WiiM Amp Ultra Now Available on Amazon!

Starting on Tuesday 6/17, the WiiM Amp Ultra is available for purchase on Amazon in the USA and Canada at $529 (US), and will be available on the EU and UK Amazon stores soon.

The WiiM Amp Ultra is designed for those who demand both power and precision in their audio setups. Featuring advanced Class-D amplification with 100 Watts per channel at 8 Ohm, ESS high-performance DAC, and streaming capabilities, it delivers crystal-clear sound with deep bass and rich details. Whether you're looking for seamless connectivity, multi-room audio, or high-resolution playback, Amp Ultra has you covered.

Key Features:
High-performance streaming amplifier with robust power output that delivers 100W per channel at 8Ω or 200W at 4Ω
ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC for superior sound quality
Multiple streaming services and advanced connectivity options
Multi-zone and multi-room audio capabilities
Customizable EQ settings for personalized sound

WiiM Amp Ultra is built to simplify and elevate your home audio experience with a streamlined design. It's the perfect upgrade whether you're a seasoned audiophile or just diving into high-fidelity streaming.

Learn more about the Amp Ultra here.

Stay tuned for updates, and let us know how you're planning to integrate the Amp Ultra!

 

[DazST]

If you have, for example, a usb dac / headphone amp connected via usb to the wiim then when you turn that dac on the wiim will auto switch to usb output (and hence no longer speaker output for the amps) and when you turn it off it'll switch back.
How's the sound? Probably depends on the dac / headphone amp / headphones, but mine is superb this way from an ultra, amp pro and amp ultra.
eq is retained by default, but it's also pretty easy to have a smart preset which sets things up for headphone listening and another for speakers.
Yes, the inputs / outputs are more limited on the wiim amps than some other products, so of course if they don't meet your needs then by all means look at something else that is better suited.

I didn't realise the amp ultra could auto-detect and switch between speaker and usb (with headphone amp connected) output. If that's the case then I'm even happier that I ordered one! I currently have an ultra connected to a Yamaha amp and seperate fiio headphone amp/dac but the ultra doesn't automatically switch outputs (at least I've not been able to set it up to do so). I decided to get the amp ultra to simplify my system so if this auto switching works I'll be well chuffed!

 

[Mr Ee]

I didn't realise the amp ultra could auto-detect and switch between speaker and usb (with headphone amp connected) output. If that's the case then I'm even happier that I ordered one! I currently have an ultra connected to a Yamaha amp and seperate fiio headphone amp/dac but the ultra doesn't automatically switch outputs (at least I've not been able to set it up to do so). I decided to get the amp ultra to simplify my system so if this auto switching works I'll be well chuffed!

Prepare to be well chuffed!
The first time you turn on the dac you'll need to manually switch to it. After that it ought to auto switch between the two, unless you manually choose a different output (bluetooth in the amp's case).

 

[DazST]

Prepare to be well chuffed!
The first time you turn on the dac you'll need to manually switch to it. After that it ought to auto switch between the two, unless you manually choose a different outout (bluetooth in the amp's case).

That's awesome, thanks. Am I right that this wasn't possible with the original ultra?

 

[Mr Ee]

That's awesome, thanks. Am I right that this wasn't possible with the original ultra?

Maybe. Sort of. But no...

The ultra (streamer) didn't have usb output when launched, but that's exactly how I use mine right now - either optical to a vibelink or usb out to a fiio dac/hp amp. I simply turn on / off the fiio to switch between the two outputs.

 

[dangermouse]

Can’t possibly include everything for everybody. If a WiiM unit doesn’t have everything you need, then you obviously need something else. These amps provide everything that a lot of users are looking for (like me). If you want every possible combination of inputs and outputs, plenty of other brands already make boxes for that. But you’re not going to get the same sound quality and streaming features with all that other stuff at this price point.

This post should be made a sticky at the top of every thread.

 

[Houma]

This post should be made a sticky at the top of every thread.

Sorry. But I can't agree. A headphone jack should be essential for a so-called all-in-one device. If I have to buy additional devices to use headphones, that's a no-go for me. I'd rather consider a classic device. For example, a Yamaha R-S 600N. It can do and has everything I need to listen to music. That's my opinion. Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves what they want and need.

 

[dangermouse]

Sorry. But I can't agree. A headphone jack should be essential for a so-called all-in-one device. If I have to buy additional devices to use headphones, that's a no-go for me. I'd rather consider a classic device. For example, a Yamaha R-S 600N. It can do and has everything I need to listen to music. That's my opinion. Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves what they want and need.

Exactly! That was the point I was making.

 

[harkpabst]

It can do and has everything I need to listen to music. That's my opinion. Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves what they want and need.

Or in plain German: You ain't everybody and everybody ain't you.

So far none of WiiM's all-in-one network stereo amplifiers featured a headphone output and they're selling like hot cake. The WiiM Ultra network stereo preceiver OTOH has been criticised for his headphone output not being good enough for high-end headphones. If I was in WiiM's shoes, I know what I would have done with the WiiM Amp Ultra.

 

[slartibartfast]

Or in plain German: You ain't everybody and everybody ain't you.

So far none of WiiM's all-in-one network stereo amplifiers featured a headphone output and they're selling like hot cake. The WiiM Ultra network stereo preceiver OTOH has been criticised for his headphone output not being good enough for high-end headphones. If I was in WiiM's shoes, I know what I would have done with the WiiM Amp Ultra.

Exactly. If you provide a feature like built in digital phono pre-amp or headphone socket at least as many will complain about it as praise it

 

[dominikz]

A headphone jack should be essential for a so-called all-in-one device.

It might be essential for a *desktop* all-in-one device, where you sit close enough to it to connect a wired headphone.
Not sure if that was the primary use-case driving WiiM Amp Ultra design, though!

As others have said, in the end any combination of features will please some users and displease others - such is life!

 

[Houma]

Everything you say here may be true. I absolutely don't want to start a fight. I just have a different opinion. But allow me to ask why this was possible with the Ultra? So why not with the amplifier? It probably wasn't a question of price. But whatever.

 

[EddNog]

...It probably wasn't a question of price. But whatever.

Given the...amazingly, "high performance," of the Ultra's included headphone out, I'm inclined to agree with this.

I guess it's fine if you actually sit right in front of your WiiM Ultra and are perfectly happy powering some small IEMs or earbuds with it, but for any serious cans, that included head-amp isn't exactly the best. Granted, from an overall performance standpoint, it probably still outclasses the phono input. Anyone with serious cans will want a serious external DAC/amp anyway, which will be able to hook up to the USB output, also as previously mentioned by others. That kind of gets around the whole needing to sit directly in front of the streamer, too; you can run a long USB cable to the separate DAC/amp wherever you sit and listen to your headphones.

I know my WiiM Ultra is almost 10 feet away from my listening position, personally.

-Ed

 

[dominikz]

Everything you say here may be true. I absolutely don't want to start a fight. I just have a different opinion. But allow me to ask why this was possible with the Ultra? So why not with the amplifier? It probably wasn't a question of price. But whatever.

A built-in in headphone amp could have been added to the Amp Ultra; I didn't mean to imply that this was impossible to do. It was almost certainly just a decision not to add it. We can only guess the reasons, I'm afraid.

 

[Danny Linguini]

A built-in in headphone amp could have been added to the Amp Ultra; I didn't mean to imply that this was impossible to do. It was almost certainly just a decision not to add it. We can only guess the reasons, I'm afraid.

Two considerations immediately come to mind playing into that decision, though I’m sure there are more.

1, use cases: 100 watts is a decently powerful amp that is more likely to be used in larger than near-field sized areas than an office. I say more likely, not exclusively.

2, the proliferation of very good quality Bluetooth phones. Combined with what @EddNog noted above (higher end cans likely having a better amp to go with them), and one can see how it wouldn’t add much value for most users.

Interesting to me, following this thread I never even knew there was such a thing as a separate headphone amp. I just assumed if you had a device with no headphone jack, your only option was a USB connection of some sort or Bluetooth. The things you never knew you never knew.

 

[DazST]

I'm predicting they didn't include a headphone jack because the next new WiiM product is going to be a dedicated headphone amp/dac!

In all seriousness, I was also initially disappointed that the amp ultra didn't have a headphone amp. At that time I was using the wiim ultra headphone jack, but then I got a better pair of headphones and quickly noticed how limited the ultra jack was. So I bought a cheap-ish seperate headphone amp and now wouldn’t go back to an in-built jack on an integrated amp.

 

[Houma]

I like hearing that. It's just a shame that it would mean just another device sitting around. Integrated into the amplifier would be much better, in my opinion. Also for the looks. Why would anyone buy devices this size? Phono preamplifiers, headphone DACs, everything just sits around. You see a lot of cables and have to buy them. When you add up the money, you'll naturally consider a complete solution.

 

[AlanB]

I'm 10 days into my new Amp Ultra and loving it. I bought mine from Peter Tyson's. If you're like me who these days only listens to internet radio, Spotify, or mostly my library of 30000+ tracks on a NAS, then I think it's perfect. My CD collection is now up in the loft, having realised a few weeks ago that I've not actually played a CD this year. Nothing too fancy on the speaker front (Dali Oberon 1 bookshelves) but perfectly acceptable to me. The app is a breeze to use too.

I haven't played a CD since I got my Logitech Squeezebox (now replaced by a WiiM Pro) 15 years ago.

 

[Dibster]

I haven't played a CD since I got my Logitech Squeezebox (now replaced by a WiiM Pro) 15 years ago.

I loved my old Squeezebox Touch, I used to think it was the greatest bit of kit ever. For streaming from my PC and NAS or internet radio it was an absolute star. I only changed after I fried mine because after messing about with different power supplies I put 12v through it rather than the correct 5v one. Doh! The best part about it was the ease of use and the screen, and ever since I just cannot live without a screen.

 

[RyanWithWiiM]

Thanks for keeping it friendly even when disagreeing, everyone! I asked about the microphone output in a discussion with the product manager behind the Amp Ultra, and he shared a little look into the background:

"When we designed the Amp Ultra, we focused on creating a streamlined, powerful amplifier tailored for speaker-focused setups. Including a headphone output would’ve introduced additional design complexity, circuitry, and, in some cases, performance trade-offs in thermals and layout."

When building a product, the cost of everything you're putting into it matters from a pricing perspective, and it also changes the internal and external form factor. While it's easy to point at an open spot on the outside of the box and say "there could be a headphone port here", there might not have been space on the inside for the components needed, or they could have obstructed too much airflow and caused overheating.

Sometimes we have to get pretty ruthless with additional physical components when it comes to meeting the primary expectations of the overall product design.

 

[Danny Linguini]

Thanks for keeping it friendly even when disagreeing, everyone! I asked about the microphone output in a discussion with the product manager behind the Amp Ultra, and he shared a little look into the background:

"When we designed the Amp Ultra, we focused on creating a streamlined, powerful amplifier tailored for speaker-focused setups. Including a headphone output would’ve introduced additional design complexity, circuitry, and, in some cases, performance trade-offs in thermals and layout."

When building a product, the cost of everything you're putting into it matters from a pricing perspective, and it also changes the internal and external form factor. While it's easy to point at an open spot on the outside of the box and say "there could be a headphone port here", there might not have been space on the inside for the components needed, or they could have obstructed too much airflow and caused overheating.

Sometimes we have to get pretty ruthless with additional physical components when it comes to meeting the primary expectations of the overall product design.

I knew there had to be a bit more to it than finding space for a 3.5mm hole.

Thank you this info!