[theeclone]

Ok. The Pi2AES urge has passed, but another question. It was touch and go for a bit, however.

So... Did the Shanti LPS yield any discernible audio diff for you with Pi 4 and USB over the standard Pi kit switched power supply?

Ooh, that's a tough one based on the sequence of events. For a while I was running moode basically as a upnp endpoint. During that time I switched to the shanti and shortly thereafter switched to a custom setup with mpd. The jump in quality when going to mpd was so big over moode w upnp that it's tough to gauge how much improvement the shanti offered.

Memory is fuzzy but I do believe the shanti offered an improvement. IIRC things sounded more "solid" for lack of a better term. Well placed spacially, tighter bass, etc.

Also my comments on the quality of the pi2aes should probably be put in context. It may be somewhat DAC dependent. My pi currently feeds a DAC made by that company that brought you Octave Records So everything gets resampled to DSD in the DAC and there is probably limited noise rejection on its AES and i2s inputs. From what I understand, DSD is particularly sensitive to phase noise, and I suspect maybe some noise from the rpi was making it through the pi2aes's outputs. A multibit DAC with 8x oversampling might not be quite so affected by noise from the pi. Just a theory.

 

[33na3rd]

So, how's life?

 

[Yethal]

Happy 4th of July / Independance Day to my US brethren!!! (Sorry UK folks.)

So, I hope everyone is sitting down, as I actually have audio questions.

Most of my 2-channel listening is streaming Roon via a Pi4 running Ropieee XL feeding my BF2 with 2/64 upgrade via USB. I also have a Pi3B+ with an Allo DigiOne HAT that I drop in on occasion and run to BF2 via S/PDIF coax. I like both but tend to stick with the Pi4/USB, not because it sounds better (I don't really know), but because my OCD dictates that I use the cleaner USB the Pi4 offers (and the Argon case just looks cool). Latey I've had an itch to buy the new Pi2AES 2.0 Pro HAT and use that in conjunction with my Pi3B+ and replacing the Allo board. So I have a few questions...

1. Is the Pi2AES 2.0 a discernable upgrade to Allo DigiOne using S/PDIF coax?
2. Is Pi2AES 2.0 a discernable upgrade to Pi4 via USB?
3. Does BF2's Unison USB negate any real advantage in using Pi2AES via S/PDIF coax?
4. If there is a sonic difference between Pi2AES and Pi4 USB or Allo DigiOne, how would you describe it?
5. Is the Pi2AES plexiglass case as ugly as it looks on the website? (I hope there are 3rd party options for black)
6. Or is it -- What, dude!!?? Save the $299 and quit chasing after the next upgrade.

Thanks!!!

I have the Pi2AES 1.0 and the black case is just as ugly as the transparent one.

 

[theeclone]

On topic?

 

[Charente]

Ha! I don’t like tea though

A Brit who doesn't like tea !!??

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Is this the kid from the movie Presumed Innocent? On a side note, has anyone heard about a shipping date for the URD?

Hope you all had an enjoyable 4TH!

 

[Ripper2860]

Jason said it's looking more like July 11th. They're awaiting more metal to ensure adequate supply before they officially announce Urd availability.

 

[33na3rd]

Is this the kid from the movie Presumed Innocent?

Dewey, from Malcom in the middle. Played by Erik Per Sullivan.

https://malcolminthemiddle.fandom.com/wiki/Dewey_Wilkerson

 

[jonathan c]

At my level of dotage, memory of excitement must be tempered, brother!

ORT

FTFY…[Reg. TM; © bcowen: 2021.]

 

[Jheal]

A Brit who doesn't like tea !!??

Make that two of us. I cannot abide the stuff.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Make that two of us. I cannot abide the stuff.

The only tea I like is called pine needle tea. Very tasty..

 

[Ableza]

Barry's Gold Blend for me, thanks. No sugar no milk.

 

[hwlyall]

I run a pi2aes 1 with an eBay LPS into a MMB2.

I haven’t used RPi usb for several years but the power supply made a difference, albeit smaller than adding the intona usb isolator. That thing made audience mic sourced bootlegs sound like they came off of the soundboard. I guess the isolation thing is a moot point with gen 5 and now unison.

Edit: and yes, the pi2aes and LPS make for a very ugly stack.

 

[Charente]

Barry's Gold Blend for me, thanks. No sugar no milk.

When I can get it here in France, I buy Yorkshire Tea, preferably loose leaf.

 

[earnmyturns]

earnmyturns is the specialist here. I remember he was very positive about it. I don't think the connections are a big concern, use what you have, if you have al types available, try them out and use the one you prefer

I was very positive about the original Pi2AES. With OG Yggdrasil (Unison), it provided a small but consistent difference that I liked over USB from Allo USBridge. Even a bit more with an LPS (Sbooster). However, since then I moved to Holo DACs, USB via Intona isolators from Up Gateway mini-PCs running NAA as HQPlayer endpoints, so I haven't tried the Pi2AES 2.0 or any comparable devices. If I were to go back to Schiit DACs — which are great, the best value for money by far in my experience — I'd stick with Unison USB from a decent dedicated USB source, such as a Pi4 for DIYers, or something like a Zen Stream, or, to splurge and try different connection methods, a Holo Red.