WiiM ‘Ultra’ Streamer & WiiM Amp Pro Offer Class Leading Performance/Price

WiiM announced two new products at the 2024 High-End Munich Show. The WiiM Ultra ($329) will be the brand’s flagship streamer, while the WiiM Amp Pro ($369) is an improved version of the $299 WiiM Amp, which only launched late last year. The WiiM Ultra is described by the manufacturer as a “central digital hub for your audio ecosystem,” designed to provide “an unparalleled audio experience through versatile functions, rich connections, and high performance.” It’s certainly a multitasker, handling not only music streaming, but also preamp functionality, headphone amp duties, and TV audio via HDMI ARC. One of its biggest internal upgrades over previous WiiM streamers is the use of a premium 32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M Sabre DAC chip from ESS. It also boasts Wi-Fi 6E and bluetooth 5.3, with dual antennas for “rock-solid” connectivity. On the outside, the WiiM Ultra is the first product from the company to feature a display — a 3.5-inch touchscreen covered with glass.

The unit is built into an attractive aluminum case with a physical volume knob and a selection of audio inputs and outputs. On the back, input options include HDMI ARC, analog line-in on RCA, a moving-magnet phono input, and an optical digital input. Outputs include analog line-out on RCA, plus digital outputs via optical, coaxial, and USB. 

The WiiM Ultra also features a subwoofer output and a 3.5mm headphone jack. In another first for the company, the Ultra will feature built-in room correction technology, which “actively takes precise acoustic measurements of your room, crafting customized corrections for your speakers and subwoofer.” WiiM has not said whether the room correction solution will be designed in-house, or provided by a third party like Audyssey or Dirac. The WiiM Ultra will be available for $329 in the US, and will be rolled out internationally by Q3 of 2024 and is currently available for preorder from our channel partner Audio Advice.

From turntables to TVs to headphones to smart speakers, the WiiM Ultra offers a comprehensive and versatile audio solution. With its advanced high-resolution audio capabilities, users can enjoy their favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks with exceptional clarity, detail, and depth, regardless of the source.

— WiiM

The WiiM Amp Pro

WiiM also announced the WiiM Amp Pro, an upgraded version of the WiiM Amp, which only just launched in late 2023. Based on customer feedback, WiiM has reportedly redesigned the amp’s internal circuits, swapping in high-performance components in strategic locations. The WiiM Amp Pro will feature the same 32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M DAC chip found in the Ultra streamer — an upgrade from the ES9018 chip used in the previous version of the amp. Amplification will be provided by the TI TPA3255, a Class-D amplifier chip from Texas Instruments, optimized in this new version with PFFB (post-filter feedback) technology. It promises the same 60 watts into 8 ohms and 120 watts into 4 ohms that the original delivers, but with a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved THD, according to WiiM. The last generation WiiM Amp utilized the Class D TI TPA3255 Amplifier IC, and it looks as if the WiiM Amp Pro uses the same chipset. However, the internal upgrades boast the following improvements according to the manufacturer: an SNR of 118 dB (A-weighted) and a THD+N of -101 dB at 5W across a frequency range of 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz.The new Pro amp also features more advanced signal processing, allowing it to offer built-in room correction.

We are thrilled to introduce the WiiM Ultra and the WiiM Amp Pro to our growing lineup of smart home audio products. Our team has worked tirelessly to develop these cutting-edge devices that deliver exceptional value to our customers. We believe these products will set a new standard for smart home audio and further solidify WiiM’s position as a leader in the industry.

— Dr. Lifeng Zhao, CEO of WiiM

More information: WiiM

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.