WiiM

Ultra Streaming DAC/ Pre-Amp

AUD $599 RRP

WiiM is a sub-brand of Chinese company Linkplay Technology, which was set up in 2014 by a team of technology entrepreneurs from Google, Broadcom, InterVideo and Harman. Its streaming audio software and hardware expertise have led it to work with companies such as Harman, JBL, Yamaha and Marshall. Rather endearingly, its website says the team consists of "a group of geeky music enthusiasts who believe in the power of music wholeheartedly." Amen to that.

The Ultra is WiiM's latest product and brings together digital and analogue sources in one small box with a neat 3.5-inch colour touchscreen. It can be connected using the latest Bluetooth 5.3 or Wi-Fi 6E technology or, if you prefer, by plugging it into your home network using the Ethernet socket on the back. It lets users stream music in up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution from platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL and Qobuz or from the user's digital library. It works with Alexa and Google. It doesn't support AirPlay 2, but we understand from WiiM that the Ultra has been Roon certified at the time of writing.

It has line or optical digital inputs for a CD player, an HDMI ARC socket for a TV and a phono input for a record player with both moving magnet and moving coil options. Digital outputs also mean the Ultra can be connected to an external DAC, although its built-in one is a premium ESS ES9038 Q2M Sabre type. It also boasts a high-quality TI TPAQ6102A2 headphone amp with a front panel-mounted 3.5mm jack, and there's also an output to drive an active subwoofer.

GETTING GOING

When you switch the unit on, it invites you to download the WiiM Home app. This will take you seamlessly through the setup process, and of course, you will need to have your Wi-Fi password ready if that is how you wish to configure it. I chose to use the Ethernet option for the best possible sound. A basic setup menu is available on the front-panel touchscreen, which lets you select the input (Ethernet, Bluetooth, line in, optical in or TV) or output (line, optical, coax, Bluetooth out or headphones), but the app gives you far more options. It is definitely the best means to control the Ultra, not least because you can't search or play your chosen streaming source from the screen.

Other settings available include EQ adjustment, with a range of presets including a bass or treble booster or reducer, as well as options such as jazz, rock, piano, small speakers and spoken word. I left this switched off. Obviously, there are the usual DAC filter options, defaulting to Linear Phase Fast Roll Off. I have driven myself crazy many times listening to differences between these, and I would say they are usually minimal but do try them if you have time on your hands.

One option that intrigued me was the Room Correction option. This plays a sweep from low to high frequencies and uses your phone's microphone to plot the results and apply any correction it deems necessary. If you do try it, make sure there is no extraneous noise from outside the room, as this can dramatically compromise the result. My first attempt didn't work, but my second stab at it did. In my room, the differences were minimal, with vocals seeming perhaps a little more forward, but your mileage may vary. Again, purists might think that this is best left switched off.

THE LISTENING

Driving my Audio Note Meishu Tonmeister amplifier and Russell K Red 120Se loudspeakers, the wee WiiM Ultra sounded amazingly good considering its modest price. I kicked my audition period off with a track that I know inside out - namely, It Didn't All Come True from Ben Sidran's Bop City album. It's a superb recording and a good test of any component, and I could hardly believe my ears in terms of what this tiny box did. The bass was tight and melodic, the vocals were clean, articulate, and expressive, and the drums had punch, dynamics, and attack. The rhythmic impetus of the track was very well conveyed, as the song moved along nicely.

With Human Nature from trumpet legend Miles Davis's You're Under Arrest album, the Ultra surprised with its excellent bass grip and how it carried the staccato rhythm that makes this track so interesting, while the twists and turns of the understated but masterful trumpet playing were well conveyed. The same went for how it reproduced the saxophone. The Bright Side from Dave Koz's The Dance album again saw this little box of tricks work its magic, showing the subtleties of the playing in no uncertain terms. It let me know how each note was shaped and pushed.

Fast, firm and detailed, the WiiM Ultra is highly adept at playing sophisticated, nuanced jazz and soul music – considering its very modest price. Its midband is especially convincing, as No One Emotion from George Benson's superb 20/20 album showed. This superbly recorded track has a fast, driving rhythm that will test the mettle of any item of audio equipment – but the WiiM got a firm grip on that pumping synth bass line. Benson's distinctive vocals were well portrayed, and the Ultra gave that blistering guitar solo from Michael Sembello the raunchy edge that it should have.

The streaming side of this product is excellent then, and in my view, you would need to spend considerably more money to properly challenge its digital skills. No less pleasing is its phono stage, which certainly does not let the side down. Fed by a Rega Planar 2 turntable tracking an Ortofon moving magnet cartridge, the Ultra exceeded expectations and performed really well with a clean, quiet and crisp sound. Likewise, the headphone output, which turned out to be far from an afterthought. Driving a pair of Focal Clear headphones, it performed beautifully with no distortion or compression and had great bass weight and excellent dynamics.

THE VERDICT

A baby box that offers a high-quality hi-res streamer, a moving magnet and moving coil phono input, a headphone output and the capability to form part of a whole-home multi-room wireless music system – what's not to like? The price/performance ratio of the WiiM Ultra streamer is practically off the scale – in my view, it's a superb piece of kit. Given that it's easy to use, works flawlessly, looks good and delivers excellent sound from streaming sources and vinyl alike – what's not to like?

Visit WiiM for more information