For dual power:
RPi + isolator
&
Katana stack
What sort of delay is needed between powering katana and then powering RPi+Isolator?
Can a simple relay be used or is a timed delay required?
Thanks
Katana stack can be powered in the same time as the RPI , any time before RPI or 3-4s max after the RPI…so as you can see its not very restrictive
Any ETA when you might start selling again?
Also what’s the difference between the B and B+ version? Besides $20.
Michelangelo,
Have you received the updated v1.2 Katana yet, and if so when will you update the review? I guess that this will be complicated by the option for 2 different output cards (sound quality vs pure THD), but it will be interesting !
We started shipping units to previous customers, will clear the backlog first.
Hi,
I am very interested in purchasing Katana Player 1.2
Currently, my streamer is Bluesound Node 2. But I want to try something new (for better SQ, perhaps 
- Katana 1.2
I’m just worried that you need to use two power supplies (SMPS) …
What do you think about this power supply https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/hifi-power-supply/audiophonics-lpsu25-linear-regulated-low-noise-power-supply-usb-220v-to-5v-2a-25va-p-11364.html, will this solution be better than two separate ones?
Or maybe you will recommend a different, single power supply for the new Katana, at a reasonable price, for the best SQ.
+1
Hi Sojer2005,
I have this power supply for my Allo Piano 2.1. I power the entire stack with one single power supply. Normally I don’t keep my devices powered if I do not use them and therefore I like single power supplies for my raspberry stacks.
I am very satisfied with the sound quality but I did not make any comparison with other power supplies. Personally, I have seen improvements in the middle frequency range: I think that the acoustic instruments and voices are more clear and closer to the real sound. I am sure that the differences can be easily detected also in other frequency ranges but maybe my system is not enough resolving.
A test review of this power supply can be found on the Hans Beekhuyzen Channel (Youtube) and the conclusion was positive.
It does not compare with the much more expensive linear power supplies (e.g. SBooster etc.) but for the given amount of money it is very good.
Regards
Adrian
No, did not receive it yet. As soon as I do I will update my original review
Great news. what’s the difference between the B and B+ version? Besides $20.
Received the new katana!!
It is beffier than the first version with newer audiophile components
And wollaaaahh…
The complete stack with isolator v1.2.
Well, I’ve no idea whether it sounds better or not, but the sight of that huge capacitor sitting on top of the controller shouts “After-thought” to me. Too complex…
Chris M
I have been pretty interested in this product but, i can see, it was a huge project for Allo and they havent really been up to the challenge. I do belive they will be able to crack it (and I congratulate them for the boldness) sometime in the future and prove a good dac does not need to be expensive. My own Topping dac is a proof of that.
I wish I could order this dac but it seems, really and agree, afterthought.
Enviado do meu HTC_M10h através do Tapatalk
Would rather like to read what people say after having had the Katana in their system for a while.
Have to agree that massive capacitor doesn’t look good at all, I wouldn’t want that unit on display in my lounge. Maybe with a taller, and darker case.
I agree that listening is the ultimate test, but a proper review is also useful… I went looking in Audio Science Review for quantitative ways of regarding this, and found a review of the Chord Mojo (audiosciencereview.com/foru … -amp.5120/), mostly because I’ve always had a soft spot for the techno-guff spouted by Chord. Surprised I was to find that the Mojo is well below the ApplePi DAC, which is below the Katana. The Katana comes out really well in those measurements, so Allo have a definite success technically, but look at the component count differences between the ApplePi and the Katana; it’s close to an order of magnitude per board, and there’s three of them. It’s just a supposition but it may be that lots of relatively-cheap components can get the same results as fewer more expensive ones, and that’s what Allo design with. I don’t know, but I go with Colin Chapman; “Simplify, then add lightness.”
The design of the box was not very easy, especially on the box that had the isolator since we have been constrained by height. Still I will try to get some better pics to show you how it looks. Frankly it wont win any beauty prize but we think it looks at least ok.
The Katana without isolator (box) looks even better.
Now regarding THD+N , components etc , please rest assured that Allo will never use “cheap components”. In fact we are using only film caps and one COG cap in the audio path along with thin film resistors only .
Yes our THD+N is the best in the RPI world and only a few of the “big manufacturers” are better .
However , harmonic distortion is one thing. Sound signature (sound quality) is what we strive for with Katana 1.2. We spent many hours testing , listening and testing some more. In the end , we needed to “stiffen” the audio rails (voltage) with local capacitors. We used Nichon audio grade caps , and while THD+N increased marginally (0.5db more) we found that sound quality increased substantially . So yes they are big and they are ugly. An “afterthought” if you want…
However for those of you that think sound quality trumps looks , Katana might be an OK choice.
More reviews are coming out, lets see what people think of it
audiosciencereview.com/foru … dacs.4164/
Please check here a detailed test of Katana (and applePI dac).
We are especially proud of jitter measurements . Amir quote " Here, Katana (in red) is textbook perfect other than a tiny 4 kHz jitter component below -140 dB"
We think thats what Michelangelo hears when he says it has good tempo (PRATT he calls it)
Enjoy.
Hi to all,
see some better pictures of the case.
