Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra

[mmmargherita]

This is a big deal for small passive systems assuming it's priced affordably. Available Q3 on Amazon.

No Airplay but I think they added Google Assistant.

Loses the phono input, toslink out, coax out and headphone jack of the Ultra.

Losing Coax out hurts.

Why does losing coax out hurt... anyone?! Like, what's the use case for it? You just wouldn't buy this product in the first place if you wanted to hand off to a dac and to another amp

 

[mmmargherita]

Is anyone following Wiim forums aware if USB in this new product act as USB DAC or just USB storage reader for playback?

why is everyone so obsessed with bypassing the internal dac on these?

 

[mmmargherita]

Isn't it basically a Wiim Amp with a screen but no Airplay?

Nah, this is the vibelink amp, ie high power, with all the wiim ultra features too. This is what they should have done all along, I'm sure it'll sell like potato cakes

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Nah, this is the vibelink amp, ie high power, with all the wiim ultra features too. This is what they should have done all along, I'm sure it'll sell like potato cakes

The price would be like 699€ you think?

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Is anyone following Wiim forums aware if USB in this new product act as USB DAC or just USB storage reader for playback?

This is for a reading a USB or Harddrive.
I am using a optical connection for my PC with my amp, works great and sounds good.

 

[Matt_Holland]

why is everyone so obsessed with bypassing the internal dac on these?

The Wiim Fanatics Facebook group is obsessed with not only handing off the Ultra to a DAC, but doing this via USB into a DDC (usually SMSL PO100) and then to said DAC. They’re a crazy bunch. Well some of them anyway.

 

[mmmargherita]

The price would be like 699€ you think?

I'm guessing around 900 AUD, which is about 500euro maybe. If I can get it for 800, I, and everyone else, will buy one, Wiim.

 

[mmmargherita]

The Wiim Fanatics Facebook group is obsessed with not only handing off the Ultra to a DAC, but doing this via USB into a DDC (usually SMSL PO100) and then to said DAC. They’re a crazy bunch. Well some of them anyway.

Makes no sense! I'm guessing they watched Randy cheapaudioman. You'd think people here would have rejected subjective reviews long ago. Like, watch them for the lols, but don't listen to their opinions about how it sounds. As a way to gauge UI/UX might be OK. Cheapaudioman is just as bad as the rich arse audiophiles for gatekeeping and perpetuating misconceptions.

 

[Karmacoma]

Makes no sense! I'm guessing they watched Randy cheapaudioman. You'd think people here would have rejected subjective reviews long ago. Like, watch them for the lols, but don't listen to their opinions about how it sounds. As a way to gauge UI/UX might be OK. Cheapaudioman is just as bad as the rich arse audiophiles for gatekeeping and perpetuating misconceptions.

That's just his way of trying to exist...

 

[mmmargherita]

I had to return my Wiim because of this only, Wiim app on Windows had so many issues and Wiim support confirmed me when I checked with them. Their focus wasn't for Windows products at that time (and perhaps it's still same), and lack of USB DAC feature was show stopper for me.
Anyways, it is what it is.

bro whyyyy would you wanna bypass the internal DAC? It's measurably better than 90% of standalone DACs out there. And now you've got two boxes and more cables and more to power and... it just doesn't make any sense.

 

[Matt_Holland]

bro whyyyy would you wanna bypass the internal DAC? It's measurably better than 90% of standalone DACs out there. And now you've got two boxes and more cables and more to power and... it just doesn't make any sense.

The main complaint seems to be when the Ultra is used as a pre-amp. Like somehow its handling of variable volume hurts its performance.

Anyway back on topic, I’m hoping the Ultra Amp will retail for a maximum of £500 inc VAT in the UK. It will be interesting to see if the hifi shops will push it and allocate more client budget to speakers. But I suspect that the audiophile press and reviewers will still push the existing narrative as it helps their commercial interests.

 

[mmmargherita]

The main complaint seems to be when the Ultra is used as a pre-amp. Like somehow its handling of variable volume hurts its performance.

Anyway back on topic, I’m hoping the Ultra Amp will retail for a maximum of £500 inc VAT in the UK. It will be interesting to see if the hifi shops will push it and allocate more client budget to speakers. But I suspect that the audiophile press and reviewers will still push the existing narrative as it helps their commercial interests.

Yeah, sub 500usd/gbp/euro would be killer. I'm sure they can do it by dint of volume

 

[boxerfan88]

Amp Ultra have very good feature set.

 

[Berwhale]

3 announcements from Wiim today.

Amp Ultra

WiiM Amp Ultra: Performance Meets Precision

We’re thrilled to introduce our most refined streaming amplifier yet, the WiiM Amp Ultra, a high-performance powerhouse built for discerning listeners. Encased in a sleek unibody aluminum chassis with a vibrant 3.5” glass touchscreen, it delivers 100W per channel at 8Ω or 200W at 4Ω, driving up...

forum.wiimhome.com

Sub Pro

Introducing WiiM Sub Pro: Experience Bass Like Never Before

WiiM expands into deeper sound! Meet WiiM Sub Pro, our first-ever subwoofer, designed from the ground up to deliver deep, distortion-free bass with AI-driven precision. Whether tuning your music, movies, or gaming setup, this sleek sub delivers precision through its 8-inch driver and Class-D...

forum.wiimhome.com

Sound

Introducing WiiM Sound: Your Smart Speaker for High-Res, Room-Filling Audio

A landmark moment for WiiM! WiiM Sound, our first WiiM designed smart speaker, is here! The WiiM Sound is crafted from the ground up to deliver exceptional audio fidelity, smart connectivity, and seamless integration with the WiiM ecosystem. After years of delivering award-winning streamers...

forum.wiimhome.com

So is the idea that I can create a 5.1 setup with Wiim Amp Ultra + passive fronts, 3x Wiim Sound as centre and rears with a Wiim Sub Pro? I like the concept, i'm not sure i'd want a 1.8" display on my centre or rear channels.

 

[Guddu]

bro whyyyy would you wanna bypass the internal DAC?

I don't want to bypass Wiim's internal DAC, point is that USB input on Wiim does not work as internal DAC. I use windows laptop or surface pro as my source and so I need either USB DAC input on Wiim or its streaming app but the first option isn't valid as I explained above and 2nd option is worst of all.

It's measurably better than 90% of standalone DACs out there.

Correct, but I don't think it matters. It may not be a popular opinion but it is mine.

And now you've got two boxes and more cables and more to power and...

Its not an issue for me, but I do keep on try any single box solution which feels more like a lifestyle product than anything.

it just doesn't make any sense.

Hope I could explain well this time.

 

[Mort]

So is the idea that I can create a 5.1 setup with Wiim Amp Ultra + passive fronts, 3x Wiim Sound as centre and rears with a Wiim Sub Pro? I like the concept, i'm not sure i'd want a 1.8" display on my centre or rear channels.

I'm pretty sure you can use Wiim pro or pro plus for this, I'm not 100% positive.

 

[JaccoW]

Wiim amp ultra

Looks like wiim have announced the obvious next stage in their extensive lineup, a streamer/amp combo. Just one high performing device sounds good to me, though some of you may require higher power. I certainly don't in my small lounge. Amazed they've essentially merged an ultra, and an amp into the same dimensions. Hope it has vents.

View attachment 450869

I wonder why they have a turntable next to it, seeing how it doesn't have a phono in. Just a regular line-in.

I'm personally much more interested in the Wiim Sound. The little screen is cute.

 

[somebodyelse]

I wonder why they have a turntable next to it, seeing how it doesn't have a phono in. Just a regular line-in.

A fair number of currently available turntables have an internal phono amp and line level outs. And many of us old gits have external phono amps already. It's a compromise but not a terrible one.

 

[amarsicola]

This amp and a pair of Ascend Sierra LX + sub would make a killer high value 2.1 system.

Or a pair of Kef Q7/Q11 Meta towers

 

[F1Fan72]

Or a pair of Kef Q7/Q11 Meta towers

Yep, love my Q7 meta’s..