACs to appeal to users who demand uncompromising performance. However, we don’t have any announcements on whether such a product has made it to our roadmap just yet.
And finally, how will potential tariffs impact WiiM’s pricing strategy and sales?
PM: Tariffs present a challenge, but we’re committed to pulling all the levers we can to minimize their impact on our customers. We’ll continue to strive to maintain competitive pricing while delivering high-quality products.
Thanks for your time and for answering these questions for our community! And one last reminder for everyone reading, jump on into the comments to add questions for the future, we’ll try to answer them!
