Thank you very much for your feedback.
In the future if you have a chance please also take a look at the ApplePi Volume-Clocker (https://orchardaudio.com/applepi) which adds HW volume control and re-clocking to the ApplePi DAC or to any other I2S DAC or Amplifier.
Hi,
Can I use my Allo Kali reclocker for the ApplePi DAC?
Thanks!
Regards
Adrian
Yes you can use the Allo Kali with the ApplePi DAC, but that will not get you HW volume control like the Volume-Clocker
Can the HW volume of the Volume Clocker be controlled from the UI of Volumio, or only from the onboard pot?
Only from onboard pot.
Can I use my 5V 3A stabilised power supply instead the required 5.25V?
You can try it, as long as you are not powering more than just Pi, DAC and Volume-Clocker.
Biwiring the power will also help, with something like this:
adafruit.com/product/3030
Starting to get some feedback from kickstarter backers:
Kevin:
“ApplePi DAC is an excellent DAC. Compare to the Audio Note DAC 3 I have, it has much more detail.”
A little question :
How did you make it “loosless” with any dac i2s? (from my many tests, the lossless subject is very important to my ears !)
But I have a very good attenuator in my amplifier, so, this point is not so important for me.
Perhaps I’ll test it with Kali, and perhaps too without output opamps, and with a Sowter 1465 instead.
Output transformer dacs work very well in no-feedback amplifier systems, for my ears…
And for my experience, I think that the lack of " in PRaT" is more due of the use of opamps than a clocking issue.
best regards
I2S is lossless by definition, so I am not sure what you are asking.
OK, I was not precise enough.
So, another question : how do you manage a volume control with i2s dacs which don’t include hardware volume control ?
The Volume-Clocker intercepts the I2S data from the Pi, re-clocks it, does bit-perfect volume control in hw and then sends out a fresh set of i2s signals with the volume controlled data.
The pot is not involved in the volume control itself, just sets the volume level, and feels like a traditional volume control
Last time I heard a CDP on my system(Audio Note) was 10 years ago. I am now a Spotify lover and able to enjoy continuous countless music at great quality level. No more CD swap, walking back and forth, and bad purchase regret. It is an ultimate goal for a poor lazy man. Thanks to Volumio, too. It does a fantastic job in Raspi streaming. Long live streaming‼
What I have
Source: A.Yamaha WXC-50, B.Raspberry Pi 3 B+
Integrated amp: Audio Note Soro
DAC: A.Audio Note DAC 3, B.Orchard Audio ApplePi DAC
IC: Blue Jeans Cable Belden 1508A mini XLR to XLR
SC: Blue Jeans Cable Ten White Speaker Cable
Speakers: Dynaudio 1.3 SE
DAC AB comparison: Pi gives better transparent sound and stays neutral. Somehow I feel DAC 3 is a bit warmer perhaps tube matters.
From bass, mid to high, I don’t see anyone outstanding but well balanced. It consistently reveals more detail from top to bottom. Yes, the detail I have never heard. From guitars, violins, pianos, brass instrument to vocal, none of exception. Especially the end of the note, the tiny tone change is crystal clear. I was shocked.
My listening room is not perfect and surrounded by furniture. The soundstage in my origin system is soso. Pi does extend it a little bit but not much. I have a cabinet next to a speaker. It might be the cause. However, that disadvantage doesn’t limit the improvement of sound body. Pi does a significant job for it and vocal is mostly benefited. The greatest sound body I have ever experienced on a pair of 1.3SE was with a full set of Audiobyte system($5K+) plus Spotify from the origin owner of my 1.3SE. It was absolutely amazing(the key I bought the speakers) and superior than a $10K+ system(those in the audio show). I guess Pi is about 80% of it. I also feel the music is a bit more solid and focused perhaps due to better detail revealed.
Before being a backer of Pi, I was not quite sure how good could it be. After 2 weeks of audition, the question became “how far could it go?”. I wonder the bottleneck now is my machine. Hope there could be more reviews coming up from you.
I knew many audiophiles enjoy music though computer desktop speakers and I have never had a problem with it.
If you have an upgrade chance one day, please check it with Pi whose potential could be far beyond your imagination.
Lots of brilliant engineers step into Hifi world and bring us excellent innovations.(and avoid expensive snake oil)
I shall say “great job done! Orchard Audio”.
Your works is really appreciated and I am very much satisfied.
A tiny board plus an amp, they look absolutely neat and tidy in my room.
Keep going! Will continue my tiny purchase.
PS: BTW, Blue Jeans Cable is one the excellent product, too.(no expensive snake oil) Recommanded!
Thank you.
$199 for the DAC card + $99 for the volume control you must be kidding. 
Why? Compared to what?
Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk
Not sure if this is the most expensive or 2nd most expensive rpi dac outta.
I wont spend this much on a rpi dac card let along from a small unknown company.
Even the big name Allo gets it wrong on their latest most expensive offering.
You don’t have to.
Dont worry. I dont have money to waste.