The Octavio Stream is an ultra-compact French network streamer that provides access to streaming with any non-connected amplifier or active speakers. This Octavio streamer can receive music via AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth 5.0, play tracks through DLNA up to 24-bit/192kHz and access web radios, as well as the vast majority of streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music and Deezer. A plethora of features to easily modernize a hi-fi system for less than €200!
Octavio Stream: packaging & accessories
Due to its ultra-compact format, the Octavio Stream network player is delivered in a small box that fits in a letterbox. It comes with either a mini-jack to RCA cable (Octavio Stream RCA version) or an optical cable (Octavio Stream Toslink version). Both versions are powered via USB using the USB-C to USB-A cable (mains adapter included). You don’t have to use the latter if you have a powered USB port on your amplifier or speaker.
Octavio Stream: presentation
Design
A perfect example of minimalism, the Octavio Stream network player takes the form of a small white and black polymer box with a simple, refined silhouette. The streamer is assembled using a screw system that is completely concealed on the underside of the device, leaving no trace of machining on the visible surfaces.
At 11.8cm wide, 2.1cm thick and 6.4cm deep, the Octavio Stream is extremely compact. It can be easily installed next to an amplifier or pair of active speakers, and it is possible to tuck it away in a hi-fi cabinet or leave it on show to use the touch-sensitive interface. Its classic, no-frills finish makes it very discreet.
Built into the top panel, the Octavio Stream’s touch-sensitive interface allows you to quickly launch music playback from the last source that was used. Well-designed, this Octavio streamer is capable of resuming paused music, even after several weeks of inactivity. A second control lets you skip tracks. The Octavio Stream is very responsive, changing tracks quickly and smoothly. It is a shame, however, that the volume can’t be adjusted using this interface.
Control app
Because it only has two touch-sensitive controls, the Octavio Stream network player is mainly controlled using the mobile app. Several options are available. The first is Linkplay’s Legacy Player app. Used by many other manufacturers such as Elipson and Audio Pro, it provides easy access to various music services, tracks shared over the local network, web radios and files saved on your smartphone. This app also allows you to select the source, adjust the volume and create multi-room groups.
Octavio also has its own mobile app for iOS and Android. Not so modestly named Virtuose, it is even more intuitive, in particular by allowing you to add your favorite music service to the homepage. The different compatible services are generally integrated more effectively than with the Linkplay app. The display is more comprehensive and true to the native app. Finally, a horizontal menu at the bottom of the screen provides quick access to shared files, web radios and various settings. Very well-designed, this app easily rivals Sonos, the leader in this field.
Streaming & multi-room
The Octavio Stream uses a Linkplay network module identical to the one that equips the Octavio AMP connected amplifier (read our review of the Octavio AMP). As a result, it shares an ecosystem with many rivals, with support for the vast majority of streaming services, notably Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and Apple Music. It is also possible to access tracks shared over the local network via DLNA. The Burr-Brown PCM5102A DAC supports formats such as MP3, OGG, WMA, APE, ALAC and FLAC up to an HD resolution of 24-bit/192kHz.
The Octavio Stream network player can also receive music streamed from a smartphone, tablet or computer. Apple users are favored with the integration of the AirPlay 2 protocol. For others, streaming is limited to Bluetooth, without support for HD codecs. Chromecast compatibility would have been preferable for Hi-Res playback.
Connectors
Due to its compact format, the Octavio Stream has limited the number of connectors to the strict minimum. There is a 3.5mm mini-jack analog output to directly connect a hi-fi amp or a pair of active speakers. The latter can also be used as an optical Toslink output to connect a separate DAC (24-bit/192kHz compatible). Finally, the USB-C power port can be used to connect the Octavio Stream via Ethernet, thanks to the optional Octavio Ethernet adapter.
Octavio Stream: key specifications
- Compact format
- Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and Apple Music
- AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth
- Web radios and podcasts
- Control app
- 24-bit/192kHz playback
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 118 x 21 x 64mm
- Weight: 150g
Octavio Stream: configuration
Once it is connected to the amplifier and its USB mains adapter, the Octavio Stream network player prompts the user, via a message played over the speakers, to proceed with the configuration using the Virtuose mobile app. Setup involves a few quick steps, including connection to the WiFi network. In our case, the network was stable enough to dispense with the Ethernet adapter. After that, you can either start playback or complete the settings by associating your streaming services.
For our review, we used the Octavio Stream with NAD, Pioneer and Marantz amplifiers that don’t have any network features. Because these models are purely analog, we connected the streamer via RCA using the included cable. Last but not least, we used the Tangent Ampster BT II DAC/amplifier to test the player’s optical output. We opted for the Elipson Prestige Facet 6B, Eltax Monitor V and several Cabasse floorstanding speakers. Later, the Octavio Stream player was tested in multi-room mode with the Octavio AMP, itself paired with Q Acoustics 3010i speakers.
Octavio Stream: listening impressions
The Octavio Stream network player provided a rich sound, with many details and great balance. Without being as open as the Bluesound Node X, the Octavio Stream demonstrated a pleasant spaciousness and effectively filled the space around us. The different sonic layers were perfectly positioned, contributing to the formation of coherent, natural imagery. Vocals were effectively rendered in the center of the stage. They were rich and highly textured.
The Octavio Stream network player was very dynamic, particularly when used with an optical connection. This wasn’t so much the case with the mini-jack output, but it still maintained a delightful liveliness that effectively imbued the music with rhythm. On Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, the Octavio Stream effectively controlled the tempo of the percussion instruments, followed by an electric guitar whose energy propelled the track into high gear. The King of Pop’s voice was crystal-clear and had a remarkable presence. The listening experience was captivating, and all the instruments were perfectly positioned, with no overlapping.
The Octavio Stream network player favors a neutral, analytical sound, scrupulously adhering to the original musical message. Without being cold, it reproduced each frequency range without embellishment to preserve their true signature. The highs were transparent, the mids rich and beautifully textured, and the bass precise and responsive. All of this merged together harmoniously to guarantee an incredibly precise spectral balance.
Octavio Stream: compared to…
Elipson Stream S300 XI: available for the same price, this Elipson network player is also based on the LinkPlay ecosystem. They share the same features, with DLNA playback, and access to web radios, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Tidal and Spotify. However, the Elipson streamer has the advantage of providing Chromecast streaming, in addition to Bluetooth and AirPlay 2.
Octavio Stream: who is it for?
With the Octavio Stream network streamer, the French brand offers a compact, affordable and reliable solution for enjoying Hi-Res streaming with non-connected amplifiers and active speakers. It’s ideal for giving a new lease of life to an older hi-fi system, to which it brings the latest advances in streaming and the ability to play digital music shared over the network.
Octavio Stream: conclusion
For under €200, the Octavio Stream network player is a gateway to high-resolution streaming, with easy access to the majority of online music services, files shared over the local network, and AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth streaming. Without claiming to compete with the much more expensive reference models, the Octavio Stream offers a high-quality music reproduction, with detailed, natural and well-balanced sound. Last but not least, the Virtuose mobile app ensures easy control, despite a few teething problems and the absence of exhaustive settings. However, this can be rectified by future updates.
We liked:
- The compact format
- The versatility
- The tonal balance and amount of details
We would have liked:
- A volume control on the tactile interface
- A perfectly stable mobile app
- To have been able to enjoy the full dynamism in analog
