Conclusion
Contents
Apart from the testing in Haarlem, the Primo has been used for a long review time. In reviews of the Cyrus Classic Amp and the Rega Elicit Mk5, the Primo has served as a source, both digitally with the amps’ DACs and analogue. The Volumio impresses with the smoothness of the sound in the midrange. Especially with singers, it is noticeable that very small nuances in the voice are audible, bringing in the eloquence of melody and lyrics. The Volumio Primo is good at conveying intention and emotion, which is quite exceptional in this price range.
The SPDIF output is slightly inferior to the analogue output, but you do not buy the Primo as a network bridge, rather as a streamer with DAC combination. If you are only looking for a network bridge in this price segment, the Primare NP5 is a better option and Volumio also makes the Rivo, which we still hope to test.
Upgrade path
Replace the included power supply with, for example, the LHY LPS25VA. This delivers up to 3.5 ampère in 5 volts and has two 5V outputs. The Primo needs 3 ampère to boot up. Connect a DLink DGS-108 to the one 5V output, as it operates at 5 volts and tested well in our switch multitest. Connect the Volumio Primo to the other 5V output and you have a streaming solution that probably cannot be beaten for the same money.
Conclusion
A streamer with DAC, sounding excellent straight out of the box, and which is our recommendation for anyone searching within the 500 to 1000 Euro price range.
Replace the power supply with a good lineair power supply and the Primo will compete with streamer and DAC devices in the 1000 to 2000 Euro price range, and maybe even above. That is outstanding value for money. Bravo, bravissimo Volumio! Alpha Approved in bold typeface.
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. :-).