WiiM Amp Ultra Review – Compact Hi-Fi Amp with Impressive Sound

Explore how the WiiM Amp Ultra delivers solid hi-fi sound in a sleek, compact design perfect for modern music streaming setups.

A Stylish and Affordable Streaming Amp That Packs a Punch

Looking for a compact, stylish, and affordable music streaming system? The WiiM Amp Ultra amplifier might just be the answer. With its competitive price, elegant design, and modest footprint, this amplifier pairs wonderfully with a set of quality small speakers, making it an ideal solution for many music lovers.

WiiM has been stirring up the accessible Hi-Fi scene for several years now, shaking up expectations about what can be achieved without breaking the bank. Their Amp Ultra sits at the premium end of their trio of streaming amplifiers, blending a versatile streaming module, convenient connectivity options, and a surprising 100-watt output per channel, all wrapped up in a sleek chassis.

While the Ultra undoubtedly boasts the best specs of the set, the higher price tag also raises the bar for performance and experience.

Availability and Pricing

WiiM has been gaining traction and is fairly well represented across specialty Hi-Fi stores and popular online marketplaces. The Amp Ultra, as a newcomer, is available for pre-order and purchase through several distributors. Its current approximate retail price is around $700 to $850, positioning it competitively within its niche.

Using WiiM Amp Ultra with Local Streaming Services

From a user experience standpoint, the Amp Ultra is a breeze. The dedicated WiiM Home app software, available on both iOS and Android, offers smooth, stable operation with support for multiple languages. It integrates seamlessly with popular streaming platforms, including Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, and even local favorites via Bluetooth and Google Cast.

One small caveat for Apple aficionados: AirPlay 2 support is missing. For those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, that might be a dealbreaker, but for most others, the device offers hassle-free setup without any finicky tweaks.

Build Quality That Impresses

First impressions? Absolutely positive. It’s almost unbelievable that such a sophisticated device is available at this price point. The Amp Ultra screams quality, with a design language that clearly tips a hat to Apple’s clean aesthetics — a high compliment in my book. Compared to similarly priced rivals like the Bluesound Powernode Edge amplifier, the Amp Ultra looks and feels far more refined.

Crafted from solid aluminum, its chassis is borrowed from the acclaimed standalone WiiM Ultra streamer. It comes in two finishes: a cool “space gray” (our test unit) and a classic silver.

The front panel features a sharp and responsive 3.5-inch touchscreen alongside a multifunctional rotary knob that feels just right under your fingers. This knob handles volume, play/pause, and various settings with satisfying tactile feedback.

While many will control the amp via the app, which is user-friendly and quick to set up, there’s also a handsome rechargeable metal remote control. It’s straightforward, intuitive, and easily outshines the typical flimsy plastic remotes most brands bundle.

Features and Connectivity

The Amp Ultra offers a sensible balance in sound customization without overwhelming complexity. It includes RoomFit room calibration using your phone’s microphone, several EQ presets, and a parametric equalizer for finer tuning.

In our acoustically treated space, RoomFit produced mixed results — enhancing tonal balance and bass richness but slightly dulling dynamic punch. Still, this feature can be a helpful fix for less-than-ideal environments.

The streaming capabilities are just as expected: support for network streaming, internet radio, and all the usual suspects like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Deezer. Google Cast is built-in, but the absence of AirPlay remains a slight disappointment.

Around the back, you’ll find a USB Type-A port for flash drives, which can also output a digital signal to an external DAC if you prefer. Though, honestly, adding an external DAC to this versatile amp seems a bit over the top.

WiiM Amp Ultra Specifications

At the heart lies the highly regarded ESS ES9039Q2M Sabre DAC chip, supporting PCM files up to 24-bit/192kHz. While our review unit played DSD files, it converted them to PCM on the fly.

Bluetooth 5.3 offers two-way functionality: use your phone or computer as a source or stream sound to compatible headphones. Pairing with an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max smartphone and Mark Levinson No.5909 headphones was seamless and quick.

The physical ports include HDMI ARC for easy AV integration, optical input, a single stereo RCA input, and a subwoofer output. Personally, I’d love an extra analog input to connect both a CD player and a turntable (the latter needing an external phono preamp, of course).

The lack of a wired headphone jack is a drawback for those who prefer traditional wired listening.

Design and Power Performance

Given its size, price, and lack of external heat sinks, I’m impressed by the 100W per channel power rating. The Class D amplification architecture, claiming to deliver double power at 4 ohms, holds up well during stress tests. The amp runs cool even under heavy use, though leaving space around it is wise for ventilation.

WiiM uses a “post-filter feedback” Class D design to reduce acoustic dependence, and it shows: tonal balance and sound character stay consistent across different speaker types.

We tested with budget-friendly Dali Kubik Free speakers and Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 speakers, mid-tier KEF LS50 Meta speakers, and even premium ATC SCM50 speakers. For analogue and optical input tests, a Cyrus CDi CD player was used.

All told, the amp exceeds expectations for its price, with excellent build quality and smart features. My good impressions persisted during listening, though there were areas I wished could be better.

Sound Quality That’s Clean and Clear

The Amp Ultra offers clean, articulate sound with good detail retrieval. Listening to orchestral masterpieces like Orff's "Carmina Burana," the amp maintained impressive coherence and organization.

Thanks to its ample power reserve, intense crescendos come through crisply and controlled. Even at louder volumes, it avoids harshness or tension, preserving instrument separation nicely.

The overall tonal balance is fairly neutral, and the EQ options let you tweak the sound to your taste—though altering EQ settings can slightly reduce clarity and articulation.

The soundstage feels spacious and authoritative, yet on an absolute scale, the amp can sound a touch dry and lacks some fullness. Considering its price, this is a reasonable tradeoff.

However, the limited dynamic nuance is harder to overlook. Like its cheaper siblings, the Ultra struggles to convey subtle intensity shifts and dramatic contrasts. The sound is pleasant and refined but misses some emotional depth.

This shortfall shows when playing tracks like Daft Punk’s "Get Lucky" or AR Rahman’s "Chaiyya Chaiyya," where a little more rhythmic precision and drive would boost engagement. Still, the midrange is open and natural, letting vocals shine, and the highs are balanced between brightness and smoothness. Down low, bass notes are robust and well-presented.

One more plus: the amp is forgiving of lower-quality recordings, never making them sound worse—a comforting feature for those who prioritize their favorite music over audiophile-grade files.

Final Verdict on the WiiM Amp Ultra

Despite some sound quality limitations, the WiiM Amp Ultra amplifier claims a solid place in the market. It’s compact, stylish, and user-friendly. I’m still amazed that such a premium-feeling product exists at a price point far below many competitors.

It sounds better than many cheaper alternatives, and while its dynamics and rhythmic precision leave room for improvement, it remains a highly enjoyable companion for everyday music listening.

If you’re not an audiophile who demands absolute sonic perfection, but want a straightforward, convenient audio solution with a bit of flair, the Amp Ultra is well worth a look.

Ratings Summary

• Sound: 4/5
• Build Quality: 5/5
• Features: 4/5

Amp Ultra sounds clean and controlled with excellent detail, though it lacks some dynamic nuance.

FAQ

• What streaming services does the WiiM Amp Ultra support?
  It supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, Google Cast, internet radio, and Bluetooth 5.3.
• Is there support for Apple AirPlay 2?
  No, AirPlay 2 is not supported, which may affect users within the Apple ecosystem.
• Can the Amp Ultra be controlled without the app?
  Yes, it comes with a rechargeable metal remote that’s intuitive and easy to use.
• What are the physical inputs and outputs?
  It has one line-in (RCA), USB Type-A, HDMI ARC, optical input, and a subwoofer output.
• Does it have a headphone jack?
  There is no wired headphone output, but Bluetooth headphones can be paired.

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