Introduction

The WiiM Ultra is difficult to describe as simply a music streamer. Streaming may be its primary purpose, but the unit also combines a DAC, digital preamplifier, headphone output, phono input, HDMI ARC, subwoofer management and extensive digital signal processing in one compact chassis.

This allows the Ultra to do more than modernise an existing hi-fi system. It can become the central control unit of an entirely new stereo setup, connected to an integrated amplifier, directly to a power amplifier or to a pair of active loudspeakers.

What makes the concept particularly successful is that the large feature set does not result in an unnecessarily complicated product. Basic operation is straightforward, while experienced users can go considerably deeper into EQ, room correction, bass management and digital routing.

Build quality and finish

The WiiM Ultra feels considerably more substantial than the smaller WiiM Mini, Pro and Pro Plus models. Its aluminium enclosure, rounded corners and glass-fronted display give it a modern appearance that looks perfectly at home in a serious audio system.

At approximately 20 x 21.1 x 7.2 cm, it remains compact enough for desktop use or placement in a television cabinet.

The most obvious visual feature is the 3.5-inch colour touchscreen. It can display album artwork, playback information, settings and various visualisations. More importantly, it is responsive enough to be genuinely useful rather than merely decorative.

A physical volume control is positioned alongside the display and can also be used for playback functions. This is particularly welcome when the Ultra is being used as a preamplifier connected directly to a power amplifier or active speakers.

It is not built like a multi-thousand-euro high-end component, but its overall fit and finish are very good for the price category.

Ease of use and features

The WiiM Home app remains one of the strongest aspects of the WiiM ecosystem. Initial setup is straightforward, day-to-day operation is intuitive and there is an unusually extensive selection of advanced settings.

Supported services and protocols include Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, internet radio, Google Cast, DLNA and Roon. Music stored on USB media can also be accessed directly.

Network connectivity includes Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6, with Bluetooth 5.3 available for additional wireless sources.

One important limitation is the absence of AirPlay. Anyone whose listening habits depend heavily on AirPlay should take this into account before purchasing. Apple Music can still be used through alternative methods such as Bluetooth, but this does not provide the same workflow as native AirPlay support.

Physical connectivity is unusually comprehensive:

• RCA line input and output
• MM and MC phono input
• optical digital input
• HDMI ARC
• optical and coaxial digital outputs
• USB storage and USB audio output
• dedicated subwoofer output
• 3.5mm headphone output
• 12V trigger output
• Ethernet

HDMI ARC significantly broadens the Ultra's appeal because it allows a traditional two-channel hi-fi system to be integrated easily with a television.

WiiM also provides extensive DSP facilities. These include 10-band graphic and parametric EQ, multiple presets and RoomFit room correction. Subwoofer integration is more advanced than simply providing an output: crossover frequency, level and timing can be adjusted, with automated calibration functions available as well.

Few conventional streamers at this price level provide anything close to the same degree of system flexibility.

Sound quality, performance and listening experience

Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by an ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE DAC, with supported audio paths operating at up to 24-bit/192kHz.

The overall sound is clean, balanced and relatively neutral. The Ultra does not rely on excessive bass or an artificially highlighted treble to create an immediate impression.

Vocals are clear, bass is controlled and carries convincing weight, while the upper frequencies provide plenty of openness without consistently becoming aggressive. Timing is also good enough to keep rhythmically complex music energetic and involving.

Stereo imaging is another strength. The presentation feels open, and individual instruments are placed convincingly within the soundstage.

How large an improvement the Ultra represents over the WiiM Pro Plus depends on the way it is used. When both units are employed simply as digital transports into the same external DAC, the differences are relatively modest. Using the Ultra's internal DAC, analogue outputs and preamplifier functionality makes the upgrade more meaningful, while the additional connectivity transforms what the product can do within a system.

More expensive digital sources can reveal additional microdetail, dimensionality, tonal texture and dynamic shading. Piano, strings and naturally recorded voices can sound more lifelike through a superior standalone DAC or a more ambitious network player.

That should not be viewed as a major criticism. The WiiM Ultra delivers a remarkably mature performance considering its cost and the enormous range of additional features included.

The integrated headphone amplifier is useful and performs well with many conventional headphones. More demanding designs can still benefit substantially from a dedicated headphone amplifier.

The phono section deserves similar perspective. Support for both MM and MC cartridges greatly increases flexibility, but owners of more ambitious turntable systems may obtain greater openness, dynamics and refinement from a dedicated phono stage.

Comparison with similar products

Within WiiM's own range, the Pro Plus remains the logical lower-cost alternative. If all that is required is a capable network streamer, and there is no need for the touchscreen, HDMI ARC, phono input, headphone output or advanced preamplifier functions, the Pro Plus can make more financial sense.

The Ultra becomes significantly more compelling when it is used as the hub of an entire system.

The Cambridge Audio MXN10 takes a more traditional specialist-streamer approach. It can offer greater textural subtlety, dynamic nuance and rhythmic precision, but it lacks much of the WiiM's connectivity and system-management functionality.

Bluesound's BluOS platform is another strong competitor, particularly for listeners who value a mature multiroom environment. The Ultra counters with an unusually broad selection of connections, touchscreen control and extensive DSP at a highly competitive price.

For a listener interested only in extracting the final degree of sound quality from a digital source, there are more specialised alternatives. For someone looking for one compact unit to manage an entire modern stereo system, the Ultra is much harder to beat.

Who is the WiiM Ultra for?

The WiiM Ultra is particularly suitable for anyone wishing to add modern streaming to an existing amplifier and loudspeaker system without replacing equipment that already performs well.

It is equally attractive as the starting point for a new system. Pairing it with a suitable power amplifier and passive speakers, or directly with powered speakers, creates a remarkably compact setup.

It is also an excellent solution for listeners who want to combine television audio, vinyl, streaming, headphones and a subwoofer within one coherent two-channel system.

Dedicated AirPlay users should, however, consider the lack of AirPlay carefully.

Pros

• Extremely comprehensive feature set
• Clean, balanced and engaging sound
• Excellent value for money
• Useful 3.5-inch touchscreen
• HDMI ARC
• MM and MC phono input
• Extensive analogue and digital connectivity
• Functions as streamer, DAC and digital preamplifier
• Dedicated subwoofer output with bass management
• RoomFit room correction
• Graphic and parametric EQ
• Roon Ready
• Excellent WiiM Home app
• USB audio output for use with an external DAC

Cons

• No AirPlay support
• No aptX or LDAC Bluetooth codecs
• Higher-end streamers and DACs can provide greater refinement
• Built-in phono and headphone stages are primarily about versatility rather than ultimate high-end performance
• The less expensive WiiM Pro Plus may be sufficient if only basic streaming is required

Conclusion

The WiiM Ultra succeeds because of the way its many abilities work together.

It is a very capable network streamer, a convincing DAC and an exceptionally flexible digital preamplifier. HDMI ARC, phono, headphone output, subwoofer management, RoomFit, EQ, Roon support and extensive digital routing turn it into much more than a conventional streaming box.

Its sound is clean, spacious, lively and well balanced. More expensive components can certainly provide additional tonal sophistication, microdetail and dimensional realism, but few offer the same combination of performance and functionality at anything close to this level.

The absence of AirPlay remains its most obvious limitation.

For listeners who do not depend on AirPlay and who want a compact, modern control centre for a serious stereo system, the WiiM Ultra is an exceptionally convincing proposition.