Is a Raspberry PI2AES right for what I want to do with my setup?

Hi SBAF,

Thanks for letting me join this community. My setup is posted below, hope it provides the context for my questions.

So I have been doing a lot quite of reading off this forum and feel like I am starting to have a grasp of the solution I should be looking into. Would love to have you chime in and guide me to the right direction. Anyhow, below is my current setup, requirement and whatnots.

Setup:
- M1 Macbook Air
- iPhone 13
- iTune library (mostly ripped CDs) stored on Time Capsule. Access via WiFi
- THX 789
- Grado 325 / Senn HD 600

Requirement:
- Be able to play ripped CD (does not have to be through iTune) wirelessly with high fidelity, on M1 Macbook Air or iPhone 13

No-No:
- Monthly subscription fee

Since my setup is still DAC-less at this point, I have been looking into DACs with bluetooth technology (LDAC, Aptx HD) thinking these will enable wireless play with high fidelity. However, I just came to realize these are still considered lossy technology and in some cases, they sound grainy and not near the fidelity level the wired connection is capable of.

Then, I came across the Raspberry with PI2AES solution, which looks promising and seems to do exactly what I need but I have a few questions/concerns:

1. Out of stock. Not only that, the price seems to have gone up substantially. Any alternative?
2. Software. Regardless of the OS (Volumio, Moodle) installed, do they play nicely with iTune?
3. Is there a benefit if I move the ripped CD files from Time Capsule to Raspberry storage?
2. Based on my description above, any alternative I haven't considered?

 

We prefer questions like this in the All Purpose Advice thread to keep us from having a ton of threads, each with a random question. That's why someone gave the post a dislike. Also please be sure to introduce yourself.

I think there may be some confusion, the Pi2AES isn't a DAC. I would still recommend it (or similar) to act as a network streamer but you'll need a DAC too. I am a big fan of the Modi Multibit as a good starter DAC. It is on the warmer end of the spectrum and the recent stock should have some better parts due to shortages. Whichever DAC you choose, be sure it has digital inputs beyond USB so it would work with a streamer like the Pi2AES. Or you could get the iFi streamer which has USB output. In that case you could also consider the iFi Zen DAC which appears to be popular around here though I haven't heard it. I have their portable iDSD BL DAC/amp and think it sounds good.

Responding to your question list:

1. It does require a lot of patience right now with parts shortages as they are (I think the next batch is intended for Feb or something). Even with the price hike the Pi2AES is still an excellent value.
2. I don't know of any streamer that plays nicely with iTunes. You can stream iTunes by using Airplay to MoOde, Volumio, RopieeeXL, etc but I believe Airplay is often lossy. Prior to switching to Roon, I used Audirvana to play over UPnP to MoOde. But I found UPnP to be an unreliable headache and got sick of fiddling with it. I know you don't want a monthly fee so Roon is out unless you want to pay their large one-time fee.
   
3. I think the only benefit would be to play your music directly from Volumio/MoOde/RoplieeeXL/whatever. Since you prefer to use iTunes, that may not be a benefit for your use case.
4. In addition to needing a DAC, the iFi Zen Streamer is a little more expensive and has a USB out which could come in handy if you want a DAC with USB input only. I don't know how much of a pain it would be to get it working with various DACs, haven't tried this streamer. I also don't know if it is as good as (or better) than the Pi2AES in terms of sound quality.

 

Update on Mercury Streamer

We are now taking orders for a limited number of Mercury Streamer, 4GB SBAF edition at $499. Production versions will have 8GB and will be priced at $599. If you order please include your SBAF user name in the notes section.

https://www.pi2design.com/store/p25/Mercury_Streamer.html