Measurements and Conclusion
Contents
Measurements
It is very interesting to see how the Rivo performs on the standard adapter and a linear power supply. We grabbed the well-known Sbooster in this case.
By default, the Rivo does not measure particularly well on the internal clock. We see 37.3ps on average with the standard power supply. If we attach the Sbooster, we see that it drops to 33.8 ps.
What is much more noticeable, however, is that the low freq modulation drops a lot: the spikes towards 30ps are completely gone. We see a maximum of 1.5 ps with the sbooster attached. In short: all low freq modulation disappears. The phase noise measurement failed in this case. We also noticed that the Wavecrest had some trouble to get a decent lock on this crystal. That gave some issues with the phase noise measurements, because it takes a while to get enough samples and calculate the noise.
Looking at the noise measurements, it is abundantly clear where the extra jitter comes from. While the standard power supply is quite stable; it does jitter. This is evident in all measurements. This noise works through everything and thus affects the sound as well.
Conclusion
The Rivo is an intriguing streamer. Volumio aims high by presenting itself in a segment of the market with some fierce competition, and where the number of prospective buyers is much smaller than the segment of the market where the Primo is present.The Rivo is a device for HiFi lovers who own a good DAC with USB and/or AES connection. Which of those two connection option deliver the best quality is depending on the quality of the input in the DAC, we recommend to test both options if your DAC has both inputs. An upgrade of the power supply will upgrade the sound quality significantly, an option that is almost obligatory given the performance potential of the Rivo.
Martijn,
Thank you for your exceptional and comprehensive review. I’m still considering the Rivo in this configuration over an Eversolo. Especially since I’m currently using Volumio for my current streamer. Not to mention would rather continue using a dedicated streamer for an upgrade.
Semi unrelated, but wanted to ask if adding the switch made a considerable difference? I’m currently using an extender in client mode with Ethernet cable through a some DX engineering Ethernet filters then into my Okto dac 8 stereo. Was also wondering if a D-link DGS 105 would still offer a similar benefit. Thank you, and Happy Holidays 🙏🏼
Martijn,
Thank you for those exceptional and comprehensive review I’m still considering the Rivo in this configuration an Eversolo. Especially since I’m currently using Volumio for my current streamer. Not to mention would rather continue using a dedicated streamer for an upgrade.
Semi unrelated, but wanted to ask if adding the switch made a considerable difference? I’m currently using an extender in client mode with Ethernet cable through a some DX engineering Ethernet filters then into my Okto dac 8 stereo. Was also wondering if a D-link DGS 105 would still offer a similar benefit. Thank you, and Happy Holidays 🙏🏼
Hello John. I don’t know the DX Engineering ethernet filters and what they do to the sound, but the DLink switch, with a lineair power supply that power both the Rivo and the DLink, plays as good or better as much more expensive solutions.
AES out into your DAC and you are set.
The Rivo used with the DAC of the Rotel DT-6000 would you use with USB or would you use a converter to go over AES as the Rotel doesn’t have AES?
If your Rotel has an USB slot, but not an AES connection, then USB is the connection you need to use. I wouldn’t recommend a converter, USB and AES are close in quality.
I notice that the Rivo specifies 5V/3A but that you’ve since used the Dodo Pura on it which is 5v/2.5A. Can you say what the actual operating current needs are for the Rivo? Thank you.
About 0.5A, but you need those 2.5A for the bootup.
Which is just peak requirements, right? So an LPSU that can handle only momentary peaks of 2.5A would not be a limiting factor on operation or performance? I’ve an LPSU that should handle 3A nicely but if it ends up not performing well with the Rivo, I’m eyeing a couple lesser powered alternatives.
Hello Bruce. It is very simple:
If the power supply cannot deliver enough current, the Rivo just shuts down.
If the sonic result is questionable (compared to its stock supply, delivered in the box with the Rivo), then the power supply isn’t of good quality.
I can run the Rivo or Primo without problem with an iFi iPower2, which is rated at 2.5A peak output.
Furthermore: as mentioned in the review, the SPDIF output isn’t up to par with the AES or USB output, so be sure you use one of those.
Yes, much thanks.
The Primo with a Dodo power supply or the stock Rivo with your favorite dac (in the same total price range), which one would your pick? (Ignoring the fact that the Rivo/Dac combo can be made to sound even better)
You buy the Primo if you want to have a streamer with DAC and want to use its analogue outputs. You buy the Rivo if you have a DAC with AES or USB connection. These are two different use cases in two different price brackets, so any comparison is kind of futile.
But if the budget is the hard limit, I’d pick the Primo with Dodo. Why? Because for the price of 1800 Euro’s you probably won’t find a 800 Euro DAC that sounds as good as that combination.
Thanks Martijn, much appreciated.
Thinking about this I guess the Primo and the Dodo makes an even better deal if you also drive your switch with the Dodo, right?
Absolutely.
The Rivo should be considered if you already own a good DAC with USB or AES connection, or when you are planning to buy a DAC with one of those connections which is above the 1000 Euro limit.
I’m planning to do a comparison with exactly this set-up and use the SMSL DAC we had in our recent livestream, because I like to validate this.
Hoe goed de review ook geschreven is, het blijkt moeilijk om in te schatten of de streamer een meerwaarde betekent tov, in mijn geval, de interne streamer in mijn Bryston BDA3.14 DAC. In feite is dat een Raspberry PI (Pi=3,14). DAC en streamer zijn intern via I2S verbonden door de fabrikant zelf uiteraard. Die kent zijn product door en door. Zuiver obv de prijs is de Rivo gelijk of iets beter dan de Pi, hang je er een aparte voeding aan, dan zou hij beter moeten zijn.
Bovendien hangt de Bryston aan een Audes ST1500DC, waardoor de kwaliteit ook weer (positief) wordt beïnvloed.
Het is mij nog nooit gelukt om op basis van een review te voorspellen hoe het bij mij thuis klinkt. Dat zal je toch zelf naast elkaar moeten horen. 🙂