YBA VIBE P1: Portable R2R DAC/Amp Announced

The YBA VIBE P1 was launched yesterday (September 17) in mainland China. Developed by Yves-Bernard André’s company, the VIBE P1 marks the French manufacturer’s entry into the portable audio market. The company’s philosophy is to develop simple, musical products that retain their value both today and ten years from now. With this in mind, this new release from Shanling’s subsidiary promises to shake up the portable audio market.

Before discussing the VIBE P1, I believe it is important to provide some background on YBA, as I have noticed that most portable audio users are unfamiliar with the brand.

Who Is YBA?

Founded in France in 1981 by electronics professor Yves-Bernard André, YBA takes its name from its founder’s initials. The company focuses on manufacturing power amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers, phono preamplifiers, CD players, streamers, and DACs. All of its products are intended for speaker-based audio systems.

In 2009, Shanling acquired a substantial stake in YBA, making the French company its subsidiary. By that time, the Chinese company had already acquired Onix, a British manufacturer.

Given Shanling’s involvement in the portable audio industry, YBA was certain to introduce a product for this market eventually. That moment has now arrived with the launch of the VIBE P1.

Why Use an R2R DAC in the VIBE P1?

DAC chips based on the R2R architecture often deliver a more enjoyable listening experience. Although they may not set the benchmark for resolution or technical performance, R2R DACs generally provide a more musical sound.

The name “VIBE” was chosen to convey the concepts of “atmosphere, aura, and energy.” Its development was guided by the following objective: “to surround you with high-quality sound.” It is therefore no coincidence that the philosophy of YBA’s product designer centers on “emotion.”

During a 2013 interview with journalist Matjek Isak, Yves André explained his company’s philosophy as follows:

“Lasting simplicity and musicality. A product that reproduces music today will continue to do so tomorrow, next year, and ten years from now, because music does not change.”

The VIBE P1’s R2R DAC

The VIBE P1’s DAC uses an R2R architecture and was developed by YBA. Instead of processing all 24 bits in the same manner, the VIBE P1’s R2R DAC employs a 19+5-bit segmented architecture.

The five most significant bits control variations in audio volume and energy. The 19 least significant bits are responsible for subtler details involving microdynamics, background textures, and sound decay.

In total, the VIBE P1’s R2R DAC contains 126 high-precision thin-film resistors.

R2R DAC Preamplification

Before the signal converted by the R2R DAC reaches the amplification circuit, it is preamplified by Texas Instruments OPA1692 operational amplifiers. According to the manufacturer, these components provide “a smooth, warm, and natural sound.”

The VIBE P1’s Amplification Circuit and Output Power

YBA selected two Analog Devices ADA4610 operational amplifiers and four Texas Instruments BUF634A high-current buffers. The BUF634A buffers increase power and current capability following amplification by the ADA4610 operational amplifiers. The resulting output power reaches 1,330 mW into 32 Ω through the VIBE P1’s balanced output.

Gain Levels and Channel Balance

To enable more precise volume adjustment, the VIBE P1 offers two gain levels. Channel balance can also be adjusted to provide a more comfortable music listening experience.

What Does the VIBE P1 Sound Like?

Some listeners in China have already purchased the YBA VIBE P1 following its September 17 launch. Consequently, users of the Chinese social media platform Rednote have already shared some impressions of the portable DAC/amp.

The first comes from a user named “Pink,” who compared the VIBE P1 with the iBasso DC-Tonfa and QULOOS MUB5, two portable DAC/amps featuring R2R DACs. Pink stated:

“Compared with the MUB5 and Tonfa R2R dongles I have here, the P1 falls slightly behind the MUB5 in musicality but offers better dynamics and transient response. Compared with the Tonfa, it is better in every respect.”

Pink added:

“The YBA P1 retains the smoothness of R2R while improving dynamics and transient response, resulting in a somewhat more youthful presentation. It performs well with pop, rock, jazz, and classical music.”

According to the user “uini,” the VIBE P1 is well suited to “extended listening sessions.” The user described the sound of YBA’s portable DAC/amp as follows:

“It has a warm, natural sound, with smooth treble, prominent mids, and plenty of energy. The soundstage is well organized, and the sound is warm without becoming muddy. Overall, its presentation lends itself to extended listening sessions.”

The VIBE P1’s Build Quality

The VIBE P1 has a solid construction. Its body is made of aluminum alloy with a titanium-colored paint finish.

A 2.23-inch color display on the front provides information and allows users to navigate the device’s menu.

The physical buttons are located exclusively on the right side. These include a power button, a menu button, and a pair of volume adjustment buttons.

The bottom houses two USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) headphone output, and a 4.4 mm balanced headphone output. Note that one USB port is dedicated exclusively to data, while the other is used for power.

The Dedicated USB-C Power Port

YBA added a dedicated USB-C port to supply power to the VIBE P1’s circuitry, allowing increased output power. The portable DAC/amp can also operate without an external power source, as it has an internal battery.

USB and Coaxial Digital Outputs

Users can choose between the USB data output and the coaxial connection on the VIBE P1. This provides greater flexibility when connecting equipment to YBA’s portable DAC/amp.

For those wishing to use the VIBE P1 as a USB DAC with a PC for gaming or watching movies, the USB M1 controller provides low latency, keeping audio and video synchronized.

10-Band Parametric Equalizer (PEQ)

The VIBE P1’s parametric equalizer (PEQ) can be accessed through the Eddict Player app and the DSP Tuner web app to create equalization profiles. Below is an image of the web app, which can be accessed through Chromium-based browsers on a PC.

Note that the Eddict Player app is available for Android through the Play Store and for iOS through the App Store.

UAC1 Support for Console Connectivity

The VIBE P1 offers switching between UAC1 and UAC2, allowing it to connect to consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and PS5.

YBA VIBE P1: Specifications

General Parameters

• Amplification: 2 Analog Devices ADA4610 operational amplifiers + 4 Texas Instruments (TI) BUF634A buffers
• Body material: aluminum
• DAC: R2R DAC developed in-house by YBA
• Digital inputs: USB-C and coaxial
• Dimensions: 65 × 93 × 14.1 mm
• Display: 2.23-inch color screen with a resolution of 200 × 480 pixels
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) and 4.4 mm balanced
• USB ports: One USB-C port for charging and one USB-C port for data
• Weight: 120 g

Battery Parameters

• Battery capacity: 2,750 mAh
• Battery life: 11 hours through the single-ended (SE) output and 9.5 hours through the balanced output

General Audio Parameters

• Native playback through the coaxial S/PDIF input: PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD up to DSD64
• Native playback through the USB input: PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512

3.5 mm Single-Ended (SE) Output Parameters

• Frequency response: 20 Hz–40 kHz (−0.7 dB)
• THD+N: 0.003% into 32 Ω, A-weighted, at 2 V
• Dynamic range: 121 dB
• Channel separation: 75 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 121 dB
• Noise at low gain: 114 dBV
• Output impedance: 0.3 Ω

3.5 mm Single-Ended (SE) Output Power

• 78 mW / 1.58 V into 32 Ω at low gain
• 278 mW / 2.98 V into 32 Ω at high gain
• 344 mW / 3.32 V into 32 Ω with external power

4.4 mm Balanced Output Parameters

• Frequency response: 20 Hz–40 kHz (−0.7 dB)
• THD+N: 0.003% into 32 Ω, A-weighted, at 2 V
• Dynamic range: 121 dB
• Channel separation: 106 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 121 dB
• Noise at low gain: 110 dBV
• Output impedance: 0.7 Ω

4.4 mm Balanced Output Power

• 282 mW / 3.0 V into 32 Ω at low gain
• 1,080 mW / 5.87 V into 32 Ω at high gain
• 1,330 mW / 6.5 V into 32 Ω with external power

What Is Included in the YBA VIBE P1 Box?

The following items are included in the YBA VIBE P1 box:

• VIBE P1 portable DAC/amp
• User manual
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• USB-C to coaxial RCA cable
• Protective film

Release, Pricing, and Availability

The YBA VIBE P1 is already available for 3,298 yuan (approximately US$491.68). The VIBE P1 will launch internationally in late September at a suggested retail price of US$599 / €649. This article will be updated as new information becomes available.