Raspberry Pi I2S to SPDIF Hat

Thank you for all the replies. It looks like I will need to do more research. Is adding remote control functionality a hassle? Is wifi a standard feature of the Pi board or will tweaks need to be made? The Allo Signature Player always looked like the best "complete solution" for me, but I'm open to other solutions also. Just looking for a solid + simple solution that I can run PEQ and get BNC / AES into my SFD.

 

Once you install OS like Ropiee, you will get an interface, which you can easily access thru your mobile or iPad, and enter WiFi login details. That’s it, after that you can remove the Ethernet cable.

please do note Digione signature doesn’t have AES. it only has BNC and RCA coax

 

I wonder if there is a better thread for people who want to learn how to stream audio to the PI? I am happy for this discussion to occur because the people that follow this thread are extremely knowledgeable and have shown themselves to be very generous and helpful.

But, I’ve got to believe that this subject has been covered elsewhere and perhaps a better manner. If not, then let’s just keep doing it here!

Cheers,
Michael

 

maybe this is the thread to discuss?

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/pi-2-design-how-do-i-get-started.8804/

 

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

At 20 pages much of it is now probably redundant, because setting everything up seems to have gotten easier as time has passed and the number of available HATs has increased. For people setting up PiCoreplayer with LMS, gixxerwimp has a couple of posts on p. 16 and randytsuch has a link on p. 18. For things like moOde and Volumio, the documentation at the download pages is explanatory enough (certainly for the latter). I can't recall if there were posts/links to setting up with Roon.

 

Roon streams to squeezelite as an endpoint, easy as pi so any distro can have squeezelite added, you don't need to install Logitech Media server anywhere, in fact it will be counterproductive with Roon. Most options have a phone or tablet interface. I had issues with Moode but picoreplayer with LMS/squeezlite was well documented somehwere in this or the other thread by Scott Kramer in a post. Tidal worked too. ropieee is plug and wait and wait and play pretty much.

 

The SB Touch still makes a nice remote control once you’re not using it to stream S/PDIF, just set it to control the Pi2AES once that’s running. It’s what I’m using at the moment in my office set up.

I find it’s good to have a permanent remote control device rather than using a phone or iPad which are multi function. The old SB Controller for the Duet is a good one too as it has volume and other controls on proper buttons on it.

 

The main factors to consider between the Allo Signature and the PI2AES are primarilly the choice of interfaces and cost. With the Allo you have the choice of RCA and Opto, while the PI2AES adds BNC, XLR AES, I2S over HDMI and parallel I2S (using our RJ45 adapter at a cost of $25). The Allo also requires a much more expensive low noise power supply to achieve best results, while the PI2AES uses an inexpensive external switcher.

As for sound quality, the Allo provides slightly better measurements. But many users have told us that our board is either very close or even the same level.

You will not go wrong with either board and will definitely have a very solid digital audio setup.

As always enjoy the music!

Cheers,
Michael

 

Just a quick note - the Digione Signature has BNC and SPIDF, but does not have optical.

And yes - I had to go look at my streamer and make sure my memory was correct.

And kudo's to Mike Kelly for his upfront appraisal of the two options. Pretty amazing to see these days.

Bill

 

Sorry guys, my bad.

michael

 

Michael,

Hands has summed it very nicely. A little belated, but congratulations on your schlong award and I wanted to mention that I like your new avatar picture. Finally, thanks for working with us on these projects and offering audiophile sound quality for a realistic price.

Jac

 

I think it's the fault of Allo. They were vociferous in asking for cleaner power supply aka LPS for signature HAT and hence planting nervosa of using one. After that impressions followed in similar line.

 

I think the digiOneSig power layout is nicely done, it has a quiet section with only the last yard components in it, similar to unison usb. It's a different architecture from the PI2AES. You may be thinking of their Katana dac– now that's a power supply runaway train wreck.

 

It doesn't help that they now offer their own LPS. That said, it's actually very reasonably priced imo

https://www.allo.com/sparky/shanti.html

Still, I'm happy with the move to the PI2 for my equipment and enjoyment

 

I agree that it seems cheaper than their other solutions, but it’s still $10 more than our board! Again though, let me be clear: anyone who chooses the allo solution will be very happy.

I would love to hear folks impression of the allo signature with a low cost switching power supply. Can it run off the pi supply or do you still need two?

Michael

 

Been a USB guy since I got in the hobby ten yrs ago. Some of the source/transport stuff interested me the more I got familiar with upstream gear, but nothing seemed compelling enough to pursue (some combination of implementation complexity, stupidly expensive, and the time put into the whole thing wouldn't make the SQ gains worth it). I was initially excited for Unison but really, I had a sense that it's still USB.. and, well, it will always suck. The Pi2AES is exactly what I was waiting for.

I put together the Pi2AES rig this evening (BNC-to-coax output used). The Elex arrived this morning. Mullard tubes in the amp. Fired it all up and my jaw was left A G A P E when the music hit my ears. Sure the SW51+ & Elex combo sound gorgeous.. and do note, the Modi 3's USB is definitely not shit.. but the jump from USB to Pi2AES was nothing short of stunning. Rambling on about what immediately stood out: an incredibly 3D soundstage, pinpoint imaging, effortless layering, jaw dropping clarity, tonal purity, smooth, wide dynamics. All on an inky black background.

Whatever penance I paid to have to wait this long to ditch USB.. it was completely worth it. MAD thanks to @Michael Kelly and the folks who've contributed help, tips, and impressions on Pi2AES gear. The hype is very very real.. and deserved.

 

Could somebody clarify for me how many (if any) USB inputs there are on the Pi2AES? I'm planning to do my main listening via a Raspberry Pi4, but I'd also like to occasionally hook up my Macbook via USB into the Pi2AES. Is this possible?

I'm sorry for the dumb question, but I'm not clear on this, and I can't make my way through 116 pages.