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I test audio gear for a living — and I found the perfect amp for those getting into HiFi

Tom's Guide

6 hours ago

Tom's Guide

I test audio gear for a living — and I found the perfect amp for those getting into HiFi

Look at this thing — the Wiim Vibelink amp is the same size and only slightly heavier than the Mac mini, and it only costs $300. All that, and it's got 100W of power on tap, so that you can power super-demanding speakers and subwoofers without it breaking a sweat. It's an absolute marvel, and I absolutely adore my unit and the place it now has in the house as a compact music unit. I also think, thanks to its relatively affordable price, decent array of inputs, and speaker-blowing power, that it also happens to be one of the best ways to get into HiFi and stereo in 2025. I've been testing the Wiim Vibelink Amp for the last few months, and here are my findings. The Vibelink Amp is packed chock-full of power and inputs for the perfect beginner HiFi amp. With up to 200W of power on tap for 4-ohm speakers and 100W available for 8-ohm, there's power aplenty for even the most demanding of speakers. All for less than a Nintendo Switch 2. Even down to the box that the Vibelink comes in, you can see the design inspiration for the little amp. The metal frame's shape and size are very much modelled around the previous generation Mac mini, and it makes the amp look simple, and I think pretty cool as well. I love the knob on the front for the volume, and it feels lovely under the finger as well. It spins with a nice, smooth resistance and provides plenty of feedback to ensure it has a satisfying feel. This is your only way to control the volume as well — there's no remote control in the box. The only other control you'll find on the front is the source select. Click the button, and you cycle through the various inputs on the back of the device. Simple, effective, and easy to use. No settings to play with here, just the amp and the inputs. Where's the power button? It's on the back, above the power connector. There are a grand total of three inputs on the back of the amp — an RCA connector, a coax connector, and an optical port. That's what you'll likely use to connect to a streaming device like the Wiim Ultra, which would also give you more potential inputs, including a phono, something lacking from the device itself. There aren't that many plugs on the back, but then it gives you pretty much everything you need to get playing some music. Just plug an aux cable into the RCA connector, a dongle into your phone, and you're away. If you want to plug in one of the best turntables, make sure you either buy one with a built-in pre-amp (like the excellent Rega Planar 1 Plus), or get a separate model. Most small amps tend to top out at around 30 watts. That's enough to power most bookshelf speakers, and plenty for smaller applications. "No," says the Wiim Vibelink. "I want to power all of the speakers." The Vibelink has 100W of output, so there's plenty of power available for even very large floorstanding speakers. That also means there's more juice for better sound at lower volumes for less power-hungry speakers — think better, smoother bass response, wider mids, and, you guessed it, better highs. The result is a small amp that plays much harder than its size and price would suggest. I've tested more expensive products that don't manage the same sound quality at lower volumes, so it's nice to see something like this be so cheap. That means, however, that you'll want to be careful with the vibelink. If you've got 4-ohm speakers that don't need loads of power to run, then you'll almost certainly blow them if you turn the amp up too high. Restraint with the volume control is key. The sound quality of the Vibelink will depend partly on the speakers that you plug in, as you might expect. Thanks to the power, it allows most speakers to sing at their best, and it presents a fairly neutral tone for the speaker to work with. That means good detail, great mids, and solid low-end. It's not going to hold a candle to multiple thousand-dollar amps, but pair it with some solid, inexpensive bookshelf speakers and you've a setup that's going to show the Sonos Era 300 the door. Look, when something costs as comparatively few dollars as this, there are going to be some compromises. It's very much designed to work with the Wiim Ultra, like I said above, because that fills some holes that amp alone is unable to fill. A lack of inputs and sub out for one are both solved by a Wiim Ultra. If you're willing to shell out another $329, that's not much of a problem, but it is if you don't want to spend much extra or if you've already got a streamer. It also has a habit of getting a bit toasty during use, although this is a 'problem' with just about any amplifier you'll lay your hands on. They get warm. All of these problems are very easy to forget when you consider the price. Toss in some $100 speakers or something second-hand, a $10 aux cable, and you've the beginnings of a very capable stereo system indeed.

Is your Mac mini dead? Apple confirms power issue affecting some models, offers free fix

Tom's Guide

3 days ago

Tom's Guide

Is your Mac mini dead? Apple confirms power issue affecting some models, offers free fix

If your Mac mini has decided it won't power up anymore, you're not alone. Apple just launched a new repair program for the M2 Mac mini (2023) as a "very small percentage" may no longer power on. The problem affects devices manufactured between June 16, 2024 to November 23, 2024, but that's not an easy way to work out if yours is included. Instead, head over to Apple's Mac mini Service Program page and enter your serial number. If your Apple Mac mini M2 (2023) has the problem that leads to a lot of nothing going on, then you'll be offered a free repair either with Apple direct or an authorized service partner — just fill in your details and go to an Apple Store or partner repair store. Given the type of repair needed, it's likely that you'll be without your Mac mini for at least a couple of days, so it might be a good idea to keep a cheap laptop handy. Even if it's a Windows machine, you can still access a lot of your Apple data on According to Apple's service program, the hardware issue was only introduced to the Mac mini M2 a year ago, with models manufactured between June and November 2024. So it's only just getting an 'official' problem status now. However, Reddit user hkfan451 took to r/macmini in October 2024 to report that their brand new Mac mini M2 had a power issue and Apple wouldn't allow them to mail it in for repair (although you can now that the official service program is in operation). It's not clear if that is the same issue that Apple has now acknowledged, but the timeline would match up. Though, some Mac minis have run into power issues that are unrelated to this manufacturing issue. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In late 2023, there were discussions on the Apple Community forums about Mac mini M2 units losing power. And it's a tricky one to troubleshoot since you don't have a built-in display, so you also need to check that the unit doesn't just appear dead, but actually isn't powering on at all. If there doesn't seem to be any activity from the Mac mini at all — so no beeps, and the status indicator light on the front stays off instead of turning white — then it's time for a service. Fortunately, some power-related issues may also be covered under warranty.

Apple's Mac Mini M4 is back on sale for $499

Engadget

4 days ago

Business
Engadget

Apple's Mac Mini M4 is back on sale for $499

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . There's no denying that getting a high-quality computer is going to set your finances back a bit. So, when one of them gets discounted we want to scream it from the rooftops. Such is the case today with a solid sale on Apple's 2024 Mac mini (M4). Right now, the newest Mac mini is available for $499, down from $599 — a 17 percent discount. The deal, which is only $10 more than it's all-time low price, gets you 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage, but no AppleCare+. You can also opt for the 16GB version with 512GB SSD storage for $719, down from $799. Then there's the top storage option, which has a 10 percent discount. The Mac mini with 24GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage has dropped to $849 from $999. We gave the newest Apple Mac mini a 90 in our review thanks to perks like the impressive speed of its chip (though we did test the M4 Pro). It also offers front USB-C and headphone ports for easy use, along with an overall smaller design. Plus, it's great that even the base version starts at 16GB of RAM. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Apple Launches Free Repair Program for M2 Mac Minis That Won't Turn On

Hans India

5 days ago

Hans India

Apple Launches Free Repair Program for M2 Mac Minis That Won't Turn On

Apple has introduced a new service program for a small number of M2 Mac Mini models that may suddenly stop powering on. This issue affects Mac Minis built between June 16, 2024, and November 23, 2024, just before Apple replaced the line with newer M4-powered models. According to Apple, 'a very small percentage of Mac mini (2023) devices with the M2 chip may no longer power on.' If you're one of the affected users, Apple is offering a free repair through this new program. This service is only for specific 2023 M2 Mac Mini units. If your Mac Mini isn't turning on anymore and it was made during that time frame, it's worth checking if it qualifies for the repair. To find out, you can visit Apple's support website and enter your Mac Mini's serial number. If your device is eligible, you'll be directed to options for getting it repaired at an Apple Store or an Authorized Service Provider at no cost. Apple has also provided a complete list of active service programs, which you can browse to check if any other devices you own are covered. The company didn't share what exactly is causing the issue, but this type of repair program shows that Apple is taking the problem seriously. It's not uncommon for Apple to offer repair programs for hardware issues even after warranty coverage has ended. Both 9to5Mac and MacRumors have reported on the launch of this service program, pointing out that it helps customers who were affected just before Apple introduced the updated M4 Mac Minis. If your Mac Mini is working fine, there's nothing you need to do. But if you've noticed it won't turn on, checking your eligibility could save you time and money. The repair is completely free if your device is part of the affected group. Apple's quick response to the issue gives peace of mind to Mac Mini users who rely on their machines for work, school, or personal use. If you think your device might be affected, don't wait—check your serial number today.

M2 Mac mini 爆未能開機災情？Apple 承認有少數例子，會提供免費維修

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