I’ve been running WiiM hardware in my home for over a year — a Pro Plus in the living room and now an Ultra on the main listening desk. They’re from the same company, they both sound great, and they’re both dramatically cheaper than anything from the traditional audiophile world. But they’re not the same device, and picking the wrong one is a real mistake.
Here’s the honest breakdown.
What They Both Are
WiiM makes streaming pre-amplifiers — small boxes that bring modern streaming (Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal, Amazon Music, Roon, DLNA) to any existing speakers or amplifier. You’re not buying an all-in-one speaker. You’re buying a streaming brain you connect to gear you already own or choose separately.
Both the Ultra and the Pro Plus do this extremely well. Both integrate with Home Assistant via the WiiM integration, show up as media player entities, and work with Music Assistant for whole-home grouping.
The question is: what’s the difference, and is the Ultra’s premium justified?
WiiM Pro Plus (~$220): The Value Champion
The WiiM Pro Plus is what I’d recommend to most people. It won What Hi-Fi?’s budget streamer award two years running, and it earns it.
Inside is an AKM AK4493SEQ DAC, a cleaner power supply than its predecessor, and solid analog and digital output options — optical, coax, and a 3.5mm analog out. It supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, DLNA, and Roon Ready. That’s basically every protocol you’d want.
What you get:
- AKM AK4493SEQ DAC
- AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready
- Optical, coaxial, analog outputs
- Optical and analog inputs (so you can loop in a TV or turntable)
- Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
- Home Assistant integration
- No screen
The Pro Plus doesn’t have a screen. You control it from your phone, your smart home, or whatever streaming app you’re using. For most people, that’s never a problem — you’re already looking at your phone when you pick music.
Best for: Anyone who wants a seriously capable streamer at an honest price. Living room setups, bedroom audio, home office — anywhere you have powered speakers or a receiver you want to breathe new life into.
WiiM Ultra (~$329): The Step Up
The WiiM Ultra is the flagship streamer from WiiM, and it makes a compelling case for the extra $100.
The DAC is an ESS ES9038 Q2M — a chip you’d typically find in components costing three to five times as much. ESS versus AKM is a whole audiophile debate I won’t relitigate here, but the ES9038 is genuinely excellent, with lower noise floor and better resolution on high-bitrate material.
More importantly: the Ultra adds a 3.5-inch touchscreen. This sounds like a gimmick until you actually use it. Seeing album art and playback controls on the device itself is legitimately better than fishing out your phone every time. It also has a built-in headphone output, a phono input (for turntables), and HDMI ARC.
What you get over the Pro Plus:
- ESS ES9038 Q2M DAC (higher-end chip)
- 3.5” touchscreen with album art, playback controls, volume
- Headphone output (decent quality, not a dedicated headphone amp)
- HDMI ARC input (use your TV audio through the Ultra’s DAC)
- Phono input (connect a turntable directly)
- Wi-Fi 6 (vs. Wi-Fi 5 on the Pro Plus)
- Better build quality / premium chassis
One notable missing feature: The Ultra does NOT support AirPlay 2. This is the single biggest asterisk on this device and it trips people up constantly. If you’re in an Apple household and rely on AirPlay 2 grouping (controlling the Ultra alongside HomePods or other AirPlay speakers from iOS Control Center), the Ultra can’t participate. The Pro Plus supports AirPlay 2 just fine.
Best for: Dedicated listening setups where you care about DAC quality, want a touchscreen on the device, have a turntable, or use your TV audio through your stereo. Not for households that live on AirPlay 2 multiroom grouping.
What About the WiiM Amp Pro and Amp Ultra?
Quick clarification: if you don’t have an amplifier and want an all-in-one solution:
- WiiM Amp Pro (~$369) — a 60W×2 streaming amplifier. Plug passive speakers directly in. Think of it as the Pro Plus plus an amp built in.
- WiiM Amp Ultra — 100W streaming amplifier with the ES9039Q2M DAC and touchscreen. The full package for passive speaker setups.
The Amp series is worth it if you’re starting fresh or replacing a dumb amp. The streamer-only models (Pro Plus and Ultra) are better if you already have a capable amp or powered speakers.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Pro Plus | Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$220 | ~$329 |
| DAC | AKM AK4493SEQ | ESS ES9038 Q2M |
| Screen | No | 3.5” touchscreen |
| AirPlay 2 | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Chromecast | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Spotify Connect | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Roon Ready | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Headphone out | No | Yes |
| HDMI ARC | No | Yes |
| Phono input | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| HA integration | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the Pro Plus if:
- You use AirPlay 2 multi-room grouping (especially with HomePods or other AirPlay devices)
- You just want the best streaming box for the money, no fuss
- You’re adding a streamer to an existing good amp or powered speakers
- Budget is a real consideration
Buy the Ultra if:
- You want a touchscreen on the device itself
- You have a turntable and want to skip a separate phono stage
- You want to route TV audio through your stereo via HDMI ARC
- You care about DAC quality and want the best chip in WiiM’s lineup
- You’re not dependent on AirPlay 2
For most people I talk to, that’s the Pro Plus. But if you’re setting up a dedicated listening corner and want something that feels like a proper audio component rather than a tiny streaming dongle — the Ultra is worth every dollar of the premium.
The Bottom Line
WiiM has made the best streaming hardware at its price point, and both the Ultra and Pro Plus are genuinely excellent. The choice comes down to one question: do you need AirPlay 2 multi-room? If yes, Pro Plus. If no, and you want the better DAC, the screen, and the HDMI ARC, get the Ultra.
Either way, you’re getting a better streaming device than anything Sonos makes at twice the price.