WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier

[Dougey_Jones]

Apple Music changes formats contextually (Atmos for AirPods or AAC for non-WIFI streaming (like in the car), etc.) I presume it to be correct.

Apple uses Atmos for AirPods?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Apple uses Atmos for AirPods?

Yes it does; many tracks have Dolby Atmos equivalents in Apple Music and they play in (virtual) surround on AirPods.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Yes it does; many tracks have Dolby Atmos equivalents in Apple Music and they play in (virtual) surround on AirPods.

Ahh, I thought you meant that Apple was transmitting between the iOS devices and the AirPods using Atmos as a container rather than AAC or whatever.

 

[obsessive9119]

I don't know why the obsession with Airplay. The Wiim is on your network. There are multiple other options for playing over the network regardless of what service or local storage you are playing the content from.

Not if you’re using Apple Music and/or have non-technical people in the house.

If you have a NAS or server in your latest crazy setup, AirConnect might help get round that by presenting the WiiM as an airplay 1 endpoint

Cool - but no need in my case because I have a Pro and Pro Pluses so still have native AirPlay.

 

[kyuu]

Not if you’re using Apple Music and/or have non-technical people in the house.

Non technical people can use things like Spotify/Tidal/Quboz Connect or the Wiim app (or other app like BubbleUPNP) just fine. I guess if you use Apple music it has no other options, but you're signing up for that closed ecosystem experience with that.

 

[BillG]

But if you had a streamer like the WiiM, you wouldn’t need to use Chromecast for music… that’s the whole point.

If they wish to stream from a device losslessly that doesn't have WiiM Home installed, they'll need to use a streaming protocol supported by WiiM network players. Fortunately, the Ultra series supports a number of them: Google Cast, which I use regularly, along with Lyrion's SlimProto, Plex, UPnP-DLNA, Roon RAAT, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect.

Of the four devices (three mobiles and a server/desktop) that I use to stream to my own Amp Ultra, only one of them actually has the WiiM Home app installed on it, and I don't even use the app for streaming. I use it exclusively for configuration, and in that regard, I've only opened it several times in the ~3 months I've owned the amp.

The WiiM Home app itself is pretty rudimentary when it comes to streaming compared to other client-players like Plexamp, Symfonium, and Lyrion's client apps. I know of a number of people who forego it for streaming in favor of the options I've just mentioned.

 

[Ajax]

I'm obviously missing the point.

This devise provides Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Quobuz (ethernet or wifi), HDMI, analgoue and optical inputs. The only thing I see missing is coaxial. Add to this sub out with cross over, PEQ, Room fit and a 100 watt amp into 8 ohms and this unit is very "very" close to nirvana for a very small outlay.

I encourage fellow members to continue to push manufacturers for greater performance and better features but at the same time we need to acknowlege what Wiim has achieved.

 

[Power Pop 23]

WiiM has posted a new 'roadmap' for the WiiM Amp Ultra.

WiiM Amp Ultra Roadmap

Updated on Dec 31, 2025 Building the Future Together At WiiM, we believe your device should get better over time. We are sharing this roadmap to give you full visibility into our engineering pipeline—from active development to future concepts...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[OldTimer]

WiiM has posted a new 'roadmap' for the WiiM Amp Ultra.

WiiM Amp Ultra Roadmap

Updated on Dec 31, 2025 Building the Future Together At WiiM, we believe your device should get better over time. We are sharing this roadmap to give you full visibility into our engineering pipeline—from active development to future concepts...

faq.wiimhome.com

• Advanced Automation: Deeper integration with Home Assistant (presets, alarms) and native Apple HomeKit/Shortcuts support.

This is good. AirPlay2 compatible.

 

[Burnside]

Advanced Automation: Deeper integration with Home Assistant (presets, alarms) and native Apple HomeKit/Shortcuts support.
This is good. AirPlay2 compatible.

See https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/...-amp-ultra-roadmaps-are-here.8935/post-165431 : “All I can say is that the team has it on their list as something they want to do. Right now, I'd personally put it low on the list as something likely to happen based on what I know, but it'll be a huge win if they can pull it off. I imagine it'll take a lot of work with partners to make happen. But for now, it's on the roadmap.”

And from a previous response: “Also, I should mention that roadmaps are a look forward at where we want to go, but sometimes we can't always make every stop along the way.”

For me, those are “don’t hold your breath” kind of responses, stating that the roadmap is aspirational but not a commitment.

 

[Burnside]

• Advanced Automation: Deeper integration with Home Assistant (presets, alarms) and native Apple HomeKit/Shortcuts support.

This is good. AirPlay2 compatible.

Actually, to add to my previous response here and question in the WiiM forum, Google tells me:

“Apple HomeKit/Shortcuts: These use the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP), which operates over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) [1]. AirPlay is a separate Apple protocol used specifically for streaming audio, video, and screen mirroring, not for general device control or automation [1]. Devices with native HomeKit support communicate directly with your Home Hub (like an Apple TV or HomePod) using HAP.”

So maybe AirPlay etc is unrelated and not required.

 

[OldTimer]

Actually, to add to my previous response here and question in the WiiM forum, Google tells me:

“Apple HomeKit/Shortcuts: These use the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP), which operates over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) [1]. AirPlay is a separate Apple protocol used specifically for streaming audio, video, and screen mirroring, not for general device control or automation [1]. Devices with native HomeKit support communicate directly with your Home Hub (like an Apple TV or HomePod) using HAP.”

So maybe AirPlay etc is unrelated and not required.

So, what’s the purpose to join the Apple Home app? Controlling what? Just on/off? Increase/decrease volume?

 

[Burnside]

So, what’s the purpose to join the Apple Home app? Controlling what? Just on/off? Increase/decrease volume?

Sorry, don’t know beyond what their one-liner says.

However, it does look like the use of HAP needs Apple MFi certification, the lack of which some have claimed is what’s preventing AirPlay support on newer WiiM devices ‍

 

[BillG]

WiiM Amp Ultra Roadmap

Updated on Dec 31, 2025 Building the Future Together At WiiM, we believe your device should get better over time. We are sharing this roadmap to give you full visibility into our engineering pipeline—from active development to future concepts...

faq.wiimhome.com

 

[The French]

But if you had a streamer like the WiiM, you wouldn’t need to use Chromecast for music… that’s the whole point.

Now I think you don't have it.
The whole point is that Chromecast is integrated into all Wiim Amps.
Just like Airplay was.
That's why they are so popular.
You can use them just with your favorite music app. You don't even have to switch the amp on and off, you can do everything through the App.
And that's why Apple users are pissed off

 

[elmoe420]

Now I think you don't have it.
The whole point is that Chromecast is integrated into all Wiim Amps.
Just like Airplay was.
That's why they are so popular.
You can use them just with your favorite music app. You don't even have to switch the amp on and off, you can do everything through the App.
And that's why Apple users are pissed off

You don't need Airplay to use "your favorite music app" as long as that "favorite app" isn't Apple Music.

My wife has Apple everything and could care less about Airplay because we don't subscribe to Apple Music. If she wants to listen to her ripped CD collection, she uses LyrPlay. If she wants to listen to Amazon Music, she uses Alexa or the Amazon Music app via Alexacast. If she wants to listen to Spotify she uses Spotify Connect, Tidal she uses Tidal Connect, Quobuz etc. etc.

Really this only matters to folks married to the Apple Music streaming service.

 

[thirdeyeOMFG]

Hello everyone, my name is Eugenio and this is the first time I’m writing here. Has anyone ever tried this amplifier with the KEF LS50 Meta speakers and could tell me if it’s enough to drive them? Thanks in advance.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Hello everyone, my name is Eugenio and this is the first time I’m writing here. Has anyone ever tried this amplifier with the KEF LS50 Meta speakers and could tell me if it’s enough to drive them? Thanks in advance.

I never had a single TPA3255-based amp have any issue driving LS50 Metas, even an original stereo Fosi V3 with a puny 32V power supply. They will absolutely sing with the powerful dual-TPA3255 WiiM Amp Ultra.

 

[thirdeyeOMFG]

I never had a single TPA3255-based amp have any issue driving LS50 Metas, even an original stereo Fosi V3 with a puny 32V power supply. They will absolutely sing with the powerful dual-TPA3255 WiiM Amp Ultra.

Currently I’m driving them with a Cambridge Audio CXA80, and at times they seem to need more power.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Currently I’m driving them with a Cambridge Audio CXA80, and at times they seem to need more power.

A completely different, class-AB amplifier.