WiiM Amp Ultra Review: A Streaming Amplifier in a League of Its Own
Credits: Harish Jonnalagadda | androidcentral.com
The new WiiM Amp Ultra continues WiiM’s mission to make high-performance streaming amplifiers more accessible. Priced at around $529 USD, this model represents a major step forward for the brand—offering higher power output, a built-in display, and premium construction while keeping setup refreshingly simple.
Design and Build Quality
WiiM has always impressed with its minimalist yet high-quality approach to design, and the Amp Ultra is no exception. The brushed aluminium chassis looks and feels premium, with excellent heat management and a front-mounted rotary volume knob for tactile control.
At first glance, the Amp Ultra shares some DNA with the earlier Amp Pro, but the newer model is slightly larger and heavier. The 3.5-inch colour display is a welcome addition, allowing users to control playback, view album art, and monitor volume levels without reaching for an app.
Even among higher-priced competitors, few amplifiers manage to look this elegant or feel as robust.
Setup and Ease of Use
Like most WiiM products, setup is simple and intuitive. Once connected to power and your preferred speakers, the device can be configured in minutes through the WiiM Home app. The app provides access to all key functions—network setup, source selection, and EQ adjustments—through a clean, modern interface.
WiiM’s new Voice Remote 2, included with the Amp Ultra, makes operation even more seamless. The Bluetooth-connected remote features a sleek metallic design, USB-C charging, four programmable presets, and a dedicated mute button. The only drawback noted in testing was the lack of backlit keys.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Connectivity is one of the Amp Ultra’s biggest strengths. The rear panel features gold-plated speaker terminals, a dedicated subwoofer output, HDMI ARC, optical and RCA inputs, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures fast and stable pairing, and the unit integrates easily with modern home setups—including TVs.
For users looking to expand beyond stereo, two WiiM Amps can be paired to create a Dolby 5.1 system, giving the platform serious home theatre potential.
Audio Performance and DAC Architecture
The Amp Ultra is powered by dual Texas Instruments TPA3255 amplifier chips, producing 100 watts per channel into 8Ω and 200 watts into 4Ω. It uses the ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC paired with OPA1612 op-amps, supporting up to 192kHz/24-bit audio.
The result is clean, detailed sound with excellent dynamic range and low distortion. When paired with Wharfedale Linton speakers, reviewer Harish Jonnalagadda reported effortless drive, clear midrange detail, and balanced tonal character. Even at higher volumes, the Amp Ultra maintained control and composure without audible strain.
Streaming and Software Experience
The WiiM Home app remains one of the most polished in its category. It integrates all major streaming platforms including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Chromecast Audio, DLNA, and Roon Ready compatibility.
Roon integration in particular stood out in testing, allowing seamless control of multi-room playback and high-resolution music streaming from a unified interface.
The app also provides granular 10-band EQ control, adjustable brightness and standby settings, subwoofer crossover management, and custom clock faces for the front display. Users can even save unique EQ profiles per input source—a feature usually found in far more expensive systems.
Room Correction and Smart Features
The Amp Ultra introduces RoomFit EQ, WiiM’s automatic room correction system. Using a smartphone’s built-in microphone, RoomFit measures room acoustics and applies tailored adjustments to improve balance and clarity. The process is quick, effective, and can make a noticeable difference in most living spaces.
The only omission noted in Android Central’s review is Apple AirPlay 2 support. While its absence may disappoint some iOS users, it doesn’t detract from the overall experience for the majority of listeners.
Real-World Performance
In real-world use, the Amp Ultra’s performance easily justifies its price. It delivers fast, detailed playback and drives demanding speakers with authority. The tonal balance feels refined yet lively—ideal for both music and TV audio.
After two months of daily use, Jonnalagadda concluded that the Amp Ultra “delivers everything I need in a streaming amplifier.” It’s reliable, powerful, and impressively refined for its cost.
Verdict
With its excellent build quality, broad streaming support, integrated touchscreen, and automatic room correction, the WiiM Amp Ultra offers exceptional value in the $500–$600 category.
It’s perfect for listeners seeking a clean, high-fidelity solution that combines amplifier, DAC, and streamer into one cohesive package. For those new to hi-fi, it provides an easy entry point into serious sound quality. For experienced users, it’s a feature-packed all-rounder that’s hard to beat.