WiiM Amp to Amp Ultra: Worth it?

[hdmkv]

Looking for some advice. I have the Amp and have been happy w/it. Driving Klipsch RP-8000F floorstanders w/a Dayton Audio 12" sub.

How much of an upgrade would Amp Ultra be? Audio quality mostly. The extra power is a nice to have for the medium-sized room I have. Don't need AirPlay. Touchscreen is a nice to have, not necessary as I use the app.

Mostly listen to 24-bit and 16-bit FLAC's. Barely any streaming services. Don't need it for TV audio.

 

[Mr Ee]

There are quite a few posts on this (or v. similar) topic.
e.g. here's one of my shorter ones which refers to amp pro and amp ultra.

Post in thread 'Considering buying WiiM Amp Ultra or Eversolo Play Amp.'

Jul 21, 2025

I doubt the Ultra Amp is a big upgrade over the Pro

Depending on the speakers I think the amp ultra can be a huge upgrade over the amp pro.
I'm running the amp ultra in my office. For that nearfield listening, smaller speakers, smaller room it's perfect
And with a decent usb headphone dac next to it, it's better than perfect.
Enjoy!

• Mr Ee

• 

I also wrote about vibelink vs amp pro in a bit more detail.
imo the vibelink and amp ultra are "identical" from a sound viewpoint.

 

[Fernandodelae]

I have an Amp (1st version) and also delighted with it, it basically brought me back to Hifi after many years away from it. That said, I do believe the Amp Ultra is a Substantial and worthy upgrade, specially If you find a way to sell your existing Amp or move it as a secondary system in a mother section of the house. The upgraded DAC, PFF, upgraded power supplies, touch screen, increased power, possibility of driving 4 speakers of 8 ohms in parallel, definitely speak for itself. If it's within your budget, there`s not much to think about. For me its a very strong nice to have, but in my case it `ll have to wait.

 

[Eddie Spaghetti]

After just over 6 months with the Amp Pro, I upgraded to the Amp Ultra, and it was absolutely worth it. I’m driving Paradigm Monitor SE 6000F’s, and at the time, a JBL PSW1000 sub in my living room that’s approximately 13’x18’. The Amp Pro definitely sounded good, but it wasn’t quite giving me the volume I want when I’m in the mood to kick it up a bit. The Amp Ultra gives me that when I want it, but it also provides better definition across the sound spectrum, even at lower listening levels. Everything just sounds better.

 

[hdmkv]

Thanks guys, appreciate your impressions.

I’m driving Paradigm Monitor SE 6000F’s, and at the time, a JBL PSW1000 sub in my living room that’s approximately 13’x18’. The Amp Pro definitely sounded good, but it wasn’t quite giving me the volume I want when I’m in the mood to kick it up a bit. The Amp Ultra gives me that when I want it, but it also provides better definition across the sound spectrum, even at lower listening levels. Everything just sounds better.

Believe my Klipsch towers, also 8 ohms, would be similar, thanks.

There are quite a few posts on this (or v. similar) topic.
e.g. here's one of my shorter ones which refers to amp pro and amp ultra.

Post in thread 'Considering buying WiiM Amp Ultra or Eversolo Play Amp.'

Jul 21, 2025

I doubt the Ultra Amp is a big upgrade over the Pro

Depending on the speakers I think the amp ultra can be a huge upgrade over the amp pro.
I'm running the amp ultra in my office. For that nearfield listening, smaller speakers, smaller room it's perfect
And with a decent usb headphone dac next to it, it's better than perfect.
Enjoy!

• Mr Ee

• 

I also wrote about vibelink vs amp pro in a bit more detail.
imo the vibelink and amp ultra are "identical" from a sound viewpoint.

Thanks, but didn't see anything specific to Amp vs Amp Ultra, and how much of an upgrade that would be.

 

[hdmkv]

Well, that didn't take much convincing... LOL !

 

[Mr Ee]

Thanks, but didn't see anything specific to Amp vs Amp Ultra, and how much of an upgrade that would be.

I was inviting you to do a bit of searching
But pretty much everything everyone else said above.
And I see you already went for it!

 

[Woody]

I swapped the WiiM Amp for the Ultra and I could tell an improvement in sound quality.
Plus I took the Amp and connected it to two sets of outdoor speakers, which was a very noticeable improvement in sound quality over my Fosi Amps and Echo device.

 

[hdmkv]

So, got my Amp Ultra and yes, there's an improvement in quality, but from initial listening, not by a lot. Sounds brighter at lower volume & better (richer, deeper, bass-ier) at mid-to-high volumes.

Maybe I need better speakers than my Klipsch RP-8000F floorstanders. Had Triangle BOREA BR03's at one point; wish I had not sold them so I could audition w/Amp Ultra. Thinking maybe I should go good quality bookshelfs vs. the Klipsch I have now.

Like w/old Wiim Amp, I like the Bass Booster EQ best, even w/my sub in the mix & set to 10db higher than what room correction yielded.

Bottom line: after an hour of so of listening to Amp Ultra, I'm finding it better, but not twice the price better.

 

[Mr Ee]

Bottom line: after an hour of so of listening to Amp Ultra, I'm finding it better, but not twice the price better.

I both agree and disagree

(My comparison is amp pro vs amp ultra.)
In all my setups the amp ultra was certainly better, but the amp pro was decent enough (esp after room correction) on a few of them so maybe not twice the price better.
However, in my main setup, with the Paradigm Founders, the amp ultra was hugely better than the amp pro. Or, more accurately, the amp pro was simply not capable of making the Founders sing at all and sounded dull and boring.

Hence my rather non-specific comment in the post I linked to.
"Depending on the speakers I think the amp ultra can be a huge upgrade over the amp pro."

 

[hdmkv]

Thanks… that’s what I’m wondering, that my Klipsch towers aren’t that great, or I really don’t like their sound quality or type of sound.

 

[slartibartfast]

So, got my Amp Ultra and yes, there's an improvement in quality, but from initial listening, not by a lot. Sounds brighter at lower volume & better (richer, deeper, bass-ier) at mid-to-high volumes.

Maybe I need better speakers than my Klipsch RP-8000F floorstanders. Had Triangle BOREA BR03's at one point; wish I had not sold them so I could audition w/Amp Ultra. Thinking maybe I should go good quality bookshelfs vs. the Klipsch I have now.

Like w/old Wiim Amp, I like the Bass Booster EQ best, even w/my sub in the mix & set to 10db higher than what room correction yielded.

Bottom line: after an hour of so of listening to Amp Ultra, I'm finding it better, but not twice the price better.

Which target curve are you using for room correction? Are you using Bass Booster EQ on top of the RoomFit room correction? That function was only available very recently.

 

[dominikz]

So, got my Amp Ultra and yes, there's an improvement in quality, but from initial listening, not by a lot.

IMHO, while it may be an unpopular thing to say, this is not such an unexpected result. If the original WiiM Amp didn't clip (or shutdown) with your speakers, it shouldn't be a large audible difference.
Main difference would be very slightly higher overall level with WiiM Amp Ultra due to the higher power, and <1dB frequency response difference at very high frequencies due to PFFB. In any case it shouldn't be anywhere close to a night and day difference (unless the original Amp was seriously overdriven). Perhaps you may find this recent thread I started interesting.

Maybe I need better speakers than my Klipsch RP-8000F floorstanders.

These look like very solid loudspeakers to me, looking at the Audioholics review, and the EAC review of their second version.

Of course I'm not saying everybody should just be happy with the original Amp or the Amp Pro; the extra power, stability into low impedance loads, PFFB and the inclusion of the screen might all be reasons to consider the Amp Ultra - even if the audible differences may be less than many expect.

 

[hdmkv]

Which target curve are you using for room correction? Are you using Bass Booster EQ on top of the RoomFit room correction? That function was only available very recently.

Yes, did Room Fit followed by Bass Booster EQ.

@dominikz, thanks for your unfiltered thoughts. The Amp generally had decent power for my mid-sized room (15' x 18')--occasionally when I turned up the volume, I'd start getting a bit of distortion & needed to dial it down some.

The main reasons I got the Amp Ultra are:
- More power, especially as I understand from reviews & user postings that my Klipsch's are more power hungry
- Better sound quality: Not expecting night & day, but a consistently noticeable difference given 'better' DAC

Need to test more before deciding whether to keep or stick w/original Amp. Have a hopefully varied playlist of tunes :
Cannons - Loving You (24/48)
Collective Soul - Shine (16/44)
Daft Punk - Get Lucky (24/88)
Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence (24/96)
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing (24/88)
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (24/96)
Foreigner - Juke Box Hero (24/88)
Metallica - Master of Puppets (24/96)
Paul Simon - Graceland (24/96)
Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes (24/96)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (24/96)
Steve Winwood - Higher Love (16/44)

 

[Fernandodelae]

Yes, did Room Fit followed by Bass Booster EQ.

@dominikz, thanks for your unfiltered thoughts. The Amp generally had decent power for my mid-sized room (15' x 18')--occasionally when I turned up the volume, I'd start getting a bit of distortion & needed to dial it down some.

The main reasons I got the Amp Ultra are:
- More power, especially as I understand from reviews & user postings that my Klipsch's are more power hungry
- Better sound quality: Not expecting night & day, but a consistently noticeable difference given 'better' DAC

Need to test more before deciding whether to keep or stick w/original Amp. Have a hopefully varied playlist of tunes :
Cannons - Loving You (24/48)
Collective Soul - Shine (16/44)
Daft Punk - Get Lucky (24/88)
Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence (24/96)
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing (24/88)
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (24/96)
Foreigner - Juke Box Hero (24/88)
Metallica - Master of Puppets (24/96)
Paul Simon - Graceland (24/96)
Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes (24/96)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (24/96)
Steve Winwood - Higher Love (16/44)

Now that`s a handsome playlist you got there, of my complete taste.

I think you're better off keep keeping the Amp Ultra, while the original W Amp is an awesome piece of equipment to drive a secondary setup with smaller, bookshelf speakers.

 

[hdmkv]

Did a lot of testing, and feel Amp Ultra's sound quality is like 25% better than Amp. Not scientific by any means, just based on subjective listening tests. Also asked my wife & two kids (17- & 20-year old) to give me their impressions. A significant plus w/Amp Ultra is that it can handle louder volumes & do so better. So, keeping the Amp Ultra & will eBay off the Amp.

The display is a nice to have, but pretty useless for touch-screen use (as the app is far more convenient) & from my listening position 11' back, can't really see the cover artwork, or even the VU meter that well. The clock is nice to see when device is in standby.

What I did do was test the playlist above w/different speakers I had on hand—Emotiva T0+ floorstanders, and clarity/details stood out more than Klipsch's. Bass is a little better on latter, and it can handle louder volumes a little better, but sound quality overall was better on the Emotiva. Now, this is the rabbit hole of electronics... I'm wondering how much better higher-end Emotivas might be, or another pair of quality speakers. Curious what you all have & how you like them.

 

[slartibartfast]

Did a lot of testing, and feel Amp Ultra's sound quality is like 25% better than Amp. Not scientific by any means, just based on subjective listening tests. Also asked my wife & two kids (17- & 20-year old) to give me their impressions. A significant plus w/Amp Ultra is that it can handle louder volumes & do so better. So, keeping the Amp Ultra & will eBay off the Amp.

The display is a nice to have, but pretty useless for touch-screen use (as the app is far more convenient) & from my listening position 11' back, can't really see the cover artwork, or even the VU meter that well. The clock is nice to see when device is in standby.

What I did do was test the playlist above w/different speakers I had on hand—Emotiva T0+ floorstanders, and clarity/details stood out more than Klipsch's. Bass is a little better on latter, and it can handle louder volumes a little better, but sound quality overall was better on the Emotiva. Now, this is the rabbit hole of electronics... I'm wondering how much better higher-end Emotivas might be, or another pair of quality speakers. Curious what you all have & how you like them.

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Did you try running RoomFit? It might sound even better.

 

[DazST]

That looks like a lovely room to spend hours listening to music hdmkv.

 

[hdmkv]

Did you try running RoomFit? It might sound even better.

Yes. Is it better to pick an EQ type, then run Room Fit? Other way around? Or, doesn't matter?

 

[Burnside]

Roomfit ignores EQ either way.