Riva Audio's Magic Wand!

Just had to sneak this in before heading for vacation.Riva Audio's Wand is a spectacular-sounding wireless Wi-Fi based distributed audio system that features open architecture, meaning you can stream using Google's Play app via Chromecast, or Apple's Airplay, or directly from a hard drive via DLNA or control the system Riva's own Wand app, at up to 192/24 bit resolution. It has Spotify built in.

If you have Wi-Fi based streaming set up at home you can take either of the two Wand units on the road and access and play home content from wherever you go as long as you're online. The sound of this system is incredible especially considering the cost: the big Festival unit costs $499 (available during the holiday season for $399), while the smaller Arena model goes for $249 (available for $199 during the holiday season—I may have misstated the price in the video).

Why should only one wireless distributed audio company dominate this market with a less open, definitely less good sounding system? The big Festival unit absolutely smokes Sonus. A guy who installed my irrigation system a few weeks ago asked me if I wanted wireless outdoor music. He offered Sonos. I brought him inside to hear the Festival and he couldn't believe what he was hearing compared to what he was used to.

This system goes remarkably deep, plays loud without strain, break-up or compression and produces a sonic image as free from the constraints of the box as any small unit I've heard. I streamed 96/24 high resolution files from the A&Ultima portable player I recently reviewed in Stereophile and the resulting sound was remarkable, not for a small unit but just plain remarkable.

I played a high resolution file of Waltz For Debby and the piano, bass and drum sound would impress even the most discerning audio snob for its smooth tonal balance, top and bottom end extension and especially for its ability to produce subtle dynamic contrasts and sophisticated instrumental textures.

If you have streaming music at home over your wireless network you can access it from where you are in the world as long as you're on the Internet and play it through either of these units, though you're more likely to bring with you the smaller Arena unit, which can add a battery for portability.

I thought and still think the two Riva Bluetooth speakers, the Turbo-X and smaller S model are the best Bluetooth speakers I've yet heard but Riva is moving now to Wi-fi enabled distributed audio. I've heard the Sonus system and thought it was okay and this week I auditioned another pair of Wi-Fi enabled units from a company with a great name in high performance home audio, and the Riva Festival and Arena units stomped all over those and for about half the cost. Half the cost and more than twice as good? I like that.

Visit Riva Audio's website for more information and watch this quickly put together video to see both and hear the Festival or at least what was picked up by the camcorder's shotgun microphone. Comes with a 30 day money back guarantee I doubt you'll take advantage of.

I'm again impressed by Riva's build quality and the superior sound quality produced by this company's products. As I wrote in the Bluetooth review, I first met Riva's President and Chief Engineer Donald North at a Los Angeles audio show some years back when he was showing his turntable design. So all of this makes complete sense!

COMMENTS
PAR's picture

n/t

Michael Fremer's picture
Aux in will do, or if you have a Bluetooth turntable (I know you don't) but if you did...
mauidj's picture

You just cost me 2 bills for the Hendrix and now this!!!!!

Rudy's picture

Sheeit...you had to go and show us this! I have a simple desktop audio system for the computer (small tube amp, DAC, subwoofer, etc.). The sound wasn't ideal, but the bass really came through on the video! Incredible. They've done a great job on it. I have no real use for one of these yet, but now I have to hide the debit cards! Yet I could see gifting a couple of those Arenas.

I like the DLNA and Chromecast capability, as I use both daily here at Casa Rudy. I hope Riva will put in an appearance at AXPONA 2018--I'd like to give both the Festival and Arena models a listen in person.

cdvinyl's picture

Hey Michael,

The Doors box set in the video-who is issuing it?

Michael Fremer's picture
Analogue Productions
Michael Fremer's picture
Analogue Productions
Brother John's picture

Thanks for the great review Michael. I purchased the RIVA festival this week on Amazon from RIVA audio a couple of days ago. Can't wait to have a listen.

Brother John's picture

I've never heard an mp3 speaker this natural and so free of digital harshness associated with mp3 format.. The built In DAC really makes lossy recordings sound like 16 bit CD. The RIVA wand Is a bit quirky and hard to get used to but the sound is warm and can be listed to for long sessions without digitus. Very nice looking speaker as well. Lossless recordings sound even better than lossy. Very happy with this unit overall. Very happy with purchase. Thanks again Mikey.

Lifer's picture

and we really like it. But, I knew the sound was just not as good as it should be. So, I did the only thing I could, I changed the power cord. I like the Pangea pc's and they are reasonably priced so that is what I got (Pangea Audio AC 14SE MKII C7 Signature Power Cable - from Amazon). The sound is notably fuller and cleaner top to bottom. Very recommended.

bioplaid's picture

I'm been trying to contact this company for over six month via phone and email with no response about a defective product (Wand).

Does anyone have any information if they are officially defunct?

I also have a Festival that still works, luckily, (but I strongly advise against ordering from this company).

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