WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

[chelgrian]

They are still discussing with Apple, so there is hope! The question is should they reach an agreement will they be able to just update their software to get AirPlay 2?

Apple don’t negotiate it’s either MFI certified and plays by the rules required to certify or it isn’t and it therefore doesn’t have AirPlay. The translation of ‘discussing’ here is they are still asking for some exception to some requirement and Apple are still saying no.

 

[Mort]

Apple don’t negotiate it’s either MFI certified and plays by the rules required to certify or it isn’t and it therefore doesn’t have AirPlay. The translation of ‘discussing’ here is they are still asking for some exception to some requirement and Apple are still saying no.

Couldn't they be discussing price? Apple doesn't give it away.

 

[Rusk Reeder]

I don't mean to stir up trouble or acrimony, but I've have some comments about this and other amplifier measurements.

I'm not so 8nterested in how an amplifier performs at 5 watts. To me, that's not much usable power. I'm more interested in how it performs at 50 or 100 watts, if it is rated to that wattage, and from 20 to 20khz. That, for me, determines the real capability and performance of that amplifier.

Now, this amplifier does indeed perform pretty well up to about 100 watts and a little beyond depending on impedance. But it only has about 60 dB of distortion at that level. That's not bad, but I woudn't say it's fabulous. It doesn't have 90db in distortion at that level.

To me, a Sony 2-channel receiver (Not their AV receivers, which won't do it because of transformer saturation), that produces .05 percent distortion at 75 watts from 20-20khz, for $212 is great value.

 

[harkpabst]

Apple don’t negotiate it’s either MFI certified and plays by the rules required to certify or it isn’t and it therefore doesn’t have AirPlay. The translation of ‘discussing’ here is they are still asking for some exception to some requirement and Apple are still saying no.

You don't have a right to get certified just because you think your device "plays by the rules". It's all down to Apple's discretion.

 

[OldTimer]

Regarding Apple AirPlay, I don’t think Apple ask Wiim to detach AirPlay. Probably Wiim the one who doesn’t want to have AirPlay capability for its products. So many $50 devices have AirPlay2 capability.
If it’s because of Wiim multi room audio capability compete with Apple multi room audio then how about Denon HEOS amp? Denon still has AirPlay2

 

[Power Pop 23]

Regarding Apple AirPlay, I don’t think Apple ask Wiim to detach AirPlay. Probably Wiim the one who doesn’t want to have AirPlay capability for its products. So many $50 devices have AirPlay2 capability.

I am uncertain why WiiM would not want to offer Airplay capability on all their products instead of only select devices.

 

[Mnyb]

I am uncertain why WiiM would not want to offer Airplay capability on all their products instead of only select devices.

I think its a new development older products seems to have airplay 2 . the newly developed products seems to miss it for example WiiM Pro but not WiiM Pro +

 

[OldTimer]

I am uncertain why WiiM would not want to offer Airplay capability on all their products instead of only select devices.

Probably already published in WhatHiFi then it will be bad for the company reputation.
Published as Best Budget Music Streamer Product of The Year.

 

[harkpabst]

I think its a new development older products seems to have airplay 2 . the newly developed products seems to miss it for example WiiM Pro but not WiiM Pro +

The WiiM Pro and the WiiM Pro Plus both support AirPlay2.

The WiiM Ultra does not.

I don't see why WiiM would actively not want AirPlay in their products. That doesn't make much sense.

 

[Shrek6]

Bought mine with the Black Friday discount. I figured it would measure well given all their other amps do, and I'm happy to see that heuristic worked out.
The screen is nice to have so you're tied to an app. The upgraded remote is great, and makes it feel higher quality instead of another cheap plastic thing.

But to me, they sounded uninteresting. Dry, clinical, unmusical.

Maybe you got lost on the way to another hifi forum, but an amplifier is supposed to be dry, clinical and unmusical. Ideally it's a 'wire with gain'. If you want colorations, just use the EQ....

I still don’t understand the why Wiim doesn’t included a USB PC input on any of their products. Would make for a killer desktop solution. Yes I know you could get a USB to digital adapter but it’s not as seamless and doesn’t support all formats. Further whats the use case for a USB output on a unit with a competent DAC, pre-amp and amplifier?

Then what would be the point of having streaming and EQ? Or tons of power?

I believe the USB-A jack on the back panel of the WiiM Ultra Amp can be set in the WiiM Home app to be a source for a DAC/Headphone amplifier.

correct: https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support...mp-wiim-amp-pro-wiim-amp-ultra-and-wiim-ultra

 

[Matt_Holland]

Regarding Apple AirPlay, I don’t think Apple ask Wiim to detach AirPlay. Probably Wiim the one who doesn’t want to have AirPlay capability for its products. So many $50 devices have AirPlay2 capability.
If it’s because of Wiim multi room audio capability compete with Apple multi room audio then how about Denon HEOS amp? Denon still has AirPlay2

Wiim definitely want Airplay and it is losing them business by not having it. It’s known that there is a dispute between Linkplay and Apple.

 

[Mnyb]

The WiiM Pro and the WiiM Pro Plus both support AirPlay2.

The WiiM Ultra does not.

I don't see why WiiM would actively not want AirPlay in their products. That doesn't make much sense.

Ok missed that , then it’s even newer sad development .

 

[OldTimer]

Do you still need an iPhone or Android phone to do software setup configuration of this Wiim? Can you do directly in the screen without installing app in iPhone?

 

[Mort]

Do you still need an iPhone or Android phone to do software setup configuration of this Wiim? Can you do directly in the screen without installing app in iPhone?

The best answer is 'no' although a few input/output functions are on the front screen.

 

[amirm]

I'm not so 8nterested in how an amplifier performs at 5 watts. To me, that's not much usable power. I'm more interested in how it performs at 50 or 100 watts, if it is rated to that wattage, and from 20 to 20khz. That, for me, determines the real capability and performance of that amplifier.

All of that was in the review. I showed you power at 40 Hz which is the peak spectrum in a lot of music and you have frequency specific sweeps. Further, power sweeps show you noise and distortion at many levels up to max power.

As to distortion at highest frequencies, you are getting a budget device. If you want to solve that problem, you need to step up to more expensive devices with Hypex/Purifi/Topping amplification with more components.

 

[chelgrian]

Regarding Apple AirPlay, I don’t think Apple ask Wiim to detach AirPlay. Probably Wiim the one who doesn’t want to have AirPlay capability for its products. So many $50 devices have AirPlay2 capability.
If it’s because of Wiim multi room audio capability compete with Apple multi room audio then how about Denon HEOS amp? Denon still has AirPlay2

The original dispute probably stems from Linkplay formally having airplay transmit functionality as well as receive, that was force removed from all products via a firmware update. Apple reserve Airplay transmit functionality for their own products and it would have violated their agreement. It may simply be that after that Apple removed their MFI account so they could not submit new products for certification.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Great Versatility...but a week late for my stocking stuffing

 

[OldTimer]

The original dispute probably stems from Linkplay formally having airplay transmit functionality as well as receive, that was force removed from all products via a firmware update. Apple reserve Airplay transmit functionality for their own products and it would have violated their agreement. It may simply be that after that Apple removed their MFI account so they could not submit new products for certification.

But why Eversolo has? Is it because of Android based?

 

[amirm]

But why Eversolo has? Is it because of Android based?

Eversolo can push Airplay streams???

 

[EeeGee]

Thank you Amir as always for this very useful review. I guess it is a great almost-all-in-1 package but for me the lack of pre-outs and/or digital out is a big limiting factor for adding headphone dac/amp.