I have the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra that will stream from USB to the USB DAC in my Oppo 205.
Budget Music Streamer
I've been trying to get my head around best sound out of a budget streamer. All my CD collection is now in my portable 2TB hard drive as FLAC files and I also have subscription to Apple Music (large playlist). Currently using Apple TV and Airport Express (airplay limiting to 16 bit/44.1kHz) and Apple TV streaming at 48kHz. I have a revealing system and know I can get better sonics by upgrading my digital source. Unfortunately I have been blessed with a good ear for music.
There are quite a few options out there, each having it's limitations, specially the ability to play Apple music directly from iTunes using a remote without limiting the sampling rate. Do I consider a Mac Mini or build my Raspberry Pi source? Will I get a spdif connection (preference) out of the two? Is there remote control capability to view playlist (I don't intend to hook up a monitor). Or is there a better solution out there for both listening to FLAC files on hard drive and streaming Apple Music? I plan on selling my OPPO player - no use to me, to fund a better DAC (schiit Yggdrasil or BorderPatrol) - hence the digital source is on a budget. Experts chime in..
Simaudio W5 poweramp
Von Schweikerts VR4
OPPO 105
Apple TV (using Kanexpro HDMI de-embedder to extract audio - coax in DAC)
Airport Express (optical in DAC)
Benchmark DAC1 (no USB) - used as preamp
Marantz AV7701 preamp
Morrow Audio interconnects
There are quite a few options out there, each having it's limitations, specially the ability to play Apple music directly from iTunes using a remote without limiting the sampling rate. Do I consider a Mac Mini or build my Raspberry Pi source? Will I get a spdif connection (preference) out of the two? Is there remote control capability to view playlist (I don't intend to hook up a monitor). Or is there a better solution out there for both listening to FLAC files on hard drive and streaming Apple Music? I plan on selling my OPPO player - no use to me, to fund a better DAC (schiit Yggdrasil or BorderPatrol) - hence the digital source is on a budget. Experts chime in..
Simaudio W5 poweramp
Von Schweikerts VR4
OPPO 105
Apple TV (using Kanexpro HDMI de-embedder to extract audio - coax in DAC)
Airport Express (optical in DAC)
Benchmark DAC1 (no USB) - used as preamp
Marantz AV7701 preamp
Morrow Audio interconnects
- ...
- 35 posts total
This may or may not fit the type of player you might want, but you should check out the latest iterations of some of the raspberry pi-hat players from Allo. I got the Allo Digione, for the reason that it was reviewed a few times to out perform the Aries Aurelic and bluesound node 2, and can be purchased for under $200 with player software installed that can be managed via phone app. https://www.allo.com/sparky/digione-player.html It can be managed via WiFi, has both rca coax and BNC outputs to send to your already excellent DAC. And it REALLY sounds great. A decent review about the Digione: https://darko.audio/2017/08/allos-digione-pulls-five-star-sound-quality-from-the-raspberry-pi/ And review of the next version, the signature series: https://darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-film-about-the-allo-digione-signature/ Also: https://youtu.be/8Iey5yKd-p4 |
@jwricci2 Nice find with the Allo! I have just bought a Raspberry Pi with a spdif card and will try to assemble it and try it out with my dac. Cheaper but much more work. Next step for me would either be a better dac or a re-clocker. I don't use AirPlay or or AppleTV and have no idea if those works on it. As long as it handles local files, Spotify and maybe Tidal I am happy. |
- 35 posts total