Volumio Primo Plus Streaming DAC – Quick Look

All Image Credit: Volumino

Italian Hi-Fi brand Volumio has announced the launch of the Volumio Primo Plus, a newly developed Streaming DAC designed to deliver high-quality digital playback. This latest model builds upon the earlier Primo but is a complete redesign and an entirely new architecture. At the core of the redesign is a Dual-Mono DAC configuration using two new ESS ES9039Q2M chips. This arrangement reduces crosstalk and offers high-resolution playback up to PCM 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.

Internal hardware includes a 64-bit Cortex-A72 SoC running at 1.5GHz plus upgraded OPAMPs, low-noise line regulators and LC filtering. Power is provided to the analogue and digital sections using dedicated linear power stages that minimise interference and help maintain low distortion. While clocking is handled by a newly developed high-precision clock with ultra-low phase noise to reduce jitter. Both the RCA and XLR outputs have the the options of 8 levels from 0.5 to 6.30 Vrms, and 8 selectable DAC filter characteristics, plus the built-in volume control makes it easy to run Primo Plus directly into a power amplifier for a simplified setup.

The VolumioOS powers the Primo Plus, providing multiroom functionality and compatibility with major streaming services to include; Tidal/Tidal Connect, Qobuz/Qobuz Connect, Spotify/Spotify Connect and HighRes Audio. It is Roon Ready and supports AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna and TuneIn, with resolution support up to PCM 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512 depending on the input.

Control is provided using the 1.3-inch OLED display, dual rotary encoders with push-buttons, and a supplied aluminium IR remote. Plus, video output is available via HDMI for external display use, including mirroring of the Volumio OS interface.

Rear panel input connectivity includes; 1 x RJ45 GLAN Network, 1 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A, 1 x coaxial and optical. Bluetooth 5.0 dual-band reception is also included via the network interface. Analog output is handled by one pair of both each RCA and XLR connectors, while control is available via 1 x 12VDC trigger out.

Features At A Glance:

• HIGH PRECISION DUAL MONO DAC DESIGN: 2 x ESS ES9039Q2M
• HIGH RESOLUTION PLAYBACK: Up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
• ULTRA-LOW JITTER: High-precision clock with ultra-low phase noise (90 fs) and jitter
• ULTRA-LOW NOISE: High quality OPAMPs and line regulators
• HIGH QUALITY POWER: LC filtering and dual linear stage with dedicated line regulators for analog and digital paths
• DAC FILTERS: 8 digital filters for fine tuning
• NOS MODE: Non-oversampling option for raw, unprocessed audio signal data
• BALANCED DESIGN: Fully balanced with balanced stereo output
• VOLUME CONTROL: Pre-amp mode to drive power amps directly
• OUTPUT VOLTAGE SELECTION: 8 levels for RCA and XLR

Specifications:

• DIGITAL INPUTS:
  • NETWORK up to PCM 384kHz/32bit
  • USB-C up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
  • USB-A for USB Flash Drive and HDD/SDD
  • COAX up to PCM 192kHz/24bit
  • OPTICAL up to PCM 192kHz/24bit
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0
• USB-A (HOST)
  • Input – USB Flash Drive and HDD/SDD
  • Output – PCM 1536kHz/32bit, DSD1024
• CPU: Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
• RAM: 2GB LPDDR4
• INTERNAL STORAGE: 16 GB EMMC
• CONNECTIVITY:
  •  USB:
    • 1x USB Type-C connector (device)
    • 2x USB Type-A connectors (host)
  • S/PDIF:
    • 1x Coaxial input (RCA connector)
    • 1x Optical input (TOSLINK connector)
  • STEREO OUTPUTS:
    • 2x unbalanced RCA connectors
    • 2x balanced XLR connectors
  • HIGH-SPEED NETWORK:
    • Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4G and 5G)
    • Gigabit LAN10/100/1000M
  • TRIGGER OUT: 12V 3.5mm jack (positive on tip)
• OUTPUT VOLTAGE SELECTION:
  • 8 levels for balanced XLR output: 1Vrms – 6.30Vrms,
  • 8 levels for unbalanced RCA output: 0.5Vrms -3.15Vrms
• DISPLAY: 1.3” OLED display
• KNOBS: 2 rotary encoder knobs with push-button
• HDMI VIDEO OUTPUT: Volumio OS app mirroring up to 4K/60fps
• REMOTE: IR Remote receiver (aluminum IR remote included)
• WEIGHT: 2.25 kg
• DIMENSIONS (WxDxH): 27x15x5 cm

MSRP:

• UK: £1,049.00
• US: $1,399.00
• EU: €1,199.00

For more information visit the Volumino web site.

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