WiiM Amp Ultra review: compact digital preamp delivers standout streaming sound

ZDNET reviewed the WiiM Amp Ultra, a compact digital preamp aimed at music streamers. It retails for $529 on Amazon and delivers strong sound and an easy setup for people who get most of their music from streaming services. The Amp Ultra does not include a built-in phono preamp, so turntables need an external preamp unless the turntable already has one.

The reviewer noted this omission but said vinyl owners are not the device's primary audience. The amp supports direct connections to streaming services via the WiiM Home app, including Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL and Qobuz, and can also take audio from a PC or USB storage devices.

It offers multiple input options and can drive up to four passive speakers. Setup is handled through the WiiM mobile app, which also runs the RoomFit calibration using a built-in microphone. The Amp Ultra provides on-device EQ presets and the app offers a 10-band custom EQ, allowing detailed tailoring of sound to room and genre.

In listening tests the reviewer praised the Amp Ultra's warmth, headroom, wide soundstage and ultra-low distortion, noting it sounds good even at lower volumes. ZDNET called it one of the best amps under $600 they have used for streaming. Key specs include 100W per channel at 8Ω (200W at 4Ω), an ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC, dual TI TPA3255 Class-D amplifier chips, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, Wi‑Fi 6, HDMI ARC with Dolby Digital decoding, and a unibody aluminum chassis.

Key Topics

Sports, United States, Tech, Audio, Streaming, Home Audio, Review