Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Digital Music Systems

WiiM Ultra Streamer: What We Know So Far

WiiM teases a new flagship network music streamer and preamplifier for digital and analog sources. Will it be affordable?

WiiM Ultra Digital Music Streamer Angle

I love when manufacturers tease us on a Friday at 3 pm before a long weekend and start of a major Jewish holiday on Monday. Our friends at WiiM Audio, have been naughty boys this year with the Pro Plus and WiiM Amp — but just wait till the new WiiM Ultra Streamer and Pre-Amplifier is unveiled at High End Munich 2024 in a few weeks.

The WiiM Ultra, inspired by the consumer-loved flagship streamer, is a central digital hub for your audio ecosystem, with audiophile-grade components and build-quality alongside rich audio connections and a vibrant 3.5” full-color touchscreen. It brings Hi-Res streaming capabilities, advanced room correction, and smart home integration to your existing setup, be it powered speakers or amplifiers. 

WiiM Ultra Digital Music Streamer Rear Inputs
WiiM Ultra (rear)

Beyond these, it seamlessly connects with a wide range of devices including turntables, TVs, headphones, AV receivers, subwoofers, smart speakers, Bluetooth headsets, and more, offering a comprehensive and versatile audio solution.

We don’t have any additional details and don’t expect to learn much more until the WiiM Ultra makes it debut on May 9th at the show in Germany.

We do know that the WiiM Ultra will feature an upgraded DAC compared to the units currently being offered in the Pro Plus and Amp and that this unit will be competitively priced to give Cambridge Audio, Bluesound, and NAD some rather sleepless nights.

The unit also includes an HDMI ARC port and internal MM phono pre-amplifier.

Could this be the ideal streamer/pre-amplifier for something like the Acoustic Energy AE1?

Key Features

  • Elegant aluminum case with 3.5” vibrant touchscreen display covered with glass
  • Stream Hi-Res music with the bit-perfect digital output or high-fidelity analog audio
  • Improved premium DAC
  • A rich selection of audio inputs and outputs

Launch date: May 9, 2024 unveiled at the HighEnd Munich 2024 Show.

No word on pricing or availability, but we were told it’s coming in Q2 2024.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. David

    April 20, 2024 at 1:32 am

    Yup. This one is likely to be big if the the cost and performance is in line with the remainder of their streamer lineup. WiiM is the audio industry’s biggest disruptor. HDMI? Check.

    Hmm… I wonder what a WiiM speaker would look like?

  2. ginandbacon

    April 20, 2024 at 11:55 pm

    Obviously price will be the determining factor. An upgraded DAC (probably ESS) is nice but implementation is more important. I do question how much the touchscreen is used on streamers. Easier to see from access the room but actually using it to control the device when you have an app and remote is a different story. Phono input is a nice touch of you listen to records. I’m not a huge fan of a lot of brands dropping USB as a transport for HDMI ARC. I get it but never considering TV’s work with USB audio, and what formats HDMI arch supports outside PCM is a different story. I also wonder how many people will buy this and hook it up to the wiim amp also.

  3. ORT

    April 22, 2024 at 3:32 pm

    It looks nice. With digital, it either converts/decodes or it don’t. Simple.

    The screen is nice. I use HEOS and it does everything and more that any sane (read: non-anal retentive frAudiophile) person could desire. A friend enjoys his Bluesound and tells me it does all that he wants and needs too.

    This will likely do the same for those that buy it.

    ORT

    • Ian White

      April 26, 2024 at 3:36 pm

      ORT,

      The price point will be the biggest point of differentiation. Why spend $$$$ when this will likely serve as the hub for a (potentially) wide range of systems for years to come.

      I would buy this in a heartbeat if it offers the same performance/value as their other products that I currently own. WiiM gets it.

      Best,

      IW

  4. Chris Boylan

    April 29, 2024 at 7:15 pm

    With HDMI ARC I guess the point is to allow the user interface to display on a TV screen, and also get TV sound into the Wiim box and from there into your A/V rig. With HDMI ARC, you could potentially even do multi-channel Dolby Atmos streams (lossy DD+ streams) from TIDAL or Amazon Music on the streamer to a compatible soundbar, receiver or preamp/processor.

    If the WiiM Ultra does support Dolby Atmos music streams, I believe it would be the first dedicated audio streaming device to do so. But I don’t see anything in the specs to suggest that. I guess we’ll know more next month when it is officially unveiled.

  5. Ross Warren

    June 10, 2024 at 7:30 pm

    I like that it is supposed to offer USB digital output. That alone might make it worth buying, and a nice little screen for album artwork.

    To get the best from an external DAC that offers better clocking (less jitter) you must usually feed that DAC via asynchronous USB or I2S, otherwise all the clocking is done by the streamer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Pro-Ject Balanced Turntable System with Tube Box S3 B Phono stage and Uni Box S3 Integrated Amplifier

New Products

Pro-Ject’s new tube based phono preamps support both MM and MC cartridges for top-tier analog performance with a balanced option.

FiiO M27 DAP FiiO M27 DAP

DAPs

FiiO M27 DAP combines flagship DACs, FPGA architecture, 5W balanced output, and hi-res audio. Full specs and pricing set for September.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Fe in gray and black Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Fe in gray and black

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are smart ANC wireless earbuds with deep bass, clear treble, AI translation, and hands-free controls for Galaxy users.

Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless Gaming Headset and E9 Wired IEM Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless Gaming Headset and E9 Wired IEM

New Products

Sony expands its INZONE lineup with the H9 II Wireless Gaming Headset and E9 IEMs, featuring FNATIC tuning, 360 Spatial Sound, and pro-level gaming...

Epson AirPlay Projectors 2025 Epson AirPlay Projectors 2025

New Products

Four new Epson lamp-based 3LCD projectors feature high-brightness and versatile connectivity for under a grand.

Hisense 100-inch 100UX RGB-MiniLED TV Lifestyle Image Hisense 100-inch 100UX RGB-MiniLED TV Lifestyle Image

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

The 2025 Hisense 100UX and 116UX RGB Mini-LED 4K TVs feature cutting edge backlighting in 100-inch or 116-inch screen sizes.

Gift Ideas?

Amazon Prime Day is July 8-11, 2025

Daily Deals

Amazon Prime Day is a four-day shopping event from July 8-11, 2025 offering the biggest discounts of the year on consumer electronics.

You May Also Like

New Products

At $5,999, the BenQ W5800 4K Laser DLP Projector uses proprietary HDR-PRO technology for enhanced details on screens up to 200-inches.

Bookshelf Speakers

Estelon unveils the AURELLE stand-mount and Centre speaker, and AURUS subwoofer at High End Munich 2025, celebrating its 15th anniversary. Prices start at €7,500...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Samsung just unveiled pricing and availability details for its full line of Neo QLED TVs in both 4K and 8K resolution. Potential buyers may...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Last month at the annual TV Shootout, hosted by Value Electronics, the top OLED TVs squared off against each other in a darkened room...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Unveiled at CES, the groundbreaking Hisense 116UX is the first production TV to feature RGB MiniLED backlighting. Here's how it looks.

Articles

With audio and video systems priced from under $2,000 to over $250,000, Audio Advice Live had home theater and HiFi solutions for virtually everyone....

Floorstanding Speakers

Sonus faber Il Cremonese Ex3me Lamborghini Edition fuses precision sound and daring design—because Italians do nothing quietly.

Articles

Setting up a backyard movie theater in 2025 is easier than ever thanks to new 4K projectors, portable screens, and wireless streaming. Here's what...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers