The brand Allo is starting to come up a bit more on the Roon forum.
I'm tempted by the
digiOne, a new, fairly inexpensive piHAT with spdif out. They also have a new
USB bridge thing out but it needs their proprietary 'Sparky' board too (doesn't work on a Pi) and slightly more expensive (but still cheap compared to many of the latest and greatest).
Why, you may ask, since I'm waiting for the streamerboard and meanwhile I'm using AIR which finally works?
Well, the main issue isn't SQ but sync between my main hifi and kitchen, which is no longer solid as I'm not using two RAAT devices. Yes, as AIR is using CoreAudio you can group them both, and you can adjust latency in the RAAT zone to compensate for AURs buffer, but sadly it isn't consistent. It is off by a few ms each time you restart AIR or change sample rate. Both happen quite a lot and recently AIR has started just going silent every now and again and needing to be toggled on and off to get it back. The two factors combined are annoying enough to make me think about abandoning it.
I don't want to go back to a microrendu or other closed system, or spend loads of cash, (I still hold out hope for the streamerboard after all but who knows how long that might be) so the Allo seems tempting. Also there are lots of subjective comments here about non-USB inputs being better on the Dev in many circumstances, and I've often thought about trying that. I don't like the way the USB on the Devialet doesn't play nicely when the machine comes out of standby either so spdif may be a good way to go.
I've seen lots of measurements posted by the Allo guys (or guy?) and they certainly look good! This also gives me more confidence in the device over companies who make claims shrouded in secrecy with no data to back anything up (and sometimes it turns out no data has ever been taken even during development).
I've already got a PSU I could use so the whole package should be under about 150 quid.
I'm guessing no-one else here's tried one yet? Or anything else from the brand? Only heard pretty much praise apart from maybe setup complexity in some of their more 'unusual' combined DAC/re-clocker things.
I have plans to try one in the future but that will be with another dac not a Devialet.
But if I were to try it with a Devialet I would get a BNC to BNC cable and run a Neutrik adapter BNC to XLR they are also made with transformer 75/110 ohm.
@
Hifi_swlon I know Thomann have them.
https://m.thomann.de/gb/neutrik_naditbnc...1498398554
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attachment=2116]
I like the use of BNC contacts which is crimped on as they are true 75 ohm, think I will get some Canare BNC contacts and Canare cable to test the Allo Digione when I get one.
Thanks octaviars. Yes, I just read a few technical articles about the only way to keep true 75ohm is to use BNC connectors and an adaptor - since it's down to the physical dimensions and distances of the BNC connector. TBH I don't fully understand the intricacies of impedance matching, but seems sensible to stick to the defined standards.
How come you won't try it on the Devialet?
I just went to order 'spur of the moment' and see that in EU it's not shipping yet! I see now RBM on the Roon forum had a pre-release one. Oh well, today's rash purchase averted.
(25-Jun-2017, 15:21)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks octaviars. Yes, I just read a few technical articles about the only way to keep true 75ohm is to use BNC connectors and an adaptor - since it's down to the physical dimensions and distances of the BNC connector. TBH I don't fully understand the intricacies of impedance matching, but seems sensible to stick to the defined standards.
How come you won't try it on the Devialet?
I just went to order 'spur of the moment' and see that in EU it's not shipping yet! I see now RBM on the Roon forum had a pre-release one. Oh well, today's rash purchase averted.
I asume you wont notice much differences between RCA and BNC contacts on s/pdif signals as the frequency is so low the contact gets more important when you transmit MHz signals I think. Devialet works with 75 ohm S/PDIF signals directly on their AES input without a transformer so perhaps just get the adapter without a transformer that is not so expensive.
I have sold my Devialets so that is why I cant try it right now. I am also selling my Focal Sopras and when they are gone a complete TAD system is moving in.
Ah, well that will make it a bit harder to try! I think I'll take your advice although I'll start with rca adapter first and then try aes to see if can detect a difference.
Look forward to hearing about your TAD system.
(25-Jun-2017, 14:09)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]The brand Allo is starting to come up a bit more on the Roon forum.
I'm tempted by the digiOne, a new, fairly inexpensive piHAT with spdif out. They also have a new USB bridge thing out but it needs their proprietary 'Sparky' board too (doesn't work on a Pi) and slightly more expensive (but still cheap compared to many of the latest and greatest).
Why, you may ask, since I'm waiting for the streamerboard and meanwhile I'm using AIR which finally works?
Well, the main issue isn't SQ but sync between my main hifi and kitchen, which is no longer solid as I'm not using two RAAT devices. Yes, as AIR is using CoreAudio you can group them both, and you can adjust latency in the RAAT zone to compensate for AURs buffer, but sadly it isn't consistent. It is off by a few ms each time you restart AIR or change sample rate. Both happen quite a lot and recently AIR has started just going silent every now and again and needing to be toggled on and off to get it back. The two factors combined are annoying enough to make me think about abandoning it.
I don't want to go back to a microrendu or other closed system, or spend loads of cash, (I still hold out hope for the streamerboard after all but who knows how long that might be) so the Allo seems tempting. Also there are lots of subjective comments here about non-USB inputs being better on the Dev in many circumstances, and I've often thought about trying that. I don't like the way the USB on the Devialet doesn't play nicely when the machine comes out of standby either so spdif may be a good way to go.
I've seen lots of measurements posted by the Allo guys (or guy?) and they certainly look good! This also gives me more confidence in the device over companies who make claims shrouded in secrecy with no data to back anything up (and sometimes it turns out no data has ever been taken even during development).
I've already got a PSU I could use so the whole package should be under about 150 quid.
I'm guessing no-one else here's tried one yet? Or anything else from the brand? Only heard pretty much praise apart from maybe setup complexity in some of their more 'unusual' combined DAC/re-clocker things.
Hi,
Actually, I also look for such a bridge (couple days ago I came accross on Audiophonics network player based on RPI which I am / was (?) about to buy:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/hifi-devic...11134.html).
Now, after reading some technical details regarding Allo USBridge I am getting confused. From audio point of view the topology of Allo looks better. However, that is not my only thrill - so far, I've thought USB connection is much better than spdif one (e.g. no clock synchro problems). I2S is technicaly probably even better but there is no such an option with Devialet. That's why I focused on finding USB bridge. Now, I read posts suggesting spdif is audibly better with Devialet than USB.
1. Did you have a chance to compare (seriously) those two connections with Devi? what are your feelings?
2. From your point of view does it make sense to spend more money (is it sonically justyfied) for much "better" (= expensive) bridge? (Aurender, dCS, Auralic)?
I would appreciate your comments.
Reg, Mike
(25-Jun-2017, 22:21)MIKE Wrote: [ -> ]1. Did you have a chance to compare (seriously) those two connections with Devi? what are your feelings?
2. From your point of view does it make sense to spend more money (is it sonically justyfied) for much "better" (= expensive) bridge? (Aurender, dCS, Auralic)?
Hi Mike, this is probably a whole topic in itself (and I think there are some here already), but briefly:
1. Not personally. There are recurring opinions here from advanced users that - all things being equal (which they're probably not) - AES specifically is the best, but that spdif can still be better than USB.
This possible experiment with the Allo will be me trying it for myself in a fairly affordable way (with AES being via a converter rather than native to the device).
2. That's another whole topic
. Depends if you have a lot of spare cash I guess. I would also blind test things personally - it's too hard to know otherwise. I think I've convinced myself of bigger differences than are actually there in the past. I intend to blind test AIR, and spdif from the Allo. And again AIR and AES (converted) from the Allo. I'd like to compare spdif and AES but I'd have to buy two! The key thing will be - can I tell them apart blind? If so, and reliably, I'll dig deeper.
In any case, why start expensive when there are cheaper options that you may like?
@
Hifi_swlon you could perhaps get a BNC to BNC cable and have the Neutrik adapter (BNC to XLR with transformer if that is required) with BNC and a smal BNC to RCA adapter and just quickly change between the SPDIF and AES input on your Devialet to see if that makes any difference. Perhaps let someone else stift the input so you dont know what input is being used.
I tried USB vs AES when I had my Aries and found AES to sound better but later I went with AIR instead as the need for external boxes went away and AIR sounded really good.
With my new DAC I will be able to try USB, SPDIF via AES or RCA input just that I have to get Allo Digione and USB bridge to try them all. I have not decided yet what to try my first thougt was to go with USB.
(25-Jun-2017, 22:32)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ] (25-Jun-2017, 22:21)MIKE Wrote: [ -> ]1. Did you have a chance to compare (seriously) those two connections with Devi? what are your feelings?
2. From your point of view does it make sense to spend more money (is it sonically justyfied) for much "better" (= expensive) bridge? (Aurender, dCS, Auralic)?
Hi Mike, this is probably a whole topic in itself (and I think there are some here already), but briefly:
1. Not personally. There are recurring opinions here from advanced users that - all things being equal (which they're probably not) - AES specifically is the best, but that spdif can still be better than USB.
This possible experiment with the Allo will be me trying it for myself in a fairly affordable way (with AES being via a converter rather than native to the device).
2. That's another whole topic . Depends if you have a lot of spare cash I guess. I would also blind test things personally - it's too hard to know otherwise. I think I've convinced myself of bigger differences than are actually there in the past. I intend to blind test AIR, and spdif from the Allo. And again AIR and AES (converted) from the Allo. I'd like to compare spdif and AES but I'd have to buy two! The key thing will be - can I tell them apart blind? If so, and reliably, I'll dig deeper.
In any case, why start expensive when there are cheaper options that you may like?
Thanks Hifi_swlon,
You did not dispel my doubts, indeed (what was difficult anyway ... and expected)
However, I will not make hasty decisions and look around for aes/ebu bridge - any suggestion in reasonable price?
Reg, Mike
Reasonably priced AES are few and far between. Would suggest a search as there are a few topics here, or maybe pose the question as a new topic. I think there may be a hifiberry that you can solder aes to, but not sure if it's the digital version.