RPi + Dragonfly

I haven't heard the Dragonfly red against the black, but I used a Dragonfly red plugged into my Thinkpad and then into my Superuniti for the BBC flac trial which ended recently and it sounded really good. Open and effortless sound. The reviews of the two that I have read say that the black is very good value but the red is better quality, albeit not maybe worth twice the price. But as the Dragonfly red is only £169, it's a very cheap upgrade in the Naim context.

best

David

Interesting thread this I'm waiting for my Pi going to connect it to my Chord 2Qute, I would go for the Mojo.

I'm not sure you need to get too hung up on the number of PSUs required, although it's always nice to have less clutter. The Dragonfly is still putting a small power demand on your RPi, which might even be happier if it's relieved of that load by an external supply on a different DAC. Of course, this is all conjecture though!

David Hendon posted:

I haven't heard the Dragonfly red against the black, but I used a Dragonfly red plugged into my Thinkpad and then into my Superuniti for the BBC flac trial which ended recently and it sounded really good. Open and effortless sound. The reviews of the two that I have read say that the black is very good value but the red is better quality, albeit not maybe worth twice the price. But as the Dragonfly red is only £169, it's a very cheap upgrade in the Naim context.

best

David

I've compared the Black vs Red using my headphones. The difference from using my phone to using the Dragonfly Black was massive. The difference from Black to Red was noticable but say only 10%. Not enough for me to justify the cost considering a mobile situation and a noisy environment.

However ... this is likely to be different at home using the Supernait.

ChrisSU posted:

I'm not sure you need to get too hung up on the number of PSUs required, although it's always nice to have less clutter. The Dragonfly is still putting a small power demand on your RPi, which might even be happier if it's relieved of that load by an external supply on a different DAC. Of course, this is all conjecture though!

I started to think what is all on the same square meter. There is a TV, an XBOX, a Mac Mini, a Naim AV2, a Nait 5, a ChromeCast (TV), LAN Hub, a Supernait, a CD5i and I'm sure I forget something. I think you're right in a 'normal' environment, but the Naim stuff is setup in the TV room and shares the space with loads of other things.

ChrisSU posted:

I'm not sure you need to get too hung up on the number of PSUs required, although it's always nice to have less clutter. The Dragonfly is still putting a small power demand on your RPi, which might even be happier if it's relieved of that load by an external supply on a different DAC. Of course, this is all conjecture though!

The Dragonfly power load is really small as it's supposed to be powered from an iPhone or Android phone and used as a portable audio upgrade. I really don't think a separate power supply would be in any way necessary.

But I'm not suggesting to promote the Dragonfly red against the Chord Mojo which is a lot more expensive, but I haven't heard myself.

best

David

Maybe I just get both ...

I need a dac for the livingroom system, 1 for the office system and one for when I'm traveling. I think the DF Black should be the travel one, the Red for the livingroom and a certain Chord dac for the office which has the active ovators - very revealing and precise.

That's my kind of thinking!

enjoy

David

Ardbeg10y posted:

Hi

Based on a comment by Timo, I've hooked up my RPi with a DragonFly Black in one of the USB ports. The RPi has the iFi Linear PS. The DragonFly is connected to my Supernait by an AudioQuest Evergreen 3.5 to Phono cable. the RPi is connected to the network by cable.

I've loaded Raspotify and upmpdcli / MPD on the RPi. I can stream Spotify and all music files from my NAS now. Tidal libaries are also available, but I don't use Tidal. I use the Spotify and HI-FI Cast Apps to control things.

It is really nice to listen to. This construction is much more refined and fast than the ChromeCast Audio into the SN's optical port. Less edgy too. Since the RPi is also hardwired to the LAN, it is extremely fast. Before I've released my finger from the screen of my mobile, it has already started to play music. It feels like having a HiCap on the SN instead of running it bare. More air, depth, less noise etc ...

Now the problem starts: I want more of this! Sounds familiar, huh?

So I'm thinking to squeeze in either a Dragonfly Red or a Chord Mojo between the RPi and the SN. Of course, the Mojo is better - but my line of thinking is that the Dragonfly Red might be a better idea because I need only 2 power cables: the SN's one, and the iFi LPS to the RPi. For the Mojo, I need 3 (one for the SN, one for the RPi and one for the Mojo).

As a result of having an Active system too, I know that powercables and powersupplies can have a very negative impact on the music. So I like the idea of having as little as possible components in order to get good music.

Any thoughts on this?

I have just added an Allo DigiOne to a spare RPi running Debian stretch and MPD. The DigiOne hat with BNC SPDIF output. This is an ideal source for the Naim DAC. First tests suggets that RPi + Allo DigiOne are at least as good as my current system. This consists of a fitpc3 and of a M2Tech HiFace Evo USB->SPDIF bridge, both on linear TP power supplies.

The installation of the DigiOne is straightforward.

I will install MinimServer and upmpdcli on the RPi and see if I can replace 4 boxes with a single one. I keep my music collection on an external USB drive connected to the RPi. Thus, no need for a wired ethernet connection.

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

Hi

Based on a comment by Timo, I've hooked up my RPi with a DragonFly Black in one of the USB ports. The RPi has the iFi Linear PS. The DragonFly is connected to my Supernait by an AudioQuest Evergreen 3.5 to Phono cable. the RPi is connected to the network by cable.

I've loaded Raspotify and upmpdcli / MPD on the RPi. I can stream Spotify and all music files from my NAS now. Tidal libaries are also available, but I don't use Tidal. I use the Spotify and HI-FI Cast Apps to control things.

It is really nice to listen to. This construction is much more refined and fast than the ChromeCast Audio into the SN's optical port. Less edgy too. Since the RPi is also hardwired to the LAN, it is extremely fast. Before I've released my finger from the screen of my mobile, it has already started to play music. It feels like having a HiCap on the SN instead of running it bare. More air, depth, less noise etc ...

Now the problem starts: I want more of this! Sounds familiar, huh?

So I'm thinking to squeeze in either a Dragonfly Red or a Chord Mojo between the RPi and the SN. Of course, the Mojo is better - but my line of thinking is that the Dragonfly Red might be a better idea because I need only 2 power cables: the SN's one, and the iFi LPS to the RPi. For the Mojo, I need 3 (one for the SN, one for the RPi and one for the Mojo).

As a result of having an Active system too, I know that powercables and powersupplies can have a very negative impact on the music. So I like the idea of having as little as possible components in order to get good music.

Any thoughts on this?

I have just added an Allo DigiOne to a spare RPi running Debian stretch and MPD. The DigiOne hat with BNC SPDIF output. This is an ideal source for the Naim DAC. First tests suggets that RPi + Allo DigiOne are at least as good as my current system. This consists of a fitpc3 and of a M2Tech HiFace Evo USB->SPDIF bridge, both on linear TP power supplies.

The installation of the DigiOne is straightforward.

I will install MinimServer and upmpdcli on the RPi and see if I can replace 4 boxes with a single one. I keep my music collection on an external USB drive connected to the RPi. Thus, no need for a wired ethernet connection.

Nbpf, what does the DigiOne have over a Hifiberry? Was there a reason?

I just dipped my toe in the RPI boards and there seem to be many options. I have a dealer nearby having the  DigiOne too, so therefore my interest.

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

Hi

Based on a comment by Timo, I've hooked up my RPi with a DragonFly Black in one of the USB ports. The RPi has the iFi Linear PS. The DragonFly is connected to my Supernait by an AudioQuest Evergreen 3.5 to Phono cable. the RPi is connected to the network by cable.

I've loaded Raspotify and upmpdcli / MPD on the RPi. I can stream Spotify and all music files from my NAS now. Tidal libaries are also available, but I don't use Tidal. I use the Spotify and HI-FI Cast Apps to control things.

It is really nice to listen to. This construction is much more refined and fast than the ChromeCast Audio into the SN's optical port. Less edgy too. Since the RPi is also hardwired to the LAN, it is extremely fast. Before I've released my finger from the screen of my mobile, it has already started to play music. It feels like having a HiCap on the SN instead of running it bare. More air, depth, less noise etc ...

Now the problem starts: I want more of this! Sounds familiar, huh?

So I'm thinking to squeeze in either a Dragonfly Red or a Chord Mojo between the RPi and the SN. Of course, the Mojo is better - but my line of thinking is that the Dragonfly Red might be a better idea because I need only 2 power cables: the SN's one, and the iFi LPS to the RPi. For the Mojo, I need 3 (one for the SN, one for the RPi and one for the Mojo).

As a result of having an Active system too, I know that powercables and powersupplies can have a very negative impact on the music. So I like the idea of having as little as possible components in order to get good music.

Any thoughts on this?

I have just added an Allo DigiOne to a spare RPi running Debian stretch and MPD. The DigiOne hat with BNC SPDIF output. This is an ideal source for the Naim DAC. First tests suggets that RPi + Allo DigiOne are at least as good as my current system. This consists of a fitpc3 and of a M2Tech HiFace Evo USB->SPDIF bridge, both on linear TP power supplies.

The installation of the DigiOne is straightforward.

I will install MinimServer and upmpdcli on the RPi and see if I can replace 4 boxes with a single one. I keep my music collection on an external USB drive connected to the RPi. Thus, no need for a wired ethernet connection.

Nbpf, what does the DigiOne have over a Hifiberry? Was there a reason?

I just dipped my toe in the RPI boards and there seem to be many options. I have a dealer nearby having the  DigiOne too, so therefore my interest.

I frankly do not know what the Allo DigiOne has over the HifiBerry Digi+ pro. I had ordered a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro at the beginning of August. After a few weeks at the customs in Frankfurt and a failed delivery attempt, the device was sent back to Switzerland by DHL. HifiBerry readily sent a replacement that arrived in a few days. In the meanwhile I had ordered a DigiOne, mainly because it does not require soldering the BNC connector. There have also been some reports on CA claiming that the DigiOne betters the HifiBerry, thus I decided to give it a try. I have meanwhile installed MinimServer and upmpdcli on the RPi+DigiOne system. I cannot say whether it sounds better than my M2Tech HiFace Evo but at this point I also cannot say that it sounds worse. I'll have to do more detailed comparisons, for the moment I have switched off the M2Tech and I'm listening through the DigiOne. I have a Naim DAC and therefore I am mainly interested in renderers with a SPDIF output. For a single box solution, this more or less restricts the options to the Allo DigiOne, the HifiBerry Digi+ Pro and the Uniti Core. I am certainly not going to buy the Core because of its poor UPnP server and because I do not need a ripping station. Given that at this point there are no serious reviews of these devices, it is quite difficult to make an informed decision. Best, nbpf      

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

I frankly do not know what the Allo DigiOne has over the HifiBerry Digi+ pro. I had ordered a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro at the beginning of August. After a few weeks at the customs in Frankfurt and a failed delivery attempt, the device was sent back to Switzerland by DHL. HifiBerry readily sent a replacement that arrived in a few days. In the meanwhile I had ordered a DigiOne, mainly because it does not require soldering the BNC connector. There have also been some reports on CA claiming that the DigiOne betters the HifiBerry, thus I decided to give it a try. I have meanwhile installed MinimServer and upmpdcli on the RPi+DigiOne system. I cannot say whether it sounds better than my M2Tech HiFace Evo but at this point I also cannot say that it sounds worse. I'll have to do more detailed comparisons, for the moment I have switched off the M2Tech and I'm listening through the DigiOne. I have a Naim DAC and therefore I am mainly interested in renderers with a SPDIF output. For a single box solution, this more or less restricts the options to the Allo DigiOne, the HifiBerry Digi+ Pro and the Uniti Core. I am certainly not going to buy the Core because of its poor UPnP server and because I do not need a ripping station. Given that at this point there are no serious reviews of these devices, it is quite difficult to make an informed decision. Best, nbpf      

Thanks nbpf. I've also ordered the DigiOne now. I've been reading about it and it looks like it is the best transport to get - if one is into some tweaking.

I'm going to connect it first to my SN1 which has coax digital inputs. So using a BNC >> Coax connector between the DigiOne and the SN1 I can make it technically working. Then, I need to sort out which Dac ...

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

nbpf posted:

I frankly do not know what the Allo DigiOne has over the HifiBerry Digi+ pro. I had ordered a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro at the beginning of August. After a few weeks at the customs in Frankfurt and a failed delivery attempt, the device was sent back to Switzerland by DHL. HifiBerry readily sent a replacement that arrived in a few days. In the meanwhile I had ordered a DigiOne, mainly because it does not require soldering the BNC connector. There have also been some reports on CA claiming that the DigiOne betters the HifiBerry, thus I decided to give it a try. I have meanwhile installed MinimServer and upmpdcli on the RPi+DigiOne system. I cannot say whether it sounds better than my M2Tech HiFace Evo but at this point I also cannot say that it sounds worse. I'll have to do more detailed comparisons, for the moment I have switched off the M2Tech and I'm listening through the DigiOne. I have a Naim DAC and therefore I am mainly interested in renderers with a SPDIF output. For a single box solution, this more or less restricts the options to the Allo DigiOne, the HifiBerry Digi+ Pro and the Uniti Core. I am certainly not going to buy the Core because of its poor UPnP server and because I do not need a ripping station. Given that at this point there are no serious reviews of these devices, it is quite difficult to make an informed decision. Best, nbpf      

Thanks nbpf. I've also ordered the DigiOne now. I've been reading about it and it looks like it is the best transport to get - if one is into some tweaking.

I'm going to connect it first to my SN1 which has coax digital inputs. So using a BNC >> Coax connector between the DigiOne and the SN1 I can make it technically working. Then, I need to sort out which Dac ...

Sounds like a good plan! Do not forget to add "dtoverlay=allo-digione" to "/boot/config.txt" on the Raspberry Pi. This loads the drivers for the DigiOne. You will then see the DigiOne sound interface by doing "aplay -l". Have fun, nbpf

Connected up my HifiBerry Digi+ Pro/2Qute  today and managed to stream Tidal and also High Res via usb stick a little bit time consuming but very rewarding for someone who didn't even know what a terminal was before using it to upload Bubbleupnp.

Using Volumio and Minimserver and an app called Lumin on my iPhone it is of course not as smooth as using the Naim app and the interface feels a bit old fashioned but for the casual user it is ample.

I cannot comment on SQ at the moment as my system and rack are broken down and my amp and pre amp are sitting on top of one another straight onto the carpet so not ideal.   

Once the 300 is here and the system up and running properly I will report back on how things have progressed.

Bob the Builder posted:

Connected up my HifiBerry Digi+ Pro/2Qute  today and managed to stream Tidal and also High Res via usb stick a little bit time consuming but very rewarding for someone who didn't even know what a terminal was before using it to upload Bubbleupnp.

Using Volumio and Minimserver and an app called Lumin on my iPhone it is of course not as smooth as using the Naim app and the interface feels a bit old fashioned but for the casual user it is ample.

I cannot comment on SQ at the moment as my system and rack are broken down and my amp and pre amp are sitting on top of one another straight onto the carpet so not ideal.   

Once the 300 is here and the system up and running properly I will report back on how things have progressed.

I'm looking forward your report! Perhaps you can post your findings on the FifiBerry Digi+ Pro on https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...gione-and-spdif-dacs.

As an alternative to Lumin, you can also try Linn's Kinsky on iOS. It looks better than Lumin, in my view. The most responsive UPnP control point is probably BubbleUPnP. It is only available for Android, unfortunately. I assume that Volumio runs MPD in the background. In this case you should also be able to control MPD directly with any MPD client. Often it is easier for me to reach to my laptop instead of picking up my mobile phone or tablet computer. In these cases, I tend to control MPD via ncmpcpp, a very nice text based MPD client. But there are MPD clients for virtually all platforms, of course.

Bob the Builder posted:

Connected up my HifiBerry Digi+ Pro/2Qute  today and managed to stream Tidal and also High Res via usb stick a little bit time consuming but very rewarding for someone who didn't even know what a terminal was before using it to upload Bubbleupnp.

Using Volumio and Minimserver and an app called Lumin on my iPhone it is of course not as smooth as using the Naim app and the interface feels a bit old fashioned but for the casual user it is ample.

I cannot comment on SQ at the moment as my system and rack are broken down and my amp and pre amp are sitting on top of one another straight onto the carpet so not ideal.   

Once the 300 is here and the system up and running properly I will report back on how things have progressed.

Maybe you already did, but I liked the RPI setup much more having the RPi connected usint an utp cable. Much snappier / quick.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Connected up my HifiBerry Digi+ Pro/2Qute  today and managed to stream Tidal and also High Res via usb stick a little bit time consuming but very rewarding for someone who didn't even know what a terminal was before using it to upload Bubbleupnp.

Using Volumio and Minimserver and an app called Lumin on my iPhone it is of course not as smooth as using the Naim app and the interface feels a bit old fashioned but for the casual user it is ample.

I cannot comment on SQ at the moment as my system and rack are broken down and my amp and pre amp are sitting on top of one another straight onto the carpet so not ideal.   

Once the 300 is here and the system up and running properly I will report back on how things have progressed.

Maybe you already did, but I liked the RPI setup much more having the RPi connected usint an utp cable. Much snappier / quick.

Hi, could you elaborate a little bit on your findings? You prefer the RPi connected via utp to ... to the RPi connected via SPDIF (BNC, Coaxial?) to the SN1? Thanks, nbpf

.... it is here the connection from the local network to the RPi. Using wifi, it seems to take longer before the music starts compared to using a wire.

Currently I still have Synology NAS >> network - utp >> RPi >> Dragonfly Black (usb) >> Audioquest 3.5 to Phono >> Naim AV2 >> etc ... (my office setup)

Next week, I'll have Synology NAS >> network - utp >> RPi + Allo DigiOne >> BNC to Coax >> Supernait 1.

Then, I'll start my search for a Dac.

Regarding the Dac, I like the nDac for its functionality and amount of connections and to be able to front-load an USB stick or connect my wifes iPhone, but my wife is complaining a bit about the black boxes. I can 'hide' a Mojo / Hugo / RPi DragonFly, but hiding Naim boxes is a bit more difficult.

Later on, I need a decent Pre-Amp and that means in Naim world 2 full size boxes. Need to have the space and permission for that.

Ardbeg10y posted:

.... it is here the connection from the local network to the RPi. Using wifi, it seems to take longer before the music starts compared to using a wire.

Currently I still have Synology NAS >> network - utp >> RPi >> Dragonfly Black (usb) >> Audioquest 3.5 to Phono >> Naim AV2 >> etc ... (my office setup)

Next week, I'll have Synology NAS >> network - utp >> RPi + Allo DigiOne >> BNC to Coax >> Supernait 1.

Then, I'll start my search for a Dac.

Regarding the Dac, I like the nDac for its functionality and amount of connections and to be able to front-load an USB stick or connect my wifes iPhone, but my wife is complaining a bit about the black boxes. I can 'hide' a Mojo / Hugo / RPi DragonFly, but hiding Naim boxes is a bit more difficult.

Later on, I need a decent Pre-Amp and that means in Naim world 2 full size boxes. Need to have the space and permission for that.

I understand, thanks for the clarification! Thus, you are deploying the RPi as an Ethernet -> SPDIF bridge. Nothing wrong with the setup but you could also consider running a UPnP server on the RPi itself and having your music on an external HDD or SSD directly connected to the RPi via USB. This would eliminate any delay and any data transfer over the LAN at replay time. Of course, this solution mostly makes sense in a single-room context but you could still have a UPnP server running on the NAS for multi-room streaming. Anyway, I am looking forward to hear what you think about the DigiOne! Best, nbpf