Volumio Primo versus Bluesound Node2i
Contents
The comparison was done on the second reference set at Alpha Audio. This consists of:
- A Yamaha A-S2200 integrated amplifier
- Sonus Faber Lumina monitor speakers
- Driade Flow 405 speaker cable
We used Grimm TPM interlinks for this comparison. Grimm TPM are neutral interlinks that offer great insight into the sound, making them ideal for a comparative test. A number of tracks from the pop/rock and classical test list were used.
Compared to the Node, the Primo plays slightly more forward. The sound literally plays closer to you than with the Node. This results in greater engagement with the music.
It is also noticeable that, especially in the midrange, the music has more fluidity with the Primo. The notes are more connected, one note following logically on another note resulting in a relaxed listening experience.
The Primo has a Sabre ESS 9038Q2M DAC. The DAC chip by no means says it all, it is all about how a manufacturer has embedded the DAC in the device. Manufacturers can programme their own filters for the chip in addition to Sabre’s standard DAC filters. When we reached out to Volumio to ask, they confirmed that Volumio has implemented their own filter. In doing so, they have given the DAC their own signature and this is the reason for the fluidity in sound.
Listen
More detail presents itself with the Primo than with the Node. In ‘Three Good Things’ by Mammal Hand, the piano has more richness in the sound. The saxophone shows much more of its character, for instance in the way the saxophone’s reed is audible while with the Node the metallic sounds dominate. The difference is also clear in the details in small fast notes in percussion, the Primo reproduces them better.
In Laura Marling’s ‘Only the Strong’, the piano’s timbre stands out, it is richer and more lifelike than with the Node. The instruments are nicely placed around Laura Marling’s voice. The sound of the drumsticks on the edge of the drum makes you think someone is playing in front of you instead of listening to a recording.
The Primo gives Madonna’s ‘Jump’ a tighter and also a bit more dry-sounding bass. The stereo image is a lot wider and the effects in the mix are much more clearly placed in the stereo image. It has a nice swing to it. Sitting in a chair listening to the music is difficult, you want to perform foolish dances and clap your hands to the beat.
Jamie Cullum’s cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Hey Ma’ sounds lighter and with less reverb with the Primo than with the Node, but comes across to you with so much more emotion. The Primo gives voices a lot of depth and nuance and makes you experience more emphatically what a singer is trying to convey to you. Again, the piano sounds stand out. The acoustic bass gets a rounder sound, gets more texture in the strings, and also goes deeper.
Clearly, the Primo is simply the better streamer with DAC. At the time of writing this review, the Primo is € 150 more expensive. However, the difference in sound quality is much greater and we would save on for a Primo.
While listening, however, we get the feeling that there is more to it than we hear.
Hello Jaap, I asked Martijn the following question but he probably is quite busy haha.
First I’m really enjoying the really great, objective (what I can see..) and humorfull review sessions you, Yung and Martijn and others make. Thanks for that!
The question was that if I want to connect a top CD transport with Tentlabs reclocking to the Primo I probably need the Mutec mc3 USB unit to convert from spdif to USB. But what is your estimations. Will that combo beat a Metrum Onyx Dac1 equiped DAC?
And did you ever compared an Chord Qutest to the Onyx?
Fyi. The digital sound I’m searching for is analog. I’m an analog guy with an heavy analog frontend with eat e-glo-S, Townshend Rock2 modified with seismic pods and Dr Fuss PS with Decca Super gold and Garrott P77I moving iron cartridges (Yung will probably like those also haha..)
Thanks upfront for a response and keep up doing the good work to give objective inside what’s going on in the high-end world without losing the fun and focus on the emotion in the musique..
I answered your question on the Dutch version of this article. See: https://alpha-audio.net/nl/review/volumio-primo-bravo-bravissimo/#comment-24909
Thanks for the reply. You used the Farad10 but the Farad3 should be sufficient too , to feed the Primo I suppose…? Or as always the more power the better if the delivery afcourse is equally fast ..
Hallo Jaap, although you experimented with the Rigol lab power supply on the Primo, you never commented how the Rigol on the Primo compared to the Farad10 or Pixler DC statement?
You are correct! It’s hard to compare, for I didn’t really A / B compare them. But fact is: the Rigol produced VERY decent results. Not as good as the Farad if I try to compare from memory. I guess the Farad is more smooth… Know that the Rigol is actively cooled and NOT silent at all. :-).