In the relentless pursuit of sonic purity, where every jitter-reduced clock tick and noise-floor shave can transform a listening session from good to transcendent, Volumio has dropped a game-changer. Enter the Primo Plus, the Italian engineer’s latest salvo in the war against mediocre digital playback. Priced at a tantalizing $1,399 and now available for pre-order with December shipping, this advanced streaming DAC doesn’t just iterate on the acclaimed original Primo—it catapults it into elite territory with a dual-mono ESS architecture, ultra-low-noise power design, and expanded connectivity that makes it a Swiss Army knife for modern hi-fi setups.
Born from the sun-kissed workshops of Florence, Italy, Volumio has long championed open-source elegance in music streaming. The original Primo, launched to critical acclaim, blended seamless Volumio OS integration with high-res playback in a compact form. But as audiophiles demanded more—deeper soundstages, sharper imaging, and effortless system synergy—the Primo Plus arrives as the unequivocal upgrade. “Primo Plus doesn’t just improve on the original. It elevates every aspect of performance,” the company declares on its product page, a sentiment echoed in its refined engineering that prioritizes resolution without compromise.
At its heart, the Primo Plus leverages two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips in a fully balanced dual-mono layout, delivering cleaner detail, higher resolution, and a wider dynamic range than its predecessor. Upgraded OPAMPs, a high-precision clock with ultra-low phase noise (just 90 femtoseconds), and an ultra-low-noise dual linear power supply work in concert to slash jitter and noise, ensuring a more natural sense of presence and rhythmic drive. Refined LC filtering and dedicated line regulators for analog and digital paths further isolate the signal, resulting in what Volumio describes as “audiophile clarity and depth.” It’s not hype—early specs suggest this setup rivals DACs twice the price, all while running the intuitive Volumio OS for a unified music ecosystem.
Precision Engineering Meets Seamless Software
The Primo Plus isn’t just about hardware muscle; it’s a software symphony. Powered by the latest Volumio OS—a premium-inclusive platform—it aggregates your entire library effortlessly: streaming from Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and HighResAudio; local files via USB or network drives; even CD rips from external sources. Roon Ready certification ensures seamless integration for ecosystem devotees, while DLNA, AirPlay, and Bluetooth 5.0 keep things versatile. Setup is a breeze via iOS or Android apps, and the built-in preamp mode with precise volume control lets it drive power amps directly, bypassing unnecessary boxes.
Sonically, it shines with support for PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512, plus eight selectable DAC filters and a NOS (non-oversampling) mode for purists craving raw, unprocessed audio. Digital inputs are expanded for real-world flexibility: USB-C for high-res device input, dual USB-A hosts for drives, coaxial and optical S/PDIF up to 192kHz/24-bit, and Gigabit Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi for network streaming. Outputs include both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, with eight voltage levels (up to 6.3Vrms balanced) for tailoring to any downstream gear. A 1.3-inch OLED display, dual rotary knobs, and included aluminum IR remote add tactile control, while HDMI output mirrors the Volumio interface up to 4K/60fps—perfect for multi-room visualization.
Under the hood, a quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 SoC at 1.5GHz, 2GB LPDDR4 RAM, and 16GB eMMC storage keep things snappy, all housed in a sleek 27x15x5cm aluminum chassis weighing 2.25kg. It’s powered by a included 5V/3A linear supply via barrel jack, with a 12V trigger out for automated system chaining. Proudly made in Florence, every unit embodies Italian craftsmanship, from the precision-machined case to the hand-assembled internals.
A Lineup Snapshot: Primo Plus at a Glance
For quick reference, here’s how the Primo Plus stacks up in key specs:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| DAC Architecture | Dual ESS ES9039Q2M (balanced mono) |
| Supported Formats | PCM 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512; USB-A output up to DSD1024 |
| Inputs | USB-C (device), 2x USB-A (host), Coax/Optical S/PDIF, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi/Ethernet |
| Outputs | Balanced XLR, Unbalanced RCA (8 voltage levels), HDMI (video), 12V Trigger |
| Software | Volumio OS (Premium features, Roon Ready, AirPlay, DLNA) |
| Dimensions/Weight | 27 x 15 x 5 cm / 2.25 kg |
| Price/Availability | $1,399; Pre-order now, ships December (includes free shipping, duties, taxes) |
Why Primo Plus Commands Attention in 2025’s Streaming Wars
As wireless convenience clashes with audiophile demands, the Primo Plus carves a niche as the all-in-one streamer/DAC/preamp that punches way above its weight. In a field dominated by behemoths like the Bluesound Node or WiiM Pro Plus, its dual-mono design and Italian pedigree offer a compelling blend of value and verve—especially at $1,399, a sweet spot for high-end entry. It’s for the vinyl loyalist dipping into digital, the Roon user seeking simplicity, or anyone tired of juggling multiple black boxes.
Volumio’s ethos shines through: democratizing high-fidelity without dumbing it down. Head to shop.volumio.com to pre-order and claim your spot in December’s shipment queue. In an audio landscape that’s anything but flat, the Primo Plus ensures your music soars.
