VOLUMIO RIVO + DIGITAL TRANSPORT REVIEW

Volumio Rivo + is a digital player that is big on features, has a dedicated app but will integrate with ROON seamlessly, and looks very attractive. Stuart Smith takes a listen to this player costing a pound less than £1100.

I’d wrongly assumed that VOLUMIO was a Far-Eastern enterprise, but it seems that the company has its roots in Florence, Italy and is headed up by the very Italian-sounding Michelangelo Guarise and with a mission stated as being “to bring exceptional sound and stylish design to a broader audience.” This is where the company’s ethos got me as I genuinely do believe that the future of mass-market home audio is with companies like Volumio that are creating high-quality, affordable, and desirable products that don’t seem rarified and out of reach to the person in the street. 

I’d also wrongly assumed that VOLUMIO were a very recently born company, but it turns out they go back to 2015, had 100K installations of the VOLUMIO app by 2017 and launched their first product in late 2018. The company has a handful of products in their portfolio, the MOTIVO Streaming DAC/PRE that has a very interesting design that I love, the PRIMO Network player, streamer and DAC, The RIVO Music player transport, the RIVO PLUS we have here, The INTEGRO integrated amplifier, and the LINE 05 Linear PSU that can be used as an add on to the other units. So, essentially, apart from speakers, you can put a full digital streaming system together with VOLUMIO products. 

BUILD AND FEATURES OF THE VOLUMIO RIVO + DIGITAL TRANSPORT

Apart from the innovatively designed MOTIVO and its upward-facing touchscreen, the VOLUMIO products all have a similar design aesthetic – sleek, minimal, and very stylish. It’s kind of like someone has got a really cool-looking bit of full-sized HiFi kit and reduced its size by three-quarters. It’s a very cool look and one that will find favour with those looking for proper HiFi separates credentials married to a design that is futuristic, without being outlandish. I can well see these small units adorning sleek and modern pieces of furniture rather than being placed on some altar to audio in the form of a dedicated rack. So, from a design perspective, VOLUMIO hit the mark for me and it juxtaposes design and functionality very well. Of course, the sleek look of all the units (none but the INTEGRO have buttons or controls on the front) is made possible by the wonders of smartphone apps and I do think that any brand looking to the future that ignores these ubiquitous screens does so at their peril as I genuinely believe that mass market HiFi and audio from the home will surely have the UI (user Interface) in the virtual/app realm. 

Packaging is excellent and I really did feel as though I was unwrapping something quite nice. The packaging is simple but well done and lessons have clearly been learned from the likes of Apple. Top marks here for creating a bit of an experience. 

Feature-wise (on the outside) the RIVO + is very similar to the standard RIVO but has an added USB DAC output and I2S/DSD over HDMI for those DACs that allow (again a future-conscious decision to include this). 

It’s on the inside that things have been added to the RIVO + over and above the standard RIVO. These improvements include a dedicated ASIC to improve the digital outputs of the S/PDIF and AES-EBU digital outputs. For those as clueless as myself an ASIC is an APPLICATION SPECIFIC CIRCUIT BOARD. For clarification of what Volumio consider to be the benefits of this I reached out to the brand for clarification and print it here in full: “In the original Rivo, the S/PDIF and AES-EBU signals were generated by the Amlogic SoC. In the Rivo+, we introduced a dedicated ASIC to handle the digital signal processing, reducing the load on the CPU and improving precision.” Volumio says that this dedicated ASIC has the following benefits “Lower jitter & better signal integrity – The ASIC ensures that digital audio signals are more stable and less prone to timing errors. Reduced CPU workload – Offloading signal processing from the main processor means less interference and a cleaner audio signal. Optimized digital output performance – The dedicated ASIC is finely tuned for high-fidelity streaming, improving the quality of S/PDIF and AES-EBU outputs.” 

There is also upgraded and improved MEMS clocks on the USB output stage with the aim of”ensuring superior jitter stability and consistent audio quality”.  I have little interest in the international workings of the kit we get in for review, but MEMS clocks are Microelectromechanical System Oscillator Clocks and once again I reached out to Volumio for clarification and here’s their response: “The MEMS-based clocks in the Rivo+ are used for both the USB HUB IC and the dedicated ASIC. These clocks provide ultra-low jitter and frequency stability, ensuring accurate digital timing.” With the advertised benefits being “ Better jitter performance – Reduces digital distortion and improves timing accuracy. More stable than quartz clocks – Less affected by temperature changes, aging, and mechanical stress. Long-term reliability – MEMS clocks are more resistant to environmental variations, ensuring consistent performance over time.”

I2S/DSD over HDMI is gaining in popularity and many DACs are now including this format into their offerings, though none of the DACs we have to hand include this feature and so this will have to go untested. There is also a standard HDMI output around the back and with this you can attach a TV/Monitor which will then display the user interface  – another cool move on behalf of VOLUMIO that will allow a better user experience than just gawping at a phone screen. 

However, whether or not you are currently able to use the I2S/DSD over HDMI connection, the other digital outs on this unit are comprehensive. AES/EBU via XLR, Coaxial via RCA, and USB DAC. 

Inputs are via your Network cable (giving access to all your NAS and network-stored music files and online content) or you can stream files from attached USB storage and even Micro SD cards. 

Build quality is really nice and mostly metal, which is a nice touch. The RIVO + feels fairly light but also sturdy enough. There’s no little aerial dongle included in the packaging or even a slot on the back of the RIVO + to accommodate and aerial, so I assumed WiFi and Bluetooth were not options, but it turns out I was wrong and WiFi and Bluetooth 5 are both options for you to stream to. The inclusion of the latter two are sensible options and allow for a less cluttered set-up if that’s what you want, or you can opt for a wired connection and (assumingly) better sound quality. The dyed-in-the-wool audiophiles out there might well scoff at the thought of using Bluetooth for enjoying music, but the truth of the matter is that many people love the convenience of being able to use Bluetooth and its inclusion here is indicative of VOLUMIO thinking about their target audience and providing features that they want and that they will use. 

One of the big selling points of VOLUMIO is the inclusion of the VOLUMIO Music Player Operating System that you can actually download for free and use on your PC or Raspberry Pi computer. The MPOS is said to be highly optimised for bit-perfect playback, is compatible with all the usual file formats from MP3 to DSD, and allows for the addition of community-developed plugins. It will allow for UPNP playback, Airplay playback, has integrated WebRadio directories and many other features. VOLUMIO PREMIUM (built into RIVO +) allows for Supersearch, Infinity Playback (where the doodad operates as an AI DJ), related artists and albums feature, multiform sync, native QOBUZ and TIDAL integration, CD Playback (you can add a suitable CD Drive via USB to the RIVO +) and ripping and much more than we need to get into here. Needless to say, it’s comprehensive.

However, the RIVO + is also ROON Ready and this is a big plus for me given that it’s ROON and QOBUZ that I tend to use most of the time when playing digital files. Each manufacturer seems to have their own OS and that is great, but finding one you like (like ROON) and having that play nicely with whatever kit comes into the review set-up is highly useful and means I don’t need to discover a whole new OS every time a new product comes in for review. I’d expect the majority of users buying this product to use the included interface.

SET UP

You get a credit style card with the packaging and this has a QR code that allows you to scan it and download the VOLUMIO app. You open the app up, it searches for the player, it sees it immediately and then you click and add it. There’s a bit of a wait while the app does some downloads to the RIVO + for you (takes a few minutes) and then you have another 7 steps to complete the setup and all are pretty obvious, though on the Choose Your Output part, I wasn’t given USB as an option…and I use USB. I did eventually get it to show the USB connection but that did take a few attempts. I did find that I only had the option for wireless connection to the network, but unplugging and plugging back in the network cable cured this and the app showed Wired Connection as an option. Once I had it set up all was very straightforward. If this sounds a bit like I’m slagging the app off, I’m not, I’m just not great with this kind of thing and like things to be immediately intuitive, if not I get frustrated. However, I am a committed user of the ROON interface and thankfully the RIVO+ supports ROON and set up was a breeze – add it as a source and any you go. Music!  I’m well aware that some will want to use the VOLUMIO app and it seems to work fine, though the rest of the review will be using ROON as the interface. What I did like about the VOLUMIO app is the amount of control it gives you over the units parameters with most being (de)activated by a series of on-screen slider switches. 

SOUND QUALITY

The system used throughout is as follows: A pair of Electrocompaniet AW800 M amps, Lampizator DAC (upgraded massively), Vinius TVC pre, and Audiovector R6 speakers. An Anzuz switch is used as is a Torus power unit. 

Overall I found it very difficult to tell any difference between the RIVO + and our Stack Audio streamer which are similar kind of prices. Though I think our AURALIC unit did sound more revealing to my ears, and although it’s not exactly night and day, the difference is pretty clear in our system. More casual listeners will not need to worry about this and the RIVO + will be exactly what they are looking for. What I will say is that only a handful of years ago the differences between network players were much more apparent than they are now, though I’m yet to experience the really expensive players in our own system and I’ll reserve judgment on them until I do. 

Everything is there with the VOLUMIO RIVO+ in place. Separation of instruments and sound staging are good, whatever the kind of music played. Detail is good, with the RIVO +, but losing top end detail when compared to the AURALIC. Being highly critical (as I must be) there’s a little more muddiness to the sound when compared to the AURALIC – muddiness is a tad unfair as it suggests, well, muddiness, but it’s far from muddy in the true sense and perhaps “light-misting” might be a better description – I’m loathed to use the reviewers’ cliche “veiled”. Bass is good and as expected.

What was cleary apparent was that MP3s sound worse than WAV and FLAC files. This should be pretty obvious, to be honest, and any player that wasn’t able to make this apparent shouldn’t really be given shelf space. 

When writing a review of whatever kind of product, I’m very rarely lost for words when looking to describe the sound of a product – I look for and describe differences I hear when compared to our reference bit of kit of the same kind and do that by talking about the different music I played. With the RIVO+, I am kind of struggling to describe fully the sound without just talking about tunes for the sake of it, so I won’t. Yes, there are differences at the top and bottom end when comparing to the AURALIC, but these aren’t huge differences and, as I suggest, more casual listeners will not notice or care about the differences. Would I swap the AURALIC out for the RIVO+? Probably not is the truth to that question as the differences that were apparent to me are the differences I look for and once heard they cannot be unheard. Your mileage may differ and do keep in mind I”m putting a 1000 Euro network player into a system that would cost upwards of 100K – hardly a fair arena to put the RIVO+ in, but what I will say is that the VOLUMIO unit really didn’t embarrass itself at all. It’s quiet and plays music very well.

That’s about all I can say about the sound. It’s good. It really is, even in the rarified company I asked it to keep whilst at HiFi PiG Towers. The Stack unit we have doesn’t look as good but comes with an external PSU, though the sonic performance is pretty similar into the same DAC. Our AURALIC has an online screen, and in our reference system sounds cleaner throughout the frequency range and specifically at the very top and bottom ends. – this was apparent on everything I played through the RIVO+.   

QUIBBLES 

Set up wasn’t immediately smooth for me, though I stress this is not unusual for me with pretty much any network-attached product and I now spend much of my time stood in the yard waving my fist at the sky. Long story short, more a reflection on me than the VOLUMIO app. 

Some will not like the wall wart PSU, though it did have all the countries’ plugs you could wish. I guess someone will come up with an external PSU – indeed, VOLUMIO does the Line05 for just this purpose and it costs about 350 Euros. 

No on-unit screen will irk some folk, but now that everything is controlled via your phone/iPad screen this moan is somewhat moot. 

CONCLUSION

The RIVO + is an affordable and well performing network player. It has a whole load of outputs that will connect to pretty much whatever DAC you have to hand, plus it has USB DAC output and I2S/DSD over HDMI for those that use these.  

Sonically, the unit is very good and I’m guessing the 350 Euro external PSU that VOLUMIO sells would elevate this performance a tad. If I was keeping the unit, I would be very tempted to add the external PSU. It’s not a million miles away from our reference player sonically, though the AURALIC is staying on the rack as I feel it has the edge at the frequency extremes and is definitely “clearer” through the mids. It must be stressed that the AURALIC is a lot more expensive than the RIVO+.

If you want all the bells and whistles like multitroom playback and the different output options, I think the RIVO+ offers a very good proposition. It’s compact, affordable, looks great and sounds perfectly acceptable to my ears.  

As always, I like to ask myself the question, “Would I buy this?” The answer is a definite yes on this one. You can slot it into pretty much any system bar the most revealing and you will enjoy it. I’d have this set up in a bedroom or kitchen system. However, whilst VOLUMIO have streaming amps with in-built DACs they don’t have a standalone DAC or pure Integrated amp. Three of these units (RIVO +, a DAC, and an amp) stacked would look fantastic and the kind of products I’d probably champion given their relative affordability. The RIVO+ is an excellent example of how affordable audio products are closing the gap somewhat between entry-level products and mid-tier products. 

A big draw for the + for many will be the associated apps and control systems for the product. 

I’m awarding the VOLUMIO RIVO + our 5 Hearts award. It’s not the best-sounding network player I’ve heard, though, given its price, it is very good, indeed. I did find it difficult to tell the difference between this and our Stack Audio player (with external PSU) we have, but the AURALIC is a better-sounding player in every way. 

AT A GLANCE

Build Quality and Features:

Looks great

Compact and cool styling

Turns off after a while but starts up as soon as you play tunes

Well put together

Loads of outputs

Wireless and wired operation

The set up app is well laid out and “fairly” intuitive

ROON ready which is a must for me

Mutliroom will be a boon for many

You get all the features of VOLUMIO PLUS included

Wallwart has all the plugs for different regions included

No screen

12 Volt trigger

Sound Quality:

For the money this is very good

Slightly veiled through the mids  – very slightly 

Tops lack some of the detail the more expensive AURALIC brings out

Bass is slightly more wooly than the AURALIC

Value For Money:

It’s a great player for the money – well-featured and good sounding, even in a system that has cables that cost much more than this whole player

We Loved:

Integration with ROON was flawless

The app was good to use once I overcame my issues – waves fist at clouds

I really do love the look of the RIVO+

We Didn’t Love So Much:

It is not as ultimately resolving as our reference player

The wall wart will put some off and the PSU doesn’t match the box of the RIVO+ – in the same box it would look very smart

Didn’t recognise the wired network immediately, though it did see the wireless network

Didn’t recognise our USB DAC immediately

No screen, but who cares these days when everyone uses a phone or iPad screen – VOLUMIO do player with a screen if you want one

Elevator Pitch Review: VOLUMIO are well known on the computer audio scene and particularly to those with Raspberry Pi computers. Their RIVO + is touted as an audiophile network player and it performs very well for the asking price. Looks-wise the unit is funky and very compact, though feature-wise it has a whole load of options that belie its proportions. The full VOLUMIO PLUS app/interface comes bundled with the unit and it’s ROON compatible.

Price: €1,299 USD, $1,399, GBP £1,099, AUD $2,299

Stuart Smith 

SUPPLIED BY VOLUMIO

SUPPLIED SPECIFICATIONS

AUDIO RESOLUTION

Digital Coaxial S/PDIF output: up to PCM 192kHz/24bit and DSD64 via DoP

Digital AES/EBU output: up to PCM 192kHz/24bit and DSD64 via DoP

Digital I2S over HDMI output: up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD256

USB output: up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD256 (via USB DAC)

HARDWARE SPECIFICATION

CPU: Amlogic S905D3, Quad Core 1.9 GHz

RAM: 2 GB DDR4

Internal Memory: 16 GB EMMC

Video Output: HDMI 2.1/HDCP 2.2, up to 4Kx2K@60fps resolution

LAN: Gigabit 10/100/1000M

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2X2 MIMO with RSDB

Bluetooth: 5.0

USB: 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0

SUPPORTED FORMATS

• DSD, WAV, FLAC, Alac, Aac, Vorbis,Mp3 and many more
• Playback control and configuration via App and from browser
• Airplay support via Shairport Sync
• Bluetooth 5.0 Playback support
• CD Playback and Ripping (USB CD/DVD Drive required)
• UPNP DLNA Renderer with Open Home support
• Integrated TuneIn Web-Radio Directories
• CIFS/SMB and NFS Network
• Attached Storage compatibility

SUPPORTED SERVICES

• Airplay via Shairport Sync, Spotify & Spotify Connect, TIDAL & TIDAL Connect, QOBUZ
• Plugins available:  Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, Fusion DSP, Bandcamp and many more