HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

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.

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

Not only that, but I've gained 5 albums from somewhere.

So, here's a thing...

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.

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



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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.