News Archives - Volumio https://volumio.com/category/news/ The Music Player Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:26:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://volumio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-volumio-icon-32x32.png News Archives - Volumio https://volumio.com/category/news/ 32 32 Volumio 4 is Here: A Year in the Making, Built for What’s Next https://volumio.com/volumio-4-os/ https://volumio.com/volumio-4-os/#respond Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:38:02 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=53459 Today marks something special for us and for everyone who loves what Volumio does. After nearly a year of work,

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Today marks something special for us and for everyone who loves what Volumio does. After nearly a year of work, we’re releasing Volumio 4 for Raspberry Pi and PC platforms.

You might fire it up and think, “Wait, it looks the same.” And you’d be right. We didn’t redesign the interface or move buttons around. What we did was rebuild the foundation.

Why This Matters

Think of Volumio 4 like replacing the engine in your favorite car. From the driver’s seat, everything feels familiar. But under the hood, we’ve swapped in something more powerful, more efficient, and ready to take you places the old engine simply couldn’t go.

We’ve moved to Debian Bookworm, which is the technical way of saying we’ve given Volumio a completely modern foundation. This isn’t just about what you’ll see today. It’s about what we can build tomorrow, and the year after that, and beyond.

volumio-4-raspberry-pi

A Huge Thanks to Our Community

This kind of work doesn’t happen alone. Andy, Marco, Pascal, Ash, Gé, Josh, and our entire inner circle of moderators and developers spent countless hours testing, troubleshooting, and pushing this forward. When you’re rebuilding something from the ground up while keeping it running, you need people who care as much about getting it right as we do. We couldn’t have done this without them.

The App Changes Everything

Here’s where things get exciting. Volumio 4 works hand in hand with our new Volumio app, which just landed on the app stores. This is the first step in our vision: one seamless ecosystem for music playback, everywhere, for every kind of digital music.

The new app doesn’t just look better. It’s fundamentally more resilient. We’ve built a new connection method that stays rock solid even when your network gets cranky. The onboarding is now straightforward instead of confusing. You’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time listening.

volumio-4-app

 

What You’ll Actually Notice

Your CDs will play quietly now. Most USB drives used to make noise during playback. That’s fixed. Silent CD playback with the vast majority of drives out there.

Bluetooth that actually works well. We completely rewrote the Bluetooth stack. Lower latency, better compatibility, and we didn’t compromise on sound quality to get there. There’s also a new plugin that lets you send audio from Volumio to Bluetooth speakers, and your Bluetooth remotes will now work with Volumio.

Everything feels snappier. Browsing your library is smoother. Things respond faster. It’s one of those improvements that’s hard to quantify but impossible to miss once you experience it.

NVME storage support. So many of you asked for this. Read performance with NVME devices is dramatically better now.

Better handling of big libraries. We’re running the latest version of MPD, which means if you have thousands of albums, Volumio handles them more gracefully and reliably.

More DACs just work. We’ve expanded USB quirks support, so if your DAC supports direct DSD, Volumio will recognize it.

Security updates built in. We’re on the latest kernel, which means better security as the world around us keeps changing.

Touchscreen displays. If you want to connect an HDMI touchscreen panel, Volumio 4 has you covered with improved display management.

volumio-4-device

We Learned Our Lesson About Plugins

Let’s talk about something important. The Volumio 3 launch was a success in many ways, but we heard you loud and clear about one thing: plugins weren’t ready at launch like they were for Volumio 2. That hurt the experience for many of you, and we get it. Plugins aren’t just nice to have, they’re part of what makes Volumio yours.

We listened. We learned. And we made sure not to repeat that mistake.

All the plugins you love are available right now for Volumio 4. From day one. We didn’t want anyone sitting around waiting for their favorite functionality to come back.

But we didn’t stop there. We’ve also added new capabilities to Volumio 4 that open up possibilities for plugin developers. This means the plugins you already use can get better, and new plugins can do things that weren’t possible before.

How to Get It

Volumio 4 is available today for Raspberry Pi and PC platforms. If you have one of our Volumio products or something from our OEM partners, you can expect to see the update roll out in Q1 2026.

Two Things You Should Know

First, you can’t update over the air from Volumio 3 to Volumio 4. You’ll need to reflash. It’s not ideal, but with a change this fundamental, it was the only way to ensure everything works correctly.

Second, we had to make a difficult call. Raspberry Pi 1 and Raspberry Pi Zero are no longer supported. The necessary binaries simply aren’t available for these older boards. We know this affects some of you, and we didn’t make this decision lightly.

What Comes Next

Today is about giving Volumio a foundation that can support everything we want to build. The interface looks the same because we wished to this transition to feel seamless for you. But now, with Volumio 4 and the new app working together, we can start building the features and improvements that weren’t possible before.

We’ve spent a year on the foundation. Now comes the fun part.

Welcome to Volumio 4.

Download Volumio 4 and get the new app from your device’s app store. As always, if you run into any issues, our community is here to help.

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NOS Mode Now Available on Volumio Preciso https://volumio.com/nos-mode-now-available-on-volumio-preciso/ https://volumio.com/nos-mode-now-available-on-volumio-preciso/#respond Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:13:12 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52991 Digital music playback often involves layers of processing, such as upsampling, filtering, and error correction. These steps are designed to

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Digital music playback often involves layers of processing, such as upsampling, filtering, and error correction. These steps are designed to improve accuracy from a technical perspective. However, some listeners prefer a more direct path.

With Volumio Preciso, our high-precision dual mono DAC, you can activate NOS (Non-OverSampling) mode. This is more than just a feature. It is a different approach to audio reproduction that emphasizes timing, texture, and signal integrity.

What Happens in NOS Mode?

In standard DAC operation, incoming digital signals (such as a 44.1kHz file) are typically upsampled to higher rates before conversion to analog. This process helps reduce aliasing and simplifies analog filter requirements. However, it can also introduce digital interpolation and pre- or post-ringing effects that subtly alter the music’s character.

NOS mode avoids this process entirely:

  • No digital oversampling

  • No FIR or IIR filters

  • No mathematical reconstruction of waveforms

Instead, the original digital samples are passed directly to the DAC’s output stage. This preserves the natural timing and structure of the audio. While some high-frequency artifacts may be present, many listeners find that NOS mode produces a more natural, coherent, and emotionally engaging sound.

Precision Hardware to Match

NOS mode on the Preciso is supported by an advanced hardware platform:

  • Dual SABRE ES9039Q2M DACs, configured in true dual mono

  • Ultra-low phase-noise MEMS clock for accurate timing

  • OPA1612A op-amp based I/V output stage for low distortion and high linearity

  • Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, supporting up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512

  • Linear power regulation, LC filtering, and isolated low-noise regulation for each section

For those who prefer a more traditional sound, the Preciso also includes eight selectable digital filters. These allow users to fine-tune their playback experience when NOS mode is not in use.

Why It Matters

NOS mode is not designed to appeal to everyone, and that is intentional. It is for those who want to hear their music without the influence of digital reconstruction algorithms. This mode focuses on preserving signal integrity and delivering a more direct connection to the original recording.

Whether you are rediscovering an old favorite or auditioning a high-resolution master, NOS mode offers a new way to experience music. If you already own a Preciso be sure to update the firmware to the latest version available here

🛒 Want to try it yourself? Learn more about Volumio Preciso and order yours

Shop Now

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Breaking the Algorithm: How CORRD is Revolutionizing Music Discovery https://volumio.com/corrd-revolutionizing-music-discovery/ https://volumio.com/corrd-revolutionizing-music-discovery/#respond Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:53:02 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52976 When did you last discover a song that gave you goosebumps? If you’re like most music lovers today, it’s probably

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When did you last discover a song that gave you goosebumps? If you’re like most music lovers today, it’s probably been longer than you’d care to admit.

The Modern Music Discovery Paradox

We live in an unprecedented era of musical abundance. With over 100 million songs available across multiple streaming platforms, we have virtually every piece of recorded music at our fingertips. Yet paradoxically, many of us feel musically starved, trapped in endless loops of familiar tracks, struggling to break free from the algorithmic echo chambers that define our listening experience.

This contradiction sparked us at Volumio to create CORRD, our latest innovation that represents a bold new direction for music discovery.

 

When Infinite Choice Becomes No Choice

The problem isn’t a lack of music, it’s the way we discover it. Modern recommendation algorithms, despite their sophistication, operate as impenetrable black boxes. They analyze our listening habits and serve up “more of the same,” creating comfortable but creatively limiting feedback loops.

After we spoke with hundreds of music enthusiasts over the past year, a clear pattern emerged: despite having access to more music than any generation in history, people consistently reported that their most memorable musical discoveries happened years ago, often through human recommendation or serendipitous encounters.

Introducing CORRD: Discovery by Design

At Volumio, we decided to tackle this challenge head-on. CORRD represents our fundamental shift in how we approach music discovery. Rather than accepting algorithmic limitations, we’ve created the first platform that puts you in control of how recommendations work.

What Makes Our CORRD Different

Moment Driven Discovery: We designed CORRD to organize music around the moments in your life. Whether you’re hitting the gym, cooking dinner, driving to work, or winding down for the evening, CORRD crafts soundtracks that enhance these experiences with fresh music tailored to each moment.

Algorithmic Transparency: For the first time, we’re giving you the power to fine-tune how recommendations work. Want to explore underground artists? Prefer upbeat over melancholic? Simply tell CORRD what you’re looking for, and it will surface music that matches your exact preferences while prioritizing discovery over familiarity.

Quality Without Compromise: As the team behind Volumio, we couldn’t compromise on audio excellence. When streaming to Volumio devices at home, you enjoy bit-perfect playback quality that honors your music’s full sonic potential.

CORRD-Music Discovery

What Our CORRD Isn’t

We intentionally designed CORRD to break away from traditional music app conventions. There’s no endless browsing or searching, instead, CORRD guides you down a discovery path. It’s not a playlist generator requiring external apps for playback; everything happens within CORRD itself. Most importantly, we designed it for music lovers of all technical backgrounds, not just audiophiles.

The Volumio Connection

CORRD isn’t just a standalone app; it’s the foundation of a broader technological platform that will enhance the entire Volumio ecosystem. This mobile-first approach extends our mission of delivering exceptional musical experiences beyond the home.

The synergy is purposeful: CORRD excels at discovery and mobile playback, while Volumio provides the ultimate home listening experience. Together, they create a seamless journey from discovery to high fidelity enjoyment.

CORRD-Music Discovery

Join Us in the Discovery Revolution

CORRD represents months of dedicated development from our team at Volumio, but we recognize this is just the beginning. The future of music discovery will be shaped by the community of music lovers who embrace and help us refine this new approach.

We’re inviting you to be part of this evolution with us. Explore CORRD, push its boundaries, and share your feedback with us. Your insights will directly influence how we develop this platform to serve the global community of music enthusiasts.

Special Launch Offer: As a thank you to our Volumio community, we’re giving all users (both free and premium) exclusive access to CORRD with a special discount valid through July 31st.

Ready to Rediscover Music?

The question isn’t whether great new music exists, it’s whether you have the right tools to find it. CORRD represents our answer: a discovery platform that respects your agency, enhances your moments, and rekindles the joy of musical exploration.
Install CORRD Now

What will you discover?


The Team at Volumio

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Coming Soon: Volumio Pro, A New Audio Dimension for the Professional Market https://volumio.com/coming-soon-volumio-pro-a-new-audio-dimension-for-the-professional-market/ https://volumio.com/coming-soon-volumio-pro-a-new-audio-dimension-for-the-professional-market/#respond Tue, 20 May 2025 08:26:07 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52909 Coming Soon: Volumio Pro, A New Audio Dimension for the Professional Market Volumio is about to take a bold step

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Coming Soon: Volumio Pro, A New Audio Dimension for the Professional Market


Volumio is about to take a bold step into new territory. After years of serving passionate audiophiles and high-end audio manufacturers with cutting-edge streaming technology, we’re proud to announce the next chapter in our journey:

Introducing Volumio Pro

Launching this fall, Volumio Pro is our new offering tailored for the Audio Pro business, a powerful, flexible streaming platform designed to meet the needs of commercial spaces, hospitality, retail, wellness, and beyond.

Volumio Pro brings together the best of our technology: seamless streaming, robust control systems, and premium audio performance with tools designed specifically for professional environments.

But there’s more.


Meet Volumio Soundcraft, Your AI-Powered Audio Curator

At the heart of Volumio Pro is Volumio Soundcraft, our proprietary AI-powered DJ and content curator based on our Corrd technology. Volumio Soundcraft doesn’t just shuffle songs—it crafts smart, context-aware audio programs based on:

  • Mood and Ambience
  • Time of Day
  • Commercial Strategy
  • Customer Flow and Activity
  • User-Defined Playlists & Themes

Volumio Soundcraft is built to help businesses maximize engagement and tailor sonic experiences, with the ease of automation and the power of data.

The Volumio Soundcraft engine brings a revolutionary edge to professional audio environments with its AI-based DJ capabilities, delivering intelligently curated music through auto-generated playlists and programs powered by Corrd. Designed for seamless brand alignment, it fine-tunes music schedules to reflect your unique customer profile—adjusting the tone by the time of day, season, weather, or even shopping behaviour. Whether you’re managing a boutique retail space, a trendy café, or a luxury hotel chain, Soundcraft ensures a consistent, fashionable, and emotionally resonant sound atmosphere—customized by room, guest type, or location. It’s more than background music; it’s a smart soundtrack that speaks to your brand.

Volumio Soundcraft adapts to your audience, environment, and brand identity—seamlessly, stylishly, and smartly.


A Sneak Peek Is Coming

Get ready: we unveil the first images of the Volumio Pro device, including a close-up of its rear panel, packed with the professional-grade connectivity you expect.

Whether you’re a venue manager, retailer, or integrator, Volumio Pro is designed to seamlessly integrate into your AV system, offering rock-solid reliability and unmatched flexibility.


Key Features:

  • Powered by Volumio OS: The trusted audio streaming platform, optimized for pro use
  • Volumio Soundcraft AI Engine: Smart audio programming at your fingertips
  • Multi-Zone & Remote Management: Control multiple spaces from a central dashboard and APIs
  • Professional I/O: XLR, digital, analogue, and network connectivity
  • Cloud Integration: Real-time updates, remote configuration, and analytics
  • Commercial Licensing & Support: Built for business, backed by Volumio

Coming Fall 2025

Volumio Pro will officially launch this fall. With it, we’re not just entering a new market, we’re opening a new dimension in audio.

For more information, contact us.

Stay tuned for the reveal.
A new sound is coming.

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Test Drive: Running Volumio on a Raspberry Pi Inside the Hypex DIY Preamp https://volumio.com/test-drive-running-volumio-on-a-raspberry-pi-inside-the-hypex-diy-preamp/ https://volumio.com/test-drive-running-volumio-on-a-raspberry-pi-inside-the-hypex-diy-preamp/#respond Tue, 20 May 2025 07:37:59 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52907 Test Drive: Running Volumio on a Raspberry Pi Inside the Hypex DIY Preamp By: A DIY Audio Geek with a

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Test Drive: Running Volumio on a Raspberry Pi Inside the Hypex DIY Preamp
By: A DIY Audio Geek with a Love for Good Sound and Clean Code

There’s something uniquely rewarding about merging high-quality audio hardware with flexible, open-source software. That’s exactly what I explored this week: Hypex’s new DIY preamp kit, brought to life with a Raspberry Pi running Volumio OS. The aim? To see how this hybrid setup performs in practice and enjoy some hands-on tech fun along the way.

First Impressions and Setup

The Hypex DIY preamp made a great first impression, delivering on its promise of high-end, modular audio. While the kit I used didn’t include standoffs for securing the Raspberry Pi to the chassis (you can ask for them), this was easy to work around with a few extras from my toolbox. The included cabling is designed for versatility, and though I opted for longer wires from my collection, a more tailored solution could easily be added as an option for a cleaner look.

Aesthetics aside, the actual integration was refreshingly straightforward. Hypex clearly designed the preamp with Raspberry Pi compatibility in mind, and their manual made the setup process smooth and intuitive.

Volumio + RPi = Out-of-the-Box Success

After flashing the standard Volumio image to an SD card and powering up the Raspberry Pi, everything came together quickly. A quick reminder: to enable the USB audio interface on the DIY preamp, simply press the knob to power it on and set the input to “Network.” Once that’s done, Volumio instantly detects the interface and is ready to play.

No extra configuration was needed, Volumio and the Hypex preamp paired seamlessly. It’s also reassuring to see the Pi 5 running without any low-voltage warnings, confirming the power supply is more than capable of supporting this setup.

Testing the Sound

For this test, I focused on the headphone output, as the preamp provides balanced analog output via XLR and I currently don’t have a matching amp at home. Still, the headphone experience was excellent, delivering clean, articulate, and energetic sound that’s a joy to listen to.

There are a couple of behavior notes worth sharing for future users:

  • Input Switching and USB Audio
    When switching away from the “Network” input, the USB audio interface temporarily disconnects from the Raspberry Pi, prompting a message in Volumio. Once you switch back, everything resumes normally. This could be a great area for future firmware refinement to ensure an even smoother experience.

  • WiFi Performance Inside the Chassis
    The Raspberry Pi’s WiFi signal is limited due to the full-metal enclosure—an expected challenge with enclosed electronics. However, for a stable connection, Ethernet is a highly reliable option. Users who prioritize wireless connectivity might consider a Raspberry Pi CM4 setup, which I’ll describe below.

Geek-Level Upgrade: CM4 + SSD = Refined and Ready

For those looking to take things up a notch, I tested a Raspberry Pi CM4 with onboard WiFi, mounted on a Waveshare CM4IO-BASE-A board and booting Volumio from an NVMe SSD.

This combination really shines with the Hypex preamp. It enables external WiFi antennas (a small hole in the back panel allows for clean integration) and supports faster, more robust storage options like eMMC or NVMe. The result? Quicker boot times, enhanced system reliability, and a polished user experience.

Suggestions for Hypex

If Hypex is considering future updates, here are a couple of opportunities to further elevate the user experience:

  • Consider maintaining USB audio connection consistency when switching inputs—this would make the integration with platforms like Volumio even more seamless.

  • Offering the CM4 + Waveshare baseboard as an officially supported configuration could appeal to power users looking for enhanced wireless and storage capabilities.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the combination of Volumio and the Hypex DIY Preamp makes for an incredibly capable and enjoyable system. Setup is easy, performance is strong, and the audio quality delivers real satisfaction. Whether you’re an audiophile maker or a developer who loves clean code and great sound, this pairing offers a lot to be excited about.

Highly recommended and I’m looking forward to what’s next in this open-source meets high-fidelity journey.

Stay tuned for more hands-on audio experiments.

NB: More details about the HYPEX DIY pre-amp

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Volumio announces the compatibility of its Hi-Fi equipment with Qobuz Connect https://volumio.com/volumio-qobuz-connect/ https://volumio.com/volumio-qobuz-connect/#respond Fri, 16 May 2025 13:47:11 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52931 Qobuz, the French high-quality music streaming and download platform, today has launched Qobuz Connect, a feature that transforms the listening

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Qobuz, the French high-quality music streaming and download platform, today has launched Qobuz Connect, a feature that transforms the listening experience while offering simplified control and seamless continuity between devices.

Qobuz Connect enables users to stream music directly using Qobuz to control their compatible Hi-Fi devices without the need for third-party applications, while enjoying the full Qobuz experience, with incomparable sound quality.

Volumio is pleased to announce that its devices are now compatible with Qobuz Connect, offering seamless integration of this innovative technology for high-fidelity listening.

A simplified, enriched listening experience, true to the Qobuz DNA

With Qobuz Connect, users can seamlessly and intuitively:

  • Control their music from the Qobuz application: No more juggling between different remote controls or applications; select the Hi-Fi device and control everything directly from Qobuz.
  • Pick up where they left off: Seamlessly switch from one device to another without losing the thread of the music, from headphones to speakers, without interruption.
  • A single application to manage everything: Control the desktop application using a mobile device and vice versa for a seamless listening experience.
  • Access the complete Qobuz experience everywhere: No need to switch between apps; enjoy unique editorial in the magazine while listening to playlists curated by experts, all at the same time in the Qobuz app.
  • Enjoy unrivaled sound quality: listen to music in high resolution on all devices.

Volumio has joined this dynamic by integrating Qobuz Connect into its devices

“The integration of Qobuz Connect in Volumio is a great addition that allows our users to enjoy Qobuz from its native interface while benefitting from the sound quality that Volumio can deliver natively. It was a pleasure to be involved in the launch of Qobuz Connect since day 1, and we’re happy that we delivered a much-requested feature to our users right at launch. Congratulations to the whole team at Qobuz not only for this great milestone, but also for how well they cooperated with partners like us and listened to the needs of their loyal user base.” Says Michelangelo, Volumio CEO

“Qobuz Connect is a feature that has been eagerly awaited by our subscribers. We are proud to offer the most complete Connect solution on the market today, combining high resolution, app synchronization, and remote control. Our priority has been to develop a simple, intuitive interface to facilitate the experience of all our listeners,” says Axel Destagnol, Chief Product Officer at Qobuz.

Qobuz Connect makes it easy to enjoy the Qobuz experience on all compatible devices. Simply launch the application, select a device, press play, and enjoy your music in high resolution.

Qobuz Connect is now available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS applications. This feature has been developed in collaboration with StreamUnlimited Engineering, a technology partner to many premium audio brands, facilitating integration into existing and new products.

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Volumio OS: Powering Innovation and Speed in the High-End Audio Market https://volumio.com/volumio-os-powering-innovation-and-speed-in-the-high-end-audio-market/ https://volumio.com/volumio-os-powering-innovation-and-speed-in-the-high-end-audio-market/#respond Tue, 13 May 2025 07:31:26 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52905 Volumio OS: Powering Innovation and Speed in the High-End Audio Market How Ferrum’s WANDLA 2.0.0 Firmware Update Showcases the Flexibility

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Volumio OS: Powering Innovation and Speed in the High-End Audio Market
How Ferrum’s WANDLA 2.0.0 Firmware Update Showcases the Flexibility and Strength of the Volumio Ecosystem


In the fast-moving world of high-end audio, innovation is not only about exceptional sound quality—it’s about flexibility, speed to market, and creating products that surprise and delight. For brands like Ferrum, that’s exactly what Volumio OS brings to the table: an open, reliable platform that allows forward-thinking manufacturers to develop next-generation features faster than ever before.

At the upcoming High End Munich 2025 show, Ferrum will unveil WANDLA 2.0.0, a groundbreaking firmware update for its award-winning family of DACs. The highlight? Ferrum Streaming Control Technology (FSCT), a feature made possible in part by the openness and extensibility of the Volumio platform.

Ferrum Streaming Control Technology: A Glimpse Into the Future of Integrated Audio

With FSCT, Ferrum has reimagined what a DAC can do. Thanks to the 2.0.0 firmware update, WANDLA DACs can now control your streaming setup directly from the unit’s touchscreen and remote control. You get play/pause/skip commands and artist and track info displayed in real time—right from the device itself.

Here’s where Volumio OS comes in: FSCT was built to be fully compatible with Volumio’s plugin and control architecture, allowing seamless interaction between the WANDLA DAC and a Volumio-powered streamer. This wasn’t an afterthought—it was made possible because Volumio’s architecture is partner-friendly, modular, and built for this kind of innovation.

“The beauty of FSCT is that WANDLA can show information of the artist, title, and progress bar from any device running macOS, Windows, or the Volumio OS plugin.”

The Power of an Open Ecosystem

Volumio has spent years refining its software to serve the most demanding audio use cases. That experience, especially in the high-end market, means manufacturers can rely on Volumio as a Grade-A software foundation for their own products.

When Ferrum needed a robust platform that could keep up with their fast pace of innovation and demanding customer base, Volumio was the obvious choice. Here’s why:

  • Speed to Market: Volumio OS allowed Ferrum to implement FSCT and release it across their full WANDLA product family without building a streaming interface from scratch.
  • Hardware Flexibility: Whether using Raspberry Pi boards, CM modules, or custom hardware, Volumio adapts and performs with reliability.
  • Extensible Architecture: Volumio plugins enabled Ferrum to tailor features specifically for their use case while preserving compatibility with the wider Volumio ecosystem.
  • Proven Track Record: Trusted by audiophiles, integrators, and OEMs around the world, Volumio is already a mainstay in high-end audio—Ferrum’s adoption just reinforces that.

A Win-Win for Brands and Users Alike

For Ferrum, the payoff is enormous. Their users now get smarter, more intuitive control of their streaming experience—without needing to switch apps, fumble for phones, or look at multiple screens. The remote works. The screen shows everything. The experience is fluid.

For Volumio, it’s further proof that open platforms empower creativity. Ferrum’s team didn’t need to wait on closed SDKs or jump through proprietary hoops. They had what they needed to build fast, test thoroughly, and ship confidently.

Conclusion: Volumio OS as a Launchpad for High-End Innovation

The story of Ferrum’s WANDLA 2.0.0 release is a perfect showcase of what Volumio OS was built to do: enable world-class audio manufacturers to bring advanced features to market quickly, reliably, and without compromise.

If you’re an audio brand looking to push boundaries, delight users, and move fast, Volumio is your ally. As Ferrum has shown, the future of high-end audio is not just about better sound. It’s also about better systems. And Volumio OS is the system that lets you build yours.

 

References:
Get more information about this product.


Want to learn more about partnering with Volumio for your next audio product?
Visit volumio.org to discover how we support innovators in creating the next generation of listening experiences.

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The Palani! First Community Awards winner https://volumio.com/the-palani-high-resolution-dac-streamer/ https://volumio.com/the-palani-high-resolution-dac-streamer/#respond Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:56:11 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52835 Congratulations to the first-edition Winner of Community Awards!​ Palani by Abeta Concept The Palani is a high-resolution DAC streamer with

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Congratulations to the first-edition Winner of Community Awards!​

Palani by Abeta Concept

The Palani is a high-resolution DAC streamer with dual touchscreens that embodies elegance and innovation.

Honoured as Volumio’s inaugural Community Award winner, it captivates with its exceptional casing, commitment to quality, and analogue-style vu-meters.

Its ability to operate on battery power truly enhances its appeal. As a passive power supply, it can achieve great power supply performances and cuts any feedback.

The Palani works around sound with a silk touch, ensuring an audiophile experience.

Also, the variety of controls (touchscreen, app, Airplay, multiroom and others) adds the cherry on top, making it a real product!

Discover the inspiring features of the Palani through this video from its creator or on their website:

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Introducing CORRD: evolving Volumio into your personal music journey, everywhere https://volumio.com/introducing-corrd-evolving-volumio-personal-music-journey/ https://volumio.com/introducing-corrd-evolving-volumio-personal-music-journey/#respond Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:51:24 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52682 Volumio started because I had one goal in mind: to enjoy my music library with the highest quality possible. Back

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Volumio started because I had one goal in mind: to enjoy my music library with the highest quality possible. Back then, the world was a simpler place. We just listened to files, and streaming was not a thing.

Over the years developing Volumio, and with the help of our beloved community, something new emerged. Most people have more than one streaming account, so depending on what you want to listen to, you have to open more than one app. This creates a fragmented experience.

One thing you seem to love about Volumio, besides the obsessive attention to sound quality upon which we built it, is having your entire library condensed in one place. I think we did a great job of integrating such a fragmented digital music landscape into one coherent experience.

Now, I’ve started to feel that we’ve achieved as much as we can with Volumio’s current technical architecture. As with all good things, an overhaul is needed.

Thus came the vision to turn Volumio into the ultimate music experience.

Why limit Volumio enjoyment to just when you’re at home? I wanted something you can use wherever you are, that adapts to what you’re doing. Something that merges the convenience of recommendation algorithms and radio with the freedom and customizability that is at the core of what Volumio believes in.

That’s what led to the creation of CORRD a bold step toward making music more accessible and meaningful, wherever you are.

Welcome to CORRD, which is:

  • Unified Music Hub: CORRD brings together all your streaming services, music libraries, and discovery tools into one seamless app.
  • Personalized Music Assistant: Acts as your personal assistant, crafting a musical flow that matches what you’re doing, while helping you discover fresh and interesting music.
  • Versatile and Future-Ready: Designed to adapt to your lifestyle, seamlessly integrating with smart TVs, cars, voice assistants, and more.

CORRD is both an evolution of Volumio and a fresh way to connect with music. It’s a mobile-first, platform-agnostic music aggregator, player, and personal DJ, designed to unify streaming services under one app. By letting you tweak recommendations and discover endless new tracks, CORRD offers control, convenience, and boundless discovery on smart TVs, in cars, through voice assistants, or wherever else music might find you.

We’re starting with something radical because the music industry needs it. Algorithms today often feel like locked boxes, churning out repetitive suggestions. CORRD changes that by letting you personalize and shape your experience, blending the best parts of Volumio with a modern, adaptable foundation. And this is only the beginning—more Volumio features will follow, guided by our loyal community’s feedback.

What you see now is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and we need your insights to shape its future.

We’re launching with a private beta for the Volumio community first, because your passion has always inspired our innovation.

If you believe in a better way to enjoy and discover music, and want to help shape it, this is what you have to do to participate:

With your feedback, we’ll refine CORRD and continue evolving the Volumio ecosystem, redefining music listening for everyone, everywhere.

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Primo 2 Streamer DAC: Is It Really Worth the Upgrade or Just Another Audiophile Money Pit? https://volumio.com/post-streamer-dac/ https://volumio.com/post-streamer-dac/#respond Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:50:52 +0000 https://volumio.com/?p=52577 In the fast-paced world of high-end audio, standing still is not an option. We audiophiles are always on the hunt

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In the fast-paced world of high-end audio, standing still is not an option. We audiophiles are always on the hunt for that next level of hi-fi, right? That’s what guides our approach at Volumio. Remember our original Primo? The one that had reviewers raving and nabbed a few shiny awards? We thought to ourselves, “How could we make this even better?”

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?

streamer dac

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?

streamer dac

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!

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