Recommendations if no PI2AES to be had?

Hi all. I've enjoyed reading about the PI2AES so far, but it appears it may be difficult to get at this point. In its absence (or, let's say, to tide me over) what's the recommendation for a substitute? Regular HiFi Berry Digi+Pro? Other suggestions?

I'd like the PI2AES based on what I've read, but it may be unavailable now from what I can gather.

Thanks in advance for thoughts on this.

 

Are you looking for streamer or open to DDC as well. In case of DDC you can get Pi4 with some LPS and take the USB out to DDC like Gustard U18/Singxer SU6/ Denafrips Iris/ Hermes and then take SPDIF or I2S to your DAC or use USB out of your PC to connect to these DDC. These DDC provide isolation from ground loops and isolate noise and reclock with superior clocks. Most of these DDC also have an option to connect superior external clocks if you acquire one.

If you want something close to PI2AES then Digione signature with LPS is another option or Ifi Zen Steam.

 

Are you in a place where iFi gear might be easily available? @jexby has a great writeup comparing the Zen equivalent to the Pi2AES here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ifi-audio-zen-stream.11142/page-2#post-358210

Also this is more the sort of thing that is better off in the all-purpose advice thread, though if the Pi is genuinely growing scarce this may warrant discussion for many.
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-all-purpose-advice-thread.19/unread

 

It's probably best to put this in one of the existing advice threads, like the All Purpose Advice Thread but maybe this is a more long-lived question than I think.

The alternative products for SPDIF out from a Pi that immediately come to mind are the Allo DigiOne (regular or Signature) or the HifiBerry Digi+ Pro (replaced by Digi2?). I don't know about general availability on the Allo products, but their store shows out of stock.

I own a couple of the HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro boards and they work well. I also own a Pi2AES, purchased after some time with a loaner. I've only spent any real time using the SPDIF coax or optical outputs with them, as that is what my DACs support. I don't find major differences between the Pi2AES and Digi+ Pro, but the HiFiBerry boards are a lot simpler and are powered directly from the Pi, so more chance for power supply gunk. My personal opinion is they are still quite good for the price, which is low.

 

Allo DigiOne Signature if you want to substitute (ie spend similar money). This has coax & BNC outputs but no AES or I2S

HiFiBerry Digi2 Pro if you want to spend a little money and wait for the chance of picking up a Pi2AES later. This has coax & optical outputs only.

Both have the similar form factors to the Pi2AES so could be replaced with it (and its dedicated case, because it's taller; and its dedicated power supply or equivalent, unless you hack the Pi2AES to run off 5V). And both run from the Pi using the same choices of operating system, so as close to plug & play as you'll get.

And see the other replies above, which have pretty much scooped this one.

 

Thanks, all, for the replies here, and the direction to the advice thread. Much appreciated.

 

Great point, when I got the Pi2AES I swapped the board and case with a Pi that was already running a HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro board, but when I was done I booted up the exact same OS as before. Everything just worked since the drivers are the same.

 

@Mannix = I don't know if you have been checking, but Pi2AES is available at Pi2design. As a small company, they come out in batches and apparently there are currently a few available.

 

Thanks, lehmanhill - i was able to grab one!

 

Man, they went fast. Sold out again.

Maybe one day the world with get back to normal.

 

I’ve been quite happy with my Hifiberry setup.