Post by alp on Nov 4, 2019 21:09:14 GMT
After reading several reviews saying the RPI4 would be noisier than the RPI3 because of the higher clock speed and the Gigabit Ethernet, not to mention that it runs hot, I was skeptical about its abilities as a music streamer, even though the USB and Ethernet are now finally separated. However, inspired by the work done by Martin and co with the Asus Tinkerboard and USB but happy with piCorePlayer I thought I'd give it a go. I ordered a 4GB version and an aluminium case, which is really more like a wraparound heat sink which gives a nice compact package about the size of a deck of cards. I connected it to my Caiman SEG using a "NEO by Oyaide" D+ USB cable and it is powered by a large 50,000 MaH LiIon battery. My reference set-up is likewise battery powered - a RPI3B+ with an Allo Digione feeding SPDIF via coax the SEG with a one flash setting. In both cases, they are connected to a range extender via an Ethernet cable and then via WiFi to LMS that runs on a separate NAS.
I should mention that I used piCorePlayer 6.0. beta 6 Audio version that supports a 64-bit kernel for the RPI4, which seems to work very well, so kudos to them.
Out of the box and a bit of tweaking piCorePlayer to underclock it as I have the RPI3B+, it sounded surprisingly good, if not quite on par with the DigiOne. The RPI4 runs relatively cool (46C compared to some people reporting 70C+ but as well as underclocking I have turned the HDMI off and set the USB to low-current - as its not powering anything). Adding an iFi iSilencer 3.0 between the RPI4 and the USB cable had some good and some less good effects. The sound became clearer and, compared to the RPI3+ DigiOne, punchier, the bass deeper, and more well defined and the mid-range is likewise better defined. The sound stage is noticeably wider. However, the higher treble became rather subdued and some of the fine detail seemed to be struggling to get out. I swapped my Sommer Carbokab interconnects to a "brighter" set of Van Damme cables which made no difference, whereas with the DigiOne the sound is too bright for my liking with the Van Damme cables. The one flash setting on the SEG seemed to still give the best sound. I have not yet noticed any "burn-in" effect.
I am not sure where I will go next. The sound is certainly, on balance, on par with the Allo DigiOne, albeit with a different character. Price wise it is comparable but, without the DigiOne HAT, it is a much more compact package. I am please that the RPI4 runs happily from my battery (2A output at 5V) and only drops by about 25% after playing all day. A USB reclocker might improve the treble (or not). Similarly, an expensive USB cable like the AudioQuest Carbon USB might also make a difference. But once I start totting all these up, the cost begins to exceed the cost of the SEG. Another route is to stick with the SPDIF and simply get the SEG further upgraded or look at a new DAC such as the Topping D70 or, or, or...
I should mention that I used piCorePlayer 6.0. beta 6 Audio version that supports a 64-bit kernel for the RPI4, which seems to work very well, so kudos to them.
Out of the box and a bit of tweaking piCorePlayer to underclock it as I have the RPI3B+, it sounded surprisingly good, if not quite on par with the DigiOne. The RPI4 runs relatively cool (46C compared to some people reporting 70C+ but as well as underclocking I have turned the HDMI off and set the USB to low-current - as its not powering anything). Adding an iFi iSilencer 3.0 between the RPI4 and the USB cable had some good and some less good effects. The sound became clearer and, compared to the RPI3+ DigiOne, punchier, the bass deeper, and more well defined and the mid-range is likewise better defined. The sound stage is noticeably wider. However, the higher treble became rather subdued and some of the fine detail seemed to be struggling to get out. I swapped my Sommer Carbokab interconnects to a "brighter" set of Van Damme cables which made no difference, whereas with the DigiOne the sound is too bright for my liking with the Van Damme cables. The one flash setting on the SEG seemed to still give the best sound. I have not yet noticed any "burn-in" effect.
I am not sure where I will go next. The sound is certainly, on balance, on par with the Allo DigiOne, albeit with a different character. Price wise it is comparable but, without the DigiOne HAT, it is a much more compact package. I am please that the RPI4 runs happily from my battery (2A output at 5V) and only drops by about 25% after playing all day. A USB reclocker might improve the treble (or not). Similarly, an expensive USB cable like the AudioQuest Carbon USB might also make a difference. But once I start totting all these up, the cost begins to exceed the cost of the SEG. Another route is to stick with the SPDIF and simply get the SEG further upgraded or look at a new DAC such as the Topping D70 or, or, or...
