DAC to the Future

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Fretless
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by Fretless »

Slinger.

I'm seriously thinking about getting an Asus tinker board to play with.

How does the the USB sound in comparison to the Hifiberry Digi+ PRO?

And are the HAT boards from a Pi compatible?

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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slinger
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by slinger »

Some hats are compatible if memory serves, but I haven't bothered, and neither have the two or three others over at TAS who have swapped over to the Asus Tinker Board (ATB); we're all using USB and we're all getting better SQ than with our old Pi 3 setups. I was running a Pi3 B+ & HiFiBerry Digi+Pro. My full second system setup is listed here...

http://theaudiostandard.net/post/168931

... and is probably the "lowest" end of the lot. :lol:

I'm hoping the Oehlbach reclocker I've bought improves mine further, when I eventually get the bloody return label from Germany to get my duff one replaced.

Two things: Make sure you get the Tinker Board 'S' model, the 'S' is important, and whatever people tell you a good USB lead DOES make a difference to the sound. I auditioned 5 before I settled on the AudioQuest Carbon.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by Fretless »

Thanks for that. I didn't realise that the S model was that different.

Have realised that good USB cables make a difference and have tried the AQ Carbon which is excellent. Have one from Inakustik at the moment, pretty good. The best USB cable I have heard is the Supra.

Am interested to try USB input on the Teradak which is supposedly optimised for USB and has a built-in reclocking circuit.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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slinger
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by slinger »

That's interesting too. I almost tried the Supra but never got around to it. I've also heard good things about Pangea cables recently.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by Fretless »

Asus Tinker Board S and aluminium casing ordered, also getting an Inakustik Excellence USB cable to go with it.

https://www.in-akustik.de/en/cables-and ... 006700005/

:geek: :guiness; :dance:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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slinger
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by slinger »

Fretless wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2019 11:32 pm Asus Tinker Board S and aluminium casing ordered, also getting an Inakustik Excellence USB cable to go with it.

https://www.in-akustik.de/en/cables-and ... 006700005/

:geek: :guiness; :dance:
Nice one. For a cheap upgrade try powering the ATB from a Power Bank rather than the wall-wart. It needs 5v at 3A. You do have to remember to keep the Power Bank charged though. ;)
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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Fretless
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by Fretless »

I do have a suitable power-bank. Also a couple of 5V linear PSU's. Will be a fun bit of hobbying trying everything out. :grin:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by karatestu »

Are you still half asleep Lindsay ?
DIY FREE ZONE

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Lindsayt
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by Lindsayt »

Yes. And not just because of the General Election...

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slinger
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Re: DAC to the Future

Unread post by slinger »

Fretless wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2019 7:43 am I do have a suitable power-bank. Also a couple of 5V linear PSU's. Will be a fun bit of hobbying trying everything out. :grin:
The most difficult bit of "hobbying" will probably be assembling the case and getting the ATB safely into it, everything else should be irritatingly easy. :lol:

p.s. The heatsinks are included for a reason, although the ATB doesn't seem run hot when used as a streamer.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

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