Well-known for its WiiM Amp, priced at just 369 €, a streamer- amplifier with 2 x 60 watts of Class D power at 8 ohms, doubled at 4 ohms, the electronics manufacturer Wiim has now added the Vibelink Amp to its catalog.
Launched at the same price as the Amp version, the Vibelink Amp does away with all streaming (and therefore Bluetooth) in favor of increased power and a better DAC chipset. While the Wiim Amp features a Sabre ES9018 K2M chip, upgraded on the Amp Pro version (459 €) by the ESS ES9038 Q2M, the Vibelink goes even further with the brand-new ES9039 Q2M. Still only integrable in optical and coaxial, the converter can only be used for files to formats up to PCM 192kHz/24bits, and no longer supports USB data or HDMI, which were available on the WiiM Amp.
Still structured in Class D around a TI TPA3255 chip, the Vibelink Amp sees its chassis reinforced by two aluminum plates, while its amplification is developed by seven TI OPA 1612 OP amp chips, for power increased to 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 200 watts at 4 ohms. With a single pair of RCA terminals, it can integrate an analog source, but is primarily designed for connection to a streamer via its digital inputs. Sober in presentation, like all the brand’s products, the Vibelink is better finished than the Amp, but can only be connected to speakers via banana cables, as the speaker terminals no longer protrude as on the classic version, but are integrated directly into the chassis.
As already mentioned, the price of the Vibelink Amp is the same than the one of the WiiM Amp, at 369 €, leaving the buyer with the choice of opting for an integrated streamer, or a better DAC and more power.
03/19/2025
