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Post by MartinT on Dec 26, 2014 22:32:04 GMT
Yup, I'm using the HiFiBerry case, too.
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Post by John on Dec 27, 2014 7:24:31 GMT
Looking forward to reading your findings
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 27, 2014 9:04:57 GMT
I'm looking forward to finding my findings, John!
The plan is not to be converting CDs to files, I only intend to be using this for things like Spotify etc and any files I might acquire. So far, when I have wanted to do this, it has meant a temporary connection from a laptop and that is so much of an inconvenience that I never bother.
I will be using the DAC of my Accuphase DP67, as that has both coax and optical inputs.
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Post by John on Dec 27, 2014 14:17:33 GMT
Due to your CD inputs you have a nice solution to get you streaming
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Post by Stratmangler on Dec 27, 2014 14:48:51 GMT
Nice to see that Accuphase provided some small degree of future proofing with the DAC section - the technical bumph says it will play material up 24/96 resolution.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 27, 2014 21:39:48 GMT
It's a great machine and has done me proud for a good few years now.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 28, 2014 22:58:05 GMT
For the last few days, I've been in the bottom right corner visiting family in Sussex. Back up the road tomorrow though. Am I looking forward to the drive? Ahem........NO!
An interesting few days to come though: - Goldring G99 to play with and optimise. - Peripheral Raspberry Pi bits and pieces due to arrive courtesy Amazon Prime next day delivery on Tuesday morning. Enough to get me going via USB into one of the Beresford 7520s that I own. I'll be ordering the Digi+ in a couple of weeks as I want to get to grips with the basic set up first. - Another week off work!
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Post by MartinT on Dec 28, 2014 23:30:32 GMT
Lucky you.
Drive safely and enjoy playing with your bits!
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 28, 2014 23:37:52 GMT
I will, but not at the same time!
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 8, 2015 22:43:46 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Feb 10, 2015 8:37:02 GMT
Looks great, Chris. Are you happy with it now? How does it compare with the Gyro?
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Post by ChrisB on Feb 10, 2015 19:43:56 GMT
I'm not 100% happy with it yet Martin. I think I can have it sounding better than it does at the moment. There are still some things to do a little work on yet. Still some feet options to try, then I'm going to address the drive train and motor. It's just a case of ensuring that the geometry is properly set up. There's a little rewiring to do and finally, I'm going to treat myself to a heavy duty bearing.
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Post by John on Feb 10, 2015 20:17:52 GMT
The bearing is nice upgrade
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 20, 2015 19:13:11 GMT
Time for a quick summary of the activity in the system since the New Year. I wanted a means to push towards the limit of the potential of Spotify - an addition to all of my other sources and not a replacement of anything. Having the ability to play the odd hi-res file that may come my way is fortunate side affect of the route I've taken. And so, the Raspberry Pi arrived and I took a phased approach to installing it, getting to know its traits and enjoying each improvement as it happened.
The set up as it stands today is:
Raspberry Pi B+ Hifi Berry Digi+ Hifi Berry case Volumio software EC Technology 18000mAh Dual-Port Power Bank external battery charger as power supply The Pi is wired to the broadband router and the software is controlled by wi-fi via a laptop or tablet, depending on what's handy at the time.
The steps that I went through into arrive at the current set up:
1. Wall wart mains power > Pi > USB output > Beresford TC-7520 DAC 2. EC Technology battery supply > Pi > USB output > Beresford TC-7520 DAC 3. EC Technology battery supply > Pi > Hifi Berry Digi+ > Coax output > Beresford TC-7520 DAC 4. EC Technology battery supply > Pi > Hifi Berry Digi+ > Coax and optical outputs compared > Accuphase DP-67 DAC The battery power supply was a significant improvement but making the switch from the Beresford TC-7520 DAC to the DP-67 was the biggest jump yet. I compared the coax and optical outputs of the Digi+ and, within the context of the cables that were available to me, there was a clear preference for the coax output into the DAC of my Accphase DP-67. Spotify now sounds excellent (given its inherent limitations) and the total outlay for the whole thing is about £100, so a complete bargain for the quality of sound that is available. Very pleased!
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 20, 2015 19:28:51 GMT
And a summary of the main set up as I'm listening to it today:
Sources: Michell Gyrodec / Gyro HR psu / Zeta / Koetsu Black / Bent Audio Mu step up transformers Goldring G99 with high mass plywood plinth / Zeta / Koetsu Black / LFD MC1 phono stage Accuphase DP-67 CD player Raspberry Pi / Accuphase DP-67 DAC Accuphase T-101 tuner Akai GX620 reel to reel deck
Pre-amplification: Audio Research SP8 pre-amplifier (Goldring/LFD plumbed into a line level input and the Gyro/Bent Audio into the SP8 valve phono stage)
Power Amplification: Mark Levinson ML 9 power amplifier (bass) Mark Levinson ML11 power amplifier (mid/treble)
Loudspeakers: Mirage M3si
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Post by MartinT on Mar 20, 2015 21:09:49 GMT
Nice system summaries, Chris. I'm very pleased that you have your Pi-based streamer working well. To those who won't give Spotify listening space, I would urge them to try a solution like this. As you say, Spotify isn't a replacement for anything, but it greatly enhances your ability to browse through the biggest library of music you could ever have, finding more and more gems to buy.
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Post by John on Mar 21, 2015 16:58:05 GMT
Yes for me that is what Spotify is good for finding new music. When you get Spotify set up right the SQ is seriously good too.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 22, 2015 11:02:44 GMT
Still find a lot of albums I search for just ain't on S.Potty
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 24, 2015 20:51:19 GMT
I was doing a favour for a member today, which meant having to remove one of the bolts that attach the arm base to the armboard of the G99. When I replaced it, I thought I'd just check the others. Well, shit-me-britches if they weren't all loose! Nipped 'em up a bit and I'm now savouring a big improvement. How the hell did I let that happen? Lesson learnt!
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Post by MartinT on Mar 24, 2015 22:30:34 GMT
Always worth going around all the speaker driver bolts too, while you're at it.
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