Who hasn't opened a box of assorted chocolates only to discover that each has a unique flavour? While you may prefer some over others, they all taste delicious. That's what you'll find when you explore all the features of the WiiM Ultra.
Surprisingly, this is priced at just €399, showcasing how much the perception of Chinese manufacturing has changed. The days of cheap gadgets are over; this is top-tier technology that punches above the belt.
And I'm willing to step down from the high-end pedestal to analyse items that young people can afford with birthday money from their aunts.
The unboxing of the WiiM Ultra
Cheap, not shoddy
The WiiM Ultra is currently one of the best Streamers/DACs available, especially considering its affordable price. Technically and in terms of features, it is up against much more expensive products, and I argue that it rivals some in sound quality. Let's hope that the EU’s taxes on Chinese electric cars don’t also apply to hi-fi equipment.
The WiiM Ultra is up against much more expensive products, technically and in terms of features.
The WiiM Ultra could be better; I can tell you that right now. The analogue-to-digital conversion (ADC) stage, which digitises all analogue sources, doesn't match the exceptional quality of the digital-to-analogue conversion (DAC) stages. When in doubt, always choose digital sources or streaming over analogue sources.
However, the Streamer and DAC alone justify the purchase. Everything else is a bonus that, like a box of chocolates, allows you to taste all the digital and analogue flavours at an affordable price, including dark chocolate, i.e. vinyl.
The touchscreen mirrors the WiiM control App
Two delicious surprises:
One standout feature is the WiiM App, arguably one of the best control apps for streamers. Available for iOS and Android, it allows seamless integration with services like Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music directly or via Roon. Room correction and EQ functionality add another layer of customisation, making it a versatile addition to your audio setup. However, it does not support AirPlay 2 or Apple Music. Interestingly, the box design resembles that of the Apple Mac Mini.
Note: The room correction software is reportedly only compatible with iOS. However, I have a Samsung S23 Ultra Android phone that works flawlessly with it. Please keep in mind the phone mic is on the bottom, not the top.
Talk to the Ultra
If you don’t have your phone, you can use the remote control or even voice commands to operate the device! A 3.5-inch colour touchscreen allows you to select inputs and outputs, although its navigation and configuration options are somewhat limited. For instance, you can only access the USB input through the app to play music stored on external media like flash drives and hard drives.
Note: The WiiM Ultra doesn't have an on/off button. You'll need the remote control to switch it off.
Album information as displayed on the screen.
WiiM has invested more in the filling than the dressing.
Some old-school users might favour a more conservative approach, using the rotary knob to adjust the volume and play/pause function. However, the subpar feel of this knob and the RCA plugs could lead some to mistakenly perceive the Ultra as a low-quality product, which it is not.
Note: The RCA plugs mounted flush on the back panel may not be compatible with higher-end cables. In such cases, using the cables provided by WiiM is recommended, as you likely won't notice much difference.
Chocolate with filling
WiiM has invested more in the filling—the quality of the components—than in the dressing: the small aluminium box with rounded corners and an acrylic panel. The company has made significant efforts to meet the demands of modern consumers, positioning its product as an effective hub for even the most complex home audio ecosystems.
You can connect it to various devices, including analogue turntables (Phono MM/MC), TVs (note that using HDMI ARC disables Dolby Atmos, and the connection can be somewhat challenging), headphones (3.5mm jack), and wireless headphones (Bluetooth 5.3). It can also be linked to AV receivers (RCA), active speakers, subwoofers, and external amplifiers like the cute Class D WiiM Amp (see below). Additionally, you can use other external amplifiers, including tube amplifiers, if you fancy these.
WiiM Ultra: view from the back.
Goodbye PC, Hello WiiM
You can connect it to digital sources using coaxial, optical, or USB A cables and via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to a NAS. However, a USB PC connection is unavailable, which is unfortunate since I wanted to test whether the DAC can reach 384kHz. I understand the intention is to eliminate the need for a PC when listening to music, which makes sense. Instead, you only require the Ultra, a smartphone, and a pair of active speakers or headphones.
Additionally, it can be integrated into multi-room systems and controlled by voice with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s important to note that the excellent WiiM App and Roon applications will only work if the Ultra and your phone are connected to the same home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. This is essential for the initial configuration, which is quick and straightforward—follow the instructions. Updating the system may take a few minutes, though.
Sophisticated DAC
The Ultra features an ESS Sabre ES9038 Q2M DAC, commonly found in high-end streamers and DACs. With an A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio of 121 dB and a total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) of -116 dB, it has low distortion and a wide dynamic range. It can be used with sampling rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz. However, the Ultra is incompatible with MQA; and, unlike previous models, does not support DSD and DXD formats, even though the DAC is fully capable.
The WiiM Ultra downsamples 384kHz files to 192kHz.
Note: DXD files are played back downsampled to 192 kHz, and when using Roon DSD files are converted to PCM 176.4kHz.\
The analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) employed is a top-tier TI Burr-Brown model, which has a theoretical SNR of 110 dB (though the actual SNR is somewhat lower) for converting analogue input sources. The headphone amplifier uses a TPA6120A2 operational amplifier. For low-sensitivity headphones, such as the Hifiman 1000HE, you may need to increase the volume above 50, resulting in average sound quality; however, having this feature is preferable to not having it.
The Ultra's only missing feature is an internal amplifier.
Streamer+DAC+Preamp
The Ultra's only missing feature is an internal amplifier. However, Sarte Audio/Imacustica also sent me a WiiM Amp, a 60W Classe D stereo amplifier with a twist of streaming, which costs just €360. Although it doesn't have a touch screen (the WiiM App controls it), the amp has a unique acoustic signature —on the mellow side more than transparent—that you can listen to for hours.
The Wiim Amp: 60 W of sweet Class D with a twist of streaming.
The Ultra is the best choice if you have a pair of active speakers or headphones and want to integrate a Streamer/DAC into an audio setup that already includes an amplifier. If you only have dynamic speakers and want an affordable amplifier with a Streamer/DAC, consider the WiiM Amp as an all-in-one standalone. It was a good match for the Sf Sonetto II.
You might consider combining both options if you're a bit eccentric like me. For instance, you could use the Ultra as a preamp and Streamer/DAC while using the WiiM Amp as a stereo amplifier to power a pair of Sonus Faber Soneto II speakers. However, this setup might be overkill.
Intuitive and Effective Control
The WiiM Home App is one of the best-designed applications I've ever used, even with top-of-the-line equipment. It’s intuitive and allows you to manage every aspect of the Ultra, from the initial setup to final adjustments. You can easily browse your digital library stored on a NAS or hard drive and play playlists from services like Spotify and Tidal.
The graphic equaliser (EQ) and the parametric equaliser (Room Correction) are among the most engaging features.
Room Correction and EQ presets.
The graphic equaliser (EQ) and the parametric equaliser (Room Correction) are among the most engaging features. I recommend following the instructions and experimenting several times to find your preferred equalisation settings. These settings primarily target frequencies between 40Hz and 2kHz, which can significantly enhance the performance of smaller speakers like the Sf Soneto II. These speakers often benefit from a boost in bass and mid-bass for a fuller sound.
Warning: To linearise the bass response, the EQ can apply +10 or even +12dB to frequencies between 100 and 50Hz, resulting in distortion while listening at higher levels. If you hear distortion, you can manually correct the equalisation by lowering the automatic adjustment by -2 or -3dB, or as needed.
'WiiM' sounds like 'whim' in English. I think my next 'whim' will be to buy a WiiM Ultra (or Amp) to enjoy as an audiophile during my spare time. I encourage you to give it a try. I am sure you will love it as much as I did!
In a world of increasingly expensive hi-fi, the WiiM Ultra reminds us that quality doesn’t always come at a premium. Like the finest chocolates, it offers a bit of everything, with every flavour leaving you wanting more.
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