Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

All general audio posts go here.
User avatar
slinger
Posts: 9233
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:30 pm
Location: The Garden of England
Has thanked: 4567 times
Been thanked: 3118 times
EUROPEAN_UNION

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by slinger »

I've just started the update, and once I've successfully updated my install I can then reset everything to "Classic" because I don't use any of the streaming facilities, but I do need to go through the whole update process to V3 so I can receive further updates. :roll:
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

User avatar
slinger
Posts: 9233
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:30 pm
Location: The Garden of England
Has thanked: 4567 times
Been thanked: 3118 times
EUROPEAN_UNION

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by slinger »

All up and running with zero problems. Sometimes I even impress myself. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Not only that, but I've gained 5 albums from somewhere. :grin:
These users thanked the author slinger for the post (total 2):
Fretless (Wed Dec 08, 2021 5:55 pm) • antonio66 (Fri Dec 10, 2021 12:07 am)
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

User avatar
slinger
Posts: 9233
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:30 pm
Location: The Garden of England
Has thanked: 4567 times
Been thanked: 3118 times
EUROPEAN_UNION

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by slinger »

So, here's a thing... :confused:

I remembered today that I hadn't updated Volumio's config.txt to my incredibly modified version. I stopped the album I was listening to, remembered that I needed to allow SSH in volumio/dev via the browser, kicked WinSCP into life, updated it and logged into my Volumio installation. I overwrote the config.txt with my version, exited and started the album up again.

#1). It does, I believe, sound "better," there just seems to be more depth all-around, without getting into micro-descriptions.
#2). I'll swear it's louder too.

Anyway, for anyone using a Pi who wants to give it a try, here's my modified config.txt
PLEASE NOTE it's a version that should disable the USB output. Delete the lines...

#Force max current to USB
max_usb_current=0


...If you're using USB for your signal out.
nitramfs volumio.initrd
gpu_mem=16
max_usb_current=1
dtparam=audio=on
audio_pwm_mode=2

dtparam=i2c_arm=on
disable_splash=1
hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# Archimago's CRAAP Pi 4B Settings...
# archimago.blogspot.com/2020/10/musingshow-to-raspberry-pi-4-touch.html
# October 14, 2020

# CPU speed control - normally 1500MHz, min 600
arm_freq=1200
arm_freq_min=300

# CPU voltage control - SYSTEM DEPENDENT!
over_voltage=-3
over_voltage_min=-4

# SDRAM control, normally 3200 - again, watch system dependent voltage
sdram_freq=2400
sdram_freq_min=300
over_voltage_sdram=-3

core_freq_min=200
gpu_freq_min=200

gpu_mem = 256

# Keep it cooler! Throttle at max 75C.
temp_limit=75

#Overclocking Options
force_turbo=1

avoid_pwm_pll=1

sdram_schmoo=0x02000020
over_voltage_sdram_p=-5
over_voltage_sdram_i=-14
over_voltage_sdram_c=-6

disable_pvt=1

#Force max current to USB
max_usb_current=0


#HDMI Disable
hdmi_blanking=2

#New Power Saving
hdmi_ignore_hotplug=1
hdmi_ignore_composite=1

#### Volumio i2s setting below: do not alter ####
The usual rules apply, if you have no idea what you're doing then you're best not doing it.
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

User avatar
Fretless
Posts: 9290
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:15 pm
Location: Somewhere in Holland
Has thanked: 1487 times
Been thanked: 2280 times
Netherlands

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Fretless »

Thanks for that, Slinger. Don't know if I'm capable but might be something for a rainy lockdown-afternoon.

:grin:

On an additional note; the Volumio app for Android and OS has been dramatically improved. Whereas the previous version drove me back to using the Web-UI, this updated edition is snappily quick and a joy to use.

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

antonio66
Posts: 1006
Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2019 8:16 am
Location: Grimsby/Phnom Penh
Has thanked: 1449 times
Been thanked: 408 times
Great Britain

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by antonio66 »

Just seen this video on YouTube, a new dac to me, and cutting to the chase it uses a ROHM dac chip and sound quality is slightly softer/warmer than many dacs in this price range. Worth a watch
These users thanked the author antonio66 for the post:
Fretless (Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:04 pm)

Grumpytim
Posts: 527
Joined: Fri May 19, 2017 11:03 am
Has thanked: 354 times
Been thanked: 330 times
Columbia

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by Grumpytim »

Just treated myself to an Allo Digione to revive a Pi4 that had lost it's USB out. Well that's not entirely true, I bought the Digione for a new Pi4, but thought I'd try it on the semi dead unit first. To my surprise it worked first time.

First impressions are that feeding an old Chord DAC 64, it is actually more 'open' than the squeezebox Touch, and better than Hifberry digipro. Though when swapping the DAC 64 for an old SMSL Sanskrit, the Digipro drives this better than the Digione.

These are both with fairly standard power supplies so the next step is to see what (if any) improvement changing these will make.

It's slightly sad in that this means that the last of the sqeezebox streamers has been retired, but at over 10 years old they've done well in this disposable age.
These users thanked the author Grumpytim for the post (total 4):
CycleCoach (Tue Aug 23, 2022 12:15 pm) • Fretless (Tue Aug 23, 2022 12:25 pm) • slinger (Tue Aug 23, 2022 2:24 pm) • antonio66 (Thu Aug 25, 2022 5:53 am)

User avatar
George Hincapie
Posts: 321
Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:46 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Has thanked: 252 times
Been thanked: 176 times
Great Britain

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by George Hincapie »

We're on holiday in the New Forest for a week, have just got back from a lovely pub lunch and am in that merry place you find yourself in when you've eaten and drank too much.

I'm in the middle of upgrading my headphone system, and am considering my end point provision more generally. My main system uses a Metrum Acoustics Ambre, and my headphone system uses a Pi4 with VitOS and LPSU. Both EPs are fed by an AudioStore Prestige MX Roon server powered by a Farad LPSU.

I am currently experimenting with SQ improvements offered by switching copper for fibre between the switch, server and EPs. I have the optical modules in place, currently powered by SMPS. I have bought LPSUs for the optical modules and they have been delivered in my absence. Will try them on Sunday evening. I've read that is the peak of SQ offered by that method, so I guess we'll see. If it delivers I'll then consider whether to splurge on a Sonore Optical Rendu and Optical Module. That's a significant investment though and I already feel as though I am well into the realms of diminishing returns.

I would like to improve the SQ offered by the EPs themselves. My Ambre is decent but several years old now. The Pi4 and VitOS is excellent, but again, it must be possible to improve upon it.

What are your views as to the current highest SQ EP?
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3

Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

Power
Farad • Tomanek

Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz

User avatar
CN211276
Posts: 6522
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:29 am
Location: Cardiff
Has thanked: 1401 times
Been thanked: 976 times
EUROPEAN_UNION

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

I have a Sonore OpticalRendu and can recommend it for no frills sound quality. No need to splash out on the module as a Cisco switch with optical output performs the same function. Money is far better spent on a quality power supply for the OpticalRendu. I use a Sbooster.
These users thanked the author CN211276 for the post:
George Hincapie (Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:45 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

User avatar
George Hincapie
Posts: 321
Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:46 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Has thanked: 252 times
Been thanked: 176 times
Great Britain

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by George Hincapie »

CN211276 wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:27 pm I have a Sonore OpticalRendu and can recommend it for no frills sound quality. No need to splash out on the module as a Cisco switch with optical output performs the same function. Money is far better spent on a quality power supply for the OpticalRendu. I use a Sbooster.
What were you using before the Sonore and are you able to quantify the scale of improvement?

My Ubiquti switch has two optical connections.
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3

Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

Power
Farad • Tomanek

Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz

User avatar
CN211276
Posts: 6522
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:29 am
Location: Cardiff
Has thanked: 1401 times
Been thanked: 976 times
EUROPEAN_UNION

Re: Tinker, Tailor, Streamer, Pi.

Unread post by CN211276 »

George Hincapie wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 7:11 pm
CN211276 wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:27 pm I have a Sonore OpticalRendu and can recommend it for no frills sound quality. No need to splash out on the module as a Cisco switch with optical output performs the same function. Money is far better spent on a quality power supply for the OpticalRendu. I use a Sbooster.
What were you using before the Sonore and are you able to quantify the scale of improvement?

See my post on page 63 of this thread.
These users thanked the author CN211276 for the post:
George Hincapie (Fri Aug 26, 2022 8:50 pm)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

Post Reply