All-in-one systems are already at the peak of popularity. They take up little space, but offer many functions and promise to be a complete audiophile solution. However, very few systems can truly deliver on such lofty promises. A huge range of functions often requires an almost hopeless struggle in the jungle of menus. The desire to listen to music quickly disappears – not to mention the fact that many compact station wagons are usually far from audiophile sound quality. Luckily, there are exceptions: we tested one of them a few months ago, the Revox Studiomaster M500. This compact streaming receiver impressed us with its ingenious control concept, first-class workmanship, timeless elegant design and high-quality sound. But its distinguishing feature is its multi-user feature. The little brother Revox Studiomaster M300 also promises all this. A good reason for me to also send a high-end compact audio system for testing.
In addition to the variety of sources, there are many options for connecting external players: on the one hand, there will be an analog section with two RCA inputs, a sub-out and a preamp output, which can also be used as a connection. for external headphone amplifier. On the digital side there is an Ethernet port, a USB connector for connecting corresponding flash drives and hard drives, an HDMI interface, as well as a coaxial and optical digital input. Whether it’s a CD player, Blu-ray player, games console or TV, every modern source device will find a suitable connection here. When you compare all this to the Studiomaster M500, which we’ve already tested, the question quickly arises as to what really sets them apart. Both are identical in size, have the same design and build quality, and offer the same range of connections. That’s right! The only difference is performance. While the Revox Studiomaster M500 delivers 2 x 180W (2 ohms), the M300 delivers 2 x 120W (2 ohms).
If you’re buying a new hi-fi set, ideally you want to be able to get started straight away without spending hours poring over instruction manuals. This is exactly what is possible here. The Studiomaster M300 is ready to use in just a few minutes. Set it up, connect the power cable and speakers, screw on the Wi-Fi antenna – and you’re done. You then quickly connect Revox to your home network. The Revox multi-user app required for this is available for free on the Google Playstore as well as the Apple Store. After installation and opening, a blue circle with a connection symbol will appear in the lower right corner. A simple finger press is enough to move to the next step. A black button will now appear asking you to “Make your Revox device discoverable.” If I click on this, the studio master will appear as a possible play partner. Once selected, the app now displays all available networks. The last step is to select your own network and enter the appropriate password.
Now that I’ve mentioned this term a few times, I’d like to explain “user favorites”: with one Revox Studiomaster M300 offers the ability to create up to four user profiles with individual favorites. Revox aptly calls it “multiplayer”. Using the app, you can create completely different home pages and favorites views for each user. This can be compared to each family member being able to access a list of favorite channels on the TV or a favorite lighting scene in the house with just the touch of a finger at home. Therefore, only your favorites are offered, and not the favorites of other family members! That’s exactly what’s possible here—and a little more. Each user profile initially receives its own individual name for identification, such as “Roman”, “Felix” and “Simone”. Specific settings can then be saved for each profile, be it a selection of favorite Spotify playlists, preferred radio stations or even a mix of DAB, FM or internet radio stations.
In addition to using a smartphone, many settings can also be made directly on the device. Or you can expand your system with wall-mounted controls or touch displays that can be installed discreetly. They increase the comfort quotient. The flush-mounted wall-mounted control unit was created in collaboration with the installation specialists from Gira and fits precisely into the mounting groove. This means: it can be used instead of a socket or switch. Now you can activate your own user profile with the click of a button, without picking up your smartphone. All you need to do is click “Roman” to access all the custom presets. Skip a name or station, adjust volume, select source and turn on/off – it’s all very simple. One-time setup of custom presets is also easy using the smartphone app described above. As standard, the wall control unit in question is available in a pure white, high-gloss finish. Other options are also available on request.
If you choose a streaming system, you usually also own a streaming subscription. If you have a subscription to Tidal, Spotify or Deezer, you can access your account directly within the Revox app. Using Tidal as an example, this only requires entering a username and corresponding password. If the entry is correct, you will have immediate access to your playlists and favorites. Or you can simply easily search for other playlists, albums, or individual songs from several million titles. If you want to tailor the sound to your taste or room, you can simply use the volume control. The equalizer can be found in the “Rooms” and “Sound Settings” menu items. Oh yes, “Rooms” describes the device or location where the Revox streaming receiver is located. If there are multiple devices on the network, it is recommended to name them individually (in my case: Revox Studiomaster M300) for clear identification.
With the Studiomaster M300, Revox proves once again that size doesn’t necessarily matter in today’s all-in-one systems. The compact room amp/streamer sounds much more mature across all sources than its sleek appearance suggests. Featuring an outstanding converter that converts low- and high-resolution data into the highest quality analogue quality, Revox is especially effective when it comes to playing back digitally transmitted music files. However, what makes the M300 truly unique is its clever control concept and multi-user feature. The latter offers each family member individual audio care. The price of just under 3,250 euros may seem a little high at first glance. In fact, you get a completely successful, modern and future-proof audio package that the whole family will enjoy.
Characteristics Revox Studiomaster M300
Power 2 Ohm, W 2 x 120
Frequency range, Hz-kHz 20 – 20
Harmonic coefficient, % 0.005
Damping coefficient 1200
Supported formats PCM 24-bit/192 kHz
Streaming protocols WiFi, UPnP/DLNA, WLAN, Bluetooth, Deezer, Tidal, iRadio
Built-in FM/DAB+ tuner
Wireless connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Inputs: Coaxial 1 x S/PDIF (RCA), Optical 1 x Toslink, HDMI 1 x HDMI (ARC), Ethernet 1 x Ethernet (RJ45) , USB 1 x USB-A, Analog audio 2 x RCA, Other 1 x IR, 1 x RJ45 (Multiconnect)
Outputs: Analog audio 1 x RCA, 1 x RCA (subwoofer), Acoustic 2 pairs, Headphones, Other 1 x trigger
Power consumption, W 13
Supply voltage, V 230
Dimensions, mm 200 x 342 x 87
Weight, kg 4.4
Loading ...