Is WiiM becoming the next Schiit Audio or FiiO? We think that would be a fantastic development for the high-end audio world at a time when manufacturers seem overly focused on ultra high-end products with zero appeal to the vast majority of music listeners under the age of forty. Reality is products like the new WiiM Ultra Streamer that will retail for only $329 USD.
We have already posted a preview of the Ultra, but more details have been revealed at High-End Munich 2024.
The WiiM Ultra is the successor to the popular and very capable WiiM Pro Plus introduced in August 2023.
As we mentioned in our previous preview article, the WiiM Ultra is designed to function as a central hub for your audio system with components normally found in more expensive units, along with solid build quality, flexible connectivity, and a front panel 3.5” full-color touchscreen.
Hi-Res streaming capability, advanced room correction, and smart home integration is provided.
Also, just as with the previous WiiM Streamers, the Ultra works with the WiiM Home App.
Upgrades in WiiM Ultra
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 with two antennas offering rock-solid Bluetooth or Wi-Fi audio streaming
Wired Connectivity: The Ultra includes a comprehensive selection of physical audio inputs and outputs, including HDMI ARC, Line-In, Phono-in (MM), and Optical Inputs, along with Line-Out, Optical, Coaxial, USB, Subwoofer, and dedicated Headphone output port (3.5mm)
DAC: A Premium 32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M SABRE DAC provides the best possible reproduction of digital audio sources for headphone listening, powered speakers, and external audio systems.
Case: Compact, well-built, aluminum case.
Front Panel Display: 3.5-inch touchscreen display covered with glass that can show:
- App widgets, large album pictures, playback control, playing queue, presets, EQ, audio input and output, and device settings.
- Guide users through the OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) and OTA (Over-the-Air) functions.
- Provide feedback when there’s a change in the play mode.
- Allow users to customize the wallpaper and display the time and date during standby mode.
Room Correction: Built-in room correction technology actively takes precise acoustic measurements of your room, crafting customized corrections for your speaker and subwoofer.
Hi-Res Audio Streaming: Stream Hi-Res music with the bit-perfect digital output or high-fidelity analog audio (SNR>120dB, THD+N<0.0002%)
WiiM Streamer Comparison Chart
Note: This Chart does not include a WiiM Amp/WiiM Amp Pro comparison as they are included in our companion article on the WiiM Amp Pro.
WiiM Mini WiiM Pro WiiM Pro Plus WiiM Ultra MSRP $99 $149 $219 $329 Ethernet – Yes Yes Yes WiFi 5 5 5 6E Bluetooth 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.3 Chromecast Audio – Yes Yes Yes Group with Nest Speakers and Display No Yes Yes Yes Group with Echo Speakers and Display Yes Yes Yes Yes Alexa Multiroom with UHD – Yes Yes Yes Group with Homepods Yes Yes Yes Yes Works with Alexa Yes Yes Yes Yes Works with Google – Yes Yes Yes Works with Siri Yes Yes Yes Yes Group with WiiM or Linkplay Devices Yes Yes Yes Yes Airplay 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes DLNA Yes Yes Yes Yes Spotify Connect Yes Yes Yes Yes TIDAL Connect Yes Yes Yes Yes Gapless Playback Yes Yes Yes Yes PEQ (Parametric EQ) Yes Yes Yes (after firmware update) Yes 10 Band Graphic EQ Yes Yes Yes Yes Linkplay Music Streaming Platform Yes Yes Yes Yes Roon Ready – Yes Yes (after firmware update) Yes CPU Dual Core A7 Dual Core A53 Quad Core Amlogic A113X Quadcore A53 DRAM 128 MB 512 MB 512 MB 512 MB Flash 128 MB 512 MB 512 MB 512 MB Audio Input (wired) Aux Line-in, Optical Line-in, Optical Line-in, Optical, HDMI-ARC, Phono (MM), USB Audio Output (wired) Aux, Optical Line-out, Optical, Coax Line-out, Optical, Coax Line-out, Optical, Coax, Subwoofer, Headphone DAC TI PCM 5121 TI PCM 5121 AKM AK4493SEQ ESS ES9038Q2M Built-in Amplifier – – – – Subwoofer Output – – – Yes Front Panel Display – – – Yes – Full Color/Touchscreen
Price & Availability
The WiiM Ultra will be available for $329 on Amazon in Q3 2024.
For more information: wiimhome.com
Related Reading
- WiiM Audio Pro Plus Streamer: Editor’s Choice 2023
- WiiM Pro Plus Network Streamer: Review
- WiiM’s Pro Plus Might Be The Affordable Network Streamer You Have Been Waiting For
- WiiM Pro Network Player Supports TIDAL and Spotify Connect
- The $99 Wiim Mini Network Streamer Aims To Eat Some Pi
- Check out more new product from High End Munich 2024
