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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 
128x128ghulamr
jwricci's avatar
jwricci
2 posts
 
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


ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
33 posts
 
@jwricci - how do you like the sound of Allo DigiOne? Can you connect an external HD to it? Can you play Tidal or Apple Music - if so how? I love the fact that it’s prebuilt for you. Interesting that it’s compared to be better than Aurelic Aries and I am certain Mac Mini. 
headphonedreams
95 posts
 
@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. 
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pgaulke60
29 posts
 
Not sure what "budget" is for you, but a $900 Project  Sound Box S2 Ultra was highly recommended to me.  Supposed to have excellent sound for the money.
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
33 posts
 
@headphonedreams better to buy the Allo Digione Signature or build one. Building one will not be all that cheaper but more fun. Can you share your build? 
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