The All Purpose Advice Thread

The various Pi based ones are good - I'm not sure what the best one with an spdif or AES out is but I'm sure someone knows - and the various versions of the software tend to be very easy to set up and use.

They also have the advantage of being relatively cheap and running very cool.

If you're going for a premade, I though metrum had their own one which outputted the native i2s their DACs like best?

 

You can order prebuilt Digione Signature player from their website with case and everything.
Just use provided power supply for Dirty side and for clean side you can buy battery adapter from them and use LIFEPO4 18650 batteries or any LPS if you have with you. I see they are selling their own LPS called “Shanti” . “Shanti” in Hindi means peace or silence.

 

Thanks for the suggestion... I thought about the Ambre but I'd have to also purchase the IS2 module and install it on the DAC. Plus, it's really geared towards being used as a Roon endpoint and I haven't gone in that direction yet. It's definitely a possibility though.

 

Thanks... That is definitely an option and might be the one I would lean towards first. I'd have to get a wifi adapter for it, but I'm sure that's something that Allo could provide.

 

You don’t need WiFi adapter. The latest pi has WiFi enabled.
You may need some client in you iPad or computer to connect to it and enter your WiFi details. However if you plan to stream Higher bit rate songs I would suggest wired connection but if router is away then get a WiFi extender with wired output so that you can have a wired connection for your streamer.

 

@johnnypaddock , see these threads:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...-based-streamer-a-guide-for-the-nervous.3969/

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/raspberry-pi-i2s-to-spdif-hat.1990/

The new Pi2Designs HAT, or their older one (502DAC), or the Allo Signature are pretty simple solutions (even DIY). As mentioned above by @Ksaurav402 , Pi3 will take a wireless or wired (ethernet) signal.

 

Thanks... I spent some time in the really long thread but it was almost information overload. Some of the terminology was over my head. You guys have a great resource here.

Do you think the Signature would compete with the Aries G1? It's a huge price difference but that doesn't always correlate to performance of course.

 

Here's SBAF's @Hands on the Signature (and a link to his review of the earlier/cheaper version):

https://www.audiostream.com/content/allo-digione-signature-review

There are some comparisons with purpose-built streamers in the later pages of the threads above, and in this one:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ayers-streamers-impressions-and-reviews.7106/

I can't recall if the Aries G1 has been mentioned specifically, but my sense is that many people here would go for the Signature or the Pi2Designs products over any of the box streamers regardless of price.

 

Thank you so much. I've got some more reading ahead now!

 

A dedicated music only computer can be really good. Nothing else on the usb bus at all is helpful. Yet the progress being made on the SBC front with specialized power supplies is amazing. I thought my tweaked PC was really good (and it is compared to other pcs) until we did a test against an ALLO USB bridge in a Roon core setup vs my Pc as an end point tipped the scale in favor of the SBC with two ifi power supplies.

Do not fall into the trap that all USB implementations are poor and only SPDF or AES are worthy, it is not true. Well done dac usb circuits and well thought out transports can sound very good too.

 

Yes but tbf the usb on the metrums is known to be usable at best.

 

Unfortunately, there are many popular dacs that fit that description.

 

While wired is preferred, I'be been running a RPi with an Allo hat on wifi with no issues. I've never had a skip or interruption even while playing 24/192 files. The Pis are just rock solid.

 

You guys are great... I think I’ll order an Allo Signature with a linear power supply and see how it goes. My plan is to install JRiver on it. I think it will be fun to use Linux for the first time.

All of the advice is very much appreciated.

 

I've been making an effort to meet more people to get out of my head, and that includes hobby meets (i.e. pens and audio gear— the IRL weeb community is creeping me out lately). To that end, that means wanting and getting to try new stuff even though I'm unable to make any big (>$50) purchases for a while yet, haha. If anything it'll be worth it just to get out more and streamline my shortlist of amp upgrades.

So as far as that goes, I'm curious what gear I should be on the lookout for next time I try to act human, amplifiers specifically since I'm pretty happy with the Klipsch HP-3 (already have getting a JAR HD650 for a less aggressive complement when I can manage it on the to-do list... maybe I'll just KISS mod a pair of HD650s) and I don't plan on getting a better DAC for a long while yet, at least after a TOTL amp.

IDGAF much about "transparency" or "clarity"; I'm a "detail in the grain" dude when it comes to photos and so the same extends to music. I much prefer the G1217 Sunrise to the Lake People G109A, to illustrate, and just from reading impressions I know I'll be underwhelmed by the THX AAA 789. I don't seem to mind the HP-3s much out of higher OI sources, I like how it makes the overall treble presentation less aggressive, but I do miss the extra control higher dampening gives sometimes. Probably gonna have to be tubes since I'd like for a more relaxed treble presentation to off-set how the headphones are unmodded.

Soundstage is... a secondary concern. The headphones manage that well enough on their own, haha. What I'm looking for is texture (hah), overall resolution, ambient cues, and though I doubt I've got an ear for it "plankton" would be great. I like more impact in sound, but that's about level with soundstage for priorities. I don't mind the upper-midrange on the Klipsches very much, but any more recessed will be a problem for me.

No stated budget since all I'll be spending in the immediate future is gas/fare/food for meets, but I'd be hesitant to drop more than $1500 MSRP even as an "Okay f**k this shit I'm done buying stuff" parting gift to myself. Good used deals might change my mind

@k4rstar Pardon if this is a bother (sorry!) but have you gotten ears on the ToolShed amp>HP-3 combo yet? Really curious how those perform since Matt F. apparently voiced those using the same headphones.

 

Chips Ahoy, Mateys.

For my headphone set-up I am currently running Mac Book Pro (16/44.1 ALAC rips) > Schiit Bifrost Uber > Schiit Valhalla > HD 800 S.

My plan for the upcoming weeks is to replace the Valhalla with Bryston BHA-1 and the Bifrost Uber with Bryston BDA-2. I plan on using Black Dragon cables and interconnects.

My budget is obviously 2.2K for a headphone amp and 2.4K for DAC. I'm super sold on the aesthetics of the Black Dragons, and I plan on sticking with a balanced set up.

Before I pull the proverbial American trigger please recommend me some alternatives to research in to. No UK or Chinese companies for personal reasons.

 

Not all RPi streamer setups are created equal. If the OS R/Ws to the SD card while running, then make sure to get a really good SD card. Volumio (and another one I can't remember) kept hanging on me and I eventually switched to piCorePlayer which runs completely on RAM after bootup. This has been rock solid for me.

 

If you're going to KISS mod an HD650, why not try a Bottlehead Crack build? It's an easy first time build and a lot of fun. Even if you need to buy a solder iron and some supplies, including the HD650 total cost will be well under $1k.

 

Am I missing beef between elmoe and gixxer? )

I could probably track down some Crack that won't end with me dead in a ditch locally, seen a few builds in local fora. The point of the exercise is that I'm hoping to cut down my shortlist of "definitive step up" amplifiers for when I do have the cash to buy new stuff, so spending on a kit might take a while haha. Definitely been interested in Bottlehead amps and DIY in general though— I was almost about to spend cash copying ultrabike's bookshelf build before I realised speakers aren't really an option just now. An amp would be right up my alley though— having fun just following the stuff in the Crack thread. Curious about the Mainline too, but don't know enough about it.

I'm able to track down big boy Cayin, Eddie Current, iFi, maybe some Decware stuff too if memory serves. Just wanna know which ones to prioritise and ask after because I'm not able to just up and meet people that often, which sucks. DIY alternatives might be less sure just cuz of variability in build etc.

 

I think there are a number of quality value amps in the sub $400 range, but then it gets a bit scarce until you are in the DNA, ECP, EC range which are not always easy to find. Maybe a used Torpedo 3, or like mentioned before a nice Bottlehead build would sit in that mid range. I have heard good things about Glenn OTLs and they start at $800, but preferred builds easily surpass your upper limit. I played in the budget range and enjoyed my time for several years til I lucked into a cheap ECP L2. It isn't TOTL, but gets me close enough that I am happy. I don't know if you can plan too much until you are ready to buy and then see what is out there.