Many thanks for all your reviews on streaming, It has really woken me up , especially related to high end streamers vs lower cost alternatives. Appreciate your transparency.
Hi Simon, I have a same set up as yours Allo digiOne paired with the Qutest. I hooked one terabyte hardrive to it, so lots of personal music Flac files. But you have to format it in FAT, the original FAT not the EXfat, FAT32 or NTFS. The linux OS variant used in the Allo Digi One can read regular FAT partition easily. I suggest using your Linear power supply by putting one end to the clean power and the other clean power to the Qutest. You will hear a difference. Just use a regular wall wart to the dirty power. The Qutest DAC comes with a 5V USB- C switch mode, wall wart but it is a good quality one, no harm in trying, hope it will suites your taste.
Dennis Teo hi Dennis thanks very much for feedback. I use a Mcru linear psu on my qutest but with some pre amps I’ve tried I just use Wallwart as more than ok. A good one is to use an nas. I also use that and my innuos Zenith which is a roon server/NAS. Enjoy and bw Simon
Man I’ve gotta say I’ve hooked my I phone directly into my tube amp via RCA adaptor ( clunky with cord) and man it sounds pretty dang good. I need to get a proper unit if it means even better sound.
The Allo DigiOne would need an Amp though, wouldn't it? I'm trying to build a DIY raspberry pi based streamer and I'm seeking for info on the best components to add to a raspberry-pi 4 that I'm yet to purchase and a set of Jamo S803 speakers that I own
Can I stream Deezer with multiple users from ipone and android phone to the digione/raspi ? I..e does the software on the raspi allow control of the streaming service client software from a phone? AND support multiple user accounts? Apparently it is difficult to find a streamer that simpy allows multipe household members to stream music to the Hifi (DAC). And I dont want to use bluetooth. The phone must control the streaming client software on the streamer device.
My streamer experience started with the Sonos Connect, moved onto Bluesound node 2i and then settled with Roon/DigiONe Sig + Chord DAC. It really is a great combo solution. Incredible value compared to Auralic or Lumin. The only thing complicating matters is Apple Music adding lossless. , I'm locked into Roon/Tidal. I'm going to be testing the Sonos Port with the Chord DAC when they come back into stock and I do hope Sonos unlocks hi Res support.
@@yhat314 I just switched to Apple Music and dropping tidal. I will be selling my digione. It is better than hooking my phone to the DAC but I just like the suggested playlists with Apple more. I will miss Roon but Saving $10/month also doesn’t hurt.
Hey Simon. Enjoying your reviews. I wonder if you could offer some of your opinion to my set up conundrum. I have the digi one signature running into the qutest ,using a quality bnc Atlas connector. I am using the Ifi psu for the clean side and a standard one for dirty side. My qutest , l am still running with the supplied power supply. Finally lm am using a Cambridge Audio AXR 85 amp into Tannoy F 6xt. It is a really good sound , the amp provides a warmth and there is some nice detail at the top with a controlled bass response. My one issue is that there is a warmth and slight recess in the mids that l am not quite accustomed to yet. My previous amp was a pioneer A50 and altho not as detailed as the Cambridge , it was more open in that area. Will adding the Shanti as you have suggested to others, provide more of the forward detail in the mids. Or is it the amp that is creating the mid scoupiness. Sand is there a similar or slightly more expensive amp that will give me the results l seek. Have the treble control at +10 and bass +4-6 to try and compensate . Any advice appreciated thank you and keep the reviews coming. I stream mainly using tidal on Volumio .
Good video. Thanks for info I can use to make a decision about buying a streamer. Question please. Why is an external DAC needed? Isn't the hat setup on the Allo product a DAC? One could go straight to the amp, correct?
Thanks. The idea is the clean digital outputs are off the top hat board. I think the pi board has a dac because of the headphone out but it is so bad it defeats the point of using a pimped pi with a hat.
Can I use the Allo DigiOne Signature Streamer if I get my internet from my cell provider and use my phone as a hot spot or tether my phone? I am not sure how to get that internet supply to an ethernet cable?
Very good review. Your channel is becoming one of the best resources for hi fi. I have a question. I am waiting for the shipment of adigione signature in the next weeks, I ordered a battery pack too. I was wondering, how can I leave on the player running on batteries? If not playing how long batteries last? Do you think there is some kind of influence on sound quality of the streamer is never turned off?
Mario Rinaldi thank you very much Mario. That’s tremendous to know someone thinks that way. I don’t really know about the battery thing. I suppose if they are connected to some sort of trickle charger then they are connected to the mains in some way and that’s not ideal for the streamer, so best just to keep batteries separated and charge up now and then. Not sure about your other question if I’m honest. Experimenting is always best. I would recommend trying the Shanti linear psu or any other cheaper linear psu. You may find it negates the need for batteries in your system.
So let's say we get the DigiOne Signature Player, plus the accessories (add $100), plus a very good DAC. Let's say a RME ADI-2 DAC at $1100. We're now up to about $1600. Would it not be better to just get the TEAC NT-505 for $2000? With over built power supplies and dual mono dac chips? I mean if you can get 90% of the audio for $300, I get it -- the futsing with the software and such would be worth it. But I would guess that there's way more work involved in the RPi + DAC solution, with lower quality sound, and a lower quality sound. Dunno. I'm genuinely asking, cause I've been thinking of the TEAC and Cambridge Audio Azur 851n and the NAD C658. Would appreciate feedback!
Darko has done some really fine work with this. Set up properly, the raspberry pi/allo provides a extremely clear streaming signal not rivalled by streamers costing several thousand dollars more. With that said, all in ones, while easier and in many cases, more value, won't provide the highest quality and certainly won't allow for fiddling and experimenting, that is comparing.
Very interesting and useful. However, how's the comparison with streaming USB from computer? Ain't good dacs have better implementation of USB jitter correction than SPIDIF and not need as clean a signal?
Super similar to my home setup , Digi one Signature and shanti LPS, picoreplayer as the OS , ran into a chord qutest, but you probably have a nicer amp than me though! I’m running the dac and the clean side of the DigiOne off the shanti, and the dirty side for the pi from the popular ifi Ipower switch mode psu . This way gives me smoothness and some great resolution. What’s the white coax cable you’re using ? I’m running the red chord Shawline and think it sounds yummy. Back to back tests against my CD player which is also going into the qutest , show the DigiOne just slightly ahead in terms of picking up vocal reverb and ‘emotion’ - which I’m really happy about Just feels like I’ve landed with a really decent system that I won’t be able to beat in my current listening environment. Great video and look forward to your next
Hi Matthew. It’s an old chord one, called an anthem. Don’t think they do them anymore, but it’s pretty decent. I think it was about £250. Just got a Musical Fidelity MX-DAC in for the next one, and will be interesting how it competes with the Qutest. I think it’s about £$800 from memory. Cheers Simon
Hi, I'm currently using the DigiOne Signature and Shanti PSU with RoPieee. I tried the USB output and was positively surprised by the sharp detailed sound. Only the mids & highs are not as full as DigiOne's BNC output.I assume you've got both DigiOne Sig. and USBridge Sig., May I ask you about the differences between those two.
Agreed. For the streamer I think its integration with streaming services is important. For instance I have a bluesound node for like 8 years now, and I am not using its DAC (since I have a DSP with 6 channel DAC that I use as digiital crossover for two 3 way speakers). Problem is that the Bluesound streamer does not support more than 1 user account in the streaming services. So family members cannot stream their own playlists.
Great video! Thanks a lot for your help. Could you please clarify , I'm the novice in hi-fi and besides my English comprehension is far from ideal , so I didn't get it clear - what is the best / recommended by you way to power digione signature both dirty and clean side? I'm not very happy with batteries (too lazy for that) , so I'm looking for one solution for both sides without compromise in SQ. Thanks in advance, looking forward for your reply .
Thankyou. Go for the shanti because it’s inexpensive and you’ll get great results. Alternatively you have to buy brick switch mode power supplies and whilst they are cheap, so is the shanti. That’s what I’d do.
@@nikitakorovin6498 looking at manual www.allo.com/sparky/digione-signature-player.html#downloads CLEAN POWER: (5V to 8V) 100mA. This Port accepts DC power from Battery Pack, take care polarity RPI POWER: 5V/2A-3A (RPI) Do not Connect Battery Pack power or Higher Voltages to this Port. It will Damage whole setup Including RPI.
So if I'm playing DSD512 files through the RPI style streamers (I have the RPI4 with the Hifiberry Digi2 Pro).....it comes out as a 192kHz file from SPDIF.....so.....am I losing fidelity?
I don't get hung up in all that really. The quality of audio is largely DAC and recording dependent and not sample rate dependent. Obviously the speakers and amps too.
Great Video. Learnt a lot! Was wondering are there any good headphone amp+dac setup on a raspberry pi. Trying to setup a decent head-fi system on a budget..Thanks!
Ok. I’m so confused lol If I want to stream my Spotify from my phone. I have to connect this to a router? Connect this to my amp and or DAC? How do I stream from my phone like Spotify - it’s not wireless
Thomas La Bouff you’ll need to check out the different interfaces I mentioned in the video. Eg volumio. I never really do it as Bluetoothing is a compressed format, but you could still use the Volumio app on your phone which makes the Allo the native streamer not your phone. Depends on quality of your HiFi too.
@@thomasedward2231 I stream Spotify using Digione Sig as a player that's controlled by my phone. Simply install a Spotify Connect plugin on whatever software you're running on the Pi, and you'll enjoy all the convenience without being hindered by BT range and sound quality issues.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you for the answer, Sir. Sorry for my ignorance on these cables nomenclatures. Now I figure my Rotel does have a coaxial input, actually there are two. So, the Digione has two digital outputs, one coax and one RCA. Should I connect both on my amp or only one, please?
Thanks very much for ‘digging’ my reviews. Lol. Really don’t know tbh. I thought they are just an end point. You know more than me here I think. Whatever though, if low cost is the thing how about a reconditioned pc or cheap as chips Intel NUC. that will do roon.
13th Note HiFi Reviews after browsing a few community pages in roonlabs.com, it seems the pi 4 CPU is still weak for it plus there is no roon core sw compiled for ARM (yet, as it is inevitable at one point because of apple’s move). So, perhaps the pi 5/6 could do the trick...
When u supply the Rpi with 5V battery pack directly, then why u need to separate the Rpi from allo with two different power supplies? So in this case a Standard Digione should be the same in terms of power supply noise!
It’s to do with the fact one power supply supplies power to the lower pi board and another the top board, as I explained in video. I suppose it’s based on the fact the raspberry pi has its own power and was designed before the hat, and then to get cleaner power to the top board you need another supply. 😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Sure, but I assume a 5 V DC output of battery pack is already a clean supply, unless Rpi messes up with it! I think this can be tested with an oscilloscope directly on the respective GPIO pins.
@@kamimcmmm yes that’s the point. The rpi is noisy and has the processing aspects, hence spectated power supplies and electrical seperation = improved sound quality.
The Max2Play software is very easy to deal with. Especially compared to DietPi. I use my DigiOne Sig as a Squeezebox server and streamer this way and Max2Play makes the process achievable without having to hook the DigiOne up to a monitor/keyboard or mouse. Just ordered a Shanti. I consider this a high value product.
David King ps this link is quite good. I suspect it’s not really to do with sound quality but if you want to use a pi for other uses if you so desire. On that score the better the processor in the 4 model, perhaps the more noisy it will be so I wouldn’t equate a newer pi model as better sonically. I’m not sure on this but I’d consult Allo. magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/raspberry-pi-4-vs-raspberry-pi-3b-plus
@@13thnotehifireviews7 it would explain much better sound quality . Did you try to power raspPi section with power bank and Digital out section with your Power Supply?
hi, this was a great video for the Allo. Can I ask - would you have any suggestions for a USB streamer? Allo have issues at the moment with shipping and thought id ask. Im really after a decent quality relatively inexpensive for a Chord Hugo TT 2. Also I could use my epic Coaxial cable as well :)
@@13thnotehifireviews7 sorry I wasnt very clear maybe. I will have my chord TT 2 in the bedroom and will have grado 1000e headphones and use Roon now and need a decent low noise streamer but small ideally. Something less expensive than the pro-ject S2 as an example. I've looked at the raspberry pi stuff and wanted your honest John opinion. Should I get hanged up about usb electrical noise etc ?. Chord said not to stress over this stuff... Etc etc
@@swimadamswim no you were clear. I wouldn’t get stressed at all. Largely all this comes from people describing differences in outputs, and really they are often only tiny, if anything, anyway. The Allo would be really good into the chord with spdif coax, so would the node 2i (which is Roon ready). My dealer friend told me that one of his customers uses a node 2i into his chord Dave and thinks much pricier steamers are ott. Often I’m inclined to agree. You can use all sorts of power supplies with the Allo to smooth out the sound , which tends to happen with the linear psu’s and when you use linear psu’s with chord (for better or worse depending on sq tastes) even though they don’t recommend linear power supplies with their dacs.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 very helpful. I can get a ex demo project streambox ultra for £450 but again I just need a streamer and no Dac. i think the node 2i is stream and dac - correct? so guess I'm paying for a dac that I dont need. Or look at the allo but as i say they are having shipping issues. Or would a regular PI4 streamer be good enough? or do you think i need a separate board for the coax or USB? thanks
I wouldn’t worry about paying for the node 2i dac. They are still cheap and where i am (U.K.) they often get discounted, £400 instead of £500. The BLUos application and its features is so helpful, you might use it in the future with its dac, or not bother with roon. That’s the only thing I’m not so keen on with allo. The apps I used are not much cop but using with Roon then no issue. How about an SOtM s200 Neo, about £500, you can use the usb dac output into chord usb input. Never tried one though tbh. I’d be inclined to go for the node because it has all the apps, MQA encoding etc (which sounds great even as d o p with chord not using MQA) saying this makes me want to try one of these SOtM’s for sound quality as I never go mad on streamers. DACs maybe but you don’t need to go crazy on digital transports.
Also, there are several other DAC hats with SPDIF OUT that cost 50-99 EUR and I'll bet 1000 EUR none of you can hear the difference. You don't need to spend 250 EUR on a DAC hat just to get clean SPDIF. Allo makes some and so does Audiophonics incl I2S out. If you really want to spend I suggest checking out Ian Canada TransportPI and his FIFOreclocker...
That’s good to know , thanks for saying! Is it only ever on diet-pi for Wifi? never tried WiFi tbh. I guess there must be some sort of aerial internally? 😀
Sorry, that’s the beauty of language. You say potato and I say potatooo. That’s before we even get started on router with a u and not with a w - Ruuuuter not rowwwter. That’s my bugbear. lol.
Good one. There is a village near me called Lewes (of bonfire celebrations fame), which I thought was pronounced Loos but it is pronounced Lewis as in the name.
Smood47 it’s superior to the Yamaha WXC-50 I have, also Sonos Connect and the newer Sonos Port in my view. It would be a tough call on the Bluesound Node 2i but the point is not so much what is it superior sonically too but how much bang for your buck there is and the fact the difference to other greater priced streamers is often modest. My innuos for example.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 From what I Read the sotm 200 ultra is a big step above the digi one and rpi based solutions. But its more pricey. Another user has pi2aes + audio gd di20he and finds it better than dcs bridge!
![“อ.เบียร์ คนตื่นธรรม” มาตามคำเรียกร้อง แหกศาสตร์ฮวงจุ้ย เตือนสติอย่างมงาย | แฉ 7 พ.ย. 67 [1/3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5fc4S3xBNfc/mqdefault.jpg)
Many thanks for all your reviews on streaming, It has really woken me up , especially related to high end streamers vs lower cost alternatives. Appreciate your transparency.
Thank you for the detailed tutorial. Can you please comparison of the Allo DigiOne Signature Vs Pi2AES raspberry Pi set-up?
Hi Simon, I have a same set up as yours Allo digiOne paired with the Qutest. I hooked one terabyte hardrive to it, so lots of personal music Flac files. But you have to format it in FAT, the original FAT not the EXfat, FAT32 or NTFS. The linux OS variant used in the Allo Digi One can read regular FAT partition easily. I suggest using your Linear power supply by putting one end to the clean power and the other clean power to the Qutest. You will hear a difference. Just use a regular wall wart to the dirty power. The Qutest DAC comes with a 5V USB- C switch mode, wall wart but it is a good quality one, no harm in trying, hope it will suites your taste.
Dennis Teo hi Dennis thanks very much for feedback. I use a Mcru linear psu on my qutest but with some pre amps I’ve tried I just use Wallwart as more than ok. A good one is to use an nas. I also use that and my innuos Zenith which is a roon server/NAS. Enjoy and bw Simon
Man I’ve gotta say I’ve hooked my I phone directly into my tube amp via RCA adaptor ( clunky with cord) and man it sounds pretty dang good. I need to get a proper unit if it means even better sound.
The Allo DigiOne would need an Amp though, wouldn't it? I'm trying to build a DIY raspberry pi based streamer and I'm seeking for info on the best components to add to a raspberry-pi 4 that I'm yet to purchase and a set of Jamo S803 speakers that I own
Can I stream Deezer with multiple users from ipone and android phone to the digione/raspi ? I..e does the software on the raspi allow control of the streaming service client software from a phone? AND support multiple user accounts? Apparently it is difficult to find a streamer that simpy allows multipe household members to stream music to the Hifi (DAC). And I dont want to use bluetooth. The phone must control the streaming client software on the streamer device.
My streamer experience started with the Sonos Connect, moved onto Bluesound node 2i and then settled with Roon/DigiONe Sig + Chord DAC. It really is a great combo solution. Incredible value compared to Auralic or Lumin. The only thing complicating matters is Apple Music adding lossless. , I'm locked into Roon/Tidal. I'm going to be testing the Sonos Port with the Chord DAC when they come back into stock and I do hope Sonos unlocks hi Res support.
@Dixon - can the DigiOne Sig work with Apple Lossless?
@@yhat314 I just switched to Apple Music and dropping tidal. I will be selling my digione. It is better than hooking my phone to the DAC but I just like the suggested playlists with Apple more. I will miss Roon but Saving $10/month also doesn’t hurt.
Hey Simon. Enjoying your reviews. I wonder if you could offer some of your opinion to my set up conundrum.
I have the digi one signature running into the qutest ,using a quality bnc Atlas connector. I am using the Ifi psu for the clean side and a standard one for dirty side.
My qutest , l am still running with the supplied power supply.
Finally lm am using a Cambridge Audio AXR 85 amp into Tannoy F 6xt.
It is a really good sound , the amp provides a warmth and there is some nice detail at the top with a controlled bass response.
My one issue is that there is a warmth and slight recess in the mids that l am not quite accustomed to yet.
My previous amp was a pioneer A50 and altho not as detailed as the Cambridge , it was more open in that area.
Will adding the Shanti as you have suggested to others, provide more of the forward detail in the mids.
Or is it the amp that is creating the mid scoupiness. Sand is there a similar or slightly more expensive amp that will give me the results l seek. Have the treble control at +10 and bass +4-6 to try and compensate .
Any advice appreciated thank you and keep the reviews coming.
I stream mainly using tidal on Volumio .
Happy to if you offer me a token one off gesture however big or small via patreon
13th Note HiFi Reviews Donation made
Good video. Thanks for info I can use to make a decision about buying a streamer. Question please. Why is an external DAC needed? Isn't the hat setup on the Allo product a DAC? One could go straight to the amp, correct?
Thanks. The idea is the clean digital outputs are off the top hat board. I think the pi board has a dac because of the headphone out but it is so bad it defeats the point of using a pimped pi with a hat.
Can I use the Allo DigiOne Signature Streamer if I get my internet from my cell provider and use my phone as a hot spot or tether my phone? I am not sure how to get that internet supply to an ethernet cable?
Very good review. Your channel is becoming one of the best resources for hi fi. I have a question. I am waiting for the shipment of adigione signature in the next weeks, I ordered a battery pack too. I was wondering, how can I leave on the player running on batteries? If not playing how long batteries last? Do you think there is some kind of influence on sound quality of the streamer is never turned off?
Mario Rinaldi thank you very much Mario. That’s tremendous to know someone thinks that way. I don’t really know about the battery thing. I suppose if they are connected to some sort of trickle charger then they are connected to the mains in some way and that’s not ideal for the streamer, so best just to keep batteries separated and charge up now and then. Not sure about your other question if I’m honest. Experimenting is always best. I would recommend trying the Shanti linear psu or any other cheaper linear psu. You may find it negates the need for batteries in your system.
So let's say we get the DigiOne Signature Player, plus the accessories (add $100), plus a very good DAC. Let's say a RME ADI-2 DAC at $1100. We're now up to about $1600. Would it not be better to just get the TEAC NT-505 for $2000? With over built power supplies and dual mono dac chips? I mean if you can get 90% of the audio for $300, I get it -- the futsing with the software and such would be worth it. But I would guess that there's way more work involved in the RPi + DAC solution, with lower quality sound, and a lower quality sound.
Dunno. I'm genuinely asking, cause I've been thinking of the TEAC and Cambridge Audio Azur 851n and the NAD C658. Would appreciate feedback!
Darko has done some really fine work with this. Set up properly, the raspberry pi/allo provides a extremely clear streaming signal not rivalled by streamers costing several thousand dollars more. With that said, all in ones, while easier and in many cases, more value, won't provide the highest quality and certainly won't allow for fiddling and experimenting, that is comparing.
Very interesting and useful. However, how's the comparison with streaming USB from computer? Ain't good dacs have better implementation of USB jitter correction than SPIDIF and not need as clean a signal?
Thank you. At this level I wouldn’t worry. It’s a quality product for the money
Super similar to my home setup , Digi one Signature and shanti LPS, picoreplayer as the OS , ran into a chord qutest, but you probably have a nicer amp than me though!
I’m running the dac and the clean side of the DigiOne off the shanti, and the dirty side for the pi from the popular ifi Ipower switch mode psu . This way gives me smoothness and some great resolution.
What’s the white coax cable you’re using ? I’m running the red chord Shawline and think it sounds yummy.
Back to back tests against my CD player which is also going into the qutest , show the DigiOne just slightly ahead in terms of picking up vocal reverb and ‘emotion’ - which I’m really happy about
Just feels like I’ve landed with a really decent system that I won’t be able to beat in my current listening environment.
Great video and look forward to your next
Hi Matthew. It’s an old chord one, called an anthem. Don’t think they do them anymore, but it’s pretty decent. I think it was about £250. Just got a Musical Fidelity MX-DAC in for the next one, and will be interesting how it competes with the Qutest. I think it’s about £$800 from memory. Cheers Simon
Hi, I'm currently using the DigiOne Signature and Shanti PSU with RoPieee. I tried the USB output and was positively surprised by the sharp detailed sound. Only the mids & highs are not as full as DigiOne's BNC output.I assume you've got both DigiOne Sig. and USBridge Sig., May I ask you about the differences between those two.
Watch my streamer shoot out video where I answered that 😀👍
Agreed. For the streamer I think its integration with streaming services is important. For instance I have a bluesound node for like 8 years now, and I am not using its DAC (since I have a DSP with 6 channel DAC that I use as digiital crossover for two 3 way speakers). Problem is that the Bluesound streamer does not support more than 1 user account in the streaming services. So family members cannot stream their own playlists.
Great review... thank you for putting this out there.
Thanks Brian. Newer ones getting better...
Just ordered one!
Great video! Thanks a lot for your help. Could you please clarify , I'm the novice in hi-fi and besides my English comprehension is far from ideal , so I didn't get it clear - what is the best / recommended by you way to power digione signature both dirty and clean side? I'm not very happy with batteries (too lazy for that) , so I'm looking for one solution for both sides without compromise in SQ. Thanks in advance, looking forward for your reply .
Thankyou. Go for the shanti because it’s inexpensive and you’ll get great results. Alternatively you have to buy brick switch mode power supplies and whilst they are cheap, so is the shanti. That’s what I’d do.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 thankyou. So if i get it right i should use 3A for dirty side and 1A fo the clean one?
@@nikitakorovin6498 looking at manual
www.allo.com/sparky/digione-signature-player.html#downloads
CLEAN POWER: (5V to 8V)
100mA.
This Port accepts DC power from
Battery Pack, take care polarity
RPI POWER: 5V/2A-3A (RPI)
Do not Connect Battery Pack power or
Higher Voltages to this Port. It will
Damage whole setup Including RPI.
So if I'm playing DSD512 files through the RPI style streamers (I have the RPI4 with the Hifiberry Digi2 Pro).....it comes out as a 192kHz file from SPDIF.....so.....am I losing fidelity?
I don't get hung up in all that really. The quality of audio is largely DAC and recording dependent and not sample rate dependent. Obviously the speakers and amps too.
Great Video. Learnt a lot! Was wondering are there any good headphone amp+dac setup on a raspberry pi. Trying to setup a decent head-fi system on a budget..Thanks!
One option JDS LABS atom. Very good budget system.
Thanks for the compliment btw!
Ok. I’m so confused lol If I want to stream my Spotify from my phone. I have to connect this to a router? Connect this to my amp and or DAC? How do I stream from my phone like Spotify - it’s not wireless
You wouldn’t need to stream from your phone. You’d use a pc or laptop as the controller with Spotify to allow the digione to stream Spotify.
Thank you! But I kind of WANT to use my phone with Spotify 😂 is that possible? 🙃
Thomas La Bouff you’ll need to check out the different interfaces I mentioned in the video. Eg volumio. I never really do it as Bluetoothing is a compressed format, but you could still use the Volumio app on your phone which makes the Allo the native streamer not your phone. Depends on quality of your HiFi too.
@@thomasedward2231 I stream Spotify using Digione Sig as a player that's controlled by my phone. Simply install a Spotify Connect plugin on whatever software you're running on the Pi, and you'll enjoy all the convenience without being hindered by BT range and sound quality issues.
I have a Rotel RA 1572 amp but it doesnt have a BNC output. How would I hook up the Digione on my Rotel?
You mean digital input. Digione has rca and bnc digital output and your rotel an RCA digital input
@@13thnotehifireviews7 thank you for the answer, Sir. Sorry for my ignorance on these cables nomenclatures. Now I figure my Rotel does have a coaxial input, actually there are two. So, the Digione has two digital outputs, one coax and one RCA. Should I connect both on my amp or only one, please?
@@intothedragon connect one
I “dig” your reviews.
A question:
Can’t the new 8gb pi be used as a roon core/server at the same time as it being an endpoint ? Thanks in advance
Thanks very much for ‘digging’ my reviews. Lol. Really don’t know tbh. I thought they are just an end point. You know more than me here I think. Whatever though, if low cost is the thing how about a reconditioned pc or cheap as chips Intel NUC. that will do roon.
13th Note HiFi Reviews after browsing a few community pages in roonlabs.com, it seems the pi 4 CPU is still weak for it plus there is no roon core sw compiled for ARM (yet, as it is inevitable at one point because of apple’s move). So, perhaps the pi 5/6 could do the trick...
When u supply the Rpi with 5V battery pack directly, then why u need to separate the Rpi from allo with two different power supplies? So in this case a Standard Digione should be the same in terms of power supply noise!
It’s to do with the fact one power supply supplies power to the lower pi board and another the top board, as I explained in video. I suppose it’s based on the fact the raspberry pi has its own power and was designed before the hat, and then to get cleaner power to the top board you need another supply. 😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Sure, but I assume a 5 V DC output of battery pack is already a clean supply, unless Rpi messes up with it! I think this can be tested with an oscilloscope directly on the respective GPIO pins.
@@kamimcmmm yes that’s the point. The rpi is noisy and has the processing aspects, hence spectated power supplies and electrical seperation = improved sound quality.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks for the Infos, between Rpi3b+ or Rpi4, which one has a better sound quality?
The Max2Play software is very easy to deal with. Especially compared to DietPi. I use my DigiOne Sig as a Squeezebox server and streamer this way and Max2Play makes the process achievable without having to hook the DigiOne up to a monitor/keyboard or mouse. Just ordered a Shanti. I consider this a high value product.
Good one. Never got around to trying max2play but might before I give it back. Enjoy!
Great Video Thanks
Cheers very much
I am looking for a streamer with usb output to connect to my dac pro ject ds2 ultra. Could this system be fine? Thanks so much
Usb outputs only for pen drives i think.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 you are sure ? Tank you for your answer
Thx for the review man, is there a similar device that does WiFi too ?
Node 2i
Excellent review and very informative.
Doug G thank you. If you liked it please do me a review on my Facebook. All the comments help me to grow this channel
Can't argue with the Truth! :D
How is the SQ compared to the Node2i
Similar
Is the USBRIDGE Signature Player from Allo basically the same as the Digione Signature Player but with a USB output?
It looks that way to me as looking at the USBRIDGE signature player it uses a DigiOne signature with RPI plus case to house all electronics.
Sorry if this was covered, but which OS is necessary to use as Roon endpoint?
Either see my Roon article on website
I noticed that the Digione signature has two different raspberry pi configurations. Why would I get the older 3 version over the new 4?
David King got to be honest I’m not that sure so prob best to take up with Allo. Merry Xmas
David King ps this link is quite good. I suspect it’s not really to do with sound quality but if you want to use a pi for other uses if you so desire. On that score the better the processor in the 4 model, perhaps the more noisy it will be so I wouldn’t equate a newer pi model as better sonically. I’m not sure on this but I’d consult Allo. magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/raspberry-pi-4-vs-raspberry-pi-3b-plus
Does this PS use separate transformers and 2 separate filter banks.
Donno unfortunately.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 it would explain much better sound quality .
Did you try to power raspPi section with power bank and Digital out section with your Power Supply?
Very helpful. Thank you.
Trevor Crowe thank you Trevor, subscribe if you haven’t already. Cheers Simon
hi, this was a great video for the Allo. Can I ask - would you have any suggestions for a USB streamer? Allo have issues at the moment with shipping and thought id ask. Im really after a decent quality relatively inexpensive for a Chord Hugo TT 2.
Also I could use my epic Coaxial cable as well :)
Thanks very much. Not sure why just usb, maybe you could elaborate. But I recommend node 2i over coax everyday of week. Not hugely expensive
@@13thnotehifireviews7 sorry I wasnt very clear maybe. I will have my chord TT 2 in the bedroom and will have grado 1000e headphones and use Roon now and need a decent low noise streamer but small ideally. Something less expensive than the pro-ject S2 as an example. I've looked at the raspberry pi stuff and wanted your honest John opinion. Should I get hanged up about usb electrical noise etc ?. Chord said not to stress over this stuff... Etc etc
@@swimadamswim no you were clear. I wouldn’t get stressed at all. Largely all this comes from people describing differences in outputs, and really they are often only tiny, if anything, anyway. The Allo would be really good into the chord with spdif coax, so would the node 2i (which is Roon ready). My dealer friend told me that one of his customers uses a node 2i into his chord Dave and thinks much pricier steamers are ott. Often I’m inclined to agree. You can use all sorts of power supplies with the Allo to smooth out the sound , which tends to happen with the linear psu’s and when you use linear psu’s with chord (for better or worse depending on sq tastes) even though they don’t recommend linear power supplies with their dacs.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 very helpful. I can get a ex demo project streambox ultra for £450 but again I just need a streamer and no Dac. i think the node 2i is stream and dac - correct? so guess I'm paying for a dac that I dont need. Or look at the allo but as i say they are having shipping issues. Or would a regular PI4 streamer be good enough? or do you think i need a separate board for the coax or USB? thanks
I wouldn’t worry about paying for the node 2i dac. They are still cheap and where i am (U.K.) they often get discounted, £400 instead of £500. The BLUos application and its features is so helpful, you might use it in the future with its dac, or not bother with roon. That’s the only thing I’m not so keen on with allo. The apps I used are not much cop but using with Roon then no issue. How about an SOtM s200 Neo, about £500, you can use the usb dac output into chord usb input. Never tried one though tbh. I’d be inclined to go for the node because it has all the apps, MQA encoding etc (which sounds great even as d o p with chord not using MQA) saying this makes me want to try one of these SOtM’s for sound quality as I never go mad on streamers. DACs maybe but you don’t need to go crazy on digital transports.
Nice music from Ott ;)
He is great. Love Skylon.
skylon is a masterpiece, I whish I knew this producer earlier.
Also, there are several other DAC hats with SPDIF OUT that cost 50-99 EUR and I'll bet 1000 EUR none of you can hear the difference. You don't need to spend 250 EUR on a DAC hat just to get clean SPDIF. Allo makes some and so does Audiophonics incl I2S out. If you really want to spend I suggest checking out Ian Canada TransportPI and his FIFOreclocker...
Thanks for your comments but Tbh I premise my reviews on comparisons
The Digione Signature can connect to WiFi with no problem - you just need to get into the diet-config and configure it properly.
That’s good to know , thanks for saying! Is it only ever on diet-pi for Wifi? never tried WiFi tbh. I guess there must be some sort of aerial internally? 😀
Thanks for this mate
Cheers very much
Any thoughts on reviewing the Katana set up for allo and comparing that to the digione?
Big Dubb good idea, I’ll ask on that and if I can I’ll post another review. Thanks for watching.
Volumio is an Italian company, and volumio is Italian for volume...
Thanks for saying
Subscribed.. I’m in
I know this is nitpicking but those pronunciations...
Pi as in pie, not P I
Volumio as in Voloomio (one word)
Allo (short 'o' not 'oo')
Sorry, that’s the beauty of language. You say potato and I say potatooo. That’s before we even get started on router with a u and not with a w - Ruuuuter not rowwwter. That’s my bugbear. lol.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Well in that case I better not mention E-thernet vs Eth-ernet 😂😂
Good one. There is a village near me called Lewes (of bonfire celebrations fame), which I thought was pronounced Loos but it is pronounced Lewis as in the name.
What streamers was the digione superior to sonically.
Smood47 it’s superior to the Yamaha WXC-50 I have, also Sonos Connect and the newer Sonos Port in my view. It would be a tough call on the Bluesound Node 2i but the point is not so much what is it superior sonically too but how much bang for your buck there is and the fact the difference to other greater priced streamers is often modest. My innuos for example.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 From what I Read the sotm 200 ultra is a big step above the digi one and rpi based solutions. But its more pricey. Another user has pi2aes + audio gd di20he and finds it better than dcs bridge!