HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Grumpytim wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:03 pm Look forward to seeing what you think of it with the digi one. Don't you have the equivalent hifiberry digi+ as well, or have I confused you with Slinger?

Slinger is the one with the beard - and I'm 6'8". No confusion there !

Currently here running pi2's with HifiBerry Digi+ Pro, Allo DigiOne and Allo DigiOne Sig.

Thinking about the the Kiss DVD and the dramatic difference that the ipurifier2 makes. The player is also a sort of early streaming unit and there are probably several sets of components inside causing electronic noise. The galvanic filtering is cancelling this out. The player itself is doing an excellent job on data retrieval from CD's so the iPurified result is top-notch music reproduction.

Now listening to lounge headphone setup:

Pi2/Allo DigiOne - OCC coax - iPurifier2 - Cambridge DacMagic Plus - Accuphase Blue i/c - Sabaj PHA3 - Monoprice M1060C.

Volumio in DigiOne upsamples to 192KHz / 24bit. DacMagic Plus upsamples again to 384KHz before conversion.

The iPurifier is working it's magic here as well; soundstage has widened considerably, instruments/effects/ voices are clearer, with a smooth definition. Feels like you are just hearing far more of the recording than you did before.

Also has the effect of making you want to keep on listening. Seductive.

The SPDIF iPurifier2 is capable of making a dramatic improvement to the sound of streamers and CD transports, which is causing me a degree of frustration and pondering.



As an aside - the (very affordable) Ifi USB iPurifier appears to be the only low-cost USB reclocker currently available as both the Oehlbach Masterclock and Schiit Wyrd have been withdrawn from production. But it will only fit into a DAC with a USB-B socket - so that rules it out for use with the Sabal A10d which has USB-C input.

For now, I am keeping the SPDIF iPurifier in the lounge headphone set as that is in daily use and gives the most benefit. The annoyance is that having heard what it does with the DVD-transport upstairs, I remain conscious of the fact that it can sound so much better. Various options are now under consideration which involve firstly a proposed shoot-out between the Volumio PC on USB and the Allo DigiOne Signature via the iPurifier to see which of those two gives a higher sonic performance.

Another question I have is whether the iPurifier can be run with both a coax and optical connection attached - which would mean that I could use a Pi-based streamer and CD transport together through it. Will try to work this out. Certainly a test with optical input is also necessary.

Otherwise I will just have to get a second unit for CD playback Upstairs. But more iPurifiers for non-critical-listening setups is not a sensible option as the improved SQ probably would not be noticed.

Anyway, don't have time for all that until the weekend, at the earliest.

The SPDIF iPurifier 2 is different to the less expensive USB powered iPurifier 3 I use. Had a look at their website and discovered that they have a wide range of products. They seem to be excellent value and of appeal to those who value sound quality over something that looks impressive. I don't think one would be cost effective for my second system because it is compromised by the positioning of the speakers. The AQ JB FMJ I use will suffice.