I've been thinking about doing the Pi2AES for months, but considering the Zeos effect with this review I just ordered mine finally. Thanks for pushing me over the edge.
Same, I will give it a whirl, was going to buy a streamer but the decent ones are 1500 dollars so Yea that's a non-starter . Hopefully there will be a guide .
@@matthewhilty4209 why don't you consider something like a nuc+daphile. You can make your streamer for less than 300/250$ and I can guarantee from personal experience that the sound quality is miles ahead of something like foobar. I got the i5 version but the i3 is plenty powerful, then ad 4GB of RAM which again is more then enough and an SSD of the desired size. I personally have a Nas so I got the smallest ssd just for the OS and I stream through ethernet. You can control everything through your browser, so a phone, a laptop, a tablet or a PC will work flawlessly
@@HackerMan46 Funnily enough that is my back up option if I cant make this work or if I don't like the interface or sound. I guess great minds think alike.
This video had me cracking up! I use a Pi2AES running Picore Player and LMS connected to an external Dac via Coaxial out. This is by the far one of the best purchases I've made in HIFI. A total game changer.
I2S is the first port adapted for use with audio not to solve a technical problem or overcome any deficiency with existing connection methods, but to help remedy a particularly pernicious psychological nervosa amongst audiophiles: Jitter.
I discovered Raspberry Pi streaming this year. Really amazing when combined with Roon. I have an Intel NUC running Roon ROCK feeding Rpi’s strewn around the house in various listening areas. Totally stable and sounds great.
I’ve been using an Allo Digione, which is a similar pi hat configuration, but acts as a transport/streamer sending to a dac via coax (or bnc). It sounds amazing...but you typically plug into usb from storage. This thing seems like a game changer!
I²S (IIS) is a great connector because it basically connects the circuit board of one device to another instead of translating it to fit within the specification of a connector and the receiver than having to translate it back. And it isn't only for ultra high end stuff like Matrix Audio or PS Audio (lol). The amazing Gustard U16 has it (along with AES and BNC) for a little over €200,-. The downside: I can't see a mass market implementation for this because people will think it is HDMI. And the pin-out isn't standardised so you can run into an incompatible I²S device.
The lower cost Topping DACs also have I2S over HDMI cables. Agreed re: the cabling mess of i2S- NEVER should have used HDMI. SHould have standardized on RJ45 or some other cost effective connector, perhaps one that is not commonly used in consumer gear nowadays. Like ressurect DB9, or one of the many connectors used for laptop floppy drives of yore. Something with a positive click latch like RJ45
Raspberry PI + DAC Hat and you're done. You can choose whatever DAC chip you like at whatever price point as your HAT. Then connect all your music on hardrive via USB or from a NAS via WiFi and run something like Volumio and you have all your music controlled by phone/laptop whatever. With stuff like Spotify Connect your phone is only the controller and the PI is actually getting the stream directly. So many options... I built a PI 3b+ with a HiFiBerry DAC and a nice metal (hate acrylic) case for like $150 maybe less and it's RCA to a Emotiva Stealth switchbox + phono pre amp to a tube preamp (FX-01) to a 300 watt per channel class D poweramp. Sounds great.
I usually don’t get involved with those streaming boxes. But this… The possibilities. Dude. I can think of so many applications for that computey box you just showed.
Volumio can do what you want Zeos. I use a rasberry with a diggione singature HAT (or double HAT ) and it works perfectly fine with Volumio - no need for roon.
I use: singxer su-1 kte (DDR)-> Holo Audio Spring KTE (dac) which connects via I2S and AES/EBU inputs. My Spring Dac connects to a Holo Mammoth KTE / Phonitor SE amps and soon to be added Burson Composer 3XP. I'd like to try the raspberry pi as a streamwe at some point but will need some help on setup... will check with hifiguides, I'm sure our main MON can point us in the correct direction!
You know I really question the point of bluetooth when all phones have a wifi transmitter built in and that can send lossless audio. what just so it doesn't mess with the wifi as much? Honestly I'd prefer it. Love my Sony 5GHz surround sound headphones on my TV. Those things are still the nicest sounding headphones I've ever used. Shame only HDMI 2.0.
I think the real power of using a Pi like this (outside of roon) is because you can use also it as a spotify/tidal connect endpoint. The pi streams direct form the web and not over bluetooth from your phone or airplay. Its a cheaper and better sounding Node 2i.
I love my streamer. It makes my life wayyyyyyyyy more simple. I only attached an XLR switcher and connected four different amplifiers at the same time.
Alternatively if you don't want to setup a Pi, use uPnP or need the remote access etc. The Matrix Audio X-PDIF 2, exists. Also for i2S on a desktop PC -> Pink Faun I2S Audio modular PCI-E Bridge.
Hey Zeos if you want i2S on any pc build, you can install an i2S bridge in a graphics card slot on any pc case with multiple slots. They cost about $250 euro (so they are more expensive unfortunately) but it is the most meta single pc digital audio currently in 2020. Don’t have to worry about the pc electronics fucking with it either because of the i2S. All the processing clocking and other fancy audiophile shiz is done in the dac and your music will be certified fuego
Hopefully the $10 Patreon can help you purchase the i2S bridge for whatever your main pc is. I’ve been interested and very curious about how good they are and hope you can review it
I can't believe no one has mentioned the Hifiberry Digi! The standard version does 24/192 for $25 on their website, $35 Amazon. The pro version has some nice board improvements for an extra $15. Only toslink and coax out (optional bnc on the pro) but that's fine in my book for a fraction of the price they're asking for the PI2AES. I figure most people won't have dacs fancy enough to have aes or i2s anyway... All of these are perfect for headless streamers. I use mine in my garage bar!
To avoid USB noise you can use a DAC that has it's own power and a data only USB cable that's missing the wires that transfer power inside the cable, OR you can buy cable setups that split into two where one cable is used for data and the other cable is used for power and it adapts to a wall plug power supply. Also buying a PCIE USB card and putting it in the bottom slot of your motherboard can help vs using the motherboards built in USB, and short USB cables are best.
@@TheCangle just saying. The Digi one sounds noticeably better than streaming from my Pi and dragon fly black. The hardest part is putting their plastic case together
I have had great success using my iPad running Amazon HD music with the the usb camera adapter. If you then use a Bluetooth keyboard you can control the music through Amazon. I am getting 176/24 output into my DAC. Don’t have to build anything and getting better performance output. Try this setup for review!
Good stuff man. Do it, get another one. Love my RPi streamers so I might get this HAT to play with as I'm currently doing RPi USB out to a Topping E30 DAC. I use the old Logitech Media Server running on another networked RPi 4 with 2Tb USB3 HD library streaming Flacs via synced multiroom to several cheap Pi streamers running PiCorePlayer OS and it works and sounds fantastic. The plugins are great and the Material Skin plugin for up to date phone / desktop browser control is brilliant too (+ has volume control). Also does airplay / bluetooth / Spotify connect / Tidal etc if you want it to. LMS is free / open source and solid - the poor man's Roon, I love it. I recommend you try it mate. No subscription fees and regular updates. Win Win.
Give it a month or two and there'll be a run of these from the ChiFi manufacturers - mass produced (with valves) for around say $70?? Man, I'd buy one of those, but I'm daft - this message is approved by my wife.
This plus PoE would be sick. Also you should use this in your home theater instead of running cables to the front (Assuming this can handle the codecs you need)
There is a ridcolously overprivec pci-e card with I2S Pink Faun i suppose it's called :) This one is really interesting, searching for a similar solution to drive few dac\amps with one signal :) Great vid :)
You can not hear much difference if you connect all inputs and outputs with cables at the same time and shift with the input selector of the DAC. Balancing (return) current runs in the ground of the interconnects and if you have all connected at the same time the balancing return current will travel in the conductor with the lowest resistance, and it doesn't matter which input you select, and that have a profound effect on how you percieve the sound quality. You will simply not be able to hear as much difference as when using one interconnect at a time.
With all the room you’ve got Why don’t you build a “speaker wall” managed by a speaker selector box where you can switch between speakers fed by same amp/dac/ test products or even a headphone bar? You could greatly expand the width of your testing rig range. Also could use Squeezebox lite or Volumio so cards. Also try Allo digital Pi Hats and Hans Beekhuyzen Project who regularly does Pi Based streamer brands
Hey guys, just built a Rpi4 to replace a CCA, mostly for gapless playback and MQA support. Using with a Volumio and Tidal, pretty neat setup. Just wondering if it's worth getting one of these Pi2AES hats before they are discontinued (they are coming out with a new streamer instead). Looking to pair up with an SMSL VMV D1se (which also has I2S). They have increased the price to US$200 now (plus case plus power supply, probably plus shipping). Not wanting to overcapitalise too much but wouldn't mind one or two improvements. Do you still need to bother with jitter and noise management? Gets pretty complicated the more you read about Linear power supplies etc. The new 'Pi 2 Design Mercury Streamer' looks neat, already have the RPi4 though and guessing it won't be that cheap. Thanks!
I was already excited about this thing having read some stuff about the I2S performance and sonic improvements in general as a ROON endpoint, but I'll be honest, after watching this mans excitement I said fk it and ordered one. Now I wait, four to six weeks...
Actually the Pi2AES is limited to 192/24 over I2S but it’s enough because the I2S output of the RPi3 is limited to 192/24 too The Gustard X16 might be the cheapest DAC with I2S
Need to know more about this vs the Allo stuff.... NEEED a MSH, or, .. FULL on Twitch stream on PiAudio, .. and, ... ALL its implications......................
I was struggling to see the benefits of this... And in a way i still am for standard headphones... But i can now atleast totally see how useful it is for speaker.
Desk monitors: Paradigm Monitor Atom SE vs JBL Studio 530s I own 590s in my theater and love them. Want new monitors and was looking at 530s, but I'm worried about Bass. Do the Atoms have more bass than the 530s? Are the Highs/imaging similar? Thoughts?
WAIT WAIT WAIT - Did @Zeos just state at 21:02 that it's possible to output a PC's complete audio environment to the PI2AES? How? In all seriousness, this would be amazing as long as it's not Bluetooth or Airplay. @Zeos - the new black plexiglass panels make the PI2AES slick looking. WAYYY better than the clear plexiglass panels. Trust me. You're welcome.
Half of this is praise is just the convenience of owning a raspberry pi. This is the audiophiles version lol. Rpi can be used for security cameras, can be used for basic NAS server, all sorts of helpful things.
I ended up going with an SMSL SU-9 last month instead of shelling out for a D90 because I figured I wouldn't be able to hear the difference normally and assumed I'd never see an I2S output in my price range. Whoops?
As far as trying to minimize noise along the cable from your PC to DAC I fail to see how this is better than just a simple optical cable...it's light after all.
Z sits there waffling on about the 'sound' of equipment. He is surrounded by kit, lots of kit, amps, dacs, headphones, he frequently changes the pads and cables that come with headphones..... He hates audiophiles...... Yet he's SO audiophile.
I just use a Chromecast Ultra to stream to my sound system. That cost me about $60. It streams Tidal and Amazon Music just fine. I use Amazon music now as it streams "Hi-Res" music just as good as Tidal but at a cheaper price, especially when I pay for family subscriptions. I couldn't tell if there was sound quality loss streaming from my laptop to a DAC to my receiver or just straight streaming to the Chromecast. Anything past FLAC quality and I can't really tell the difference to be honest and the Chromecast can cast FLAC (up to 96kHz/24-bit) which is fine by me.
Can someone help me, I have the Musician Pegasus and want to use the IES Port. So if I purchase this Rasberry Pie, once power is connected, where do I connect the pie to acess my music which is stored locally via my hard on my computer?
Would like to know thoughts on sound difference between, usb out of PI to Dac, vs using the hat for Coax/AES etc. to dac. Because you can acheive all the functionality with just the pi and run USBB out and save yourself $150 if the difference isnt that substantial.
Those who say that an Allo unit is better have clearly not tried the PI2AES. I used to think that my Allo Digione was outstanding, but this unit is superior. The PI2AES is possibly the BEST source device that you can use at this price range (I'm using it with an AES cable to my DAC). Using it with Volumio and Qobuz. Simply stunning.
Ty. I usually play Overwatch and I don't know if an open back headphone will affect Discord. I like the ATH M40X, the Fidelio X2HR, the Sennheiser HD 559 and the SHP9500. Z can you help me choose?
Finally the dac boards will get some recognition on this channel. I am surprised this company is the first one to be reviewed. I had expected Allo to be the first one.
I purchased the Allo Digione Signature after watching the Darko review. I was a bit overwhelmed with the operating system install, but then got used to it. The Digione is good but I wish it had usb to play DSD files
@@my_wood I thought about the USBridge but rather move up rather than sideways. I’m thinking about giving the Innuos Zen Mini mk3 a go, if I can find it pre-owned
There are several windows applications (services) that you can get that will stream your whole PC"s audio. Most of them had a some red flag or issue though so you'll have to do some searching. By that I mean excessive lag, do questionable data collection etc. I'm sure some other follower might have a good suggestions.
7:28 AES is not only the XLR connection on the Pi2AES AES refers to a protocol used on coax/BNC/TOSlink and XLR connections (Maybe more, don't know) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AES3#Hardware_connections "
WTF am I doing watching this? When I hook up my components I still have to have a minute long debate with myself "OK, do I connect this to the inputs or the outputs?" Yet I still watched the entire vid.
the downside for i2s is, manufacturers has less support for i2s. i did check today if there is any mainstream i2s dac amp, there but few and expensive. we are left in the mediocre delta sigma dac. i2s is the purest of the pure. another thing, if they did supported this i2s most of the mainstream brands would go out of business. i believe i understand now.
So my goal is to play most of my audio off of a "massive gaming computer" So not so sound like an audio snob i'm assuming this is still a smart investment for true audio enjoyment?
@zeos pantera - I have 4 units of Muzo Cobblestone. I want to hook up my music collection on the HD to the Muzos and use them to stream like a streamer does. Can you let me know?
I have been streaming my media sometime, Subsonic and now Plex? Roon for $600 is a bit much, Plex can stream my music TV shows Live TV from my home, and so much more, lifetime was $75 I think, also has DVR functionality with commercial skip, with the Fiio M11 I can stream my music, allows me to download for offline storage, while album art is not the best, they keep getting better each day. I would love to see you compare them
The PI2AES hat is better than Allo's products. I went from an Allo Digione to this unit and there's no comparison. It's that much better (only using AES digital) than the Allo.
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Yo Z do the new RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition.
The upgrade with an Analog Digital Converter included. AD/DA headphone amp.
And a remote.
@@devinmoran59 if you, or RME themselves, send it to Zeos, he will most likely review it.
The anime is Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler
I quite enjoyed it for many cultured reasons.
I like it because crazy and sexy and Hayami Saori
I've been thinking about doing the Pi2AES for months, but considering the Zeos effect with this review I just ordered mine finally. Thanks for pushing me over the edge.
Same, I will give it a whirl, was going to buy a streamer but the decent ones are 1500 dollars so Yea that's a non-starter . Hopefully there will be a guide .
@@matthewhilty4209 why don't you consider something like a nuc+daphile. You can make your streamer for less than 300/250$ and I can guarantee from personal experience that the sound quality is miles ahead of something like foobar. I got the i5 version but the i3 is plenty powerful, then ad 4GB of RAM which again is more then enough and an SSD of the desired size. I personally have a Nas so I got the smallest ssd just for the OS and I stream through ethernet. You can control everything through your browser, so a phone, a laptop, a tablet or a PC will work flawlessly
@@HackerMan46 Funnily enough that is my back up option if I cant make this work or if I don't like the interface or sound. I guess great minds think alike.
@@matthewhilty4209 you could pickup a Bluesound Node 2i for $350 but yeah most of the good ones are $150
You will love it. It is impressive.
This video had me cracking up! I use a Pi2AES running Picore Player and LMS connected to an external Dac via Coaxial out. This is by the far one of the best purchases I've made in HIFI. A total game changer.
I2S is the first port adapted for use with audio not to solve a technical problem or overcome any deficiency with existing connection methods, but to help remedy a particularly pernicious psychological nervosa amongst audiophiles: Jitter.
I discovered Raspberry Pi streaming this year. Really amazing when combined with Roon. I have an Intel NUC running Roon ROCK feeding Rpi’s strewn around the house in various listening areas. Totally stable and sounds great.
I’ve been using an Allo Digione, which is a similar pi hat configuration, but acts as a transport/streamer sending to a dac via coax (or bnc). It sounds amazing...but you typically plug into usb from storage. This thing seems like a game changer!
I²S (IIS) is a great connector because it basically connects the circuit board of one device to another instead of translating it to fit within the specification of a connector and the receiver than having to translate it back. And it isn't only for ultra high end stuff like Matrix Audio or PS Audio (lol). The amazing Gustard U16 has it (along with AES and BNC) for a little over €200,-.
The downside: I can't see a mass market implementation for this because people will think it is HDMI. And the pin-out isn't standardised so you can run into an incompatible I²S device.
The lower cost Topping DACs also have I2S over HDMI cables.
Agreed re: the cabling mess of i2S- NEVER should have used HDMI.
SHould have standardized on RJ45 or some other cost effective connector, perhaps one that is not commonly used in consumer gear nowadays.
Like ressurect DB9, or one of the many connectors used for laptop floppy drives of yore.
Something with a positive click latch like RJ45
Raspberry PI + DAC Hat and you're done. You can choose whatever DAC chip you like at whatever price point as your HAT. Then connect all your music on hardrive via USB or from a NAS via WiFi and run something like Volumio and you have all your music controlled by phone/laptop whatever. With stuff like Spotify Connect your phone is only the controller and the PI is actually getting the stream directly.
So many options...
I built a PI 3b+ with a HiFiBerry DAC and a nice metal (hate acrylic) case for like $150 maybe less and it's RCA to a Emotiva Stealth switchbox + phono pre amp to a tube preamp (FX-01) to a 300 watt per channel class D poweramp. Sounds great.
.. maybe this product is aimed for people who still want to use their blue blood dacs with the streamer.
I usually don’t get involved with those streaming boxes. But this… The possibilities.
Dude. I can think of so many applications for that computey box you just showed.
Hey I have one of those, running Moode and feeding my DAC via the AES connection. Works most excellently. Sound quality is ++.
+1 for Moode
Tried all the others but Moode stands out above the rest.
I tried dietpi, couldn’t get max2play working and then settled on Volumio
Volumio can do what you want Zeos. I use a rasberry with a diggione singature HAT (or double HAT ) and it works perfectly fine with Volumio - no need for roon.
I use: singxer su-1 kte (DDR)-> Holo Audio Spring KTE (dac) which connects via I2S and AES/EBU inputs. My Spring Dac connects to a Holo Mammoth KTE / Phonitor SE amps and soon to be added Burson Composer 3XP. I'd like to try the raspberry pi as a streamwe at some point but will need some help on setup... will check with hifiguides, I'm sure our main MON can point us in the correct direction!
You know I really question the point of bluetooth when all phones have a wifi transmitter built in and that can send lossless audio. what just so it doesn't mess with the wifi as much? Honestly I'd prefer it. Love my Sony 5GHz surround sound headphones on my TV. Those things are still the nicest sounding headphones I've ever used. Shame only HDMI 2.0.
I think the real power of using a Pi like this (outside of roon) is because you can use also it as a spotify/tidal connect endpoint. The pi streams direct form the web and not over bluetooth from your phone or airplay. Its a cheaper and better sounding Node 2i.
So make it in a decent nice small package ( like the SDAC)..and charge $250..done !
Please. And ability to use Qobuz.
Motu 896 mk3 hybrid as AES in and out, payed 250$ used but in perfect condition. Work without computer
Who else is following zeos on spotify..... 🖖 and still love my klipsch rp600m's that u made me buy
I love my streamer. It makes my life wayyyyyyyyy more simple. I only attached an XLR switcher and connected four different amplifiers at the same time.
Alternatively if you don't want to setup a Pi, use uPnP or need the remote access etc. The Matrix Audio X-PDIF 2, exists. Also for i2S on a desktop PC -> Pink Faun I2S Audio modular PCI-E Bridge.
Hey Zeos if you want i2S on any pc build, you can install an i2S bridge in a graphics card slot on any pc case with multiple slots. They cost about $250 euro (so they are more expensive unfortunately) but it is the most meta single pc digital audio currently in 2020. Don’t have to worry about the pc electronics fucking with it either because of the i2S. All the processing clocking and other fancy audiophile shiz is done in the dac and your music will be certified fuego
Hopefully the $10 Patreon can help you purchase the i2S bridge for whatever your main pc is. I’ve been interested and very curious about how good they are and hope you can review it
And it’d be lagless audio too bc it wouldn’t be over the internet, just in your pc
I can't believe no one has mentioned the Hifiberry Digi! The standard version does 24/192 for $25 on their website, $35 Amazon. The pro version has some nice board improvements for an extra $15. Only toslink and coax out (optional bnc on the pro) but that's fine in my book for a fraction of the price they're asking for the PI2AES. I figure most people won't have dacs fancy enough to have aes or i2s anyway...
All of these are perfect for headless streamers. I use mine in my garage bar!
To avoid USB noise you can use a DAC that has it's own power and a data only USB cable that's missing the wires that transfer power inside the cable, OR you can buy cable setups that split into two where one cable is used for data and the other cable is used for power and it adapts to a wall plug power supply. Also buying a PCIE USB card and putting it in the bottom slot of your motherboard can help vs using the motherboards built in USB, and short USB cables are best.
ALLO makes the best Pi projects. I have their BOSS and DigiOne players
YES
Ive got the gen1 usbridge. It sounds pretty good.
Love my digi one
Was about to comment about this brand. Just ordered a digione signature player through their black friday sale
@@TheCangle just saying. The Digi one sounds noticeably better than streaming from my Pi and dragon fly black. The hardest part is putting their plastic case together
This is just a more practical way to have a computer in every location.
Thats kinda just what a raspberry pi is and does
I2S Sources I'm looking at getting: Jay's Audio CDT2-MK2 CD Transport, Denafrips Avatar CD Transport, & NuPrime CDT-10 CD Transport (In order of WANT)
Good luck getting the Avatar, Denafrips can’t keep up with demand. Must be something special
GD IT Zeos! I just got myself the modius magnius stack with AES input and now I need to get this too!!!
Also, Volumio FTW...
I have had great success using my iPad running Amazon HD music with the the usb camera adapter. If you then use a Bluetooth keyboard you can control the music through Amazon. I am getting 176/24 output into my DAC. Don’t have to build anything and getting better performance output. Try this setup for review!
Good stuff man. Do it, get another one. Love my RPi streamers so I might get this HAT to play with as I'm currently doing RPi USB out to a Topping E30 DAC. I use the old Logitech Media Server running on another networked RPi 4 with 2Tb USB3 HD library streaming Flacs via synced multiroom to several cheap Pi streamers running PiCorePlayer OS and it works and sounds fantastic. The plugins are great and the Material Skin plugin for up to date phone / desktop browser control is brilliant too (+ has volume control). Also does airplay / bluetooth / Spotify connect / Tidal etc if you want it to. LMS is free / open source and solid - the poor man's Roon, I love it. I recommend you try it mate. No subscription fees and regular updates. Win Win.
Give it a month or two and there'll be a run of these from the ChiFi manufacturers - mass produced (with valves) for around say $70?? Man, I'd buy one of those, but I'm daft - this message is approved by my wife.
Should just support Pi2Aes guys honestly
If I can use this to send all the audio from my pc to this I will purchase today and die happy.
Yeah with a roon server a few of these could be really awesome. It is like that apple network audio but open and very high quality.
Isn't I2S like an old standard, with low throughput and intended to be used inside the device?
@Brett Bates wow, thnx for insights
This plus PoE would be sick. Also you should use this in your home theater instead of running cables to the front (Assuming this can handle the codecs you need)
PoE on Pi is a far as I know only achievable via another hat
There is a ridcolously overprivec pci-e card with I2S Pink Faun i suppose it's called :) This one is really interesting, searching for a similar solution to drive few dac\amps with one signal :) Great vid :)
So grateful for this yall
You can not hear much difference if you connect all inputs and outputs with cables at the same time and shift with the input selector of the DAC.
Balancing (return) current runs in the ground of the interconnects and if you have all connected at the same time the balancing return current will travel in the conductor with the lowest resistance, and it doesn't matter which input you select, and that have a profound effect on how you percieve the sound quality.
You will simply not be able to hear as much difference as when using one interconnect at a time.
With all the room you’ve got Why don’t you build a “speaker wall” managed by a speaker selector box where you can switch between speakers fed by same amp/dac/ test products or even a headphone bar? You could greatly expand the width of your testing rig range. Also could use Squeezebox lite or Volumio so cards. Also try Allo digital Pi Hats and Hans Beekhuyzen Project who regularly does Pi Based streamer brands
Hey guys, just built a Rpi4 to replace a CCA, mostly for gapless playback and MQA support. Using with a Volumio and Tidal, pretty neat setup.
Just wondering if it's worth getting one of these Pi2AES hats before they are discontinued (they are coming out with a new streamer instead). Looking to pair up with an SMSL VMV D1se (which also has I2S). They have increased the price to US$200 now (plus case plus power supply, probably plus shipping). Not wanting to overcapitalise too much but wouldn't mind one or two improvements. Do you still need to bother with jitter and noise management? Gets pretty complicated the more you read about Linear power supplies etc. The new 'Pi 2 Design Mercury Streamer' looks neat, already have the RPi4 though and guessing it won't be that cheap.
Thanks!
So it is kind of like chromecast audio?
I was already excited about this thing having read some stuff about the I2S performance and sonic improvements in general as a ROON endpoint, but I'll be honest, after watching this mans excitement I said fk it and ordered one. Now I wait, four to six weeks...
Actually the Pi2AES is limited to 192/24 over I2S but it’s enough because the I2S output of the RPi3 is limited to 192/24 too
The Gustard X16 might be the cheapest DAC with I2S
Back here trying to get this thing built
And what if I want a wired connection from my PC, that's NOT my internet jack..?
A roon alternative: volumio. Its not as good, but it is free (or almost free if you want native tidal/qobuz)
Volumio is trash, give Moode Audio a try, you're welcome ;)
@@sayhellotovin what is the difference between the two? I’ve been on Volumio for a while. Big upgrade from the DietPI.
@@sayhellotovin Sadly only Tidal via UPnP. But will keep an eye on them
Need to know more about this vs the Allo stuff.... NEEED a MSH, or, .. FULL on Twitch stream on PiAudio, .. and, ... ALL its implications......................
Has anyone found how to stream all of PC audio to one of these? I heard Zeos mention it was possible but I haven't
Seen how people do it.
TIA
good question
I was struggling to see the benefits of this... And in a way i still am for standard headphones... But i can now atleast totally see how useful it is for speaker.
Desk monitors: Paradigm Monitor Atom SE vs JBL Studio 530s
I own 590s in my theater and love them. Want new monitors and was looking at 530s, but I'm worried about Bass. Do the Atoms have more bass than the 530s? Are the Highs/imaging similar? Thoughts?
WAIT WAIT WAIT - Did @Zeos just state at 21:02 that it's possible to output a PC's complete audio environment to the PI2AES? How? In all seriousness, this would be amazing as long as it's not Bluetooth or Airplay.
@Zeos - the new black plexiglass panels make the PI2AES slick looking. WAYYY better than the clear plexiglass panels. Trust me. You're welcome.
Half of this is praise is just the convenience of owning a raspberry pi. This is the audiophiles version lol. Rpi can be used for security cameras, can be used for basic NAS server, all sorts of helpful things.
I ended up going with an SMSL SU-9 last month instead of shelling out for a D90 because I figured I wouldn't be able to hear the difference normally and assumed I'd never see an I2S output in my price range. Whoops?
As far as trying to minimize noise along the cable from your PC to DAC I fail to see how this is better than just a simple optical cable...it's light after all.
Third time watching and I just noticed the empty Talenti gelato container!!
Thx for the review mate, Is there a easy way of setting this up like using tidal connect from a smartphone ?
Z sits there waffling on about the 'sound' of equipment. He is surrounded by kit, lots of kit, amps, dacs, headphones, he frequently changes the pads and cables that come with headphones..... He hates audiophiles...... Yet he's SO audiophile.
I’ve spent countless hours getting yelled at and insulted by Z. I love it. 🤣🤣
I2S needs 4 pins: Clock, L/R Select, Data+ and Data-
I just use a Chromecast Ultra to stream to my sound system. That cost me about $60. It streams Tidal and Amazon Music just fine. I use Amazon music now as it streams "Hi-Res" music just as good as Tidal but at a cheaper price, especially when I pay for family subscriptions. I couldn't tell if there was sound quality loss streaming from my laptop to a DAC to my receiver or just straight streaming to the Chromecast. Anything past FLAC quality and I can't really tell the difference to be honest and the Chromecast can cast FLAC (up to 96kHz/24-bit) which is fine by me.
The pi4 has much better usb digital output, you don't even need a hat anymore. Just regular pi 4 2gb, a box and power supply. A steamer for 55 USD.
I need a video explaining why I lose quality by using fiber optic or usb dac directly to my computer motherboard.
GoldenSound just made a video on this. explained it very nicely with measurements graphs.
WHERE IS THE REVIEW OF THE WEIRD GRADO LOOKIN THINGS
I was actually watching the unboxing of this, while wondering when you'd do a review.
is there a big audio delay when streaming? like can I play games with and be fine
19:15: my RME ADI-2 Pro FS has AES Input/output on a breakout cable.
20:27 resumes this review in 4 seconds
Welcome to the wonderful world of streamers
So the 10$ patronage chat go hard
Can someone help me, I have the Musician Pegasus and want to use the IES Port. So if I purchase this Rasberry Pie, once power is connected, where do I connect the pie to acess my music which is stored locally via my hard on my computer?
Would like to know thoughts on sound difference between, usb out of PI to Dac, vs using the hat for Coax/AES etc. to dac. Because you can acheive all the functionality with just the pi and run USBB out and save yourself $150 if the difference isnt that substantial.
The pi itself is really noisy, you can, but you shouldnt use it for audio. The hat is kind of a must.
Could this work with a device giving off a hotspot connection? Impracticalities?
Z in the house! U da man Z
Those who say that an Allo unit is better have clearly not tried the PI2AES. I used to think that my Allo Digione was outstanding, but this unit is superior.
The PI2AES is possibly the BEST source device that you can use at this price range (I'm using it with an AES cable to my DAC). Using it with Volumio and Qobuz. Simply stunning.
I always found that AES connection is better than BNC or RCA coaxial.
Ty. I usually play Overwatch and I don't know if an open back headphone will affect Discord. I like the ATH M40X, the Fidelio X2HR, the Sennheiser HD 559 and the SHP9500.
Z can you help me choose?
RPi Volumio usb to DAC sounds perfect to me... UPNP streaming for 50€
So what are your goto headphones now? Just watched your rant on the AD500X. Looking for 90% gaming purposes.
Sooo if I got this and hooked my dac into it and hooked the pi2aes into my desktops mobo could my gaming audio go through this and make it better??
What's the name of that selector/switcher in the background with the sticker on it?
How come nothing from Allo reviewed yet
ALLO IS GOOD
Finally the dac boards will get some recognition on this channel. I am surprised this company is the first one to be reviewed. I had expected Allo to be the first one.
I purchased the Allo Digione Signature after watching the Darko review. I was a bit overwhelmed with the operating system install, but then got used to it. The Digione is good but I wish it had usb to play DSD files
@@shahidyt maybe should buy Allo USB Signature
@@my_wood I thought about the USBridge but rather move up rather than sideways. I’m thinking about giving the Innuos Zen Mini mk3 a go, if I can find it pre-owned
Look at the soundcore motion + Bluetooth speaker.
There are several windows applications (services) that you can get that will stream your whole PC"s audio. Most of them had a some red flag or issue though so you'll have to do some searching. By that I mean excessive lag, do questionable data collection etc. I'm sure some other follower might have a good suggestions.
I think GoldenSound is Zeos faking a accent, minus F bombs
7:28
AES is not only the XLR connection on the Pi2AES
AES refers to a protocol used on coax/BNC/TOSlink and XLR connections (Maybe more, don't know)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AES3#Hardware_connections
"
Are you going to look at any of the new hiby players (r2, r8 or r5 sabre)?
so the zeros and ones that come out of that box sound better than the zeros and ones coming directly from a computer?
yes
Price seems to have climbed by a 100 dollars since this review. Still, compelling.
Can I run this into a Mini DSP DDRC-24 and get room corrections too?
WTF am I doing watching this? When I hook up my components I still have to have a minute long debate with myself "OK, do I connect this to the inputs or the outputs?" Yet I still watched the entire vid.
Pink Faun makes an I²S PCIe adapter.
the downside for i2s is, manufacturers has less support for i2s. i did check today if there is any mainstream i2s dac amp, there but few and expensive. we are left in the mediocre delta sigma dac. i2s is the purest of the pure. another thing, if they did supported this i2s most of the mainstream brands would go out of business. i believe i understand now.
Surprised it took you this long to dabble into rpi and external streamers. Worth trying to te USB out on the RPI on its own, allo audio, and Volumio.
the guy who made it did it to avoid USB at all cost due to the noise it introduce to the signal.
AES offloads clock responsibilities too. At least I hope so hahaha
no It doesn't, AES is exactly the same as SPDIF transfered over a balanced connection.
the real poor man's music streamer is the Arylic S10
So my goal is to play most of my audio off of a "massive gaming computer" So not so sound like an audio snob i'm assuming this is still a smart investment for true audio enjoyment?
Well shit I don't have enough equipment to even need this but thank you audio bud spencer it was very good video
My brain just exploded.
@zeos pantera - I have 4 units of Muzo Cobblestone. I want to hook up my music collection on the HD to the Muzos and use them to stream like a streamer does. Can you let me know?
I have been streaming my media sometime, Subsonic and now Plex? Roon for $600 is a bit much, Plex can stream my music TV shows Live TV from my home, and so much more, lifetime was $75 I think, also has DVR functionality with commercial skip, with the Fiio M11 I can stream my music, allows me to download for offline storage, while album art is not the best, they keep getting better each day. I would love to see you compare them
JUST TRY ALLO USBRIDGE SIG and a linear PSU
Or allo digione
The PI2AES hat is better than Allo's products. I went from an Allo Digione to this unit and there's no comparison. It's that much better (only using AES digital) than the Allo.
@@mindbendernine may I know what PSU you are using?
@@my_wood I'm using the Meanwell PSU that was recommended by the manufacturer. Although I am curious about the PSU that @Zeos was using.
Quick BLON BL-30. No not the 03 the 30! Git on it man! lol J/K thanks for all your content.