Digital Drive

RE: What if... CD better that streaming 16/44.1?

151.205.112.119

Mel

A

In Reply to: RE: What if... CD better that streaming 16/44.1? posted by Ivan303 on December 09, 2023 at 16:36:41

Ivan,
You seem to be comparing an expensive cd player to a far less expensive rpi-hat spdif streamer. But there are far better spdif streamers, not to mention USB streamers. (Perhaps better cd payers too.)
In fact a very common sense youtube reviewer contends that the spdif output from a $219 WiiM Pro Plus can outperform the best rpi hat, and even moreso if fed with a lps. At that price I may very well experiment.

Edits: 12/10/23

Follow Ups:

And some of those 'better S/PDIF streamers'... - Ivan303 10:47:14 12/10/23 (11)
have a Raspberry Pi inside.
Don't know if you would consider the $4,250, back in 2019 when new, dCS Network Bridge as one of those 'better S/PDIF streamers', (dCS folks might) but I have one of those in a system separate from the one with the CEC TL5 transport so haven't had a chance to compare.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

Edits: 12/10/23
- RE: And some of those 'better S/PDIF streamers'... - Mel 11:14:03 12/10/23 (1)
  Unfortunately, having a Raspberry Pi inside has been used now and then as a pejorative. Every streamer has a computer-like function within. Some like SoTM create a small computer inside that does what the Raspberry Pi can do. Others, rather wisely IMO, simply use a Raspberry Pi as a cost saving device. Nothing wrong with that. They're ususally quite dependable I hear.
  
  As for dCS, are they competitive these days?
  - Who knows? - Ivan303 11:41:19 12/10/23 (0)
    They claimed at the time to have developed it to allow owners of their older DACs to stream when they started to build in steaming as a feature in some of their more expensive DACs, or so I understand.
    
    So it's pretty much the same technology as they are putting into their more recent 'streamer DACs'.
    
    24/192 over AES3 and coax
    
    24/384 over two AES3 channels if you have one of their DACs.
    
    First they came for the dumb-asses
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a dumb-ass
- Both Bryston + Boulder.......... - AbeCollins 11:04:36 12/10/23 (8)
  Bryston and Boulder have a few products that incorporate off-the-shelf Raspberry Pi boards in their very pricey streamers. The same board that hobbyists use to DIY their network streamers like the ones we have.
  - Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... - Ivan303 11:10:59 12/10/23 (7)
    'switcher' as its power supply, also hidden inside the chassis where no one could see it.
    
    Afraid to open up my dCS Network Bridge now. Who knows what's going on inside?
    
    First they came for the dumb-asses
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a dumb-ass
    - RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... - AbeCollins 19:38:14 12/10/23 (5)
      Nothing wrong with good switching power supplies unless you're old school and still living in the past. Some inmates still incorrectly equate switchers as cheap wall warts or power bricks like the ones that charge your laptop. There are crap switchers just like there are crap linear power supplies.... and the other way around. There are excellent switchers out there but they require more technical expertise to design.
      But I get your point. A mega high-end brand using a hobby DIY Raspberry Pi board as the basis of their megabuck streamer/dac AND a switching PSU no less! Kinda kills the notion that only bespoke digital circuitry and massively heavy linear power supplies are the only way to build excellent sounding audio products.
      
      Edits: 12/10/23
      - RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... - Ivan303 20:30:12 12/10/23 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... posted by AbeCollins on December 10, 2023 at 19:38:14
        
        Yeah, I got one of those too. :-)
        
        First they came for the dumb-asses
        And I did not speak out
        Because I was not a dumb-ass
        
        RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... - AbeCollins 08:57:35 12/11/23 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... posted by Ivan303 on December 10, 2023 at 20:30:12
        
        I remember those early "Fighter Jet Technology" ads for iFi wall warts. My iFi wall wart came with a lose screw rolling around inside. I wonder if that too is "Fighter Jet Tech". Not wanting to risk a short circuit I sent mine back for an exchange. The replacement didn't rattle like my first one.
        
        FOD? - Ivan303 10:12:07 12/11/23 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... posted by AbeCollins on December 11, 2023 at 08:57:35
        
        Could be.
        
        First they came for the dumb-asses
        And I did not speak out
        Because I was not a dumb-ass
        
        RE: FOD? - Todd Krieger 22:14:44 12/14/23 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: FOD? posted by Ivan303 on December 11, 2023 at 10:12:07
        
        This was a big deal in actual fighter jets, ironically..... And all other aircraft...... They say "losing a screw can cost the lives of the crew"........
        
        https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/fod (Open in New Window)
        
        Edits: 12/14/23
        
        RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... - zacster 09:30:17 12/11/23 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Recall that Boulder unit also used an off-the-shelf... posted by AbeCollins on December 11, 2023 at 08:57:35
        
        I have two iFi products and both sit in a draw unused. Was not impressed with either of them, a small DAC and the iPower.
    - OK, I feel better now... - Ivan303 11:23:33 12/10/23 (0)
      No Pi and no switching supply.
      
      First they came for the dumb-asses
      And I did not speak out
      Because I was not a dumb-ass

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