Naim Uniti Core, HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro, Allo DigiOne and SPDIF DACs

Singlespeed posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

Naim Streamer / Dac vs RPiDigiOne + Mojo: I have the Mojo also in usage and I think that what you / I hear is the Mojo. The Mojo has a very polished / polite sound.  I start to think that the RPi / DigiOne + nDac is a better option for me: the nDac has guts but is not too refined.

According to your profile, you use the Nait XS which is also known for its refined character - don't know but echo others here. Maybe polished + polite + refined etc ... is not your taste. It is not mine anyhow.

I wouldn't characterize the Mojo as 'polite'? More 'exuberant' to my ears  When it was connected to the ND5 it sounded more animated & alive if that makes sense....?

You are right. Chosen wrong word. I intended more the direction of 'smooth'.

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

I took off the power of my house to install some new lighting. I noticed that my original RPi + Dragonfly Black does start correctly when the power is back, but that the DigiOne needs some 'special attention' to be able to start again.

What kind of "special attention" does the RPi + DigiOne need? My understanding is that earlier DigiOne models have a grounding problem that makes the interface freeze if the BNC (Coax) connector is disconnected. Rebooting the RPi + DigiOne completely solves the problem. The grounding problem apparently has no impact on sound quality (in fact, eliminating the problem seem to require adding some noise to the DigiOne's output) but can be very annoying when testing and comparing the DigiOne against other devices.

Having bought a new sd card and installed the latest version of Raspbian / MPD / Upmpdcli on it, I can confirm that I have precisely this problem too. Don't know what to do now.

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

I took off the power of my house to install some new lighting. I noticed that my original RPi + Dragonfly Black does start correctly when the power is back, but that the DigiOne needs some 'special attention' to be able to start again.

What kind of "special attention" does the RPi + DigiOne need? My understanding is that earlier DigiOne models have a grounding problem that makes the interface freeze if the BNC (Coax) connector is disconnected. Rebooting the RPi + DigiOne completely solves the problem. The grounding problem apparently has no impact on sound quality (in fact, eliminating the problem seem to require adding some noise to the DigiOne's output) but can be very annoying when testing and comparing the DigiOne against other devices.

Having bought a new sd card and installed the latest version of Raspbian / MPD / Upmpdcli on it, I can confirm that I have precisely this problem too. Don't know what to do now.

If you google "DigiOne Volumio Forum replacement", the first entry should be a link to the Volumio forum where Allo offer a replacement for the units affected by the grounding problem. On the same thread, they have also posted instructions on how to modify the board if one wishes to fix the problem without sending back the unit. I have sent back my device one week ago and today I have received a mail with the tracking number of the replacement they sent. Allo are very responsive and so far I am very pleased with their service. I will try the DigiOne replacement and post my findings in this thread.

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

I took off the power of my house to install some new lighting. I noticed that my original RPi + Dragonfly Black does start correctly when the power is back, but that the DigiOne needs some 'special attention' to be able to start again.

What kind of "special attention" does the RPi + DigiOne need? My understanding is that earlier DigiOne models have a grounding problem that makes the interface freeze if the BNC (Coax) connector is disconnected. Rebooting the RPi + DigiOne completely solves the problem. The grounding problem apparently has no impact on sound quality (in fact, eliminating the problem seem to require adding some noise to the DigiOne's output) but can be very annoying when testing and comparing the DigiOne against other devices.

Having bought a new sd card and installed the latest version of Raspbian / MPD / Upmpdcli on it, I can confirm that I have precisely this problem too. Don't know what to do now.

If you google "DigiOne Volumio Forum replacement", the first entry should be a link to the Volumio forum where Allo offer a replacement for the units affected by the grounding problem. On the same thread, they have also posted instructions on how to modify the board if one wishes to fix the problem without sending back the unit. I have sent back my device one week ago and today I have received a mail with the tracking number of the replacement they sent. Allo are very responsive and so far I am very pleased with their service. I will try the DigiOne replacement and post my findings in this thread.

Thanks, NBPF. I've read the Volumio forum and it relates exactly to the behaviour my DigiOne has. My RPI+ Dragonfly is rocksolid, and the RPI + DigiOne is instable.

When it is working, it works cool and I like it. Now the stability :-)

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

I took off the power of my house to install some new lighting. I noticed that my original RPi + Dragonfly Black does start correctly when the power is back, but that the DigiOne needs some 'special attention' to be able to start again.

What kind of "special attention" does the RPi + DigiOne need? My understanding is that earlier DigiOne models have a grounding problem that makes the interface freeze if the BNC (Coax) connector is disconnected. Rebooting the RPi + DigiOne completely solves the problem. The grounding problem apparently has no impact on sound quality (in fact, eliminating the problem seem to require adding some noise to the DigiOne's output) but can be very annoying when testing and comparing the DigiOne against other devices.

Having bought a new sd card and installed the latest version of Raspbian / MPD / Upmpdcli on it, I can confirm that I have precisely this problem too. Don't know what to do now.

If you google "DigiOne Volumio Forum replacement", the first entry should be a link to the Volumio forum where Allo offer a replacement for the units affected by the grounding problem. On the same thread, they have also posted instructions on how to modify the board if one wishes to fix the problem without sending back the unit. I have sent back my device one week ago and today I have received a mail with the tracking number of the replacement they sent. Allo are very responsive and so far I am very pleased with their service. I will try the DigiOne replacement and post my findings in this thread.

Thanks, NBPF. I've read the Volumio forum and it relates exactly to the behaviour my DigiOne has. My RPI+ Dragonfly is rocksolid, and the RPI + DigiOne is instable.

When it is working, it works cool and I like it. Now the stability :-)

I only had problems when disconnecting the BNC or Coax connector. Otherwise, the DigiOne was operating very reliably. It was a bugger when testing but otherwise I would not have needed to send it back. I decided to do so in the hope that solving the grounding problem would perhaps improve the playback on high notes which I found rather harsh in comparison to the HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro and to my current setup.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Your feedback is appreciated, NBPF.

I have received the DigiOne replacement yesterday. I have also ordered a Mutec MC-3+ USB which has arrived today. I should be able to post my findings in the next couple of days. Best, nbpf

Thanks, NBPF. I have a stable DigiOne by the way.

DigiOne streamer into Chord Mojo into SN1.

Works perfect, without a glitch (until I remove the BNC cable).

Spotify and local streaming from the NAS.

Ardbeg10y posted:

DigiOne streamer into Chord Mojo into SN1.

Works perfect, without a glitch (until I remove the BNC cable).

Spotify and local streaming from the NAS.

After letting my DigiOne settle in for a while I've done some more critical listening tests. Have to say I'm less than impressed with the sound so far. There is more detail & the bass is good but it sounds a bit hollow with what sounds like a bit of distortion in the signal!? I've tried contacting Allo but have had ZERO response from them so far  Beginning to regret parting with the ND5XS at the moment as it's not a patch on that source to these ears.

@Ardbeg10y - what are your feelings on the sound you are getting from yours as we have similar setups??

cheers

Singlespeed posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

DigiOne streamer into Chord Mojo into SN1.

Works perfect, without a glitch (until I remove the BNC cable).

Spotify and local streaming from the NAS.

After letting my DigiOne settle in for a while I've done some more critical listening tests. Have to say I'm less than impressed with the sound so far. There is more detail & the bass is good but it sounds a bit hollow with what sounds like a bit of distortion in the signal!? I've tried contacting Allo but have had ZERO response from them so far  Beginning to regret parting with the ND5XS at the moment as it's not a patch on that source to these ears.

@Ardbeg10y - what are your feelings on the sound you are getting from yours as we have similar setups??

cheers

Have you created a support ticket, or send an email to someone directly?

Regarding sound quality: I'm happy with it, but my setup is not too refined. I have a clear week point in my BW CM1 speakers. The only drawback is that the Mojo turns off automatically since the power is not sufficient (fed by the usb-out of the RPI - need a Y cable to overcome this).

Ardbeg10y posted:

Singlespeed posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

DigiOne streamer into Chord Mojo into SN1.

Works perfect, without a glitch (until I remove the BNC cable).

Spotify and local streaming from the NAS.

After letting my DigiOne settle in for a while I've done some more critical listening tests. Have to say I'm less than impressed with the sound so far. There is more detail & the bass is good but it sounds a bit hollow with what sounds like a bit of distortion in the signal!? I've tried contacting Allo but have had ZERO response from them so far  Beginning to regret parting with the ND5XS at the moment as it's not a patch on that source to these ears.

@Ardbeg10y - what are your feelings on the sound you are getting from yours as we have similar setups??

cheers

Have you created a support ticket, or send an email to someone directly?

Regarding sound quality: I'm happy with it, but my setup is not too refined. I have a clear week point in my BW CM1 speakers. The only drawback is that the Mojo turns off automatically since the power is not sufficient (fed by the usb-out of the RPI - need a Y cable to overcome this).

FINALLY got a response from them today. will see what they can sort for me...

Hi NBPF, any luck yet? Or was Rudolf too busy delivering Cmas presents?

My DigiOne has been stable the last 2 weeks - as long as the BNC was not disconnected.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Hi NBPF, any luck yet? Or was Rudolf too busy delivering Cmas presents?

My DigiOne has been stable the last 2 weeks - as long as the BNC was not disconnected.

I am trying not to do too many things at the same time. I have my USB to SPDIF interface (M2Tech hiFace Evo + TP PSU) connected in parallel (same USB cable, same SPDIF cable) with the Mutec MC-3+ USB to the FitPC3 server and to the Naim DAC since about one week. Since this evening I also have a Schiit Eitr between the FitPC3 and the DAC, albeit with different cables. Schematically:

FitPC3 > Supra USB      > M2Tech > DC1          > nDAC

FitPC3 > Supra USB      > Mutec    > DC1          > nDAC

FitPC3 > no-name USB > Schiit     > Supra Coax > nDAC

Once I get a clear(er) understanding of how the Mutec and the Schiit perform in comparison with the M2Tech, I will try to bring the DigiOne replacement into the picture. For the time being, my impressions are that the Mutec and the Schiit are brighter than the M2Tech and perhaps more transparent. The differences between the Mutec and the Schiit are anyway smaller (but still perceivable) than the differences between the M2Tech and the Mutec or between the M2Tech and the Schiit. I am not sure whether the Mutec and the Schiit sound better, but they sound different. A soon as I come up with more conclusive results, I will report.