yes I already have the wiim amp ultra. I like the remote it comes with and not having to use a external power brick. I was using it in a simple tv setup to power passive speakers but I have some active speakers with hypex plate amps in them coming and would like to use this with digital volume control via the usb out and my usb to spdif converter. seems like it will work!
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WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
On Amazon Germany and other German Shops as well.
In this case it makes sense to not swap it out for a WiiM Ultra, of course. It will work.
Just remember that you must control the volume on the WiiM Amp Ultra, not on the active speakers. If you change the volume on the active speakers, the subwoofer connected to the WiiM Amp Ultra will continue to play at the same level as before.
The WiiM Ultra now does support the simultaneous use of the analog line output and one digital output.
nice! one less gadget in the chain to get stereo subs
I see USB not included, choose one of S/PDIF only.
And both outputs get mirrored signals, DSP for stereo is global, crossover only applies between stereo and mono.
I see USB not included, choose one of S/PDIF only.
And both outputs get mirrored signals, DSP for stereo is global, crossover only applies between stereo and mono.
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On Amazon US, a WiiM Ultra Amp Prime Day deal for $80 below list price. Damn you, Jeff Bezos!
Substantial discounts at quite some places. Might all be prime day triggered. 499 € for this device is a steal.
I wonder though if a new version might be coming.
I’ve now got my new WiiM Amp Ultra set up in my listening room and am really pleased with all of the features, performance, software/hardware integration, and the sound I’m hearing. Some excellent enhancements to what I’ve been enjoying with the original WiiM Amp I’ve been using in the living room for several years.
The reception of the WiiM Amp Ultra has been fascinating to me — lots of positivity and praise and enthusiasm, not to mention the validation of Amir’s testing and measurements, but also various instances of subjective disillusionment, doubt, and dinging of the too-good-to-be-true, too-cheap-to-replace-my-expensive-gear variety.
Examples include the post upthread reporting “really bad, the sound was washed out, no dynamics at all,” and a mostly laudatory March review in Wired that nevertheless claimed the “sound leans on the brighter side” and “I’d wish for a bit more warmth and body in the midrange, more treble finesse, and a bit more dynamic punch,” while the reviewer adds that he never tried any of the WiiM’s veritable Swiss Army knife of EQ and Room Fit tools!
It’s hard not to suspect the prevailing influence of the unkillable audiophile conviction that amps all have intensely distinct sonic signatures and flavors, plus the FUD hangover from all those years of old-school pronouncements that Class D amps sound fundamentally thin and wrong.
So far I’m quite happy.
The reception of the WiiM Amp Ultra has been fascinating to me — lots of positivity and praise and enthusiasm, not to mention the validation of Amir’s testing and measurements, but also various instances of subjective disillusionment, doubt, and dinging of the too-good-to-be-true, too-cheap-to-replace-my-expensive-gear variety.
Examples include the post upthread reporting “really bad, the sound was washed out, no dynamics at all,” and a mostly laudatory March review in Wired that nevertheless claimed the “sound leans on the brighter side” and “I’d wish for a bit more warmth and body in the midrange, more treble finesse, and a bit more dynamic punch,” while the reviewer adds that he never tried any of the WiiM’s veritable Swiss Army knife of EQ and Room Fit tools!
It’s hard not to suspect the prevailing influence of the unkillable audiophile conviction that amps all have intensely distinct sonic signatures and flavors, plus the FUD hangover from all those years of old-school pronouncements that Class D amps sound fundamentally thin and wrong.
So far I’m quite happy.
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Reports with those sort of descriptors can safely be ignored, even "expert" reviewers are often unaware just how much non-acoustic factors overwhelm what they (think they) are "hearing".
Yes in the end YOUR ears + brain are the final arbiters of choice, but those secondhand subjective impressions from other people should not be a factor.
Now, statistically significant results of double blind level-matched testing would be an excellent adjunct to objective measurements, but those are rare.
Yes in the end YOUR ears + brain are the final arbiters of choice, but those secondhand subjective impressions from other people should not be a factor.
Now, statistically significant results of double blind level-matched testing would be an excellent adjunct to objective measurements, but those are rare.
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Nicholas B
Member
Me too!
I was able to totally re-jig my setup. The Wiim Amp Ultra replaced two Musical Fidelity X-A200 monobloc power amps, capable of putting out 400W each into 4 Ohms. The Duntech Black Knight speakers (4 Ohm, 90 dB at 2.83V) being driven by the WAU don't have a particularly reactive impedance, but it does drop down to 2.8 Ohms in the bass region.
I was previously using a 31 band graphic equaliser to control room modes. This took me about a week to get right using a Umik 1 and REW, running back and forth to the equaliser for minor adjustments. With the WAU (and the Umik 1 plugged into my phone) it took minutes to sort out the room! Of course, the 31 band graphic equaliser is now stored in a cupboard. The WAU also replaces a Topping DX3 Pro+, which I was using as a DAC/preamp, and also replaces another analogue preamp I was using for analogue sources. Given the WAU only has one analogue input, I simply use an RCA switch to switch between analogue sources. I will also add a Toslink switch so that I can have more than one digitial input. Finally I was able to remove my Guardian 86 "speaker protector" circuitry, as the WAU has protection built-in. So this one WAU has replaced a whole slew of things, while also adding an ability to stream.
I did once measure the voltage at my speakers at various volume levels and realised that I wasn't using anywhere near the capacity of my X-A200s, hence I was optimistic that the power output of the WAU would be sufficient, and indeed, it was. No signs of strain, even with more spirited playing.
Sonically, I don't notice anything missing or unusual that wasn't there before.
Cheers,
Nicholas
One of the best use cases of using an WiiM Amp Ultra, IMO, is high passing the speakers and relieving bass duties to 1 or 2 subs. The speakers play without effort without the deep bass, the amp power headroom for them is huge, and additional dedicated power is available on the active subs. Crossing between 60-80Hz (depending on the size of the speakers) and the WiiM becomes an amazing hub managing all the system.
I could not resist the Canada Prime Day discount. The Amp Ultra simplifies my satellite/sub/projector system which was based on the MiniDSP Flex. Auto-input switching and inclusion of Alexa has greatly reduced the box count cluttering the family living room. Thankfully the Flex can be put to use tuning a multi-sub setup in my home theater.
(Not a great location for speakers as electronics upstairs requires diplomacy.)
(Not a great location for speakers as electronics upstairs requires diplomacy.)
Don't forget the "house sound" of different capacitor makers.
A true audiophile can easily tell the difference between a Panasonic and a Nichicon ... a single one ... used somewhere buried in the PSU ... 
Nicholas B
Member
OK, here's mine ...
Nice setup. Five years ago many would have laughed at the thought of driving those large, serious looking speakers with such a tiny integrated, streaming amplifier.
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Accessories4Less dot com is now selling refurbished WiiM Ultra Amp devices with a 1-year WiiM warranty for $399.
www.accessories4less.com
WiiM Amp Ultra Wireless Streaming Amplifier w/Google Cast, Bluetooth®, 3.5" Touchscreen, and Voice Remote
WiiM Refurbished
www.accessories4less.com
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Linkplay's outlet store on Ebay is now selling refurbished WiiM Amp Ultra devices with a 1-year warranty for $385.
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