That’s why we created the Primo 2 streamer dac. It’s not just a new model number – it was our way of improving a beloved streamer and seeing where it needed work. We took everything great about the original and gave it a serious upgrade. Whether you’re a die-hard Primo fan looking to level up your listening experience, or you’re just dipping your toes into the world of high-fidelity streaming, we think the Primo 2 hits all the right notes.

. We’re about to break down all the key differences and improvements that make the Primo 2 a game-changer. Trust us, your ears are in for a treat!

The Foundation: What Remains the Same

At Volumio, we’re all about evolution, not revolution. When we set out to create the Primo2, we knew we had a winning formula with the original Primo. Our team has always been passionate about delivering audiophile-grade sound without the audiophile-grade price tag or complexity. These are the things we wanted to keep the same that we knew our Volumiophiles loved about the Primo:

• Core DAC: Both versions utilize the renowned Sabre ES9038 DAC chip, known for its excellent detail retrieval and low noise floor.
• Streaming Capabilities: The basic streaming functionality remains intact, allowing users to access their favorite music services and local libraries easily.

Key Upgrades: Primo2 vs. Original Primo

1. Enhanced Analog Output Stage

Even though the DAC chip is the same, the Primo2 really steps things up with a much better analog output stage. The new circuit design is specially crafted to get the most out of the DAC, making everything sound better We’ve refined the details to get a cleaner sound:

• New Circuit Topology: A custom-designed circuit that optimizes the DAC’s performance.
• Improved Components: Higher quality components in the signal path for cleaner sound.

2. Power Supply Upgrades

The Primo2 boasts an upgraded internal power circuit, which contributes to:

• Lower Noise Floor: Cleaner power leads to less interference and better overall sound quality.
• Improved Dynamics: Better power delivery can enhance the system’s ability to handle dynamic swings in music.

A lower noise floor means there’s less unwanted electrical noise creeping into the sound, so the music you hear is much clearer and more detailed. On top of that, improved dynamics ensure that the quiet moments stay soft and the loud ones hit with full impact, all without any distortion. In short, this power supply helps the Primo2 deliver music the way it was meant to be experienced—pure, immersive, and interference-free

3. Balanced Analog Output

One of the most significant additions to the Primo2:

• Superior Noise Rejection: When used with compatible amplifiers, the balanced output can provide better resistance to electromagnetic interference.
• Potential for Higher Sound Quality: In many setups, balanced connections can offer improved clarity and soundstage.

The noise rejection in a balanced analog output is essential for preserving signal integrity. By using balanced connections, any external noise or interference picked up during transmission—like hum or RF noise—is effectively canceled out. This is particularly important when running longer cables or in environments with lots of electronic equipment. The result is a cleaner, more accurate signal, ensuring the audio remains as pure and transparent as possible, which is crucial for achieving that high-fidelity sound we all chase.

4. Performance Enhancements

The Primo2 comes with several under-the-hood improvements:

• Faster CPU: This results in smoother system responsiveness and quicker navigation.
• Upgraded WiFi: The addition of 5G WiFi support ensures faster and more stable streaming capabilities.
• Updated Bluetooth: Improved Bluetooth connectivity for those who utilize wireless audio transmission.

We wanted to ensure there were no issues with connectivity, our goal was to have better stability with Primo2 and this meant 5G WiFi and better Bluetooth connectivity.

5. Design and Usability Upgrades

The Primo 2 isn’t just about internal improvements:

• Refreshed Aesthetic: A new design that many users find more appealing than the original.
• Power Button Addition: Unlike the original, the Primo 2 features a power button, allowing users to turn off the device without unplugging it.

A new Primo also meant a streamer dac that looked new and improved chassis and additions to the overall design. We got award-winning Design Narratives Ltd. to create the unique design of our streamers. And earlier this year they won an IF Design Award 

The Listening Experience: Has It Changed?

While the beloved core sound signature of the original Primo remains intact—a classic that audiophiles have come to know and love—the Primo 2 brings a host of upgrades that elevate your listening experience to new heights:

• Enhanced Detail: with an improved analog stage and power supply, you’ll likely uncover subtle nuances in recordings that you may have missed before.
• Potentially Wider Soundstage: The new balanced outputs can create a more expansive soundstage, allowing you to feel more immersed in the music.
• Smoother Operation: The faster CPU means the interface responds with agility. No more lag or awkward pauses—just seamless navigation that lets you dive straight into the music without missing a beat.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

For owners of the original Primo, the decision to upgrade to the Primo 2 hinges on a few key factors:

• Balanced Output Need: If your audio system can take advantage of balanced connections, the Primo 2 offers a substantial upgrade in terms of noise rejection and overall sound clarity.
• Desire for Refinement: The subtle improvements in sound quality and usability may resonate with discerning listeners who appreciate the finer details in their music.
• Aesthetic Preferences: If you’re drawn to the sleek new design, that might also sway your decision to upgrade.

Many audiophiles find that these enhancements justify the investment. Plus, you can always repurpose the original Primo as a high-quality streaming system in a secondary location.

 The Evolution of Excellence

The Primo 2 represents a thoughtful evolution of an already excellent product. By maintaining the core strengths of the original Primo while addressing potential areas for improvement, the designers have created a device that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in an all-in-one streamer/DAC at this price point.

Whether you’re considering an upgrade from the original Primo or looking to enter the world of high-quality audio streaming, the Primo 2 offers a compelling package that combines cutting-edge technology with carefully tuned audio performance. It’s a testament to the idea that there’s always room for improvement in the world of high-end audio – even when the starting point is already impressive.

Ready to experience the next level of audio perfection? Visit our shop to learn more about the Primo 2 and hear the difference for yourself. Don’t miss out on our limited-time Lineo5+ Primo2 offer – upgrade your listening experience today!

The post Primo 2 Streamer DAC: Is It Really Worth the Upgrade or Just Another Audiophile Money Pit? appeared first on Volumio.

He has worked with numerous world-class characters, including Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Bob Berg, Michael Brecker, Tony Oxley, Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Toots Thieleman and Ramin Bahrami in the splendid Bach is in the air. He performs in major Italian and international jazz festivals, as well as holding solo piano concerts.

Danilo Rea is also a great Hi-Fi enthusiast, he has never hidden it. In his apartment, numerous systems alternate between the sacred and the profane, between modern and vintage. But the interpretation he makes of Hi-Fi is completely personal, for him a device is like a piano, he chooses them carefully, in short, they must correspond to it. Volumio Primo was immediately part of Danilo’s universe, who immediately appreciated its natural and expressive qualities as well as its ease of use.

Now Primo is a permanent partner of his musical universe, alternating between one system and another, he has made it a real work tool.

Musicista di livello assoluto e molto ricercato in ambito pop e jazz, è considerato tra i migliori pianisti italiani. Diplomato al conservatorio di Santa Cecilia a Roma, è l’artista d’elezione dei migliori interpreti italiani, tra i quali Mina, Baglioni, Celentano, Mannoia e più di recente Gino Paoli. E’ un interprete immenso e viscerale, che ammalia e conquista irrimediabilmente con le sue libere improvvisazioni su temi melodici celebri.

Ha lavorato con numerosi personaggi di livello assoluto, tra i quali Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Bob Berg, Michael Brecker, Tony Oxley, Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Toots Thieleman e Ramin Bahrami nello splendido Bach is in the air. Si esibisce nei maggiori festival jazz italiani e internazionali, oltre a tenere concerti di piano solo.

Danilo Rea è anche un grande appassionato di Hi-Fi, non lo ha mai nascosto. Nel suo appartamento numerosi impianti si alternano, tra sacro e profano, tra moderno e vintage. Ma l’interpretazione che fa dell’Hi-Fi è del tutto personale, per lui un apparecchio è come un pianoforte, li sceglie con cura, gli devono, insomma, corrispondere. Il Volumio Primo ha fatto subito parte dell’universo di Danilo, che ne ha apprezzato immediatamente le doti di naturalezza ed espressività oltre alla facilità d’uso.

Adesso è partner fisso dei suoi ascolti, e lo alterna tra un sistema e l’altro, ci lavora, ne ha fatto, insomma, un vero e proprio strumento di lavoro.

The post Danilo Rea chooses Volumio appeared first on Volumio.

So where is the Black Friday discount?

Oops! This time, Black Friday will be different here at Volumio and there are no discounts!

Jokes aside, we wanted to get in touch with you to give you an important announcement.

After carefully analyzing our supply chain for the past months, we are here to inform you Volumio Primo prices will increase. 

We all know about the unfortunate situation that’s being going on in the world. This year has changed everybody’s life, one way or another. Same happened to companies, unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic forced us into new changes.

Logistics costs have increased +200%, as well materials and manufacturing costs have increased +12% for Primo. Combining it, these costs have significantly increased the last months, not giving us another option but to come to the decision that our Volumio Primo price will increase.

 The new Volumio prices will take effect on Saturday, November 28th at 00:00 CEST:

• Volumio Primo Community Edition: €479 €499

• Volumio Primo Hi-Fi Edition: €619 €649

*Volumio Primo Hi-Fi Edition includes MyVolumio Superstar Lifetime Plan

Why are we doing this now? We tried to hold this decision for as long as we could and prevent this price increase for these last months. However, as supply chain costs continue rising and we keep expanding our team and capabilities to provide the most to our community, keeping the current price is not sustainable anymore.

We believe it’s fair to communicate in advance, this way if you are interested in buying a Primo, you can have the chance to purchase it before going through this change.

Get Volumio Primo here before prices go up!

The post Black Friday Surprise! We have a important announcement for you appeared first on Volumio.

We are proud to announce Volumio Primo’s arrival to Canada. Motet distribution has joined the Volumio family, and as of now they are the new official Volumio Primo distributor in Canada, supplying our EISA award-winning streamer to retailers in the country.

Our team is pleased to start this partnership with Motet Distribution given that we share the same values and philosophy. This being primarily doing hard work in providing the best support to our customers, and promoting a sensible approach in the hifi industry by offering the best products while considering the quality-price ratio. Having said that, we can confirm not only Motet Distribution but the brands it currently represents, such as iFi (who we know and like a lot), deliver the same values.

Motet Distribution scouts the world to bring audio retailers brands of the highest musicality and value. It seeks dependable specialized manufacturers that offer superlative audio products designed with passion and care.

Music lovers and audiophiles can experience music in an unprecedented way. – Motet Distribution.

The Volumio Team is thrilled to be working with the well-known respectable Motet Distribution team lead by Lily Luo, its owner. Their commitment and eagerness to showcase and represent Volumio Primo gives us such joy and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership. 

Stay tuned for more news and in the meantime, visit their website and say hello!

The post Announcing Volumio Primo official Canadian distributor: Motet Distribution appeared first on Volumio.

Over the past seven years we have committed to give music lovers the best audiophile experience in an innovative approach. Starting with the Volumio project, the music player software that gave life to our eponymous company and an incredible community, this aspired us to give more. A couple of years later, after a thorough research, our community support and long hours of hard work, we launched the music player and streamer, Primo. It was such a thrill introducing our first complete audiophile product!

But the most wonderful feeling was the great response we’ve received since. When we launched the Primo in 2018, it did not cross to our minds that in less than two years, we would receive the most prestigious award in the Hi-Fi Industry. Today, we are proud to announce Volumio Primo received the EISA Award for Best Digital Source Product 2020-2021! Dreams do come true, it’s a proven fact for us.

It all started as a hobby…

We believe that Volumio is the real proof that if you do something with passion and effort, you can accomplish anything. From deciding to go through an unusual path for the audiophile world and encountering many struggles since the beginning, Michelangelo Guarise, founder and creator of Volumio, described his thoughts after receiving the great news from EISA:

“When we started the Volumio project a couple of years ago, there were many people doubting us (sometimes even laughing at us) for creating something strange; a new principle of having a dedicated OS for low-powered devices. Regardless, we continued with the same approach of being totally different due to the following reasons: the Open Source aspect of it and subsequently, the involvement of the community in the design process. Later on, we tried to create something radical with the Primo, still embodying the philosophy of Volumio: sound quality, great usability and nothing more, wanting to steer away from the audiophile weasels that you can find in many devices. This achievement is truly special because it shows that our philosophy that was seen as absurd and not brilliant in the beginning, turned out to be a winning one. Moreover, it feels important because many people enjoy the Primo.” – Michelangelo Guarise, Founder and CEO of Volumio.

Volumio Primo can be controlled with any device.

Volumio Primo, an EISA award-winning product

In case you haven’t heard about them before, the EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) has been around for over 35 years representing the biggest worldwide editorial collaboration of consumer electronics. Currently with 61 international experts magazines, every year they gather and select the best CE products to be honored with the prestigious EISA awards. And this year, Volumio Primo was chosen as one of the best products in the Hi-Fi industry, winning the Digital Source category award.

While focusing on the range of performances, the EISA Awards judges describe the award-winning Primo in these words:

“This unassuming-looking little black box is a highly affordable solution to all your digital streaming needs, for not only will it play music stored on home network devices, it also allows you to access a huge range of online music services. With simple operation via web browsers or apps, and an on-screen GUI delivered over HDMI, the Primo includes digital outputs to feed any DAC while also playing music via USB stores. Compatible with music formats all the way up to DSD, via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, this small wonder is the perfect way to start your streaming adventure.”

We could not have said it better, the set of capabilities that Primo offers is what captivates the audiophile audience and we are glad the EISA members could see and agree with us.

All goes back to the design philosophy, creating a music player and streamer devices that provides three main principles. Of course, the first one to mention must be sound quality, followed by universality and last but not least, practicality. These simple but essential elements are shown in the Primo streamer through various features, from the ability to play every music format and sources thanks to the Volumio OS, to the set of multiple input and output capabilities. A certainly tiny, but powerful device.

An achievement for many of us

One more last thing we want to say: THANK YOU!

This award is dedicated to ALL who were and are part of the Volumio journey. This award is for the Volumio Team, for every contributor, every users who gave us feedback, every user who is listening music now with the Primo, every member of our community who supported us throughout all these years, and last but not least, to the great partners and Hi-Fi companies that believed in the Volumio project and use our technology.

Are you ready to start your streaming adventure?  

Now let’s celebrate and continue to build a great Hi-Fi future! Cheers!

The post Volumio Primo wins EISA Award for Best “Digital Source” Product 2020-2021 appeared first on Volumio.

All photos courtesy of Lorenzo Chiccoli, follow him on Instagram

When we launched Primo, even though every feature was carefully thought-out, this was to us more of an experiment than anything else. Our goal was to understand if there was an interest for Volumio branded products. You can then imagine our surprise when we saw Primo’s first batch of 20 units go sold-out in less than 20 hours. Not even in our wildest dreams, we could have imagined that.

And our surprise kept on growing in the following months when we could not get the pace of incoming orders (you might have noticed, that Primo has been regularly unavailable in the first months… luckily we now know how to plan production a little bit better…). Our first year of Primo has been literally a rollercoaster of emotions: the joy of seeing it so appreciated by customers and the struggle to learn how to effectively distribute a product worldwide (keeping customer support and satisfaction as high as we could).

There was so much to learn: from logistics management to customs and duties calculations, production planning, certifications, packaging design, supply-chain, distribution agreements. Luckily, in the process, we met and worked with several great partners from production, to logistics, retail distribution and legal advice that helped us achieve what we wanted. So, it’s really fair to say that Primo would not have been possible without the help of our partners.

And most important, Primo’s biggest success is the satisfaction of our customers. So we want to say thanks to everyone that believed in us getting, reviewing, trying and listening to Primo.

But enough talking from us. We think that the best way of celebrating Primo’s first anniversary is by letting who tried it speak for it: we feel so proud about the reviews and comments, from the minimalist compact box design to the functionality in both hardware and software, the Primo has been reviewed as an all-in-one solution for the audiophile.

We received high praises from big members of the HiFi community, from John Darko saying that Volumio Primo is a “very good sound streamer both digitally and analog-wise and a nicely made product”, to Hans Beekhuysen telling the “Primo offers very good sound quality and build quality for the money.” 

AVGuide.ch expressed that “The Volumio Primo is an excellent streaming/player software in a modest device with outstanding sound characteristics and a neat GUI with many possibilities”. Primo has been reviewed as being an easy-to-use device, any music lover can get and use their Primo. According to Digiphonix, Volumio Primo is “an exciting and pleasant product, especially for a first time user of a networked streamer device, someone seeking a good music source that can grow with their audio gear acquisitions over time and also, for the avid listener that already makes use of lossless music files and streaming.”

The Volumio Primo was created to give three main fundamental properties every audiophile should enjoy: the sound quality, the practicality and the wide range of features, all by using best audio hardware combination made of the ASUS Tinker board S and the ESS ES9028Q2M DAC.

To this regard, AV Forums has described the Volumio Primo as “a seriously impressive product that comes enthusiastically recommended.” As well as HiFi Choice saying that “When you consider the flexibility and outstanding sonic performance on offer, the Volumio Primo looks like a very attractive option at the price.”

It’s called Primo not only because of the Italian meaning “first“, being the first of its kind created under Volumio qualifications, but also because Primo means “of top quality or importance”. Volumio’s purpose is to give our community that, the uppermost experience.

We are kindly grateful to you, because with your help, Volumio Primo came to life and now, according to all the reviews, it is one of the top HiFi music player streamers in the market. Needless to say, this gave us the strong motivation to keep on bringing new products to life (the next of which will be Motivo… ). We have many new products in the works and we are uttermost excited for the future ahead of us.

So, once again: thanks to everyone who made it possible. Thanks to anyone who’s listening to music with Primo. Thanks to anyone who talked about it. Thanks to anyone who believed in it. Thanks to anyone who waited impatiently for it.

And… thanks to anyone who hasn’t got it yet but will do it now.

Happy birthday Primo!

The post Volumio Primo Turns One! appeared first on Volumio.

First of all, what is Superphonica and why we love it.
Superphonica is a creation by the same team of Computer Audiophile (now Audiophile Style). It is an online marketplace for buying and selling used audio hardware. We believe it is a fresh breath for the second hand audio marketplace scene: just snap photos with your phone and list the items for sale, all from your phone, laptop, or desktop. It takes just a couple of minutes.

There are no costs to list an item and Superphonica gets a tiny 1% fee only when your item sells. Those fees are then reinvested to finance new reviews and articles on Audiophile Style, one of the best Online Community and Blog in the Audio Industry.

We have recently met Chris, Superphonica’s founder, and we have found a man that share with us an immense passion for the Audio and Music industry. We found many synergies between Volumio and Superphonica, and we decided to start a collaboration right away with the aim of bringing great benefits to the entire Volumio Community.

This is how Chris explains his vision:

“Superphonica is the marketplace that we always wanted and dreamt of. We were tired of our grandfather’s classified section, so we created the Rolls Royce of marketplaces for audio. We also wanted to bring pricing down to a level that makes sense for everybody. There is zero cost to list an item for sale and only a 1% fee when the items sells. If items don’t sell right away they remain available until they sell without the need to re-list or touch anything. In addition, all the money Superphonica brings in, goes to hire writers at Audiophile Style who review the gear you love. Sell on Superphonica and get more than just money in your pocket.”

So, how does the Volumio-Superphonica collaboration work? And why it’s a great chance for you all?

A GREAT CHANCE TO REPLACE YOUR OLD STREAMER WITH A SHINY NEW VOLUMIO PRIMO

Yes, for all of you craving to get yourself our Volumio Primo Streamer this is a great chance to put on sale your old streamer on Superphonica and immediately get 10% off on Volumio Primo!

It’s super easy:

• List your Streamer for sale on Superphonica (or any other piece of Audio equipment)
• Once your listing is created, you will receive via mail a 10% off coupon code for Volumio Primo
• Head to the Volumio Primo page, add it to cart and insert the code at checkout
• Smile, you got yourself a fantastic Audiophile Streamer and a great deal!

So, if you were considering upgrading your Streamer and getting yourself a Primo, be quick and get this deal while it lasts!

The post Volumio with Superphonica: a great deal to replace your old streamer with a Volumio Primo appeared first on Volumio.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Primo.

Primo in Italian means First. And guess what, we named it like so not only because its our actual first take of a complete Volumio Music Player directly manufactured under our specifications, but also because it has been designed to be YOUR favorite music player. The first of your personal list.

It has been a long time since we started dreaming of manufacturing a complete Volumio product. As Volumio team we always had a clear idea of what we wanted, and we started looking for partners to help us realize our vision.

We found such partner in a well established Hi-Fi manufacturer with which we work since many years with our OEM program: they proved us they could build something to match our expectations. The result of which we are really proud to present to you, our beloved community today.

The primo is a simple, uncomplicated yet powerful streamer.

PRIMO’S DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The first cornerstone of its design philosophy is of course sound quality.

Personally, I have a very strong orientation on a balanced sound signature, detailed but not hyper-analytical. I want to enjoy music and for that, the ability to convey rhythm and pace is a must.
I wanted nothing but such acoustic signature for our player. And boy, this is exactly what I heard when I received the first sample of Primo.

Since I am not the best judge of Primo’s acoustic qualities (someone said bias?) I took care of handing another sample to Jens Neugebauer which hosts Soundcheck, a blind test comparison between DACs on a regular basis. Primo, guess what, came out first against all competitors. Read the full report here:
https://volumio.org/forum/volumio-soundcheck-invitation-for-hamburg-germany-t5918-50.html#p50701

For the silicon fetishists among you: Primo’s DAC is the excellent ES9028Q2M, supported by a more than excellent implementation.

Second principle: universality. Primo not only should be able to play every format, every music media (and it does that thanks to Volumio, ça va sans dire) but it’s should also be flexible in terms of output. That’s why we equipped it with Analog Out (as you would expect from a music player) USB (no surprise here as well, as it comes with ANY single board computer) but also S\PDIF. So you’ll be able to use its DAC or any external DAC via USB or SPDIF to your liking.

Third, but not least. It must be practical. So we have the best connectivity options onboard: Gigabit LAN and Wireless N with external antenna for optimal range.
For those who like to have the UI on their display we also made sure to have HDMI video output.

All those great connectivity features are inherited by the Tinkerboard S: which we believe is the best all-rounder embedded hardware on the market for Audio applications: it’s powerful, built with quality and stability in mind and its USB and I2S implementation are better than everything else we’ve tried.

Last (but your wife will put it first): Primo is beautiful. It’s enclosed in a full metal matte black soft touch enclosure. It’s elegant and simple and compact.

So, now that you know Primo and you want it, here’s the best part. We’ve put in production the first batch of 20 pieces, available for pre-order now as “Founders edition”.

This is a special offer for our community of early adopters:

• • Special launch price of 349 euros (instead of 399)
  • Free Shipping (available only for European Customers)
  • MyVolumio Superstar Subscription for 1 Year Included (worth 67 euros)
  • Shipping in late December
  • Only 20 pieces available. Next batch will be manufactured after all Founders Edition orders are shipped (with regular 399 euros price)

If you love Volumio, you’ll adore Primo. We put all our love and thought into it and we’re so proud to offer it to our beloved community.

[button type=”success” size=”btn-large” label=”Get your Primo” link=”/primo”]

The post Volumio Primo, our first product now on sale appeared first on Volumio.