VOLUMIO PRECISO DUAL MONO DAC REVIEW
VOLUMIO PRECISO dual mono DAC is made in Florence by this Italian company with a well-known background in computer audio. It costs 799 Euros, and in this review, Stuart Smith plugs it into the HiFi PiG reference system.
BUILD AND FEATURES OF THE VOLUMIO PRECISIO DUAL MONO DAC
For a bit of background on this Italian brand, you can read this review of the Volumio Rivo+
The Volumio Preciso is a DAC with a true dual mono configuration, based around a pair of ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M chips. The unit is housed in an aluminium chassis with a 1.3-inch OLED display on the front panel. Designed to integrate with Volumio’s RIVO and RIVO+ transports, the Preciso can also function as a stand-alone DAC with other digital sources. However, the design (I love it) of the PRECISO is very cool, and I can see users buying into the whole ecosystem of the VOLUMIO range of products, such as the RIVO+ Digital Transport that I reviewed a while back. As I mentioned in that review, I do reckon that VOLUMIO need to make a power amplifier to add to the range, or perhaps go into partnership with a speaker manufacturer to produce a pair of powered speakers with the VOLUMIO look.
Internally, the digital and analogue sections are powered independently, with separate linear regulation for each path. Volumio claim this separation helps minimise noise and improve overall signal integrity. The DACs are clocked by a single high-accuracy MEMS oscillator, shared between both channels. The layout follows a symmetrical architecture, with mirrored analogue circuitry for the left and right channels, and a selection of SMD components including COG capacitors.
Signal processing supports PCM up to 768kHz at 32-bit and DSD up to 512. There is also a Non-Over Sampling (NOS) mode, now available in firmware, which disables oversampling entirely. Volumio states that this feature is included for those seeking a more direct, unprocessed signal path.
Output from the unit is available via balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analogue connections. Maximum output level is 4 Vrms (XLR) or 2 Vrms (RCA). The PRECISO can also be used as a digital preamplifier, with hardware-based gain control allowing attenuation in 0.5 dB steps, from 0.0 dB down to -99.0 dB. Volumio claims this removes the need for a separate preamplifier when paired with a fixed-gain power amplifier, and this could be useful to those not wanting the extra box count of an additional preamplifier – or as per my suggestion above, controlling a VOLUMIO power amplifier.
Digital inputs include USB (Type-B), S/PDIF coaxial (RCA), optical (TOSLINK), and I2S over HDMI. The USB input uses the same dedicated USB controller found in VOLUMIO’s RIVO transport, and VOLUMIO claim this offers improved jitter performance and reliable data handling. The unit accepts S/PDIF input at up to 192kHz/24-bit, and the I2S and USB inputs support the full 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512 formats.
Power is supplied via a 5V DC / 2A input using a 5.5mm/2.1mm barrel connector with positive polarity. Additional connections include a 3.5mm trigger input and output for system integration.
Overall, the look of the unit is broadly the same as the RIVO +, but the PRECISO has a couple of control knobs on the front panel that sit on either side of the display. The right-hand knob turns the unit on and off/standby and turns the gain up and down. There’s a small LED to the left of the knob to indicate the status of the PRECISO. The left-hand knob cycles through input sources, and cycles through the different setting options available. It’s worth noting that the Filter option in the options menu gives you 8 different filter types (mappings) so users can tailor the DAC to their specific needs. As with most DACs that have this kind of option, I tend to scroll through once, listen t each filter and choose the one I like best; then I don’t bother with it again.
As I’ve mentioned, I really like the look of the PRECISO (and other VOLUMIO kit) and feel it will appeal to those looking to get a ‘proper” HiFi look (though in a reduced form-factor), allied with impressive specifications, and at a relatively affordable price.
SET UP
For the purpose of this review, I simply slotted the PRECISO in place of our much more expensive Lampizator BIG 7/ Pacific “FrankenDAC” for the major part of the review, but I did also test it out with the RIVO + as I feel many users will buy into the whole concept of these funky (read cool as funk) looking units.
Actual set-up was a breeze with me using the USB input from our Auralic streamer G1 and the PRECISO analogue XLR outs to our preamplifier. I’m well aware that some will use the onboard volume controls of the PRECISO and connect directly to a power amp, but that’s not how our system is set up on a day-to-day basis, and I wanted to keep things as consistent as possible for the purposes of the review. Essentially, I just replaced the Lampi with the PRECISO and used all the same cables.
Packaging of the PRECISO is excellent and continues the feel that you are getting a quality product – the Christmas Morning effect is similar to that of opening up an iPhone or similar. You get the wall-wart with different connectors for different countries and a USB cable in there. This may seem like trivial stuff, but it’s important to recognise that these things matter to consumers.
SOUND QUALITY
The first thing I noticed when listening to CMAT’s excellent Euro-Country was that the channel separation was excellent and as advertised. Not only was it possible to hear hard-panned instruments in the mix, but also those that were more subtly placed in the mix. I’d say the overall three-dimensionality of our Lampi wasn’t quite there, but the Volumio really wasn’t far off in this respect, and for an 800 euro box, this was really quite impressive. I also noted that small details in the mix, like small slides over the guitar strings were well audible. My only comment here was that the vocal wasn’t as far forward into the room as I have been used to. However, the whole of this album was a bit of a treat on the Volumio, with it imparting not a whole lot of itself to proceedings – that’s reviewer-speak for it getting out of the way of the recording and being pretty transparent.
I wanted to hear Songbird by Fleetwood Mac through the PRECISO, mostly because, despite it being a bit of an audiophile cliche, I know the tune inside out and have heard it played half-a-gazillion times over the years. The PRECISO does a very good job here. There is a feeling for the timbre of the piano and for the recording space. There’s also the clarity of the guitar that can sometimes get lost. Again, the feeling I’m getting here is that this little (and inexpensive) DAC is pretty damn close to delivering what the file has on it. It loses out in those little audiophile “je ne sais quoi” things that make you sit up and take notice of a really refined and esoteric DAC like the Lampi, but I’d quite happily have this DAC in my system and be very happy. I suppose it’s a case of not really knowing what you’ve got til it’s gone. The Chain comes on, and that F1 soundtrack bassline has texture and a really solid feel to it. And the bass stays evident in the mix even when the screaming guitars come in over the top. This is a fun and accurate sounding little DAC that kind of belies its price point. It’s also deathly quiet in itself.
Big Thief’s Vampire Empire track from a couple of years ago is a splendid track that I’m sure you’ll have heard if you listen to a decent radio station (BBC 6 Music, I’m looking at you here). At first, I thought the track was a bit muffled, but this is just how the track is recorded. I guess this is a good thing as it shows that the PRECISO isn’t unduly gilding the lily and is true to the source material.
I play a LOT of the Toy Tonics label’s tunes when I’m mixing records. It’s an excellent label if you like house, and I was cock-a-hoop when their Top Tracks VOL 13 album came out. It opens with Mystery by Kapote/Guinny which is a slab of bass-driven, accessible vocal house music. The PRECISO didn’t miss a beat and managed to get that bassline sounding room-filling and solid, the vocal out into the room, and all the rest of the mix properly placed. The thought occurred that I could actually live with this DAC were it not that I’d heard what esoteric DACs can bring to the party. I listened to all of this album, and Nostalgia by COEO with its horns and pianos was excellent sounding, with that bass again underpinning everything very nicely. Non Era Facile is a busy track with a lot going on, particularly at the top end, and it can sound a bit confused at times in this frequency band. The PRECISO didn’t cure this, but nor did it veil it, which is a good thing in my book. Overall, I found the PRECISO really punchy and dynamic-sounding.
My only criticism of the PRECISO was that on some tracks I got the feeling that it was a little flat sounding, but, then again, perhaps the PRECISO was just presenting what was on the file without undue embellishment.
Switching out our regular streamer for the RIVO+ I thought I lost very little in terms of definition and transparency. The pairing is obviously designed to work together, and they do work very well together. They also look absolutely great and are so small that you can plonk them on a sideboard or in one of the cubes of an IKEA KALLAX and have excellent sound from a package that you will barely know is there – I’d be inclined to add a pair of powered speakers for a really compact system! There is chatter of us spending a few months of the year away from home to cover some of the far-flung shows, and Lin and I discussed being able to pack a full VOLUMIO system in a small suitcase – the extra plugs for different countries you get will come in useful here! .
I’m giving the PRECISO the same score that I gave the RIVO+ as I feel it offers great value for money and a sound quality that does punch above its price.
QUIBBLES
The wall wart power pack is a bit lightweight. Perhaps VOLUMIO could come up with a multi-out power supply in the same form-factor as their excellent little units to power several boxes at once.
CONCLUSION
I’ve now reviewed two of this Italian brand’s products, and the truth is I’m finding it hard to find fault with them for their asking price. I love the design and form factor, and I really like that they are relatively affordable.
The PRECISO is aptly named given it seems to stay pretty true to the file it is being fed with and doesn’t really add a great deal of its own flavour to the mix. On well-recorded tracks you get a very good insight into what is on the recording, though the same is true if something has been mixed and mastered by an AI chimp – it doesn’t gild the lily. What I found particularly welcome with this DAC was the channel separation that ensured the record was presented as it was mixed with regard to spatial cues and position of instruments in the mix.
Could I live with the PRECISO? This is the question that I think is most crucial when looking at a review product, and I’m glad to say that with the PRECISO (and the RIVO+) the answer is a most definite yes! No, I wouldn’t get rid of our big rig in favour of these products (they’re just not as good-sounding), but if I were looking for a system to use in another room or for non-critical listening, then I’d be well chuffed with these Italian products.
One of the standout features of the PRECISO (and all the VOLUMIO kit) is its design; they are small, well finished and look fab either stacked or side by side. I can see them finding favour with many who want a compact but good-sounding system that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
I ran the PRECISO into pre, amps and speakers that cost the best part of £80K and I genuinely don’t think it embarrassed itself in anyway.
AT A GLANCE
Build Quality and Features:
Well featured with inputs and outputs
Upgrades arrive with downloads
Great build and good looks
Cool packaging
Screen is tiny but is fine for setting the unit up
Sound Quality:
Great separation of channels leads to excellent soundstaging
Good detail and insight into tunes
Punchy and exciting to listen to, with nothing really being pushed to the fore
With flat recordings and tunes that are badly mixed and recorded, it doesn’t hide these faults
The wall wart is a bit lightweight and doesn’t inspire long-term confidence
Value For Money:
It’s 800 euros, and for tha,t I think it offers really excellent value for money
We Loved:
The looks and size
Sound belies its cost
Ability to pull a mix apart, given the great channel separation
We Didn’t Love So Much
The wall wart is a bit cheap-feeling
Doesn’t have the magic that the Lampi brings to the party, but that’s a bit of an unfair comparison
The screen is tiny, but you are only going to use it when changing stuff with the front knobs, so this is kind of moot
Elevator Pitch Review: The Volumio Preciso follows the same design and form-factor as the other Volumio products – that is small, slim and good looking. The dual-mono nature (it features dual SABRE ESS ES9039Q2M DACs) of the Preciso ensures that channel separation is excellent and overall the sound of this DAC is excellent, having punch and a clarity that defies its asking price. It comes well packaged and feels like a high-quality product.
Price: £699, 799 Euros, $899
Stuart Smith
SUPPLIED SPECIFICATIONS
Digital USB Input: Up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
Digital S/PDIF Optical Input: Up to PCM 192kHz/24bit
Digital S/PDIF Coaxial Input: Up to PCM 192kHz/24bit
Digital I2S over HDMI Input: Up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
Stereo Analogue Balanced Output: Up to 4 Vrms
Stereo Analogue Unbalanced Output: Up to 2 Vrms
