Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra

[Ajax]

You replaced all that with a WiiM and are happy. That's quite a vote of confidence! And you saved a lot of money.

Yeah, I am really impressed with the Wiim Amp Ultra.

IMO it has answered a lot of the ASR community's request for more features and less "better and better SINAD performance", that the likes of Topping and SMSL seem obsessed with (however, I do own several of their DACs). It ticks all my boxes - streamer, usability, features, DSP, great App, transparent performance, 100 watts into 8 ohms etc.

It seems we have gone full circle from audiophiles requiring "separates" in the 70's and 80's as if to prove their credentials, to an all in one that really leaves nothing to be desired. Having said that I am eager for Amir's review, and whether or not it confirms my experience.

 

[Alexx]

I'm also increasingly convinced to trade in my Wiim Ultra and Wiim Vibelink and get this new Wiim Amp Ultra.

By the way, the Wiim Amp Ultra is said to be dual mono (dual amplifier chip, correct?) so Linkplay tells me, if I've translated their answer correctly, and it has a better preamp section.

One question: what if I need to connect a turntable/phono stage? That's the only reason holding me back, as I have several vinyl records at home.

Thank you very much.

 

[staticV3]

One question: what if I need to connect a turntable/phono stage?

You have two options:

Turntable->external Phono Preamp->WiiM RCA Line in

Turntable->miniDSP ADept or Parks Audio Waxwing/Puffin->WiiM Optical in

 

[qirex]

Yeah Linkplay and Apple really need to sort their beef out whatever it is, IMO it's holding both of them back. Plus Apple needs an "Apple Music Connect' real bad. They could make it part of Airplay 3, if that's ever a thing. Maybe Apple just needs to sort out what kind of audio strategy they have overall, then improve cross-compatibility of their services to align with that.

I did like having less common stuff like Mixcloud on Sonos but there's other ways to cast it and I'm super glad to be moving out of that ecosystem. One of the reasons I was cross shopping the Amp Ultra versus the Eversolo Play was the whole Android apps thing but no regrets with the Wiim, it's been a champ so far.

 

[john61ct]

Yeah Linkplay and Apple really need to sort their beef out

Obviously not, much as you would like them to, not their "need".

get a cheap used Apple TV, send its ARC output including lossless to WiiM Amp Ultra

 

[john61ct]

I can't use the Amp Ultra crossover function for LPF to my "bass modules" since they are stereo, acting as stands for the main treble/mid pair.

But I think I can use the PEQ function to get there with a PAIR of WAUs. Just say for example I want a xover at 400Hz, WAU#1 on treble/mid set to 400Hz-infinity, then on WAU#2 custom bandpass filters set for 70-400Hz,

is that do-able ?

I assume I would want a "brick wall" 24 dB/octave slope but plan to test. Also maybe an actual overlap, all to be tested / tweaked using REW or Roomfit or (suggestiins welcomed)

Google says:

> Configure the high-pass filter

Select a PEQ band: Choose a PEQ band in the WiiM Home app and set its filter type to Low Shelf or High Pass.

Set the frequency: Set the frequency to your desired low-end cutoff for the mid-bass.

Set the gain: Set the gain to a negative value to cut off the frequencies below your chosen cutoff. You can set it to a strong cut, such as -20 dB, to create a steep filter.

Adjust the Q-factor (or slope): The Q value controls the width of the filter. A standard high-pass filter in the WiiM has a fixed slope, but if you use a low-shelf filter with a negative gain, you can adjust the Q to control how gradually the cut occurs.


> Configure the low-pass filter

Select another PEQ band: Choose a second PEQ band and set its filter type to High Shelf or Low Pass.

Set the frequency: Set the frequency to your desired high-end cutoff for the mid-bass. This is the point where you want to hand off from the mid-bass driver to the midrange driver.

Set the gain: Set the gain to a negative value to cut off frequencies above this point, effectively creating the top end of your bandpass filter.

Adjust the Q-factor (or slope): Similar to the high-pass, a standard low-pass filter has a fixed slope. If you use a high-shelf filter with a negative gain, you can use the Q to control the filter's steepness.

Does all that look correct? Any feedback welcome...

...

mono sub(s) to handle 20-70Hz, could just use WAU#2 LFE output

If so does that mean using BOTH crossover function AND PEQ in WAU#2 ?

 

[Alexx]

@staticV3

Thank you so much.

 

[GavriloD]

Does anyone have detailed specs on the power supply in Amp Ultra?

 

[Burnside]

Does anyone have detailed specs on the power supply in Amp Ultra?

Don’t think I’ve seen any detailed specs at all on that.

 

[john61ct]

Post in thread 'Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra'

Jul 4, 2025

I wish that they'd feed it with another source to see if the volume issue is consistent or not.

Erin published a very nice YT video a day ago discussing how amplifier power translates into SPL levels (link), and which main variables affect the level you get.

Below the video there is a pinned comment where Erin states:

(...)
Finally, keep in mind the more links you have in the chain (pre-amp, TV, separate DAC, etc), the more you'll need to be mindful of proper gain structure. If, for example, you use a pre-amp that doesn't have it's gain adequately set you may not be...

• dominikz

• 

> Erin did measure the output into 4 ohms to be > 200 Watt

 

[Deleted member 89782]

I‘ve just pulled the trigger on the Amp Ultra. It should be here by tomorrow.
I can‘t wait to get my hands on it and see (hear) how it does.

It is supposed to replace an 11-year-old Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 and a Bluesound Nano.
My speakers are late Dali Epicon‘s 2.
I‘m aware of the discrepancy in price of the components involved, but I‘m eager to find out if this makes any sense.

I‘m a minimalist and take joy in reducing kit where ever possible and sensible.

 

[Alexx]

Great, let us know how you get on; it's a device I'm seriously considering getting myself.

Congratulations on the speakers; you'll definitely get the most out of the Wim's power, as the Dali speakers have a 4-ohm impedance.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

Great, let us know how you get on; it's a device I'm seriously considering getting myself.

Congratulations on the speakers; you'll definitely get the most out of the Wim's power, as the Dali speakers have a 4-ohm impedance.

That‘s what I‘m most concerned about. But remember having seen a test of the Dalis not going below 3.8 ohms. Can“t remember where that was though. Anyway I love them for their sound AND their looks.

I sincerely hope that the WiiM will be stable enough to get a grip on them. I‘m neither listening at extreme volumes nor am I expecting any sonic improvement over the Lyngdorf. As long as this stays the same I‘ll be happy.

 

[qirex]

My Canton Chrono 502.2 are hard to drive (85dB sensitivity and dips to 4 ohm impedance) and the Ultra has plenty of power (I run it at 25-40 volume) in a mid size living room. That said I do have a subwoofer to handle the deep bass.

 

[john61ct]

The Amp Ultra is rated as stable down to 2ohm, really should be NP.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

So here we go.
Taking it out of the box I was surprised how heavy and well built the unit is, I read the specs but picking it up is a different thing. Setting it up was a breeze. So far so good.
Next came the integration of my local music library stored on a QNAP NAS. I have Linn Kazoo as a UPnP server and LMS (Lyrion) with the UPnP plugin running on it.

Kazoo was a pleasant surprise. It shows Album Artists in the WiiM app instead of Track Artists. Well done, Kazoo!
Choosing the UPnP interface of LMS did the exact opposite - Track Artists, no Album Artists. Thus it‘s useless for me.

I was presented a totally different picture when I opened iPeng which identified the WiiM as a native Squeezebox. So I have full control over my music on the WiiM via iPeng with the data coming from LMS. This also includes volume control and cover art which are reflected one-on-one on the WiiM screen. Perfect!

Any device settings have to be done in the WiiM app though. But once set up I will hardly need that on a daily basis. Speaking of set up. I chose the pre-defined treble-reduce EQ curve. My Epicons are quite loud on the high frequencies. This was the same with the Lyngdorf.

Going into operation I was flashed by the ease of use. Play music via i Peng, voila. Switch on the TV (via HDMI), here you go. Restart a track in iPeng, no problem. All of this is automatically recognized. There‘s no need to switch inputs manually. Wow! But then again, this is my first device of this kind. So this may be good practice nowadays.

How does it sound? Hm, I suppose it does what it‘s supposed to do. Though I did find the high frequencies very harsh before applying the EQ correction. This is definitely more pronounced than with the Lyngdorf.

Otherwise it handles my 4 ohm Dalis very well. But maximum volume level is clearly below that of the old Lyngdorf. Still, enough for 99% of all situations.

Am I satisfied? Yes and no. It will stay for a while but eventually I will probably buy an Appollon Eigentakt 9040 power amp and something like a WiiM Ultra (not Amp) or a Bluesound Icon as an In-source.

 

[john61ct]

You should be able to use Amp Ultra as an Ultra source/preamp via USB out, or RCA line-outs.

 

[Deleted member 89782]

You should be able to use Amp Ultra as an Ultra source/preamp via USB out, or RCA line-outs.

It doesn‘t have ANY outs I‘m afraid. Except for the speaker posts and sub out of course.

 

[john61ct]

Dam Google lied about line outs, but I confirmed with the manual the most excellent USB digital output just like the non-Amp Ultra

 

[kyuu]

@john61ct is correct: