WiiM’s new digital hub is insanely great value

The new WiiM Ultra has been positioned as the “ultimate digital hub for your music,” providing an affordable yet high-performance streaming experience that’s both appealing and accessible to audiophiles on a budget.

After the success of previous models like the WiiM Amp, WiiM Pro and Pro Plus, WiiM has stepped up to meet the challenge of high-end rivals like Eversolo, which launched the popular DMP-A6 around the same time. While Eversolo has recently pushed into the high-end market, WiiM has doubled down on value, adding the Ultra to their lineup alongside the Mini, Pro, Pro+ and Amp, each unit refining the brand’s commitment to audio quality and functionality. With this latest release, WiiM seems to aim to deliver the sound quality and connectivity of a top-tier device without the hefty price tag.

Design and Build Quality

The packaging follows the WiiM standard: a sleek white box with a full-colour image of the device and clear indications of its streaming capabilities. Inside, users will find the main unit, a straightforward user guide, and two accessory boxes. One box contains the power cable, Bluetooth remote, and phono ground adapter, while the other includes HDMI, RCA and optical cables, giving users everything they need to get started right out of the box.

WiiM has crafted the Ultra with a minimalist, clean aesthetic that effortlessly blends into many modern setups. The device is compact and lightweight, no bigger than a single splayed hand, making it easy to fit into even the most minimalist setups. The sleek gloss black front and rounded edges are in line with the design language of WiiM’s other products, echoing the look and feel of an Apple Mac Mini as I’ve mentioned in previous reviews of their products.

The device has a simple interface with a single dial and small 3.5” touchscreen display on the front, which provides all necessary information and functionality in the absence of using the app or remote, and even doubles as a customisable VU meter during playback.

On the connectivity side, the Ultra is confidently robust. The back of the unit features a phono input (complete with grounding plug), two sets of analogue inputs and an analogue output, a subwoofer output, coaxial output, optical in and out, HDMI ARC, USB output, Ethernet, and a trigger output, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of setups. This versatile selection of ports is a significant improvement over its predecessors and offers flexibility for users looking to enhance their current audio systems without hassle, as you would expect with a flagship product.

It also packs both the latest Wi-Fi 6E and BT5.3 chipsets, ensuring compatibility with the latest and fastest wireless connectivity for rock-solid streaming.

Features and Usability

The WiiM Ultra packs a punch in terms of features and usability. First and foremost, it supports high-resolution audio formats, which promises impressive sound quality for the price. It also packs a high-fidelity headphone amplifier (TPA6120A2) with a listed THD+N of 116dB and an SNR of 121dB for Line Out, up to -99dB THD+N and 119dB SNR for those wanting to use it more as a desktop device. The Ultra also shines with its compatibility with major streaming services like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect and works with Chromecast and Alexa, meaning users have seamless access to all of their favourite music sources.

The remote is Bluetooth-enabled, with basic controls like power, mute, navigation, and four programmable presets. This makes it incredibly convenient for users who may wish to store the device out of sight, a thoughtful touch that underscores WiiM’s focus on user experience.

However, the real star is the WiiM app. Setup is nearly effortless: users can add external streaming services with a few taps. The app provides intuitive navigation for adding presets, adjusting EQ by individual source (nice touch), and built-in fine-tuning of sound settings via advanced room correction that’s built-in. This ease of integration and intuitive user interface enhances what I call “Time to Music” (TTM), allowing users to start enjoying music with minimal setup time.

Performance: Sound Quality and Listening Experience

This is where the WiiM Ultra truly delivers, and it’s no exaggeration to say the device offers a sound quality that rivals much higher-priced units. The Ultra’s DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) has been significantly upgraded from previous models to the premium 32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M SABRE DAC, resulting in improved clarity, sound staging and dynamic range that will satisfy both serious audiophiles and casual listeners.

Like anything having the hardware under the hood is just the first step; being able to utilise it to deliver an improvement is a whole other piece of work. The Ultra’s DAC now supports resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz on both its Coax and Optical outputs, which to my ears brings out rich details in many high-fidelity tracks and adds depth to complex compositions.

Listening across various genres, from bass-heavy electronic music to classical orchestras, the Ultra consistently delivers a well-balanced sound profile. The highs are crisp without being harsh, the mids offer a full-bodied presence that gives vocal tracks a lifelike quality, and the lows are controlled yet punchy. When comparing the Ultra to pricier competitors, it still holds its ground, with clarity, definition and bass response that belie its price. Sound staging is another area where the Ultra impresses, creating a more immersive experience that truly enhances the listening journey.

Imogen Heap’s ‘Hide And Seek’ is known for its intricate layering and crisp, a cappella-style vocals, allowing each nuance of her voice and the subtle effects to come through. The WiiM Ultra’s improved DAC and support for high-resolution audio made this track feel immersive, pulling me into the song’s rich, intimate environment. The DAC’s ability to preserve clarity enhances Heap’s layered vocals, presenting a natural, three-dimensional soundstage that makes her voice sound as though it’s in the room with you.

Jazz, especially a classic like ‘So What’ from Kind Of Blue, is a true test of any streaming device’s capacity to handle intricate compositions with tonal accuracy. Miles Davis’s trumpet, along with the interplay of saxophone, bass and piano, each has unique tonal qualities that require precision to capture faithfully. The WiiM Ultra handles the track’s nuances beautifully, offering crisp, lifelike reproduction of each instrument. The trumpet’s bold yet smooth notes come through with a natural richness, while the bass line remains clean, warm, and rounded in the background. The Ultra’s soundstage offers solid instrument separation, allowing me to appreciate the individual timbres without any muddling. Listening to the high-resolution version (192/24 FLAC) brings out subtle textures, like the slight breathiness of the brass and the gentle resonance of the piano, making the whole composition feel alive and transporting you straight to a smoky jazz club.

Value Proposition

WiiM Ultra’s price-to-performance ratio is arguably one of its most attractive features. For a device at this price point ($649) to support such high-quality sound and extensive connectivity is rare. WiiM has managed to bridge the gap between budget and premium audio streaming, making the Ultra ideal for budget-conscious audiophiles and tech fans alike. The Ultra doesn’t compromise on key features or sound quality, instead delivering an experience that will likely surprise and impress users familiar with more expensive audio equipment.

Another great advantage of the WiiM eco-system is the multi-room capability ensuring that all their devices can be grouped together and music shared across them much like the Bluesound and Sonos environments.

Potential Drawbacks

As with any device, there are a few trade-offs. The display, while functional, is relatively small compared to its counterpart, the Eversolo DMP-A6. This may be seen as a limitation by users who enjoy detailed visual feedback from their audio gear. However, the display is only a concern if being used in a large room setup, and it’s perfect for desktop situations.

The Ultra’s app is user-friendly and top-notch, my only real gripe being that the volume control on the iPad app was quite small, making graduated changes in volume quite difficult compared with the Bluesound BluOS, which utilise the vibration motor in the device to allow subtle increments in volume adjustment.

Interestingly, one of the omissions from this product is the lack of Airplay 2 support, which is available on their other devices but seems to have been left out of this feature set. Additionally, a very minor drawback is the device’s lightweight build, which doesn’t provide the substantial feel that some users associate with high-end audio equipment, though this is unlikely to impact the listening experience itself.

Final Verdict

The WiiM Ultra is a strong contender for those seeking an entry-level yet high-quality audio streaming solution. Its upgraded DAC, high-resolution streaming support, and versatile connectivity make it an impressive choice, particularly for budget-conscious audiophiles who don’t want to compromise on sound quality. With its clean design, extensive feature set and affordable price point, the WiiM Ultra offers excellent value for money and positions itself as a noteworthy addition to the audio landscape, delivering both performance and accessibility that many will find compelling.

soundgroup.co.nz