The Affordable System (TAS) can now be quite high-end with the WiiM Vibelink amp (RM1,799) and the WiiM Ultra wireless music streamer (RM1,999).
This is an interesting and versatile combination as I managed to connect two systems to them. The WiiM Vibelink amp is equipped with its own DAC — featuring the current generation ESS 9039Q2M chip. Its amplifier section features the TI TPA3255 Class D amplifier chip and six TI OPA1612 op-amps. At this juncture, I must point out some confusion over the Vibelink’s power output. It is widely stated — even in WiiM’s website that it is 100 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 200 watts into 4 Ohms, but in the manual it is stated that it is 60 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 120 watts into four Ohms via the RCA input and 100 watts into 8 Ohms and 200 watts into 4 Ohms via the optical and coaxial inputs. Why should the power output be lower via RCA? I don’t know.
The WiiM Ultra streamer/DAC/pre has an ESS Sabre ES9038 Q2M DAC and a headphone amplifier featuring the TI TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier module.
So I connected the WiiM Ultra via line out and a pair of RCA cables (that came with the Ultra) to the main rig’s Bryston 4B SST power amp and thence to the ATC SCM50 floorstanders. The WiiM Ultra’s volume control worked fine as a preamp. The sound quality? Not bad at all. The WiiM Ultra performs as well as streamer/DAC/pre models that cost three or four times more.
Though the Ultra features Wi-Fi 6 and BT 5.3 with two antennas offering rock solid Bluetooth or Wi-Fi audio streaming, connecting an ethernet cable to it improved the sound by opening up the treble, increasing extension and transparency.
The second system was connected this way — I used a Toslink optical cable (that came with the Ultra) to connect the Ultra to the Vibelink. I wanted to confirm that the optical cable could transmit 24/192 music files as many streamers and DACs, even more expensive ones, can handle only 24/96 files via optical cable. Well, the WiiM Ultra and the WiiM Vibelink could handle 24/192 files via Toslink with no drop-outs. However, I used a QED Performance optical cable and it improved the sound quality.
Connected this way, I turned the volume knob of the Vibelink to maximum and controlled the volume via the Ultra using the WiiM app on my smartphone.
The Vibelink was connected to Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers and the overall sound quality was quite impressive. Needless to say, the Vibelink and Ultra are the best-sounding components in the WiiM range.
I also tried the phono input of the Ultra and connected my souped-up Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB250 tonearm and Benz Glider MC cartridge to it. I noted that the screen showed 24/192 kHz and after some Googling around, I found out that there is an analogue-to-digital chip that digitizes the signal from the turntable. I am not a fan of such a method, but the sound quality was decent.
Since the Vibelink features the latest generation ESS 9039Q2M chip, the sound quality is slightly better than via the Ultra. The noise floor is slightly lower and the clarity is better.
This TAS system comprises the WiiM Ultra (RM1,999), the WiiM Vibelink (RM1,799), Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (White Oak) speakers (RM1,999), a pair of Kanto ST28 28″ Speaker Stands (RM513) and 3-metre DALI 16 AWG Speaker Cables with Copper Colour Rhodium Banana Plugs (RM214). Total cost: RM6,524.
The TAS is from TechX Home Audio & Hi-Fi. Contact Thiban at 014-2511062 for more details.
