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Further thoughts on RPi player
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Posted on March 9, 2017 at 15:52:50 | ||
Posts: 37470
Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002 |
1. It's nice to have all the bottom octave back. When I converted to the Touch years ago, I noticed a slight compromise on the lowest bass response. 2. There is definitely more resolution across the band especially at the top. Even when evaluated using the humble components in my garage system. 3. The darn thing doesn't generate much heat even when powered up 24/7. 4. There's no problem playing 24/192 content. I continue to admire the SB Touch product as a truly innovative product which I believe is still a better solution for the average consumer. It's a turnkey solution with an easy-to-use UI and the touch screen functionality can be an asset to many. I've been a DIYer since I started building Dynakits when I was 15. While the simple assembly and loading of program executable with the RPi doesn't require even a fraction of that effort, I'm convinced that some folks would likely not be as enthusiastic about the unit as many of us are. I think its a fabulous product which, like the uRendu, has caused my ecosystem to evolve and for me to change some of my previous thinking. While I'm on the cusp of turning 60, I'm still learning new ways to satisfy my emotional need for experiencing music. What lies next is a direct comparison the the uRendu product. I see more similarities with these two players than differences. Can a $120 solution match that of a $1000 one? We'll see. Thanks again to all the inmates who continue to assist me in the journey... |
RE: Further thoughts on RPi player, posted on March 10, 2017 at 00:39:03 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Just using the Pi as digital transport leaves certain great opportunities untouched. The todays HAT modules are that well done, that there's IMO no real need for external DACs anymore. (And the evolution is still on its way!) These devices even support up 2 384kHz -- for those hunting after large figures. Since you go straight I2S you just skip all these messy audio interfaces (SPDIF, USB, asf.) and related very costly tweaks. You might consider the Allo Kali I2S HAT reclocker. It gets the jitter down to audiophile levels. Using the iFi iPower gets the power noise down to quite low levels. There are numerous DACs IMO sounding quite good. Many of them sounding better with the Kali. However. E.g. Allo has just launched the "Boss" DAC. That DAC doesn't even require the Kali reclocker anymore. It IMO sounds really nice. At 150$ - PI+Boss+iPower + free distro of choice - you'll end up with a great audio piece. You don't need great technical skills to put it together. It's probably easier then building you favorite Lego gadget. There are still people around who spent/d thousands of $ on similar (sounding) solutions. IMO that's just waste of money. Stuff like MicroRendu - just a stupid USB interface - are IMO overrated, overexpensive and extremely inflexible. Meanwhile you'll find quite some so called High-End gear with Raspberry Pi inside. It can't be that bad - even though some audiophiles claim otherwise. One main aspect is the PI software support. It's mainly free and quickly evolving. Small and medium size audio companies just can not afford to develop fancy custom software and provide long term support - unless they make you pay for it. And that's IMO a killer argument against these devices. Yep. And there are still people out there using even PCs. Enjoy. PS: I agree that Logitech was years ahead of the competition. Almost a decade later not that many companies can offer a similar HW/SW solution. The SB Touch had quite some tweak potential during those years I've been running it (I put together and made available a Touch Toolbox during those days). As a matter of fact your mentioned low end weakness benefited from it. At 300$ it was twice as much as above PI solution. Which was more then fair during those days. Nothing in the world would make me stepping back though. ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
RE: Close, posted on March 10, 2017 at 06:02:16 | |
The interesting test will be to swap out the rendu [setup] for the pi [setup]. |
Right, things happen. Luckily, posted on March 10, 2017 at 11:09:11 | |
Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002 |
mine were fine. |
Sorry, no can do! No DIY here... nt, posted on March 10, 2017 at 11:43:10 | |
Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002 |
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Just 4 screws. whats the matter, you chicken?... nt, posted on March 10, 2017 at 11:47:42 | |
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Let me summon my Best Don Knotts voice..., posted on March 10, 2017 at 14:12:08 | |
Posts: 10574
Joined: April 12, 2002 |
Noop! Oh, well, yes, actually. |
LOL.....well at least your'e honest....nt, posted on March 10, 2017 at 14:14:11 | |
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RE: LOL.....well at least your'e honest....nt, posted on March 10, 2017 at 14:36:08 | |
Posts: 37470
Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002 |
He keeps only one bullet in his revolver. :) |
RE: Further thoughts on RPi player, posted on March 11, 2017 at 05:45:12 | |
Posts: 2424
Joined: July 11, 2007 |
Checkout Moode Audio. Slowly but surely I'm feeding more and more of my audio related tweaks towards Moode. ################### "Output stage" I've been running numerous output stages over the years. First of all. They all add complexity. They all add more power supplies. (One exception: A transformer outputstage.) They all add their own "footprint" or "flavour". Who needs a 4-6V differential stage, if even 2V is too much. Many amps don't even support 2V on the input. Add 25db gain to it and u can look for hearing aids. All what most people need is <<1V. (Obviously I don't run preamps and try to limit digital volume control!) Most differential stages cause problems on their own. Back to the HAT DACs. There are numerous cases where e.g. DACs based on a Sabre 9023 were considered better than a 9018. What matters is the implementation! However. If a HAT is build after datasheet, you can't expect quality performance. These output opamps need quality power. I played around with different capacitors - quite nice fellows hinted me into that direction. The right choice of caps made 10 times more of a difference then e.g. a reclocker. Also switching from async to sync master clock on the Sabre made quite a difference. Then I'm using a single highest quality 3.6V supply to feed the DAC. Last but not least I modified the output filter. Non of these modifications you can replace with a $500 power supply. Over at DIY-Audio you can follow my HAT projects. Below project ended with a DAC that I'm still running and enjoying: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/295880-mamboberry-ls-my-new-pi-hat.html This is my newest Boss project: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/304004-my-new-boss-another-pi-hat.html It's still work in progress. There's no black or white. It's all grey. Everything ends up in a compromise at one point. You, with 45 years of DIY Audio experience,should be well aware of it. Enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------- blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP |
Iffy buyers, posted on March 11, 2017 at 08:37:39 | |
Posts: 13158
Location: Kent Joined: June 1, 2002 |
who buy products without filtering the claims. |
Cool - thanks -nt, posted on March 12, 2017 at 11:18:32 | |
Posts: 37470
Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002 |
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