Pi2AES Mercury Streamer

How does the built-in DAC sound?

 

Have you tried any of the Ethernet to fiber converters with Pi2AES or Red/Mercury?

 

If just needing to run as an HQPlayer NAA endpoint then I would say RopieeeXL is the easiest path on the PI2AES by far and completely reliable. I don't think the Holo Red runs NAA OS whatever either, it's just another service in their RedOS. The only cost is with PC HQPlayer (where the decoding and algorithms run) turning off after 30 minutes unless you pay for the software license.

 

thanks very much for the information. We already offer a ropieee image that can be ordered with the unit, and then of course, easily upgraded to XL if desired.

 

I have configured a new Ropieee image (2024.10.2) that enables all services (including HQPlayer NAA) by default. It is on the website now. There is no longer a separate RopieeeXL option as support for all services is now included in the download image.

Note that SSH was officially removed from Ropieee by the developer (who is an awesome guy BTW).

 

Hi All, at present I'm using Picoreplayer on a Allo Usbridge Signature which sounds very good on local FLAC files from my NAS, but streaming Qobuz is not great. The sound is noticeably flatter and less resolved comparing the same track from Qobuz to a FLAC on my NAS. I've tried Moode too but it's no improvement. I connect the Usbridge to the LAN using a TP link wireless access point powered by a linear power supply, which I have the found best solution without going crazy. The Allo has a linear Ian Canada super capacitor supply. I know the Pi compute module 3+ has compromises in the networking compared to the 4 in the Mercury. I guess the networking will be busier during streaming.

I wondered if anyone had experience of using a Mercury for streaming Qobuz and has compared to the Allo?

 

I use Picoreplayer too. My guess is that it is not caused by the different models of raspberry Pis, especially if you are using LAN. Allo Usbridge Signature is designed around a USB hub chip. Its goal is to clean the usb hub chip signals but it is still output via USB ports, unless you add a DigiOne Sig HAT, which is a similar design as Mercury but with less options of digital outputs (no balanced, no buffered I2S, etc.). The Pi2Design's Mercury Streamer or the PI2AES HAT are designed around WM8804 I2S converter, which receive digital audio signals from the single board computer (the Pi). Mercury streamer and Pi2AES focus on getting clean digital audio signals for DACs through SPDIF, co-axis, balanced, or I2S inputs. Because the detailed differences in the circuit designs, Allo USBridge (I have not tried), Allo DigiOne Sig (I owned but sold after compared with Pi2AES), Pi2AES (several), Mercury Streamer (haven't tried yet) could all sound slightly different. Note that the Allo USBridge is the most different in design to the others aforementioned.

If I speak in the audiophile nervosa domain. With my anecdotical experience, local files are always sound better than on-line streaming, very slightly but noticeable. In terms of audio quality, physical CD with a decent transporter > Local Wav files > Local FLAC files > Qobuz > Tidal. But this is just me with my setup using Pi2AES with a 5V linear regulated power mod. I haven't found differences in audio quality using Pi3, Pi4, or Pi5.