All-in-one vs separates: WiiM Amp Ultra or WiiM Ultra + 3audio A7?

[Thelo80]

I’m deciding between two approaches:

• A single box that combines streamer and amplifier (WiiM Amp Ultra), or
• Separates: a streamer (WiiM Ultra) plus an amplifier (3audio A7 or Buckeye NC502 or NC522).

My main concern is long-term flexibility: if something fails, or if I want to upgrade to newer streaming tech, I’d rather not have to replace both pieces.

For those with experience or measurements to share:

• What are the practical pros/cons of all-in-one vs separates (reliability, serviceability, firmware support)?
• Any benefit on Hypex Ncore compare to TPA3255

Context (fill-in if helpful):

• Speakers: Elac dbr 62 or Ascilab C6b
• Room size: 20x22
• Listening distance/levels: 3 meters/ 75-90 db
• Budget : Not a problem

 

[anonyless]

3e audio are about to release (they said late 2025) a new 3255 power amp with integrated power supply. as we already know their amps are built extremely well, maybe it's worth waiting for its public release
EDIT: personally i wouldn't buy the Amp Ultra before it's properly reviewed here

 

[amarsicola]

Wiim products are usually very well designed, the amp ultra has a very very similar architecture to 3e audio A7, for 200 bucks on top of the ultra it is a no brainer for me. Power and capability to drive tough loads are excellent as for the A7, which costs around 400$. But i understand you might want to see it measured. Can you wait some weeks? Amir should have it in pipeline

 

[xanalog]

...maybe it's worth waiting for its public release...

Waiting game is a wager's game.
I am a firm believer in separates; being able upgrade and/or replace becomes a lesser brain drain.
I replaced two FOSI ZA3s for a Soyyin(3E) A7 four months ago.
It has been turned-on twice... and turned-off once.

Typo correction (tuned-turned)

 

[Carlton80@0]

go with separates to allow for future flexibility.

 

[BillG]

EDIT: personally i wouldn't buy the Amp Ultra before it's properly reviewed here.

It's already been properly reviewed by @dominikz, who is a member here, but they posted it originally on WiiM's forum:

Measurements and comparison of WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Amp Ultra (and more :)

Hello all, Beware: This thread will contain a lot of measurements and technical analysis. Continue reading at your own risk! Introduction Until the end of last year I used a Denon Ceol RCD-N9 integrated stereo receiver/amplifier to power my living room system consisting of pair of Revel M16...

forum.wiimhome.com

This was the analysis I read just prior to purchasing an Amp Ultra and its conclusions align with my own experience with it, which has been excellent.

I've personally never cared for separate components. I've never had reliability or service issues with an integrated system, and I've never concerned myself with firmware updates, as we're dealing with very mature technologies for the most part. Occasionally, some service providers will offer a bolt-on to enhance user-friendliness in their native application. For example, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Spotify Connect. However, since all of my services are accessed through a server application—Lyrion, in this case—which unifies them, component manufacturers updating their firmware to accommodate the bolt-on is of no concern to me.

 

[Guddu]

I’m deciding between two approaches:

• A single box that combines streamer and amplifier (WiiM Amp Ultra), or
• Separates: a streamer (WiiM Ultra) plus an amplifier (3audio A7 or Buckeye NC502 or NC522).

My main concern is long-term flexibility: if something fails, or if I want to upgrade to newer streaming tech, I’d rather not have to replace both pieces.

For those with experience or measurements to share:

• What are the practical pros/cons of all-in-one vs separates (reliability, serviceability, firmware support)?
• Any benefit on Hypex Ncore compare to TPA3255

Context (fill-in if helpful):

• Speakers: Elac dbr 62 or Ascilab C6b
• Room size: 20x22
• Listening distance/levels: 3 meters/ 75-90 db
• Budget : Not a problem

You already have put it nicely enough gives me impression that you already know pros and cons of both.
All-in-one unit is fine for those who don’t really bother after putting the system in once.
If you see yourself changing components in future (for requirement, fun or upgrade itches) then nothing beats separates.

As for Hypex or TPA3255, one over another, I spend loads of time into it and never found any reason for myself to change 3e A7 to another, and yes tried VTV NC500 very recently but get back to 3e A7.
Not saying Hypex is bad or something though.

 

[BillG]

All-in-one unit is fine for those who don’t really bother after putting the system in once.

Hahahaha! There's plenty of bother going on over here, but its focus is on the actual music itself, which is what we purchase this stuff for in the first place, wouldn't you agree?

There are some of us who prefer minimalism in equipment and its style, along with a music-centric focus on the hobby. For example, just give me two speakers, perhaps a subwoofer, a highly performant streaming integrated amp, and a WiFi-enabled source, and I'm good.

I've joked occasionally that I'm an audiophile when shopping for new equipment, but after I've purchased it, I'm not.

 

[Bwaslo]

If I read Wiim website correctly, Wiim Amp Ultra doesn't support USB as an input? If so, go for the Ultra. I have a thumb drive (dirt cheap) with flac rips of my cd collection, and use that almost as often as Tidal.

 

[Guddu]

Hahahaha! There's plenty of bother going on over here, but its focus is on the actual music itself, which is what we purchase this stuff for in the first place, wouldn't you agree?

There are some of us who prefer minimalism in equipment and its style, along with a music-centric focus on the hobby. For example, just give me two speakers, perhaps a subwoofer, a highly performant streaming integrated amp, and a WiFi-enabled source, and I'm good.

I've joked occasionally that I'm an audiophile when shopping for new equipment, but after I've purchased it, I'm not.

I am all in for a minimalistic audio rig if that works but also know that won't be satisfying for me.

If I read Wiim website correctly, Wiim Amp Ultra doesn't support USB as an input? If so, go for the Ultra. I have a thumb drive (dirt cheap) with flac rips of my cd collection, and use that almost as often as Tidal.

+1
I have been doing the same for a few weeks and it does work out much better than I thought. Wiim have been working to make the interface better for USB storage music lately. playback i

 

[daniboun]

PEQ makes the difference, for its "all in one" features, get the Wiim Amp Pro or Wiim Amp Ultra )

 

[BillG]

If I read Wiim website correctly, Wiim Amp Ultra doesn't support USB as an input? If so, go for the Ultra. I have a thumb drive (dirt cheap) with flac rips of my cd collection, and use that almost as often as Tidal.

If you're thinking of using it with a computer, HDMI and Toslink inputs are available on the Amp Ultra. HDMI can be used solely as an audio output when configured properly, and HDMI ports are rather ubiquitous on modern computers.

 

[Guddu]

If you're thinking of using it with a computer, HDMI and Toslink inputs are available on the Amp Ultra. HDMI can be used solely as an audio output when configured properly, and HDMI ports are rather ubiquitous on modern computers.

Just to add - HDMI ports on Wiim products are only suitable for ARC, these aren't standard HDMI input ports like normal AVR HDMI input ports.

 

[Apesbrain]

If I read Wiim website correctly, Wiim Amp Ultra doesn't support USB as an input?

For mass storage, it does:



This is true of both the Ultra and the Amp Ultra. The advantage of an external amp is potentially more power. The WiiM Amp Ultra is rated 100W/channel at 8 ohm so that's not bad. The Hypex amps can output much more, but it adds cost and won't likely be needed.

 

[Bwaslo]

For mass storage, it does:

View attachment 481207

This is true of both the Ultra and the Amp Ultra. The advantage of an external amp is potentially more power. The WiiM Amp Ultra is rated 100W/channel at 8 ohm so that's not bad. The Hypex amps can output much more, but it adds cost and won't likely be needed.

Ah, thanks. The diagram on the Amp Ultra didn't show usb as input option, but it looks like it is.

 

[anonyless]

Just to add - HDMI ports on Wiim products are only suitable for ARC, these aren't standard HDMI input ports like normal AVR HDMI input ports.

with a 25$ adapter cable from Sonos, you can turn the HDMI ARC input to a 2nd audio optical input. I use it to input a CD player as transport on my Ultra. works perfectly

 

[Multicore]

WiiM Mini > optical > Yamaha integrated amp with tone and loudness knobs, headphones amp with its own volume knob.

The streamer is so cheap you needn't worry about obsolescence or reliability. The Yamaha is mature tech.

 

[xanalog]

Should there be someone chiming in to remind us that the ARC is not same as eARC.?
Especially for audio?
Don't ask me but most of all don't ask an AI: it may lead you wrong if you don't challenge it/them:

Your question was fine. I gave you incomplete context in my first answer, which created ambiguity. The mistake was mine - you caught it, and that's exactly what should happen. I'll be more careful to be explicit about scope and limitations, especially with technical specifications.
Bandwidth

• ARC: ~1 Mbps bandwidth, limiting it to compressed audio formats
• eARC: Up to 37 Mbps bandwidth, allowing for much higher quality audio

Audio Format Support
ARC supports:

• Stereo PCM
• Dolby Digital (5.1)
• DTS Digital Surround

eARC supports:

• Everything ARC does, plus:
• Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• DTS:X
• Uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 PCM
• High-bitrate/lossless formats up to 192kHz/24-bit

Wiim site states Ultra to be "ARC" but not eARC compatible...

 

[Guddu]

Should there be someone chiming in to remind us that the ARC is not same as eARC.?

Especially for audio?

Correct but where did eARC come in this conversation?

Wiim site states Ultra to be "ARC" but not eARC compatible...

Correct
Wiim can do ARC - stereo and lossy multi-channel (like AC3/DD).

 

[xanalog]

Correct but where did eARC come in this conversation?

Apologies for speaking w/o permission.
One of my original recommendation for selecting separates;, as @Thelo80 asked in the topic heading.
With separates 'planned obsolescence' is NOT bypassed, yet delayed.