Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth Review: The Ultimate Hi-Fi System Upgrade?

I remember the pride I felt setting up my first proper Hi-Fi system. The warm glow of the amplifier, the weight of the turntable’s tone arm, and the rich, immersive sound that filled the room. For years, it was the heart of my home’s audio experience. But as streaming services took over and radio stations migrated to digital platforms, I found myself using it less and less. My vintage Marantz amplifier, once a source of daily joy, became a beautiful but silent piece of furniture. The thought of replacing a perfectly good, high-quality system just to get modern features felt wasteful and heartbreaking. This is a common frustration for audiophiles and music lovers alike: how do you bridge the gap between cherished analogue equipment and the boundless world of digital audio without compromising on quality or starting from scratch?

What to Consider Before Buying an Internet Radio Adapter

An Internet Radio Adapter is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for modernising a traditional audio setup. It acts as a digital bridge, injecting a universe of content—from global internet radio stations and crystal-clear DAB+ broadcasts to your personal music library streamed via Bluetooth—directly into the high-fidelity amplifier and speakers you already own and love. The main benefit is revitalization. It prevents expensive, high-quality audio gear from becoming obsolete, expanding its functionality exponentially while preserving the superior sound characteristics you invested in. For anyone with a component-based Hi-Fi system, it’s the most cost-effective and sonically sensible upgrade you can make.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the exact dilemma I described: you own a good quality amplifier, receiver, or powered speaker system that lacks modern connectivity. You appreciate great sound but are frustrated by the limitations of FM radio or being tethered to your phone’s small speakers. However, this type of adapter might not be suitable for those who want an all-in-one solution. If you’re looking for a single box that includes speakers, a CD player, and a radio, you’d be better served by a complete micro-system. The Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth is specifically for integration, not standalone playback.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: While adapters are generally compact, you need to ensure they fit within your existing Hi-Fi rack or media unit. The Audizio Livorno measures 21.5 x 19.5 x 5.5 cm, a slim profile designed to slide in neatly alongside other components. Always measure your available space, leaving room for cable connections at the rear to avoid strain or poor ventilation.
• Connectivity & Performance: This is the most critical factor. Look for a range of outputs to match your amplifier. The Livorno’s inclusion of both a digital optical (SP/DIF) output and a standard 3.5mm analogue out provides fantastic flexibility. The optical connection is paramount for sending a pure, unaltered digital signal to an amplifier with a high-quality DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter), ensuring the best possible sound. Furthermore, check for both WiFi and a wired RJ45 Ethernet port; a wired connection can offer superior stability for uninterrupted streaming.
• Materials & Durability: An audio component should feel solid and well-built. The Livorno features a sturdy chassis that feels robust and looks sleek in its black finish, designed to blend in with classic Hi-Fi aesthetics. Avoid overly lightweight plastic units that may feel cheap and could be susceptible to vibrations or electrical interference from other nearby components.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A device with thousands of features is useless if it’s impossible to navigate. A clear colour display, like the one on the Livorno, is essential for browsing stations and viewing track information. A well-laid-out remote control is also a must. Long-term care is minimal, usually just requiring dusting and ensuring firmware is kept up to date for security and new features.

This adapter is a specialised tool for a specific job. If you understand its purpose and have the right system to pair it with, it can be a game-changing addition to your audio setup.

While the Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek, Purposeful, and Ready to Connect

Unboxing the Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth revealed a device that understands its audience. There’s no unnecessary flash; it’s a sleek, black box with a clean front panel dominated by a vibrant colour display and a satisfyingly tactile control knob. It feels reassuringly solid, with a weight of 750g that suggests quality internal components. Included in the box are the essentials: a remote control, power adapter, and a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable, which is a thoughtful touch allowing you to connect to any standard amplifier right away. The initial impression is one of purpose. This isn’t trying to be a statement piece; it’s a serious audio component designed to integrate seamlessly, both aesthetically and functionally, with existing Hi-Fi separates. The setup process promised to be simple, and I was eager to connect it to my amplifier and see if its performance lived up to its promising design.

Deep Dive: Performance, Sound, and User Experience

An audio component lives or dies by its performance. A sleek design and a long feature list mean nothing if the sound is lacklustre or the interface is clunky. We spent considerable time putting the Audizio Livorno through its paces, connecting it to a Marantz integrated amplifier to see how it would perform in a genuine audiophile environment. The results were, for the most part, deeply impressive.

Connectivity and Setup: Breathing New Life into Old Systems

Getting the Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth up and running was refreshingly straightforward. This is a critical hurdle for any device meant to bridge old and new technology, and Audizio has nailed the user experience here. Upon first power-up, the colour display comes to life and a setup wizard guides you through the initial steps. Connecting to our WiFi network was as simple as selecting the network name and entering the password using the remote or the front-panel dial. For those who demand the utmost stability, the inclusion of an RJ45 Ethernet port is a professional-grade feature that we greatly appreciate. We tested both methods, and while WiFi was perfectly stable in our environment, a wired connection provides that extra layer of rock-solid reliability, eliminating any chance of dropout during critical listening.

The real magic, however, lies in the audio outputs. We first connected the Livorno using the supplied 3.5mm-to-RCA cable. The sound was clean and perfectly acceptable. But the game-changer was switching to the digital optical (SP/DIF) output. This is the connection we, and many users, strongly recommend if your amplifier supports it. By sending a pure digital signal, it bypasses the Livorno’s internal Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC) and lets your high-quality amplifier do the heavy lifting. The difference was immediately audible. As one user noted after connecting it to their Marantz amp, the “music quality is top notch” this way, and we wholeheartedly agree. The clarity, separation, and depth of the soundstage improved dramatically. It’s a feature that truly elevates this adapter from a simple convenience device to a genuine Hi-Fi component.

Audio Performance: A Trio of Radio and a Bluetooth Powerhouse

The core purpose of the Livorno is to deliver audio content, and it does so from a multitude of sources, each with its own character. We started with DAB+, and the performance was exemplary. After extending the antenna and running a quick scan, it locked onto dozens of stations. The signal was strong and the audio was crystal-clear, free from the hiss and interference that plagues traditional FM. This is digital radio as it should be: clean, crisp, and reliable.

Switching to Internet Radio opens up a staggering world of over 32,000 global stations. Navigating this immense library is surprisingly easy thanks to the logical menu system, which allows you to browse by genre, location, or popularity. We spent hours discovering niche jazz stations from New Orleans and classical broadcasts from Vienna, all streamed flawlessly over our network. We did confirm what another user pointed out: the volume output from the Internet Radio mode is noticeably lower than that of DAB+ or FM. This isn’t a deal-breaker—you simply turn the amplifier volume up—but it’s something to be aware of when switching between sources. Despite the volume difference, the sound quality itself, particularly for high-bitrate stations, offered a “better sound stage over the DAB,” as one listener aptly described it, with a richer and more expansive feel.

Finally, we tested the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Pairing a smartphone was instantaneous. The connection remained stable even when walking around the room, and the audio quality was excellent for Bluetooth. It’s perfect for quickly playing a playlist from a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music through your main system, turning your Hi-Fi into a powerful wireless speaker. The versatility to switch effortlessly between a local DAB news broadcast, an international music stream, and a personal playlist is the Livorno’s greatest strength.

User Experience and Interface: Navigating a World of Content

The day-to-day experience of using the Audizio Livorno is largely a pleasure, thanks in large part to its 2.4-inch full-colour TFT display. Unlike the monochrome, pixelated screens on older devices, this display is bright, clear, and provides a wealth of information. It shows station logos, album art for some streams, and full track information, which makes the listening experience far more engaging. The menu system is navigated using either the large dial on the unit itself or the included remote control. Everything is logically laid out, and after a few minutes of exploration, finding your way around becomes second nature.

The remote control is functional and covers all the necessary features, including direct access to presets. However, we must echo the sentiment found in user feedback regarding the printed instruction manual. The text is incredibly small, making it a real challenge to read without magnification. Thankfully, the device is so intuitive that we found ourselves barely needing the manual after the initial setup. The on-screen wizard does a much better job of guiding you than the paper instructions do. This is a minor but definite annoyance in an otherwise polished package. Once set up, managing presets is simple, allowing you to save your favourite DAB, FM, and Internet stations for quick one-button access, which is essential for making this vast universe of content manageable and enjoyable on a daily basis.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with the Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth is strongly reflected in the feedback from other enthusiasts. There is a clear consensus that the device excels in its primary function: delivering high-quality audio from diverse sources to an existing Hi-Fi system. One user celebrated that it was “Very nice not to have to use my phone for music,” highlighting its success as a dedicated streaming component. This same user confirmed our findings about its versatility, noting they got Wi-Fi working for local Hi-Res files and that the “music quality is top notch” when using the optical out into a Marantz amp.

Another listener was “Very impressed with the quality of sound,” specifically praising the clarity of DAB+ stations. They also corroborated our observation about the audio levels, stating that “internet mode is quieter than the DAB mode, but it does have the better sound stage.” The most common point of criticism, which we also noted, is the instruction manual, described as “very very small to read.” This feedback paints a consistent picture: the Livorno is a high-performing, well-built unit with excellent sound, whose only minor flaw is its poorly printed documentation.

How Does the Audizio Livorno Compare to the Alternatives?

The Audizio Livorno occupies a specific niche as a Hi-Fi adapter or component. The key distinction between it and many popular alternatives is that the Livorno has no built-in speakers or CD player. It is designed exclusively to be plugged into an existing amplifier or powered speaker system. This makes comparisons with all-in-one systems a matter of purpose rather than direct competition.

1. MAJORITY Quadriga DAB+ CD Radio

The MAJORITY Quadriga is an entirely different beast. It’s a complete, all-in-one 2.1 stereo system with a powerful 120W amplifier, built-in speakers, and an integrated subwoofer. It also includes a CD player and Spotify Connect, features the Livorno lacks. This is the ideal choice for someone who wants a single, powerful audio system for a room and doesn’t already own separate Hi-Fi components. However, for an audiophile who has already invested in a high-quality amplifier and speakers, the Quadriga would be redundant. The Livorno is for augmenting an existing superior system, whereas the Quadriga is the system itself.

2. Hama 00054891 Internet Radio DAB+ Bluetooth

The Hama 00054891 is another all-in-one tabletop unit. Like the Quadriga, it includes built-in stereo speakers and a CD player, positioning it as a self-contained music system. It shares many of the Livorno’s digital features, such as internet radio, DAB+, and Bluetooth. This Hama unit is a great option for a kitchen, office, or bedroom where you want a compact device that can do everything. The primary reason to choose the Livorno over the Hama is if you already have an audio setup whose sound quality you don’t want to compromise. The Livorno leverages your existing high-end speakers, which will almost certainly outperform the Hama’s integrated ones.

3. Imperial Dabman i200 Internet DAB+ Radio CD Player

The Imperial Dabman i200 follows a similar all-in-one philosophy to the Hama and MAJORITY models. It packs internet radio, DAB+, FM, a CD player, and stereo speakers into a single, classically styled wooden cabinet. Its appeal lies in its retro aesthetic and comprehensive, self-contained feature set. It even includes a headphone out and line-out for added flexibility. Again, the choice here comes down to your existing equipment. If you are starting from scratch and want a single box that plays CDs and digital streams, the Dabman i200 is a strong contender. If you have an amplifier waiting to be fed high-quality digital sources, the Audizio Livorno is the correct and more specialised tool for the job.

Final Verdict: The Smartest Upgrade for Your Classic Hi-Fi

After extensive testing, the Audizio Livorno Internet Radio Adapter DAB WiFi Bluetooth has proven itself to be a truly exceptional piece of kit. It delivers on its promise flawlessly, acting as the perfect modern brain for a classic analogue audio system. Its combination of versatile connectivity (especially the crucial optical output), vast content sources, and excellent sound quality makes it an invaluable tool for any music lover looking to bring their cherished Hi-Fi into the streaming age. While the tiny instruction manual is a slight misstep, the device’s intuitive interface and superb performance more than make up for it.

We recommend it without hesitation to anyone who owns a quality amplifier or receiver and wants to unlock the world of digital radio and streaming without replacing their entire setup. It respects your past investment in great sound while opening the door to the future of audio. If you’re ready to fall in love with your Hi-Fi system all over again, we highly recommend you check the latest price and discover what the Audizio Livorno can do for you.