While reviewing the brand-new WiiM Vibelink, something didn’t sit right. It felt like a solid little amp—clean, competent, affordable—but there was a nagging suspicion creeping in. Like it wasn’t the endgame, but a diversion. A decoy. WiiM’s rise from budget streamer darling to full-blown audio disruptor has been anything but subtle, and the idea that the next logical step after the best-selling Ultra and Amp Pro was… this? That piece of biltong didn’t taste right.
Something else was clearly brewing behind the curtain. And now we know what it was: the WiiM Amp Ultra. Touchscreen. HDMI ARC. 200 watts per channel. WiiM didn’t just upgrade their gear—they dropped the gloves and unleashed the Amp Ultra to prove they’re ready to brawl in the big leagues of hi-fi–but also keep it within reach for all us.
Sonos, if you’re still pretending this isn’t your problem, now would be a good time to stop.
We’ll explain that one in a second. Maybe a full minute if you’re willing to be patient.
Do I feel stupid for spending time highlighting the virtues of the Vibelink? Not really. It’s a solid little amp for $300 and delivers in a lot of ways. But if you actually read the review—and I mean read it, not just skim the specs—you’ll notice I didn’t exactly ignore the glaring omissions.
No sub out. No phono. No HDMI. It’s like they built a really competent amp and then forgot that people might actually want to connect things to it. So no, I don’t regret giving it its due. But let’s not pretend it wasn’t setting the table for something more fully baked.
And then there’s the head-scratcher: no streaming. None. Despite packing a pretty respectable DAC under the hood, WiiM decided to leave streaming on the cutting room floor. Why? Because they already sell the Amp Pro, genius. Can’t have the $300 Vibelink eating big brother’s lunch. It’s the kind of move that makes sense in a boardroom but leaves you rolling your eyes when you’re staring at an empty app screen thinking, “Seriously?”
Ah, so the $300 WiiM Vibelink is the forgotten kid? Yeah, it’s like the kid who shows promise but gets completely ignored because everybody’s too busy fawning over the shiny new Ultra Amp, Ultra streamer, and the Amp Pro.
The Vibelink has potential, sure, but the thing is, the customer base made it clear that it wanted something else—streaming, more power, more bells and whistles. So, the Vibelink gets stuck in the middle, without the streaming of the Amp Pro or the outright muscle of the Ultra Amp. Now it’s like that neglected kid, who, instead of growing into something great, is just simmering in the shadows.
But maybe—just maybe—this was the plan all along. Reel in the budget crowd. Build an ecosystem. Let the Sonos crowd get cozy and complacent while WiiM lays the groundwork: streamers, amps, then the WiiM Sound wireless speakers and Sub Pro subwoofer—modular, scalable, with actual headroom for growth. Let the Vibelink gather dust in the corner while the Amp Ultra quietly waits behind the curtain, touchscreen glowing, HDMI ARC armed, and 200 watts ready to push air.
By the time the masses realize they want more than their black plastic lifestyle boxes can deliver, WiiM’s already standing there—new gear in hand, ecosystem fully formed. Time will tell if the customer base got this one wrong… or if they were just pawns in a long game that’s about to end Sonos’ reign.
WiiM Amp Ultra: The Bastard Sonos Should’ve Seen Coming
The WiiM Amp Ultra. It’s got all the shiny specs to make you feel like you’re living in the future: housed in an aluminum chassis, 200-watts per channel at 4 ohms, a 3.5″ glass-covered touchscreen, and ultra-low distortion. They’re not playing around here, clearly aiming for the audiophile crowd, even though it’s hard to ignore that this thing feels like the product of a very successful marriage between the WiiM Ultra and Amp Pro.
Essentially, they’ve taken all the power the Amp Pro had, cranked up the muscle, and slapped on the premium streaming and display experience from the Ultra, all while boasting more ways to customize, connect, and drown in multi-room audio.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a product upgrade with some seriously slick features. But let’s be honest: WiiM’s mission is to create an ecosystem that makes us feel like we’re stepping into some sort of sound-powered utopia. They’re just expanding the borders of that happy, smart, audiophile land.
And of course, it all works through the WiiM Home App, because, you know, nobody’s going to bother with an amplifier unless it’s got app control, automatic room correction, multi-room grouping, and access to a dozen streaming platforms. One negative, however, is that the WiiM Amp Ultra does not support AirPlay and does not function as an AirPlay receiver.
Oh, and don’t forget the voice assistants and the WiiM Voice Remote 2 — because why press buttons when you can just tell it what to do?
Key Features
Serious Power, Compact Footprint
The WiiM Amp Ultra (7.9” x 2.9” x 7.9”, 5.4 lbs) delivers 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, or 200 watts into 4 ohms—enough to drive four passive speakers with clarity and control. This isn’t inflated marketing wattage either; it’s backed by the proven Texas Instruments TPA3255 Class D amp chips, known for high efficiency and low distortion.
Designed for Home Theater Integration
HDMI ARC support, Dolby Digital decoding, and a dedicated subwoofer output make it suitable for TV-based systems without needing another box. Whether you’re building a minimalist 2.1 setup or running cables to rear zones, the Ultra slots into multi-use spaces without complaint
Reference-Grade Digital Conversion
WiiM went with the ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC—a 32-bit/384kHz chip with strong credentials in high-end digital audio. Paired with six TI OPA1612 op-amps, it ensures low noise and distortion, preserving detail without artificial coloration. This is the same silicon you’d find in far more expensive gear.
Touchscreen Control with Useful Depth
The 3.5″ touchscreen isn’t just for show. You can switch inputs, view queues, tweak EQ settings, and even load VU meters or wallpapers. The Smart Preset and Recently Played sections offer quick access to your go-to content, making this a genuinely useful interface—not just a gimmick for the spec sheet.
Engineering Under the Hood
Post-Filter Feedback
This tech stabilizes amplifier performance regardless of the speaker load. That means more consistent sound quality across different types of speakers, even ones with complex impedance curves. It’s not a flashy feature, but it’s one that seasoned listeners will appreciate.
Wi-Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.3 (with LE Audio)
You get fast, stable wireless performance with future-proof support. Dual antennas ensure solid multi-room sync and high-resolution streaming. LE Audio support improves latency and efficiency, especially for portable and shared audio use.
Granular EQ & Room Correction
The onboard DSP supports a 10-band graphic and parametric EQ with presets for different inputs—so you can dial in your vinyl setup separately from your TV. The built-in room correction uses your mic (or the app) to map and flatten frequency response, making the most of your speakers in the space you have.
Low Noise Floor, High Signal Clarity
The Ultra achieves -106 dB THD+N and 120 dB SNR at 5W output. That’s more than good enough to avoid masking fine detail, especially at low and moderate volumes. For a streamer-integrated amp in this price range, that’s solid engineering, not just spec-chasing.
Plays Nice With the Usual Suspects
The WiiM Amp Ultra checks all the boxes when it comes to compatibility: Google Cast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect are all baked in. You get seamless access to Spotify, Amazon Music, Qobuz, TIDAL, and more through the WiiM Home App.
Voice control? Covered. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and the included WiiM Voice Remote 2. It also integrates cleanly with other WiiM streamers and the WiiM Sound, if you’re building out the full ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
WiiM didn’t just launch another amp—they dropped a statement. The Amp Ultra delivers legit power, HDMI ARC, room correction, and a gorgeous touchscreen… for a price that should make Sonos sweat through its turtleneck. Add in the WiiM Sound and Sub Pro wireless speakers—with their suspiciously Apple-meets-Sonos aesthetic—and suddenly you’ve got a system that looks slick, sounds huge, and doesn’t chain you to a walled garden.
Throw in the best control app in the game, and this isn’t just competition—it’s rebellion. Real Andor-level rebellion. And the Empire? Yeah… it never saw it coming.
Pricing & Availability
The WiiM Amp Ultra, complete with the Voice Remote 2, lands in Q3 2025.
Pricing is still under wraps, but don’t expect it to come cheap. It’ll be available via Amazon and select retail partners.
More details will be up at www.wiimhome.com when they’re ready to talk.
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Antonio Solomon
May 14, 2025 at 10:25 am
Interesting and hopefully under $750.
Sonos might face some real competition from this.
Does it work with Qobuz Connect?
Ian White
May 14, 2025 at 10:34 am
Sir Cook,
We do not know the prices yet. And I wonder if the tariffs have influenced the roll-out later in 2025. These are not coming out until September at the earliest.
IW
Catherine Lugg
May 14, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Ooooooo. Just oooooo. Yah know who also needs to start fussing? Bluesound. I have 2 Bluesound Amps, and they are lovely. The Powernode Edge at 40 watts has more enough power for my small townhome. But it does occasionally glitch on me. And I have fallen in love with my WiiM Ultra Streamer. I’m still not using it to full capacity, but it’s limited by the powered speakers it flows into (KEF LS50 wireless, an expensive mistake–very pretty trash because of the internal electronics). Sooooo, I might have the next upgrade (after replacing the KEFS with ELACs or Q Acoustic passives, since metal tweeters are hard on tinnitus). Oooooo. And thanks!!!!
Ian White
May 14, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Catherine,
We’re all in agreement. About most of the points you raised. I just hope that the price is smart. Like they can’t make this $1,000.
IW
larry hennessey
May 14, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Hi Ian,
I love the Sonos line, although I think it could be expanded to every company making sub $1K amps. While I’ve never cared for the WiiM software (when using Qobuz), the devices are a home run. I’ve used a WiiM Pro with Qobuz (via Audirvana Studio) and now Qobuz Connect, and it sounds great and is stable.
This amp with QC, including room correction, will be too much for many companies to counter. Coupled with good passive speakers, the ULTRA will be less expensive than a pair of streaming speakers (except for the KEF LSX LT or Q Acoustics M20/M40). With most streaming speakers recommending a network cable between them, the ULTRA and a pair of World’s Best speaker cables are almost the same.
Streaming services like Qobuz raise the sound quality bar beyond what most thought was possible from a mid-priced system.
Larry
Ian White
May 14, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Larry,
Sonos has become somewhat lost as a brand. I agree with you assessment of what the Amp Ultra will mean. I do wish that it supported Airplay 2.
IW