simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Sept 27, 2020 13:26:12 GMT
I'm just about to start a new project. I've just recently acquired a Topping D70 dac. Which will be replacing my Beresford Bushmaster 2 with Dorado Psu.
So with this new Dac coming I think it's time I look at upgrading from my current Squeezebox Touch which although makes a great source I know there are several better options available.
I am considering the following options and would like to know what people think. In no particular order:
1. Asus Tinker Board S - USB out With the option of adding USB reclocking better psu.
2. Pi 4 - USB out. Again reclocking Psu and better USB hats available.
3. Pi, reclocking hat (kali, Ian Canada), i2s over hdmi.
4. Same as 3 but with SPDIF or AES hat instead of i2s.
I know alot of people are using the ATB with good results, but I've never felt USB is the best solution for connecting a dac, but TBH I have no experience to back this up.
Having followed what Martin and speedysteve have done i2s looks interesting but I not read of anybody trying it with the D70?
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Post by John on Sept 27, 2020 13:50:36 GMT
You need to be careful with connecting 12s as different standards The D70 is wired up for the Gustard standard Audiophonics are pretty helpful I am sure Martin found reclocking to be better than 12s even with the USB out from the AUSUS Tinkerboard SPDIF may well be better I know many think so but if you are willing to reclock and even use grounding the results are beyond anything I could of expected even using USB I don't feel the need to push this any further
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 27, 2020 13:59:51 GMT
I'm using the Tinker S + Oehlbach reclocker + D70.
I can only say that I'm very satisfied with the resolution and musicality of this combination, but I've not tried the alternatives you mention. Like John I'm playing around with other aspects of my system and don't really feel the need to make changes to the streaming side of things beyond tweaks.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 27, 2020 14:02:10 GMT
Did your father have a listen before sending it on to you, Simon?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 27, 2020 14:02:23 GMT
ATB with USB out into a reclocker would be (and is) my choice.
I dabbled with I2S but it's quite problematic and, anyway, was beaten by the above by some margin.
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simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Sept 27, 2020 14:06:05 GMT
You pleased with the D70, Simon? Hi Jerry, I haven't received from my dad yet, but he is pretty impressed with it on the first listen. So I might be waiting a while for it to make it to Dublin 🙂 Thanks again.
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simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Sept 27, 2020 14:14:32 GMT
I'm using the Tinker S + Oehlbach reclocker + D70. I can only say that I'm very satisfied with the resolution and musicality of this combination, but I've not tried the alternatives you mention. Like John I'm playing around with other aspects of my system and don't really feel the need to make changes to the streaming side of things beyond tweaks. I do like the simplicity of the ATB+ reclocker. It's an extra box to the pi, but no messing around with getting different hat cards to work together different psu's required and finding a case. Is Volumio the only player available for The ATB?
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Post by Slinger on Sept 27, 2020 14:48:37 GMT
My setup is similar to Jules' in so much as I've got the D70 clone, and the Oehlbach. Additionally I've got a Schiit WYRD between the Oehlbach and the DAC. I think it makes a small improvement. The difference at the moment is I've swapped out the ATB for an MSI Cubi Mini PC. I'm going to switch back soon, I don't think there's any appreciable difference in SQ, and the ATB has only around 50% of the footprint. Every cm counts. FWIW I've got WireWorld Starlight 7 USB cables between the streamer and the WYRD, and the same from the WYRD to the Oehlbach. There's an AudioQuest Carbon between Oehlbach and DAC (and AudioQuest Mk1 Diamond between DAC and Amp). Decent cabling really does work in a digital chain, and it's definitely not "all just 1s and 0s"
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Post by John on Sept 27, 2020 14:52:52 GMT
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simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Sept 27, 2020 15:55:02 GMT
Looks impressive John, unfortunately not quite in my budget for this project.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 27, 2020 18:33:40 GMT
Very interesting John, are you considering one?
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 27, 2020 18:37:31 GMT
I'm using the Tinker S + Oehlbach reclocker + D70. I can only say that I'm very satisfied with the resolution and musicality of this combination, but I've not tried the alternatives you mention. Like John I'm playing around with other aspects of my system and don't really feel the need to make changes to the streaming side of things beyond tweaks. I do like the simplicity of the ATB+ reclocker. It's an extra box to the pi, but no messing around with getting different hat cards to work together different psu's required and finding a case. Is Volumio the only player available for The ATB? Setting up the ATB with reclocker was simplicity itself. I now have both units running off the same power bank which simplifies things even further. Volumio bugs me sometimes when it loses its settings randomly after updates but otherwise works well.
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simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Sept 27, 2020 19:29:20 GMT
I now have both units running off the same power bank which simplifies things even further. I still have one of the Chinese power banks Stan used to recommend for his Dac's. I wonder if that would do the job?
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Post by John on Sept 28, 2020 4:17:52 GMT
Very interesting John, are you considering one? Nope I know DSP can help a system But I do not feel the need for it
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simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Oct 15, 2020 10:25:45 GMT
So the D70 has arrived after a trial in my father's system in the UK. It's sounding very nice but think my current source a Squeezebox Touch might be limiting its performance and doesn't look like it supports the D70s USB chip set.
I've just grabbed the Oehlbach Masterclock XXL which Brian was selling. Now just the source and power supplies to sort.
So after an Asus Tinker Board S and thoughts on powering that and the Oehlbach. I was thinking about an Allo Shanti super capacitor dual output psu.
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Post by John on Oct 15, 2020 11:00:39 GMT
The shanti seems like a good choice for powering The master clock will help for sure If you want to go crazy grounding everything will pay dividends
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 15, 2020 13:29:58 GMT
Before spending more significant money I highly recommend trying a 5v 3a Powerbank to power both units. I'm completely satisfied with this arrangement.
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Post by Slinger on Oct 15, 2020 14:03:03 GMT
Before spending more significant money I highly recommend trying a 5v 3a Powerbank to power both units. I'm completely satisfied with this arrangement. +1 It's by far the most cost-effective upgrade to try first.
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simon
Rank: Duo
Posts: 71
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Post by simon on Oct 15, 2020 20:08:44 GMT
Before spending more significant money I highly recommend trying a 5v 3a Powerbank to power both units. I'm completely satisfied with this arrangement. Jules which powerbank are you using? And do you keep it permanently connected to the charger or just charge it up in between use?
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 15, 2020 20:38:24 GMT
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