Volumio Preciso DAC

Volumio Preciso DAC

Preciso is Volumio’s ultimate expression of what a DAC can and should be. It is the result of obsessive engineering, relentless refinement, and a singular goal: to deliver the purest, most precise audio signal without breaking the bank. Preciso is the ultimate expression of everything we've learned at Volumio in crafting award-winning digital audio players.

Why Preciso? Named after the Italian word for precise, Preciso lives up to its name through uncompromising engineering and sonic accuracy. It features dual SABRE ESS ES9039Q2M DACs in a true dual mono design, eliminating crosstalk for a wider, deeper, and more natural soundstage. Its hyper-symmetrical architecture ensures precise channel isolation and lifelike imaging, while a THD+N of -122.5 dB reaches the limits of modern audio test equipment for truly transparent sound. Enhancing its versatility, Preciso also includes an integrated Hardware Gain Control, eliminating the need for an external pre-amplifier when paired with a fixed-gain power amp. This gain control allows fine-tuned signal adjustment from 0.0 dB to -99.0 dB in precise 0.5 dB steps, offering both convenience and high-fidelity performance in a single, streamlined solution.

Hyper-Symmetrical Dual Mono DACs: Dual ESS ES9039Q2M in perfectly mirrored, isolated circuits for absolute channel separation, lowest crosstalk and extreme optimization of the DACs signal path for an extremely wide soundstage and detailed reproduction.

Dual Linear Power Architecture: Independent power regulation for analogue and digital paths ensures a noise-free signal without relying on external PSU upgrades.

Best In Class Where It Counts: Carefully selected components like a precision MEMS clock, premium OPAMPs, and an ASIC USB interface ensure clean, stable performance, while built-in Hardware Gain Control offers precise 0.5 dB step adjustment, removing the need for an external preamp.

High-Precision DAC Architecture with Rivo+ Compatibility: Preciso features a dual internal linear power supply, with separate regulation for the analogue and digital sub-system. This complete isolation reduces interference, lowers the noise floor, and enhances dynamic range.

When paired with Rivo+, Rivo or any dedicated transport, Preciso becomes part of a fully optimized digital chain. Preciso uses the same dedicated USB ASIC found inside Rivo+. This ensures pristine data transfer, precise clocking, and optimal analogue performance. Preciso can be also used as a Pre-Amp with hardware gain control for direct integration with power amplifiers.

Precision Clocking and Symmetrical Design: Preciso’s precision starts with a single high-accuracy MEMS clock driving both DACs for impeccable timing and coherence. Its hyper-symmetrical design features perfectly matched circuit paths for each channel, with carefully selected SMD components chosen not only for compactness but also for superior electrical performance, and C0G capacitors that ensure stable, distortion-free performance over time and varying temperatures.

Our Review                                            

The Volumio Preciso DAC is seriously tempting for anyone chasing ultimate digital audio performance without going into silly money territory. True to its name, Preciso is all about precision - inside and out. With dual ESS ES9039Q2M DACs running in a true dual mono, hyper-symmetrical design, it serves up an expansive soundstage and laser-sharp imaging that audiophiles will appreciate. The attention to detail here is next-level: independent linear power supplies for digital and analogue stages, premium components like precision MEMS clocks and high-end op-amps, and a hardware gain control that lets you ditch the preamp altogether. Whether you’re pairing it with Volumio’s Rivo+ or your favourite digital transport, Preciso brings a clean, natural, and wonderfully refined listening experience that feels much more high-end than its price suggests.

Main Features & Specifications

• Design: High Performance DAC
• 2 x Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC Chips, playback up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
• Ultra-low phase-noise MEMS clock
• I/V Output stage based on Texas Instruments OPA1612A
• Ultra-low distortion and noise: THD -128dB, THD+N -122.5dB, SNR 128dB
• 8 x digital filters, for customizing the sound-signature
• Preamp mode with HW gain control, 0dB to -99dB
• Input Power Filtering with LC filters cascade, total capacitance 5000+ uF
• Linear Regulator for Analog sub-system
• Linear Regulator for Digital sub-system
• Dedicated low-noise regulator for every analogue and digital block
• 5 mm 12V Trigger Input port, for being turned On and Off from an external device
• 5 mm 12V Trigger Output port, for turning On and Off external devices
• IR Remote Receiver
• 3” OLED Display
• 2 x Rotary Encoder Knobs with push-buttons
• Digital USB input, up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
• Digital S/PDIF Coaxial input: up to PCM 192kHz/24bit
• Digital S/PDIF Optical input: up to PCM 192kHz/24bit
• Digital I2S over HDMI input: up to PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512
• Input Power: 5V DC / 2A
• USB Input: USB 2.0 Type-B Connector
• S/PDIF Coaxial Input: RCA Connector
• S/PDIF Optical Input: TOSLINK Connector
• 12S Digital Input: HDMI Connector
• Stereo Analogue Unbalanced RCA Outputs: Up to 2V
• Stereo Analogue Balanced XLR Outputs: Up to 4V
• Included Accessories: 5V, 3A Power Supply, USB Cable, NFC Information Card
• Finish: Silver
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 270 x 50 x 150mm
• Weight: 2.25 kg
• Made in Florence, Italy

Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.