WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review

[harkpabst]

Most plausible scenario to me is that Wiim announced the Airplay feature and then failed Airplay certification because of a problem with their software auth. From their statements it seems they are not able to support software authentication, this could for example be a limitation of their platform not being secure enough or just a lack of engineering resources. In that case it would require a hardware redesign to certify the product for airplay and they decided against it. (it would require a new certification for all services, very expensive) Presumably the older products do have the authentication IC.

Possible, at least in theory, but still speculation. Personally I couldn't spot the MFi chip on any board unless it looked like this :

The only thing we know for sure is that a) the Ultra does not have the MFi chip and b) WiiM did start the production of the Ultra (at least in small quantities) prior to receiving Apple's formal certification. This can be called an error since it is against Apple's recommendations.

It's also possible that previous devices have been using software auth as well and that there have been other reasons for Apple to not approve WiiM's request. We simply don't know.

I don't understand your last question. The WiiM Ultra does not support AirPlay and cannot function as an AirPlay receiver.

My last question was related to the speculation that WiiM might have sold devices as AirPlay compatible receivers without any formal certification from Apple and this could simply have slipped Apple's attention. This is the most unlikely reason of all.

If that was the case, why would Apple restrict its actions just to the Ultra? They would have surely put WiiM under pressure to remove AirPlay from all devices. And sure enough Apple had the power to do this. My proof is the withdrawal of AirPlay sender capabilities from all devices preceding the Ultra. There's only one party who might have had an interest in putting that to an end and it's not WiiM ...

 

[Audiolab800]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Ultra network streamer, DAC, phono stage and preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $329.
View attachment 395569
Physical attribute are modern and attractive enough. Alas, I can't say the same thing about the graphical interface. Icons seem dated to me. They are also superfluous to what is in the App other than "now playing" screen. On that front, I am yet again disappointed by lack of volume control display even though there is plenty of room there:
View attachment 395570
Why emphasize bit rate and sample size instead of volume control? Also lacking is any indicator that you have EQ active and if so, which profile.

On that topic, the volume controls feels like it is scratching against the case. I tried to pull it out but would not move so left it alone, leaving an unsatisfying feel.

I tried to turn Ethernet off and it warned me that I would be switching to WiFi? Why is this either or instead of both being on at the same time?

Finally, there is no off switch on the UI or the unit itself:
View attachment 395571

The good news shows up when you look at the back and see such comprehensive connectivity, blowing away any stand-alone DAC or simple streamer. We have analog input, phono stage, and even HDMI ARC in addition to USB host capability. Alas, reading those names is next to impossible in most lighting/angles. As you see, I had to tilt the unit up for them to show up on the picture. Otherwise they wash away to same color as the case. Labels should be legible when looking down from above which the back is facing the wall.

The sophisticated app is there which instantly recognized the unit and allowed me to configure it. There is great value added here including proper crossover for bass management, EQ, etc.

WiiM Ultra DAC Measurements
I set up the unit for streaming over Ethernet from my Roon player and was greeted with excellent performance out of line out:
View attachment 395573
The WiiM Ultra easily makes way for itself among our very competent DACs, obviating the need to use an external one:
View attachment 395574
View attachment 395575
Noise performance is in the same class:
View attachment 395576

Multitone performance is great:
View attachment 395577

Here is the 50 Hz performance for comparison with Stereophile tests of DACs:
View attachment 395578
Linearity is perfect:
View attachment 395579

IMD test shows noise could be a bit better but distortion is nicely low:
View attachment 395580

Jitter shows some interference as we saw with WiiM Pro Plus but nto harmful to sound:
View attachment 395581

Filter attenuation beyond 24 kHz is excellent:
View attachment 395582

Frequency response is nice which is a good thing as I didn't see any option of changing the filter:
View attachment 395583

48 kHz wideband distortion+noise is not very good:
View attachment 395584
Increasing the sample rate fixed that indicating that there is some kind of noise shaping going on:
View attachment 395585

WiiM Ultra Headphone Output Measurements
I started with power testing which turned out just OK performance:
View attachment 395586
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Stepping through the various load impedances shows substantial output impedance (should be near zero):
View attachment 395588

Response is also variable. So not a serious headphone amplifier.

WiiM Ultra Phono Stage Measurements
Let's start with our dashboard using MM mode:
View attachment 395606

And MC:

View attachment 395589
Noise floor seems elevated which when added to mains noise, resulted in lackluster performance. Fortunately RIAA equalization is good:

View attachment 395590

WiiM Analog Input Measurements
I configured the analog input for 24 bit/192 Khz:
View attachment 395602

So not bad. Here is the noise performance for both 24 bit and 16:
View attachment 395603

So better override the default 16 bits.

Frequency response is nice as and wide (at 192 kHz sampling):
View attachment 395605

WiiM Ultra Bluetooh Measurements
Someone suggested that I test the Bluetooth input using LDAC codec. I spent half hour trying to enable that and I could not. My Android phone would constantly show it in gray indicating the target device doesn't support it. A quick google found the FAQ for WiiM Ultra stating that it only supports SBC and AAC. Both turned in poor performance due to the nature of those codecs and their encoders in BT application:
View attachment 395591

I highly recommend company pursue supporting LDAC.

Conclusions
WiiM Ultra nails streaming performance with an excellent codec implementation. Rich functionality is another plus as is the App. The new display didn't do much for me and if anything, was a bit of a negative even though in general I am a fan of such things. Headphone output is not useful for serious listening. Phono stage may be OK if noise is not an issue. Finally, Bluetooth support is a let down with lack of LDAC support.

I think an overhaul of the GUI with a better platform and addition of LDAC would go a long way to justify the higher cost and display.

I am going to recommend the WiiM Ultra. There is such incredible amount of capability here that when combined with excellent codec and reasonable cost, it is hard to pass on it.

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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

I'm right or wrong?
When using the Wiim Ultra as a streamer, using the PEQ either with RCA out or even better USB out to a nice DAC, this is a good as it gets...
All other functions are of none importance for me, I search a streamer supporting Deezer and local library and if possible Peq OR Dirac.
Regards,
Patrick

 

[Romario]

I'm right or wrong?
When using the Wiim Ultra as a streamer, using the PEQ either with RCA out or even better USB out to a nice DAC, this is a good as it gets...
All other functions are of none importance for me, I search a streamer supporting Deezer and local library and if possible Peq OR Dirac.
Regards,
Patrick

Wiim pro will suffice if you add an outboard DAC. But build quality and looks matter too, don't it? Or is a doorstop on the streamer also an option?

 

[Saponetto]

My 5 cents about this device, after having some hours tinkering time at my friend's den.
Good performance, very nice loungy appeal and have to say, the USB input is a great plus.
That touch display is yeah, nice to see, but is also quite limited in its useability, and it's a bummer.
A dedicated rear display port able to connect the Ultra to a touch panel could have been way more useful, imho.
Overall, I don't see the Ultra as a completely developed device.
Hence, there is no currently valid reason to dismiss my Pro Plus, if I will continue to only use its digital outputs.

 

[harkpabst]

Overall, I don't see the Ultra as a completely developed device.
Hence, there is no currently valid reason to dismiss my Pro Plus, if I will continue to only use its digital outputs.

Since WiiM keep adding new features to the Pro Plus (and improving them as they go) we must consider it not "completely developed" as well, right?

 

[Craigyp]

I’ve got my Wiim Ultra working as a streaming transport only using Roon. I use the USB output to SMSL M500 MKIII which delivers balanced to a Topping Pre90 and then out to my pair of HypeX Nilai500DIY mono blocks. All of which I’ve bought thanks to Amir’s reviews of each. It sounds superb. The small screen is a helpful display of album art and the eArc HDMI is a great input for the TV which also gives me volume control with the remote. For the price, and with these features, it’s great value. I’ve not used the native DAC and using the MM phono input via my existing chain just sounds very weird. Thanks for the review.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

That touch display is yeah, nice to see, but is also quite limited in its useability, and it's a bummer.
A dedicated rear display port able to connect the Ultra to a touch panel could have been way more useful, imho.

The WiiM app, on your phone or tablet, provides exactly this, without wires.

 

[uofmtiger]

Since WiiM keep adding new features to the Pro Plus (and improving them as they go) we must consider it not "completely developed" as well, right?

That’s the upside to Wiim devices. They are constantly evolving the firmware.

As for HDMI out vs the onboard screen, I think it depends on where you plan to use it. In my office, I have an iPad that feeds a display, so I can put the Wiim app up on the display whenever I want it. The onscreen LCD display is nice when I don’t want to go to the trouble, though. It’s is also nice and easy for switching inputs and outputs. I prefer an app for searching for music and that kind of thing. That would be tedious on a small screen device that you can’t hold in your hand.

In my living room, I would love to have an ultra with HDMI video out and an LCD built in ( when I want to listen with TV off, but want to see the artwork). I currently use a small PC in the living room that runs Wiim app when I want album art on the TV to go with my Wiim Pro. I wouldn’t mind replacing it with an Ultra, but holding out hope that they might add the video out feature eventually to an Ultra type of device.

 

[Saponetto]

The WiiM app, on your phone or tablet, provides exactly this, without wires.

This corroborates my take on it, a barely useful display.

 

[uofmtiger]

This corroborates my take on it, a barely useful display.

Personally, if it only displayed album art and the VU Meter option, I would find it useful. The fact that I can also use it to change from headphone to speakers or from Wifi to one of the inputs provides what I want the display for. Most of my use cases in my office are using it with another device (radio/computer/iPad) via RCA inputs or via Amazon Music (which can be controlled by voice with its remote).

While it wouldn't hurt my feelings to see the ability to pick music from my USB (iPod classic) I have plugged into it, I still would prefer going through a bunch of menus on my phone or iPad. The screen basically does what I need from it. In other words, its useful for my purposes with its basic features.

Darko has a video discussing LCD screens on these devices. I think you would fall on his side of that argument. Personally, it sits a few inches from my chair in my office and I find it useful.

 

[Saponetto]

Heh... I think I cannot fall on John's side about nothing, but his furnitures.
I love his lofts.

Just kidding, of course.
The Ultra is strongly aimed at people who wants to interact with it without any remote interface, the only downside I did find is that it doesn't completely reach its own target.
Of course these are just my 5 cents... Being able to tinker with it for some time just cleared many doubts I had about it.

 

[Romario]

That depends where you're coming from. I didn't have the pro +, could not see any benefit in it over the pro. But now that I have the Ultra it's quite handy to have a remote and a decent DAC inside. The screen I don"t interact with but I use it with the VU meter to know when to go below half of the output later at night. I could have done without it, for sure. Sub management and USB sealed the deal.

 

[harkpabst]

The Ultra is strongly aimed at people who wants to interact with it without any remote interface, the only downside I did find is that it doesn't completely reach its own target.

Not sure this has been the target. For most users it appears to be mostly about some fancy graphics and a clock. Playback control and the limited access to EQ settings is a bit of a bonus, but not the key feature.

WiiM does not (and from my point of view don't try to) attract those looking for an offline music player with remoteless operation. The Ultra is not a radio.

 

[mlsstl]

I find the screen on the Ultra a nice addition for displaying album art. Other that a few experimental swipes just to see what's there, I don't use the screen for control. I also had screens on my Raspberry Pi players prior to the Ultra, and a Squeezebox Touch prior to that. Besides the album art I also like the clock display when not playing music, though I wish WiiM would update the Ultra to allow a clock display more similar to the piCorePlayer display. Hopefully that's on their to-do list.

 

[JustCoolin‘]

The WiiM app, on your phone or tablet, provides exactly this, without wires.

Not entirely. Ever since I unplugged my Squeezebox Touch many years ago, I‘ve been missing/looking for a solution that makes me independent again from my phone, which I ideally leave near the front door and use it as little as possibles at home.

A device with a big, great touchscreen would be a dream come true.

 

[EJ3]

Was that in the last 10 years?

Because 2014 is when they officially became a company?

 

[Multicore]

Because 2014 is when they officially became a company?

Yes. I'm guessing it's when they started using that name.

 

[FLS3]

Not entirely. Ever since I unplugged my Squeezebox Touch many years ago, I‘ve been missing/looking for a solution that makes me independent again from my phone, which I ideally leave near the front door and use it as little as possibles at home.

A device with a big, great touchscreen would be a dream come true.

I don't understand why installing the Wiim app on a tablet isn't exactly what you're looking for?

 

[JustCoolin‘]

I don't understand why installing the Wiim app on a tablet isn't exactly what you're looking for?

Because I then have a multi-functional tablet in my living room instead of my phone, which is essentially the same thing.

It’s not a major problem and I‘ve been using phones/tablets as remotes for years, but I‘d prefer a dedicated solution, ideally an integrated touchscreen. It really doesn‘t need to be mobile. I don‘t switch tracks every few minutes.

Mind, I also don’t have a TV in my living room. I like to keep things simple and distraction-free.

I am basicllay looking for a modern Squeezebox Touch. Thought the upcoming Bluenode Icon might be it, but the screen is not a Touchscreen.

Either way, knowing Linkplay, there’ll be a few more Ultras in the next few years, one of them might just be what I am looking for. I am not I a hurry.

 

[uofmtiger]

Because I then have a multi-functional tablet in my living room instead of my phone, which is essentially the same thing.

It’s not a major problem and I‘ve been using phones/tablets as remotes for years, but I‘d prefer a dedicated solution, ideally an integrated touchscreen. It really doesn‘t need to be mobile. I don‘t switch tracks every few minutes.

Mind, I also don’t have a TV in my living room. I like to keep things simple and distraction-free.

I am basicllay looking for a modern Squeezebox Touch. Thought the upcoming Bluenode Icon might be it, but the screen is not a Touchscreen.

Either way, knowing Linkplay, there’ll be a few more Ultras in the next few years, one of them might just be what I am looking for. I am not I a hurry.

I think Fiio makes some streamers built around Android ( just a strapped down phone for the most part) that might fit your needs. Most people are used to interacting with their phones or tablets, so we may never see such a device from Wiim.