Suggestions on upgrading to a new and better streamer...

chops

chops

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For the past couple of years now, I have been running a Bluesound Node 2 (not the 2i). For about a year, I was running the coax out to a PS Audio Gain Cell DAC. I have since sold the PS Audio gear and have moved on to all Schiit gear. The Node 2 has been running flawless the entire time.


I just ordered a Schiit Bifrost 2 a couple days ago and it will be here tomorrow. I want to be able to utilize the "Unison" USB input on it as it's supposed to be better. I also have a Wyred4Sound Recovery USB Reclocker that I would like to use again, or at least see if makes any difference. I have a 12v ifi Audio iPower power supply with it. I also have two Wireworld USB cables to use with it.


I recently starting running Roon and love it. I have a NAS with 6TB of storage (about one third used so far), two WD My Passport Ultra 4TB backup drives, Tidal and Qobuz.


Looking to spend no more than about $600 all in, I've been doing a little research and have been eye-balling the Allo USBridge Signature with DigiOne and DietPi+Allo UI.




38226aa17b44c2f79d17ff281e61d111f334232c_2_690x433.jpeg





I don't want purchase their cheap PS nor do I want to purchase their pricey Shanti PS as I've read that they can have noise issues. I'll just purchase another ifi iPower (5v) which includes a mini-USB connector.


I'm thinking this will be a decent, cost effective (bang for the buck) upgrade from the Node 2. What do you guys think? Good move in the right direction?


Many thanks in advance!
 
I once built a streamer using a Raspberry Pi (running DietPi) and a HAT (HiFi Berry Digi Pro). It cost less than $100.
I also had a much more expensive Logitech Transporter that I could use as a streamer as well.
They were both connected to the same DAC (I was using Roon btw).
Quite frankly I could not tell a difference between the two when using the same DAC and the same resolution.

Some companies put Raspberry Pi computers in a fancy enclosure and you pay over a grand for a streamer that streams no better than one that you can build for $100.

As I see it, if two streamers are passing bit perfect data to your DAC, the sound is determined by the DAC.

I am not sure the resolution of your Bluesound device. But you can get Hi-Rez output using a RPi.
 
Well I'm not concerned on getting better sound or higher resolution out of a different streamer as much as I am being able to utilize the Unison USB input on the DAC which is reported as being the most "analog" sounding. The DAC is only capable of 24/192 which is more than fine with me. It does no upsampling or anything like that either, which to me is a good thing, not to mention, but if I wanted to, I could do all of the upsampling through Roon to 24/192 anyway.

I'm just looking to get the best "analog" sound possible out of this DAC. And I have to say, with just a little over 24 hours on it so far, it's sounding pretty darn good via the standard coax input. Definitely much better than the analog out on the Node 2. Then again, I'm also using the balanced outputs on the DAC as well, which I'm sure helps.

And back to subject of your post, all I really want is a reputable, solid performing unit that operates via Roon (preferably wireless), handles Tidal and Qobuz, is quiet and has a USB output.
 
chops said:
....
And back to subject of your post, all I really want is a reputable, solid performing unit that operates via Roon (preferably wireless), handles Tidal and Qobuz, is quiet and has a USB output.
Click to expand...

You can direct-connect Roon to Tidal and Qobuz. That means that regardless of which Roon Endpoint you pick, you will be able to listen to Tidal and Qobuz when using Roon.
 
chops said:
For the past couple of years now, I have been running a Bluesound Node 2 (not the 2i). For about a year, I was running the coax out to a PS Audio Gain Cell DAC. I have since sold the PS Audio gear and have moved on to all Schiit gear. The Node 2 has been running flawless the entire time.


I just ordered a Schiit Bifrost 2 a couple days ago and it will be here tomorrow. I want to be able to utilize the "Unison" USB input on it as it's supposed to be better. I also have a Wyred4Sound Recovery USB Reclocker that I would like to use again, or at least see if makes any difference. I have a 12v ifi Audio iPower power supply with it. I also have two Wireworld USB cables to use with it.


I recently starting running Roon and love it. I have a NAS with 6TB of storage (about one third used so far), two WD My Passport Ultra 4TB backup drives, Tidal and Qobuz.


Looking to spend no more than about $600 all in, I've been doing a little research and have been eye-balling the Allo USBridge Signature with DigiOne and DietPi+Allo UI.




38226aa17b44c2f79d17ff281e61d111f334232c_2_690x433.jpeg





I don't want purchase their cheap PS nor do I want to purchase their pricey Shanti PS as I've read that they can have noise issues. I'll just purchase another ifi iPower (5v) which includes a mini-USB connector.


I'm thinking this will be a decent, cost effective (bang for the buck) upgrade from the Node 2. What do you guys think? Good move in the right direction?


Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


i reviewed the Allo digione signature with shanti and ask away if I can help

https://www.13thnote.net/2019/11/06/a-film-about-the-allo-digione-signature-streamer/

my advice though would probably be to keep the node2 and change dac, depending on the rest of your gear. Most of the time it adds the most profound difference in HiFi. I think changing to a similarish streamer will not warrant enough of an upgrade to make the budget do the most.

I tried the bitfrost dac in a jotunheim and it was pretty good. Not nearly as good as a rme dac like the Adi2 or Qutest from Chord. Keep your money or add another 400 dollars and do a more worthwhile upgrade would be my honest advice.
 
13th Note HiFi Reviews said:
I tried the bitfrost dac in a jotunheim and it was pretty good. Not nearly as good as a rme dac like the Adi2 or Qutest from Chord. Keep your money or add another 400 dollars and do a more worthwhile upgrade would be my honest advice.
Click to expand...

You do realize that I had already ordered the Bifrost a couple of days before starting this thread, right?

Yes, no matter what you buy, there's always going to be something better out there. I'm not worried about that. I've had the Bifrost 2 in my system now for over a month and love it. It was a huge improvement in the built-in DAC in the Node 2.

And now, just a few days ago, I swapped out the Node 2 for a brand new Raspberry Pi 4, installed RoPieeeXL on it and crammed it into a sweet all aluminum Flirc case. Running this tiny beauty through my Wyred 4 Sound Recovery and into the Unison USB on the Bifrost ended up in an even larger improvement than the Node 2 into the coax input on the same DAC. So yes, streamers DO make a difference. Then again, going with an entirely different input also helps in that improvement.

And of course, this Pi 4 is rock solid. It's been playing constantly since the way I got it up and running without a single glitch. It just keeps playing and playing. And the funny thing is, the 6 inch long Wireworld Ultraviolet USB costs as much as the Pi 4 board! LOL

No sir, no complaints here at all.

p3861796559-5.jpg
 
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