Allo - streamers, DACs, bridges etc.

[Hifi_swlon]

You seem to really not know what to think about the sound the DigiOne makes. Was it a surprise that it is not so big difference to AIR or the differences between RCA and AES? 

I was going to hold off until I'd had it running for a few days so that I could get more accustomed to the small differences I perceive between this, and AIR.  Sadly it's died today so I can't really listen much more until I work out whats happened!  

When i read other people comment about digital transport quality, I guess I expect quite a lot as there are some pretty excited adjectives bounced around.  That said, Rene (@RMB) on the Roon forums always seems pretty level-headed with his findings about these things and I'd say my initial impression was somewhat more like his (which was positives but more on the subtle side), maybe a little more underwhelmed.  I had expected a more significant difference based on their technical measurements, but then again I think AIR is really good and I preferred it to the microrendu even with a decent PSU.

But like I say I did think I perceived a difference and most obviously in the bass, but also a 'softer' or easier to listen to sound. Subtle to my ears and in thussetup, and I hadn't decided which I prefer TBH.  AIR comes across as more detailed. It's 'edgy'. Is it the true sound and through the facts this us just a bit aggressive? The Allo sounded slightly 'softer' but is this the sane detail level but delivered with less edge, or is it simply softer? I find these things hard to judge/rationalise. The Allo bass seems more full bodied, but maybe this us putting more bass into the room (too much perhaps) and therefore 'muddies' the sound. What I was hoping for is something so profoundly different and amazing that I wouldn't really have to think about it,but that definitely didn't happen. But even equal to or slightly better than AIR, for a £100 device (excluding Pi etc) ain't bad!

I intended to get some measurements done - I've only got a Umik and REW so I'd have nothing to measure the 'softer' sound, I guess Id need some seriously high end gear for that, but I'm certain I could measure the bass output change.  If not Id have to say it was probably all imaginary!

I didn't get very far comparing AES and RCA.  In my admittedly very short test, and obviously Im using adapters etc, they sounded the same.

But I will come back with some more listening details, assuming I get it working....

Have re-flashed with RoPiee and no joy.  Doing a new dietpi now, but I might have to face the fact that it's dead.  

Pi2 design is coming out with a Pi HAT with dedicated AES output in september it is called 502AES if one would like to skip the adapter.

What PSU do you use to power the Pi?

I'm still using stock PSU and cable - which was my intention - it was measured using those parameters according to Allo, so it should deliver on that basis.  Afterwards I'll try another PSU or battery.

Yeah I saw that AES one mentioned somewhere too, am watching with interest.

[edit - looks like the digiOne is definitely dead!]

Assuming I get it working again and a few additional cables, I'll listen some more. Beyond that it would be great to compare to a Mutec type chain. I'd be happy to ship it to someone local-ish with a nice Mutec chain to see how it compares.