WiiM is not just spreading its wings by entering two new product markets this year; it is also focusing on its core specialty—providing affordable streaming components. The introduction of the new Amp Ultra marks a significant enhancement in their product lineup, combining the powerful features of its Ultra streamer with those of its existing Amp and Amp Pro streaming amplifiers.
While our expert reviews team had mixed feelings about the original Amp when tested last year, the Ultra streamer was a standout success, much like its more budget-friendly sibling, the Pro Plus. If the Amp Ultra builds upon the solid foundation established by the Ultra streamer and incorporates quality amplification circuitry, it promises to be a tantalizing proposition that music enthusiasts will find hard to resist.
The Amp Ultra significantly amps up the streaming power, delivering 100 watts per channel into eight ohms, compared to the 60 watts offered by the previous models. This increase in power is complemented by a sleek touchscreen interface, which our team likened to the experience of using a smartphone—“nearly as slick as using a smartphone screen.” The minimalist aluminium chassis remains a familiar and appealing aspect of the design.
At the heart of the Amp Ultra lies WiiM's robust operating system and Home app, serving as a gateway to multiple music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. It also supports a variety of connectivity options such as Google Cast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Bluetooth. For added convenience, users can also control the Amp Ultra using voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant, and the included WiiM Voice Remote.
WiiM product users will appreciate the additional functionalities offered within the app, including features such as automatic room correction, multi-room grouping and control, and EQ customization. These enhancements ensure that the Amp Ultra not only delivers exceptional sound quality but also fits seamlessly into users' home audio systems.
Beyond its music streaming capabilities, the Amp Ultra also provides essential TV integration features. With HDMI ARC, Dolby Digital decoding, and a subwoofer output, the Amp Ultra can effectively serve as the hub of a multi-channel speaker system capable of powering up to four passive speakers. This flexibility means it can be used for a 4.1 setup or to drive multiple stereo configurations throughout the home.
With the Amp, Amp Pro, and the new Amp Ultra each priced below £400 / $400 / AU$600, there's speculation on whether the WiiM Amp Ultra will elevate the quality ceiling even higher. As we await an official announcement regarding pricing, slated for later this year, it’s clear that the Amp Ultra has the potential to become a popular choice among audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
The introduction of the WiiM Amp Ultra indicates a promising direction for the company, as it aims to solidify its presence in the affordable streaming components market. Stay tuned for further updates and insights as we look forward to seeing how this innovative product performs in the competitive audio landscape.
