[Mr BubbaHyde]

What would you recommend to use instead of Pi4 with VitOS that isn't a super pricey streamer? I have an older Macbook and Windows laptops, do you think they would be less noisy than a Pi? I run Roon on a NAS and have the PI4 as my Roon bridge.

I am using 2 Pi4's one with an Allo Digione configuration, the other straight USB to the BF2 and have no nose issues. I thought they improved the noise issue with the 4 having separated the USB Fromm the other parts.

Always try something before buying equipment to fix a problem that might not be present. Lol

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

By the way I'm also running Roon.

 

[Mightygrey]

What would you recommend to use instead of Pi4 with VitOS that isn't a super pricey streamer? I have an older Macbook and Windows laptops, do you think they would be less noisy than a Pi? I run Roon on a NAS and have the PI4 as my Roon bridge.

I plug a Chromecast Audio into the optical input on my Bifrost 2. It works perfectly as a Roon endpoint and for streaming straight from the Tidal app.

 

[theveterans]

I am back in the owner club as well! Ordered one yesterday, hoping to get it soon. My launch unit had some minor cosmetic/noise issues so I ended up returning for a refund. Have regretted not simply getting a replacement ever since. I remember the differences between it and a delta-sigma DAC not being earth-shattering BUT significant enough to be audible. The Bifrost 2 had better drum (cymbal, hi-hat) transients and slightly less 2-dimensional soundstage.

I also have to admit that I went through a temporary phase where I got swayed by the measurement fad and wanted to have the best measuring DAC possible. I will still be keeping my Atom DAC for when I am in the mood for a great sounding D/S AKM velvet sound DAC.

Despite the recent measurement-group propaganda that all DACs sound exactly the same, there are subtle differences in sound between AKM, ESS, Cirrus Logic and Schiit Multibit chips. The differences are measurable as well if you know what to measure, mainly the DAC reconstruction filter response.

Just wanted to add that the analog stage and digital signal filtering (before it goes to DSP for oversampling) matters a lot. You can have the same AKM DAC chip set to the same reconstruction filter (linear phase fast roll-off as an example) but the analog stage, USB decrapifying stage and other methods that are much improved on the latter, there would be sonic differences in terms of how "etched" the timbre as well as soundstage, micro-detail and micro-dynamics

 

[dwakefield]

Unison is designed for the use in DAC and is designed to filter out the noise and is well isolated. I don't think you need to fret over bringing more in the chain if you have decent USB source. But since you are using Pi4, which may have noisy USB, using them won't hurt.

My Pi4 -> USB Supra cable -> unison Yggy is great. Roon Rock on Nuc fed to my PC -> Supra cable -> Bifrost2 fabulous. Apparently Pi4 better than previous pi3 USB. But I haven't tried a filter. Would love to know if others have done that comparison. When I sent Yggy back for unison upgrade it was weeks gone, but the difference was so noticeable even before Yggy warmed up, I was stunned. The cable upgrade to Supra was not as dramatic, but quite detectable. I would say about 30% better for unison and 5% better for cable upgrade. Cable is not crazy expensive either--about $50.
As usual YMMV.

 

[kumar402]

My Pi4 -> USB Supra cable -> unison Yggy is great. Roon Rock on Nuc fed to my PC -> Supra cable -> Bifrost2 fabulous. Apparently Pi4 better than previous pi3 USB. But I haven't tried a filter. Would love to know if others have done that comparison. When I sent Yggy back for unison upgrade it was weeks gone, but the difference was so noticeable even before Yggy warmed up, I was stunned. The cable upgrade to Supra was not as dramatic, but quite detectable. I would say about 30% better for unison and 5% better for cable upgrade. Cable is not crazy expensive either--about $50.
As usual YMMV

I have Pi3 with Digione and Pi2AES HAT and not Pi4 but since Pi4 has better implemented USB so I may be wrong in my initial assesment.

 

[EagleWings]

Supra USB cable gets a thumbs up from me. Slightly large stage, smoother highs but slightly more details, mode body mids and yet better separation. Don't recall what it did to the bass though. I preferred the Supra over the AQ Cinnamon. Well made, flexible/pliable, sounds good and doesn't cost a lot. All these make it an easy recommendation. But people looking for leaner and hyper detailed sound might want to look elsewhere.

 

[tafens]

Supra USB cable gets a thumbs up from me. Slightly large stage, smoother highs but slightly more details, mode body mids and yet better separation. Don't recall what it did to the bass though. I preferred the Supra over the AQ Cinnamon. Well made, flexible/pliable, sounds good and doesn't cost a lot. All these make it an easy recommendation. But people looking for leaner and hyper detailed sound might want to look elsewhere.

I have good experience with the AQ Pearl which was a good improvement vs generic, and AQ Carbon which improves even more over the Pearl. However the largest step up was from generic to the Pearl.

 

[jamesofla80]

How about Schiits own PYST USB cable, anyone compare it to some of the higher end cables?

 

[tafens]

How about Schiits own PYST USB cable, anyone compare it to some of the higher end cables?

Yes, in my ears (YMMV of course) the AQ Pearl bests it. I think they are similarly priced, so in my opinion, the AQ Pearl is well worth a try without breaking the bank.

Funnily enough, I wasn’t on any quest to better the sound or anything when I got the Pearl, I already had the PYST at that point but it was too stiff and I just wanted to get something more bendable and “higher end” than generic. As a bonus, it sounded better to me as well. That is, for me, in my chain. Other people’s experiences may differ from mine of course

 

[Mightygrey]

My Epson ET-4750 USB cable really brings out the mids, it probably makes them about 5% middier.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

My Epson ET-4750 USB cable really brings out the mids, it probably makes them about 5% middier.

I saw that coming from somewhere!!

 

[RickB]

My Epson ET-4750 USB cable really brings out the mids, it probably makes them about 5% middier.

And it makes black print 5% blacker from your laser printer.

 

[cgb3]

Always try something before buying equipment to fix a problem that might not be present.

Sage advice.

 

[Ripper2860]

But that contradicts the audiophile rule...

'Fix everything even if you can't hear it just in case someone can measure it.'