WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

[Petrushka]

All the money wasted on snake oil, and there’s no $200 fix for sync.

The conceptually simplest fix is an external source, like Roku or Apple TV, that splits audio and video, and has the ability to manipulate delays. I pretty sure there are such devices, but not at a reasonable price.

 

[ScottySmallsMom]

Well the issue with a game console would be how do you then amplify the split off signal? Too bad you can't bypass all processing with the Wiim and just use the amp!

 

[StephenMarkLay]

I bought the Wiim Amp Ultra a few months ago. Is it all you need? I would say so.
I had a very expensive audio system made up of a Naim integrated amp and Naim streamer. The little Wiim replaced both of the Naim boxes. The sound quality is at least 90% as good as the much more expensive Naim system.
I am starting to believe that high end expensive audio is somewhat of a scam. You are not getting what you pay for.

I bought one to run my lintons last month. It had been great. I also set up a desktop system with LS/50s and the little wiim sub pro. I was running an NAD amp but just today ordered yet another wiim amp ultra for that system. The DPS, high pass fitter, sub integration etc is so good for the money and today I caught a deal on amazon and paid $450. It's a bargain.

 

[StephenMarkLay]

Do audio reviewers make stuff up? Serious question. I recently watched a video by Darko, in which he compares a 75 watt Arcam Class A/B integrated amp to the Wiim amp ultra.
He makes some startling claims... He implies that the Arcam is more powerful than the Wiim. Really? Watts are watts! 100 watts > 75 watts. He then goes into detail about how the Arcam is more this, more that than the Wiim.
I myself know the Wiim compares favorably to my former high end system of Naim separates. What Darko says baffles me.
Then again, his livelihood depends on him being able to "hear" and describe differences bewteen components. He is either fooling himself, or outright making stuff up.
I don't mean to pick on Darko. Other reviewers make dubious claims as well.

Maybe he was trying to say that it sounds more powerful which may imply it has certain frequencies boosted.

 

[Ajax]

Do audio reviewers make stuff up? Serious question. I recently watched a video by Darko, in which he compares a 75 watt Arcam Class A/B integrated amp to the Wiim amp ultra.
He makes some startling claims... He implies that the Arcam is more powerful than the Wiim. Really? Watts are watts! 100 watts > 75 watts. He then goes into detail about how the Arcam is more this, more that than the Wiim.
I myself know the Wiim compares favorably to my former high end system of Naim separates. What Darko says baffles me.
Then again, his livelihood depends on him being able to "hear" and describe differences bewteen components. He is either fooling himself, or outright making stuff up.
I don't mean to pick on Darko. Other reviewers make dubious claims as well.

Hi Indy,

I had a Sonos Connect with optical out into a Bencmark DAC2 followed by a Buckeye Hype MP252 amp. The amp got fried in a lightning strike and I replaced the whole system with a Wiim AMP Ultra.

I can hear no difference either (although I obviously couldn't do a blind test), while playing at around 85db with 95db peaks, which to my ears is very loud.

When you add to this the Wiim's many useful features it is as you say, a bargain.

 

[Mort]

I assumed this had Toslink or Coax out! Argh.

 

[john61ct]

I assumed this had Toslink or Coax out! Argh.

Nope, USB is THE ONLY output besides speakers

Edit: Bluetooth (as a transmitter) and over Wi-Fi also

 

[somebodyelse]

Nope, USB is THE ONLY output besides speakers

Edit: Bluetooth (as a transmitter) and over Wi-Fi also

I assume it's like the non-amp Ultra in that you can use a USB hub and attach more than one device to the USB and select them individually. You could have multiple headphone dongles, toslink and coax outputs.

By WiFi I think you mean wired network too - DLNA output should work over either.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I assume it's like the non-amp Ultra in that you can use a USB hub and attach more than one device to the USB and select them individually. You could have multiple headphone dongles, toslink and coax outputs.

By WiFi I think you mean wired network too - DLNA output should work over either.

The USB port of WiiM Amp Ultra has all of the same functionality of that of the WiiM Ultra.

 

[Ajax]

I assumed this had Toslink or Coax out! Argh.

not sure why digital out is required?

This is an all in one self contained system which measures very well.

 

[Mort]

not sure why digital out is required?

This is an all in one self contained system which measures very well.

Digital out is required because I need a digital out. It would be even more self contained with a digital out.

No one is suggesting it doesn't measure well.

 

[harkpabst]

Digital out is required because I need a digital out. It would be even more self contained with a digital out.

No one is suggesting it doesn't measure well.

@somebodyelse is right, you can use a USB hub to connect a memory drive and an external DAC (e.g. a headphone amp) in parallel.

 

[john61ct]

I assume it's like the non-amp Ultra in that you can ... have multiple headphone dongles, toslink and coax outputs.

Are you sure that is fact? or something AI made up?

My search results imply it is necessary to go through USB DACs to get those?

> wired network too - DLNA output should work

good point tx

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Are you sure that is fact? or something AI made up?

My search results imply it is necessary to go through USB DACs to get those?

> wired network too - DLNA output should work

good point tx

It is a fact. You can attach a passive or a powered USB hub to the USB port of the WiiM Ultra or the WiiM Amp Ultra, and any storage device or DAC you attach to that hub (assuming it does not require more power than a passive hub can provide if you don't do a powered hub) will work. It will not allow the WiiM to act as an external DAC for other devices, but it will allow you to attach an external DAC, a storage device, or a DDC into each hub port and they will show up in the WiiM.

 

[john61ct]

It is a fact. You can attach a passive or a powered USB hub to the USB port of the WiiM Ultra or the WiiM Amp Ultra, and any storage device or DAC you attach to that hub

Yes that is what I think, to get S/PDIF output you must go a DAC.

I bet a dumb DDC will not work.

If you think it would please cite evidence, and ideally name the DDC make & model#.

Note that any DSP done by the Wiim will affect that USB output, even if just volume level control.

Also you cannot output to more than one route at a time (besides subwoofer mono)

unless using the grouping feature with other Wiim devices

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Yes that is what I think, to get S/PDIF output you must go a DAC.

I bet a dumb DDC will not work.

If you think it would please cite evidence, and ideally name the DDC make & model#.

Note that any DSP done by the Wiim will affect that USB output, even if just volume level control.

My friend, DDCs typically use the same XMOS USB interfaces at the input end as DACs that have USB (not counting Schiit DACs, probably >90% of USB DACs and DDCs on the market are either using XMOS or Amanero front-ends). I don't understand why you have such a hard time believing me. For the record, both the Douk U2 Pro and the Cubilux USB to Toslink adapters work out of the USB port of my WiiM Ultra when connected through a passive USB hub. I also used a Gustard U18 in the past before I resold it.

Do you need me to shoot you a video of me physically plugging them into my WiiM, turning the app on and showing you a screenshot to believe me? Has someone close to you lied to your face about something such that you trust nobody?

 

[Mort]

Has someone close to you lied to your face about something such that you trust nobody?

Easy tiger.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Easy tiger.

You did not see the manner in which he challenged me? I guess helping people is grounds to get treated like an outright liar and we should simply accept it?

 

[john61ct]

OK that was the level of detail I was looking for.

Thank you.

I do not "know you" well enough, obviously the default must be skepticism, nothing personal

My friend, DDCs typically use the same XMOS USB interfaces at the input end as DACs that have USB (not counting Schiit DACs, probably >90% of USB DACs and DDCs on the market are either using XMOS or Amanero front-ends). I don't understand why you have such a hard time believing me. For the record, both the Douk U2 Pro and the Cubilux USB to Toslink adapters work out of the USB port of my WiiM Ultra when connected through a passive USB hub. I also used a Gustard U18 in the past before I resold it.

Do you need me to shoot you a video of me physically plugging them into my WiiM, turning the app on and showing you a screenshot to believe me? Has someone close to you lied to your face about something such that you trust nobody?

 

[pablolie]

Shame it doesn't have enough Coax/Toslink inputs for my use case.