Setup, review method and music
Contents
The Rivo is connected to the network with a generic network cable of a few euros through a DLink GS108. The DLink has the first model iFi iPower as its power supply and this plugs into a normal power strip. We disabled the WiFi radio and Bluetooth radio in the Volumio software.
We use a:
- Audioquest Carbon USB cable
- ArtSpeak SPDIF cable
- Grimm TPR AES cable
These cables go directly from the Rivo to the Pasithea, we did not use the Mutec.
The rest of the setup is the reference set:
- TAD Evolution 2
- Pass Labs XP-12
- Pass Labs X150.8
- Sonnet Pasithea
- Grimm TPM cabling
- Isotek filters Titan / Aquarius
- YETI Power cables
- Van den Hul Nova
- Driade Flow Reference 808 speaker cable
Compare with the Metrum Ambre
To compare, we put the Metrum Ambre next to it, a streamer that was about the same price as the Rivo when it was launched. The Ambre was also connected to the DLink switch.
The Ambre is connected to the Pasithea with AES, so SPDIF, USB and AES on the Rivo were compared to the Ambre’s AES. AES is with the Ambre the best performing output on the Pasithea and we want to judge the qualities of the Rivo against the best the Ambre can deliver.
The Ambre has long been part of the reference setup until it was replaced by the custom-built Alpha Audio PC.
Power supply
We listened to the Rivo with the included power adapter and with the Pura Dodo power supply. Both power supplies are plugged into an unfiltered power strip, the same which holds the DLink’s power supply.
In a recent livestream, we demonstrate what the effect is on the sound quality when using the same power supply on both the streamer and the DLink switch. We repeat this for this test. To evaluate the difference when you only power the Rivo with the Dodo and when you power both the Rivo and the Dlink through the Dodo, we did one listening test. To limit the number of combinations, we then compared on one hand the Rivo with the supplied power supply and the iFi iPower on the DLink, and on the other hand the Dodo feeding both Rivo and DLink.
We listened to the three digital connection options, SPDIF (coax), USB and AES, with both the supplied adapter and with the Dodo. In doing so, we compared with the Metrum Ambre. Because the Ambre and the Rivo are both connected to the network through the DLink, a power supply adjustment on the DLink has an equal effect for both streamers.
Music
The music mentioned in the review can be found in a Qobuz playlist.
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. 🙂