The Bivium preamp from Synästec Audio is puristically equipped, but really doesn’t lack anything. Owing to a clear and variable menu structure, the user can perfectly configure his personal device. This is also possible via the unique remote control which even boasts a rotary encoder wheel. As to the sound quality the Bivium lines up seamlessly and with an almost outrageous easiness into the definitive top-level category which comprises not even a handful of contenders. The massive preamp achieves this sublime sound evalution in connection with its mono block partners, the Volatus 200. With the Bivium, Synästec Audio has indeed served up a whopping, highly audiophile and musical surprise!   Olaf Sturm