Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra

[Alexx]

@Matt_Holland
It could be a problem for the internal components, given that they have little space to dissipate heat.

The Wiim Vibelink already gets quite hot, even too hot for a Class D, so I repeat, I think it's always better if it's possible to have two separate components, especially when they're miniaturized devices like these. Everyone has their own preferences... and makes their own choices.

@somebodyelse
Exactly, it's always more power draw and heat generated by other components. Try touching the Wiim Ultra after a few hours of use; it certainly won't be cold, right? So more heat...
The 5 Watts from the wall mount don't matter much.
Best regards.

 

[harkpabst]

The Wiim Vibelink already gets quite hot, even too hot for a Class D ...

I don't thi think so. Comparw it to the V3 Monos and it's cool to the touch in every operational state.

... so I repeat, I think it's always better if it's possible to have two separate components, especially when they're miniaturized devices like these.

I don't think so. There's not the slightest hint of anything in these small but surely not miniaturized devices running too hot. If two separate components are better than one, then three must be better than two and four must be better than three.

The 5 Watts from the wall mount don't matter much.

They don't matter because what?

 

[Alexx]

Good morning.

Mine is very hot, I don't know why.

As for the rest, I have my own opinions, and you rightly have yours.
For me, a larger, more ventilated unit is better, and that's what I'll buy.
While for you, a smaller one with many components is just as good, and you're right to choose that one; it's your choice and preference, there's not much to say.
Best regards.

 

[Audionaut]

The Wiim Vibelink already gets quite hot, even too hot for a Class D

What surface temperature did you measure?
I wouldn't lump all Class D and TPA3255 amplifiers together.
The TPA3255 amplifiers, with the appropriate power supply, often get warm, i.e. around 40 degrees Celsius on the surface of the housing, which is within the specifications.
However, I am surprised at the often inconsistent experiences of users of the same devices.
For example, Harkpabst writes that his Amp Ultra stays cool and you write that it gets hot.
Surprising, because the Amp Ultra has a permanently installed power supply.
Either the temperatures are actually different or your assessment of what is hot is different.
Actual measured temperatures would be helpful for assessment.

 

[Alexx]

I don't know the exact temperature, but it's probably over 40 degrees.

I'll measure it later with the digital infrared thermometer and let you know.

I'll specify that I have the Wiim Vibelink model (not the Amp Ultra).

The devices are far apart.

I'll let you know as soon as possible.

Thanks.

 

[Inertiaman]

Anyone else refreshing the Review page every day, looking for an Amp Ultra review/test, only to be disappointed?
How long must we wait!?!?

 

[Matias]

Anyone else refreshing the Review page every day, looking for an Amp Ultra review/test, only to be disappointed?
How long must we wait!?!?

Should be nothing much different than this already.

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[Matt_Holland]

Should be nothing much different than this already.

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Even so, we await the gold standard.

 

[dominikz]

Anyone else refreshing the Review page every day, looking for an Amp Ultra review/test, only to be disappointed?
How long must we wait!?!?

In case it helps, just today I published some measurements od both the WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Amp Ultra on the WiiM forums.

 

[dominikz]

Should be nothing much different than this already.

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Actually, Erin used the analogue input to measure, and the ADC there has much worse THD+N than the DAC which dragged down the performance a bit in some of the tests compared to using a digital input.

In my measurements I used the optical in to feed the Amp Ultra instead and found its 5W SINAD to be around 100dB - i.e. just like the Amp Pro.

(Not that the difference in measured results is especially important; just thought it was perhaps worth pointing out.)

 

[holbob]

What we need is a comprehensive wiim amp ultra vs eversolo play review. Measurements, UI, and heat. Does the bluesound have eq as well? If so, throw that one into the mix

 

[staticV3]

What we need is a comprehensive wiim amp ultra vs eversolo play review.

 

[Joffy1780]

Received my Amp Ultra today, very impressed so far. Set up took about 6 mins max inc. firmware updates.
Build quality seems excellent and the newer voice remote feels a lot more premium than the original.
Nice to see that Wiim include HDMI, optical and stereo RCA cables in the box so you can get up and running straight away even if you didn't already have a big bag of spare cables lying around.
Haven't ran the Roomfit yet, but will give that a go later when the kids are occupied.
This is replacing my previous setup of Wiim Pro, SMSL DO100 and Audiophonics Hypex power amp (which sadly died). Not expecting to hear a great deal of difference, but hopefully should be able to better manage the bass with the crossover for the sub and mains.

 

[Alexx]

@Joffy1780




The bass is definitely handled much better with the Wiim.
You'll probably hear a bit of a difference in dynamics/power compared to the Audiophonics, which is definitely more powerful.

I tried the Audiophonics Hypex with the Wiim Vibelink; the Wiim Vibelink seemed fuller and had more bass.

The Audiphonics was definitely more dynamic and had slightly more detail.
Between the two, to be picky, the Audiophonics is slightly better in my opinion.

 

[Joffy1780]

@Joffy1780




The bass is definitely handled much better with the Wiim.
You'll probably hear a bit of a difference in dynamics/power compared to the Audiophonics, which is definitely more powerful.

I tried the Audiophonics Hypex with the Wiim Vibelink; the Wiim Vibelink seemed fuller and had more bass.

The Audiphonics was definitely more dynamic and had slightly more detail.
Between the two, to be picky, the Audiophonics is slightly better in my opinion.

The Amp Ultra has more power than the Hypex amp I was using previously (NC122MP).
It sounds great, as did the Audiophonics amp.

 

[qirex]

Anyone who owns one, have you had any struggles or quirks with HDMI CEC? I have a Sony TV which generally plays well with the rest of my gear (Integra receiver, PS5, Apple TV, Sony Blu Ray). I'd be replacing the receiver entirely.

 

[kyuu]

Anyone who owns one, have you had any struggles or quirks with HDMI CEC?

Obviously I can only speak for my own equipment. But in my experience with my Wiim Amp (base model), I've had no issues with the HDMI CEC with my Samsung TV.

 

[Inertiaman]

Anyone who owns one, have you had any struggles or quirks with HDMI CEC? I have a Sony TV which generally plays well with the rest of my gear (Integra receiver, PS5, Apple TV, Sony Blu Ray). I'd be replacing the receiver entirely.

I had an NAD D 3045 connected to my LG OLED via ARC and it would often drop the connection at random times. Had to power cycle the TV and amp to recover the connection. I was never sure if it was the LG or the NAD.
Recently replaced the NAD with a Wiim Amp Pro and its hasn't dropped the connection once. So more stable. No issues with TV remote adjusting Wiim volume. But you DEFINITELY need to tweak the pre-gain (in settings in app) to +5-10 range to get reasonable volume on the Wiim with HDMI. The NAD D 3045, despite having fewer watts, could get FAR louder with the HDMI signal than the Wiim, even with the Wiim pre-gain cranked up. Insufficient gain on HDMI seems to be a known/odd attribute of the Wiim amps. Thankfully its not a deal breaker, since it does manage loud "enough" with pre-gain increased.

 

[Alexx]

@Joffy1780


Okay, I had the AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S500NC NCore NC502MP model, which is a bit different from yours (250 Watt x 2 into 8 Ohms), so I could hear a bit of a difference with the Wimm Vibelink.
It's a shame that the Wimm Vinelink can't have 100 Watts of power, but only 60 Watts, even on the RCA output (100 only on optical), otherwise I would have kept it.

I say this because I find the RCA output to sound better than the optical one... I can't explain it.
Best regards.

 

[gasolin75]

So fare only page 2 out of 10

To get an equalizer for better adjustements after room correction

What is best ?

wiim amp pro

Wiim vibelink + streamer like a wiim pro (room correction ?)

or a wiim amp ultra ?

Difference in price is big, wiim amp pro compared to the 2 other options but you do get a display with the last option but according to reviews feels
very outdated (display) and a little small compared to an eversolo play (much more money than a wiim amp pro, for alot less then the price difference between a wiim amp pro and eversolo play you have the option of getting a tablet that can be an even bigger display than the one on a eversolo play)