Volumio MOTIVO Touchscreen Streamer, Transport & Headphone Amplifier

Volumio MOTIVO Touchscreen Streamer, Transport & Headphone Amplifier

MOTIVO combines a touchscreen network streamer, ESS 9038-based DAC, high-resolution digital transport and dedicated dual-output headphone amplifier in one compact component.

MOTIVO is built for systems where the source is used directly, not hidden in a cupboard. Its display gives album artwork and playback control at the listening position, while the analogue, digital and headphone sections make it much more than a network endpoint with a screen attached.

It can feed an amplifier through RCA or XLR, drive headphones directly, or work as a digital transport into another DAC. That flexibility is useful in a desktop or main-room system where sources and listening methods change through the day.

Streamer and DAC

Analogue output without another converter

The ESS Sabre 9038 conversion stage provides RCA and balanced XLR outputs up to PCM 384kHz/24-bit and DSD256. A customised Amanero interface handles the digital hand-off inside the unit.

Digital Transport

Useful even with a separate DAC

USB output supports PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD256, with coaxial, optical and I2S over HDMI also available. That makes MOTIVO a practical bridge between an all-in-one source today and a separate DAC later.

Headphone Listening

Two outputs tuned for different loads

A Texas Instruments TPA6120A2-based headphone stage provides dedicated outputs for higher- and lower-impedance headphones. This is a proper part of the design rather than a convenience socket.

Control and Libraries

Touchscreen, app or browser

Volumio Premium covers the major streaming services, local and network music, internet radio, CD playback/ripping with a USB drive and multiroom functions. The 8-inch display, mobile apps and browser interface can all control the same player.

Key Features

• 8-inch touchscreen control
• ESS Sabre 9038 DAC
• Balanced XLR and RCA analogue outputs
• USB, coaxial, optical and I2S digital outputs
• Dual headphone outputs
• Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Volumio Premium included
• CD playback and ripping with compatible USB drive

Specifications

Detailed Technical Specifications

For those who like to drag out all the useful bits

Important Notes

• I2S over HDMI is an audio interface and compatibility should be confirmed with the receiving DAC.
• The Australian September 2026 list carries MOTIVO at a promotional selling price of $2,199 against the $3,199 RRP.

The Audio Experts Take

MOTIVO is the Volumio product for someone who actually wants to interact with the streamer at the rack or desk. The screen is useful, but the reason we like the product is that the hardware underneath it is equally flexible: proper balanced analogue output, a serious headphone stage and enough digital outputs to keep working if a separate DAC is introduced later.

At the current Australian promotional price it becomes particularly interesting for a headphone listener who would otherwise be buying a streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier separately.