High tier audio streaming with Volumio Motivo

(affiliate links that help me keep the channel running)

00:00 About Motivo
02:25 Software
07:08 Price and value
07:59 Supported Connections
08:38 Sound - Digital Outs
10:49 vs Volumio Rivo
12:37 Sound - Analog Outs
13:44 vs Gustard R26
14:07 vs Denafrips Ares 15th
14:40 DAC upgrade?
15:14 vs Eversolo DMP-A8
18:27 Sound - Headphone Out
20:24 vs Topping L70
21:28 vs Topping A70 pro
22:18 Conclusion

Test setup
Streamers:
Allo DigiOne Signature (with GentooPlayer and Diretta protocol)
DACs:
Preamps:
Amps:
Speakers:

Head-Fi test setup:

#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo

[iiWiReviews]

Additional info: The Motivo control app and its UI can run somewhat slow if you use a 100Mbit connection. Using a 1Gbits wired connection or stable WiFi will make it snappy. By the way - WiFi has one of the best implementations I've seen. It sounds every bit as good as my wired connection over the Gustard N18 Pro switch with Supra LAN cables. WiFi is usually worse so I was surprised by this. I forgot to mention it in the video but Volumio did a great job with the WiFi module here.

[johntucker]

Another terrific review Srbo! Question: I just watched your excellent review of the Holo Cyan 2 dac. For someone who wants an expansive soundstage with excellent imaging and natural tone, would the Cyan 2 be a noticeable (or significant) upgrade over the Motivo's internal delta sigma dac? Thank you!

[renatomorais]

I own one, it's truly a phenomenal product.

[shipsahoy]

I don't think it's worth that kind of money to be honest.. i'm also not happy about all these pricey all-in-one integrated mini-boxes that leave you with sparce connectivity options .. Also,
external power supplies.. super annoying!

[abinashpradhan]

A lumin review is long pending! Looking forward to you comparing atleast a lumin U2 mini with all of this !!

[Scott-DJ]

You mentioned the Eversolo. Were you given a sample of the new Zidoo UHD8000 to review--which is pretty much a cross between their Z media players and the Eversolo DMP audio units? Complete with a brand new ESS 9069 chip...

Sounds like they got the movie cataloging down but I want to know how it sounds on the audio side...

[davidatrakchi]

Seems like all manufacturers left the audio as is and switched their efforts to video, investing in ever growing screens which are not useful since what’s easier than buying a very simple cellular and declare it as your remote. running the music from an app is the easiest way, which can be done from the comfort of your couch.
I had a chance to compare my ifi streamer to a much more good looking eversolo 6, I must admit the the eversolo with it’s shining screen looks convincing but, using an external DAC, I think only a trained bat can sense the audible difference between the two. The ifi stands somewhere, well hidden while doing what it has to do (stream music) while I enjoy the music without being obstructed by too many screens

[NOODELXD]

The only one who has said the real and serious problems that this software has. The equipment they sell has a high cost and comes with problems. cannot be admitted. I use paid Volumio, $70 a year to have Tidal Connect and most of the time it fails and you have to restart.
And we must add the problems discussed in this video.
If they want to get paid, it should be stable and bug-free software.

[budgetaudiophilelife-long]

🙋‍♂️SRBJ, thanks for helping the community🤗💚💚💚

[vladimirjovanovic]

Thanks for this very good and informative review, Srbo!
I believe that the Motivo sounds very nice, but it seems that Volumio is still quirky as it was back in my RPi days.
That made me move away from that system, even though I liked the sound very much.

[larryh]

Hi, The display not advancing is likely a UPnP issue. I see the same thing when streaming to a Wiim Pro using Audirvana Studio. Speaking of Audirvana and Wiim, that combination is fantastic at this point in their respective release cycles. I output the Wiim to an SMSL-SU1 and think the combination is excellent value for money. What's interesting is that streaming to the Wiim with UPnP Kernel Mode sounds better than connecting to the SU1 via its USB input.

[pebbles]

Hans Beekhuyzen also reviewed the motivo on his channel and was equally impressed. He tried using an upgraded power supply but was surprised to find that it sounded worse . So it seems Volumio also did a very good job with the power supply.

[juliancrun]

I totally agree with the tax and customs issue, for me it is also a relevant aspect. Thank you very much for everything. By the way, volumio on Raspberry 4+ does not index 2TB external drives well.

[sloboat]

Beyond excellent. Inflation sucks. Cool runnings

[thinkIndependent]

I love this device, Did not think it would be so good

[riccitone]

Phenomenal review, as always! So appreciate your splitting those hairs (and important to do so) to get at comparative value propositions. Speaking splitting hairs, and must apologize for doing so…but in that comparison with Rivo, was that including an upgrade power supply? I got an LHY 50va LPS for my Rivo and it was a complete game changer in terms of improvement 🙏🏼👍🏼

[joenovak]

I have been burning in a sparkler-audio model S512 "perceive" DAC/XLR with Raspberry Pi5/NVMe SSD, PI2AES 2.0 via XLR and Volumio running for 5 days now without any issues. This Sparkler-Audio DAC is spacious.

[AWEG-qubz]

Crazy! €1700.-!! No Way.
Which Marketing Newbie told the Manufacturer that the World needs another DAC?
For a hoorrible Price like this?
Respect. A Genius is born.

[vpmm]

Thanks and enjoying all your reviews - Any chance in reviewing the Hegel H190V amplifier- Best wishes & Regards

[trubadyr]

Please do review the Volumio linear PSU! Does it noticeably improve the sound of Volumio products? Do other non-Volumio products benefit from it as well? Comparison with other brands of PS units existing on a market will be, of course, greatly appreciated as well. Thumbs up!