Volumio Primo
Contents
In our review of the Primo, we raved about the sound quality it offers. In a direct comparison with the BlueSound Node2i, the result with the Primo is clearly better. In this stream, it is a comparison with two new streamers, both of which are cheaper.
In preparing the stream, we discovered that the sound quality of the Primo with its own Volumio software is different from playing the same track via Roon. Now we know from a previous live stream that there are audible differences between software.
In the case of the Primo, playback via Roon is better. We suspect this is because Roon on an external PC does the processing of the incoming FLAC stream, which simply puts less load on the CPU of the computer in the Primo. It has to both run the proprietary Volumio software interface and process the incoming music stream. We have not tested it, but it is likely that this is also the case if you use software such as Audirvana. We use Roon in the livestream.
The playback
With Chris Whitley’s first sounds, it’s already clear that the Primo brings something extra over the other streamers in this test. The music sounds with more urgency, the soundstage is deeper. What is noticeable is that transients, which is the sound created in a fraction of a second when you hit a drum with a stick, for example, is reproduced much more clearly and with more layering in the sound. Especially in voices, there is extra information that the Primo manages to extract from the recording, making it sound like someone is singing especially for you.
The lyrics Joan Osborne sings on “Crazy Baby” come in more, she is telling a story. The sound of the electric guitar in the solo cries more, as if the guitarist is pulling the notes out of his guitar. The reverberation of the studio space is clearly audible. It exudes even more the feeling that the track was recorded in one take, with no mixing afterwards.
In “Ain’t No Sunshine,” it is noticeable that more harmonics are audible in the guitar and violins.
The impression is once again confirmed that with this Primo, Volumio manages to bring a quality to the reproduction of music that you usually only find in a higher price range. If conveying the eloquence of music is the goal of HiFi, then in this comparison the Primo succeeds best.
Specifications Volumio Primo
| Price | 799 Euro |
| DAC | 9038Q2M |
| Outputs | Spdif coax, hdmi, RCA / XLR analog |
| Inputs | USB, Micro SD, WiFi, Ethernet |
| Airplay | Yes |
| Else | Bluetooth |
| ROON | Yes |
| Own app | Yes + web interface |
| Power supply | External |
The Primo is interesting…I’ve been using a Pi2design Mercury (CM4 rpi based streamer) with Volumio to really good effect. The software has some adjustability via pluggins that can improve the sound further – particularly Sound shield which can quiet the cpu and lower its functions while playing music. Then also a lps (all the typical things like cabling etc that you guys have covered with great care). Crazy how small and well-placed tweaks can go a long way.
And now of course, that Eversolo DMP is looking to be yet another paradigm shift in this arena and similar price range. Would love your impressions of that one!
Hello John. It seems the Eversolo is the new WiiM. All of the internet is praising it. We’ll see if we can get a review sample (at some point).
Thank you Marrjin! That would be great. Yes, everyone is going kind of crazy over it. But I know you guys would render a very balanced comparo. So many out there now 🙏🏼
Pardon me, misspelled: Martijn
I have toes for thumbs 😂 🙏🏼
Very nice comparison, and I know you can’t compare all streamers in this price category. However I must admit I was a little disappointed to first see my streamer in the list to be tested (cambridge CXN v2) and then noticed it wasn’t present anymore when I sat down to listen to the shootout. Still curious how it would have compared, just like the Innuos ZENmini MK3 which I also have (or the more recent model the Innuos Pulsemini). Maybe in a future test after all you like doing mega tests :-). Like the recent excellent bookshelf speaker test. In any case succes in future shootouts!
Cambridge never send us the unit. Innuos doesnt have samples at the moment. But we get the Zen pretty soon!
Hey Rico!
You know you can switch languages with the language-flag in the menu? :-).
The Node n130 is somewhere in the middle, I think. The Volumio wins, we know for a fact. I don’t know the Node X yet. Maybe I will get a sample.
aaah ok i see the flag now.. thank you for the respons. I get the X in a few days and will compare it with the N130.
Hello Alpha
Would have like 2 see the bluesound node n130 between these streamers. Curious how it would compare.
I ordered the new node X, hopefully 🤞 it has the same powerboard, so I could change it and hook up the sBooster. Pretty interesting product, new DAC an pretty 🤩
Hoi Rico, ben benieuwd hoe de X bevalt en hoe deze zich verhoudt tot de N130? Mvg Guus
Dag Guus. Ik zie nu pas je bericht. Ik ben erg tevreden over de nieuwe node X. Helaas had ik de N130 al verkocht voordat ik de X binnen had. Maar dit is duidelijk beter. Heb wel gelijk een externe voeding aangesloten en alleen zo beluisterd via Roon.