I initially stopped because the clocking architecture of the rPi did not create ideal clocks for audio sample rates and it was discovered a lot of harmonic distortion is present in those i2s rpi DAC boards. The best option was clearly a decent async USB DAC with it’s own master clock and subsequent i2s architechture.
So I tried this and found that the USB access for the DAC would battle with the Ethernet or wifi as they all share the same bus, eventually I would get terrible laggy repsonse and it would become unusable. I tried many combinations and in the end gave up.
Since then the rpi2 came out, and I also see volumio runs on a plathora of other platforms.
My question is are any of the currently available systems running volumio at optimum level via an asyn USB DAC, without any bus issues sharing LAN/DAC/Storage on the device?
I would really like to build a volumio rig again, using my own high end USB DAC, without any issues.
I.M.H.O. the best platform is x86 at the moment… with USB output, i can hear great (speaking in audiophile language ) differences between raspy and mine actual mini-pc.
Scene and focalization are improved, i use also an iPurifier2 (bought here).
Raspy needs to be reclocked to give nearly the same SQ, but then maybe it’s better to use a coaxial input to dac from allo digione.
Think Tinkerboard is also a good platform for Volumio. Sounds very good and clean. I used it with some ifi products and it works for me. It goes something like this:
Yes I’ve included things such as USB isolation, internal battery power, internal CLK etc so the DAC is similar to running through those ifi modules. x86 defeats the object for me, I want something small and SOC based and for clk/USB reasons rasp let me down. Perhaps tinker is the ultimate at the moment? Thanks!
I’m using a Gigabyte Brix, i don’t think there are better options than volumio on x86 route.
Why defeat the purpose? which is the purpose? to enjoy music at max level i think, if you enjoy with raspy it’s ok for me
I have a raspberry pi3 and on usb is surclassed by brix
On raspberry you need to use a reclocker to have the same result or an allo digione going on coaxial input on dac
I ‘think’ (but could be wrong) x86 defeats the object as I want to make a lightweight hardware device, unless x86 is as cheap as ARM to buy?
Have the new rasp pi solutions addressed the non audio suitable clock issue?
Ultimately I’d like to use an open source SoC platform where I can get reference designs, so I can design my own SOC board and then attach it to my own designed DAC.
Rasp pi looks easy to design with lots of reference material, but the old ones had unsuitable clock for i2s, and the USB bus was over crowded. So has this changed?
Tinker looks so far ideal, there is a reference schematic but that’s all. the layout files would be very helpful
x86 I’ve not looked at, I assumed it would be expensive to build or is this not true?
Beagle was good but I think I hit a brick wall with that for some reason but can’t remember.
After streaming a while via a RPI 3 I came across an Allo USB Bridge and was really astonished about the size of the difference in sound. I have never heard my Monica Dac and my AYADAC sounding soo detailed, quiet and naturally before. Better in these disciplines by a margin. Just my 2 cents.
If I wanted to design my own SoC board (always fancied doing this!), but using the same chipset as the tinker board. What would I need to do to ensure the tinker Volumio build runs on my own SoC?
Perhaps instead it would be better to create a small x86 board, because I am guessing the Volumio build is more generic on x86 and can better cope with hardware differences? Compared to rpi and tinker which may be very specific to that hardware configuration?
On second thoughts from looking those ref designs look hard to get and very involving. Perhaps I will get a bare Intel Atom SBC, and just build it into my own custom housing. Should work!?
) differences between raspy and mine actual mini-pc.