Volumio’s New Preciso DAC Aims for Sonic Purity — Without the Audiophile Excess

Dual ESS chips, isolated circuitry, and meticulous Italian design—all in service of transparency.

Volumio, the Italian brand best known for its streaming-centric Motivo and all-in-one Integro amplifier, is setting its sights squarely on the high-end digital-to-analog converter space with its latest release: the Preciso DAC.

As its name suggests, this device isn’t about sonic flair or showboating—it’s about precise, honest reproduction, built with care and restraint. According to Volumio, the Preciso is engineered to “maximize audio integrity without excess.”

And it just might live up to that promise.

Precision by Design

Under the hood, the Preciso is built around a dual-mono architecture, featuring two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips—each housed in isolated circuits to ensure optimal channel separation. Volumio has paid special attention to the signal paths, optimizing them for what it claims is an extremely wide soundstage and ultra-detailed resolution.

This is not just another DAC with off-the-shelf components—it’s a carefully tuned instrument aimed at audiophiles who value clarity, balance, and musicality over gimmicks.

Connection-Rich for Modern Rigs

Whether you're running a minimalist setup or a multi-component rig, the Preciso has you covered. Inputs include:

• USB

• Coaxial

• Optical

• HDMI (ARC)

  
  

Outputs come in both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, making the unit equally at home in desktop, two-channel, or AV environments.

And for digital purists: it supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 natively.

Timing Is Everything

To maintain coherence and prevent digital smearing, the Preciso uses a single MEMS clock to drive both DACs in tandem. This unified clocking system is designed to deliver tight, jitter-free performance, translating to better transients, cleaner imaging, and more rhythmic cohesion.

Power regulation is independently managed for the analog and digital sections—helping isolate noise and maintain signal integrity throughout the chain, no external upgrades or tweaks required.

Form Follows Function

While minimalist in aesthetic, the Preciso is every bit a premium product. Its front panel exudes quiet confidence, while the rear is thoughtfully arranged for easy integration into any setup. Volumio’s engineers have also focused on eliminating inter-channel crosstalk, allowing for laser-focused stereo imaging and a notably 3D-like soundstage.

Volumio’s Vision for Pure Digital Sound

“We’ve poured hundreds of hours into designing, listening, and perfecting it,” says Michelangelo Guarise, Volumio’s founder and CEO. “Preciso embodies everything we’ve learned from crafting award-winning digital audio players, and it stays true to our commitment to accessible high-end audio.”

Volumio Preciso DAC — Key Features

• Dual ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips in dual-mono layout

• Single MEMS clock for ultra-precise timing

• PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512 support

• Inputs: USB, Coaxial, Optical, HDMI (ARC)

• Outputs: Balanced XLR, Unbalanced RCA

• Isolated analog/digital power regulation

• Minimized inter-channel crosstalk

• Designed & assembled in Italy

  
  

Final Word

Volumio’s Preciso DAC doesn’t scream for attention—it earns it. With premium components, robust engineering, and a no-nonsense design philosophy, it promises reference-level transparency at a potentially more accessible price point than many boutique rivals.

High-end doesn’t always have to mean overbuilt. In the case of the Preciso, precision is enough.