WiiMUltra Music Streamer & Digital Preamp | 3.5" Touchscreen, Compatible with Google Cast & Alexa, Stream Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal & More | HDMI ARC, Phono Input & Headphone Output | Space Gray

A review of an audio device should come with some context of the writer, what they listen to, and what their other gear is: My uses are for multiple kinds of music from classic rock, to some classical, to some electronic dance, and even some outlaw country. My system includes a clean Onkyo amplifier, older JBL 10” 3-way speakers, and I am bypassing the WiiM DAC by passing the SPDIF data into a Denafrips Ares 2 DAC. That said, my review is probably not audiophile-grade, but audiophile-ish. My perception of sound quality in this review is compared to that of a Marantz CD6007 CD player and my perception of sound quality.The most important thing about the WiiM Ultra for me was the ability to bypass the built-in DAC so I could maximize sound quality to my ears by passing through my own DAC. Great news: It does that, beautifully. And it’s amazing. By using my own DAC, I can only barely tell the difference between a CD and even Spotify. That could set a clear line in the sand about my hearing, but I’m baffled at how close to CD quality the WiiM with my Denafrips DAC can get. It’s gets so close, it’s no longer distracting how different the sound is between streaming and CD.Now, I acknowledge that the DAC is a specialized piece of gear, but it has allowed me to homogenize the tonality of sound between CD and streaming. The WiiM connects via SPDIF, allowing for connection to any DAC you like, which was the use case that led me to finally buy a dedicated streamer. The versatility to do this pushes this into the zone where it’s an interesting to those interested in maximizing and curating a tailor-fit sound quality. The WiiM Ultra hits the mark here.It’s also beautifully easy to use. I can operate my streams from my phone, carry it around the house. Love that. It’s great.It may also be valuable to know that the screen is super fun, because I can finally just walk by and see what’s playing - and so can anyone else in the house. So nice to not have this all hidden only in one person’s phone.The design of the device is also super beautiful. Sits next to my Marantz CD player and fits right in. That’s phenomenal at this price point.So, here’s the thing - I’m probably a “practical audiophile” - I love music, I’m a little picky about sound quality, but I don’t have tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear, but I do have a sizeable investment in equipment to get as good of sound as I can. I’ve been skeptical about streaming because of sound quality (and the need for perpetual subscriptions). And the WiiM Ultra is the first dedicated streaming device I’ve ever chosen to give a chance — because of the ability to use my own DAC. It hits all the right marks given my use case: Super easy to use, beautiful design, the ability to attach my own DAC, and there aren’t any gimmicks … it’s great.Even on Spotify, with my DAC, it’s so close to CD quality, I’m no longer distracted by the fact that the stream sound quality has such different sound signature than CD. In my use case, this is a perfect solution, and it’s clear that I’m WiiM’s perfect customer. I’m sold, and I would recommend this to anyone who wants great flexibility to expand in the future, but have something beautifully functional in the meantime that likely needs no upgrades at all to still be phenomenal.Five stars on providing an affordable device that finally hits in the zone of the venerable CD for music lovers.

This has got to be one of the best home audio purchases I’ve ever made!!I own the Edifier S3000 mkii’s as well as the Klipsch R-40PM’s and use either depending on the sound I’m in the mood for. I hook them up to my Klipsch R-100SW subwoofer via the sub out line on the WiiM and use the WiiM room correction sound tool to customize the sound to my room. And wow! The improved clarity and sound profile this provides vs simply hooking your speakers up to the TV via an optical cord is reason to purchase alone!The built in DAC is phenomenal and enables endless sound customization and the ability to play Dolby Atmos sound (converted to PCM Atmos) via my TV. The WiiM app is cool and has TONS of features to play around with to satisfy most non-professional audiophile’s like myself.I’d say if you’re looking to greatly improve your speakers performance and want to leverage the latest home theater technology at a bargain price, get this ASAP!!

WiiM keeps putting out quality products with great software at a very fair price. I was expecting to spend more but figured why not try this unit first the great price. Very easy setup. Bought after seeing the favorable Steve Huff review to upgrade from my WiiM pro plus and I’m impressed. Sound is more natural and less “trebly” with the ultra. Build quality is really good and the screen is super nice and serves as a clock when not in use. I did add the smsl PO100 as recommended by the cheapaudioguy. It definitely broadened the sound of the ultra noticeably by improving the clocking. Did a lot of A/B testing on both to verify my ears weren’t fooling me. Wife agreed also. Both from Amazon. Running optical with McIntosh MA5300 and Sonus Faber Sonetto VIIIs.

Amazing amount of capability in a streaming music player that is also a preamp in a 2.1 home theater setup. I am using this in a small room home theater with Polk ES10 speakers, and SVS subwoofer and an ancient Apt Holman amplifier rated at 100 watts per channel conservatively. The Wiim has built in room equalization and crossovers to send low frequencies to the sub and high pass to the Apt Holman amp for my Polk speakers. The room equalization is very easy to use and very effective. I am running optical cable from my TV to the Wiim and RCA cables to the Apt Holman and SVS subwoofer. The sound is amazing for what this system cost. Very pleased with this purchase.

Overall, I'm blown away by the quality from end to end of this Streamer. I'd also like to point out a huge improvement in the functionality for our older system that I insist on using 😅Not only has it drastically improved sound quality via an EQ for each input, it's also tied the volume to my TV remote Via HDMI ARC allowing for quick volume adjustment no matter the input.The app is great and allows for tons of adjustments, allowing us to connect multiple audio streaming apps along with our Google home. I also found that you can load family photos to the device and set them as a rotating screen saver. I feel I've just scratched the surface of the app, which is great in my opinion. It's fast easy and simple in my opinion.Ohhh and my vinyl has never sounded better!!!I'm sold !