Allo digione player

I have one in my system, it is really, really good.  Incredibly good for that price.  Sometimes it makes me wonder whether we are paying way too much for a level of performance that sometimes is indistinguishably, especially if you are over 60, as I am.  We just buy our toys to feel good.  Probably we can do it for a lot less money, but it won't be so much fun.

yes, feel good and ego is pertinent in this hobby.

I wonder how much of that difference is down to the ifi vs the linear PSU in the NDX.

Probably be a good idea to try a linear PSU...

MangoMonkey posted:

I wonder how much of that difference is down to the ifi vs the linear PSU in the NDX.

Probably be a good idea to try a linear PSU...

I could not find a difference using my digione.

I have only a chord mojo as DAC though.

I do not think a linear ps will be a better than a properly designed smps like that of the ifi ipower.

There is a test of different linear ps vs smps in computeraudiphile forum.

google "linear power supply vs ifi ipower test".

The ifi ipower came out tops in terms of voltage holding capability and low noise.

Thanks for this. I have been brainstorming digital source options for a USB DAC in a second system with a Mac Mini being the obvious choice. Not too sure about the idea of using iTunes remote or screen sharing as control though. The Allo Usbridge looks just the ticket! 

If I understand this correctly, the Allo transports will show up on a network as a UPNP renderer just like any other is that right? I see Lumin is recommended as the UPNP client but I imagine Synology's DS Audio would (excellent little app, very simple and immediate) work just as well? 

Can't quite figure out the intended use of the additional USB ports though. 

I also like the idea of a sneaky headphone setup using one of these with an Audioquest Dragonfly. 

I have been using a DigiOne + ifi iPower in parallel with my standard system (FitPC3 + 12V/4A TP PSU and M2Tech hiFace Evo + 9V/2A TP LPSU) since last summer. The only disadvantage that I can perceive in the DigiOne is perhaps a little bit of glare in the heights. It is a fantastic value for money. I'm wandering whether it can be powered by the Mezzanine LPSU! If one runs both upmpdcli and MinimServer on the Raspberry Pi that hosts the DigiOne, one has a complete server + renderer solution that perfectly supports (among others) classical music, Tidal and Qobuz streaming and can be controlled via wireless: makes the Core and many other so-called music server look pretty old and dumb!

Bunny Colvin posted:

Thanks for this. I have been brainstorming digital source options for a USB DAC in a second system with a Mac Mini being the obvious choice. Not too sure about the idea of using iTunes remote or screen sharing as control though. The Allo Usbridge looks just the ticket! 

If I understand this correctly, the Allo transports will show up on a network as a UPNP renderer just like any other is that right? I see Lumin is recommended as the UPNP client but I imagine Synology's DS Audio would (excellent little app, very simple and immediate) work just as well? 

Can't quite figure out the intended use of the additional USB ports though. 

I also like the idea of a sneaky headphone setup using one of these with an Audioquest Dragonfly. 

Yes Allo transport will appear as a upnp renderer in the luin app.

With the Allo, i do not see the need for a mac or windows pc.

Bunny Colvin posted:

...

If I understand this correctly, the Allo transports will show up on a network as a UPNP renderer just like any other is that right? I see Lumin is recommended as the UPNP client but I imagine Synology's DS Audio would (excellent little app, very simple and immediate) work just as well? 

...

Strictly speaking the DigiOne is a S/PDIF output for a Raspberry Pi, not a renderer. What you'll see in a control point is the renderer that runs on the Raspberry Pi hosting the DigiOne. I use upmpdcli that also supports Tidal and Qobuz streaming. Suitable control points are BubbleUPnP, Linn Kazoo, Lumin, etc. I find BubbleUPnP much better than Kazoo or Lumin but it is only available for Android. I do not know Synology's DS Audio but you so not need a NAS if you have a DigiOne. Just run MinimServer on the Pi that hosts the DigiOne.

For those interested in the Allo DigiOne, the CA Forum has a number of rather informative threads on the subject. Apart from the one in the Allo Club, there is a thread about reclocking the DigiOne with a Mutec MC-3+ USB and a few more. There were also rumors that Allo will come up with an improved version of the DigiOne some months ago, but I haven't heard anything in that direction lately.

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Interesting, thanks! With which power supply have you tried the DigiOne?

nbpf posted:

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Interesting, thanks! With which power supply have you tried the DigiOne?

Just the standard included one.... In comparison with ND5xs it was more detailed but lacked the emotives of the Naim sound.

I got a fab deal on a 272 so I sold the DigiOne on.

Singlespeed posted:

nbpf posted:

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Interesting, thanks! With which power supply have you tried the DigiOne?

Just the standard included one.... In comparison with ND5xs it was more detailed but lacked the emotives of the Naim sound.

I got a fab deal on a 272 so I sold the DigiOne on.

Thanks, have fun with the 272!

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Hi

out of interest what DAC did you output to ? The ND5 ?

Cheers Rob 

I’m just testing a Allo as well , compared to my NDX. Both output to a Hugo. So far prefer the Allo, not sure if it’s the Allo or the move from upnp to Roon RAAT. No way to test that bit. 

Overall the Roon - Allo - Hugo is better than the Upnp - NDX - Hugo. 

Mort2k posted:

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Hi

out of interest what DAC did you output to ? The ND5 ?

 

Cheers Rob 

Hi Rob

When I had ND5xs I preferred the mojo DAC to ND5 DAC

Sold ND5xs

Ran DigiOne with mojo...

Output from that was into NaitXS/HipcapDR/200DR

System then went to 272/200DR

The DigiOne into a Mojo can indeed be very Hifi. I only now and then listen to Spotify via the DigiOne since it is so clean. Hires Downloads and good CD rips are another matter. That is very nice and the transparency is really beneficial on the silky BMR's of my Ovators.

Still need to test the DigiOne + Mojo on my Nac 72 / HICAP DR / 140, but I have the feeling that it will be a very nice combination.

Singlespeed posted:

Mort2k posted:

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Hi

out of interest what DAC did you output to ? The ND5 ?

 

Cheers Rob 

Hi Rob

When I had ND5xs I preferred the mojo DAC to ND5 DAC

Sold ND5xs

Ran DigiOne with mojo...

Output from that was into NaitXS/HipcapDR/200DR

System then went to 272/200DR

I had a ND5 and moved to a NDX. The 5 was quite harsh even with an XPSDR attached. nDX was much nicer but still a bit forward and fatiguing to me. Added a Hugo to the NDX really transformed the sound, really gave that ‘just one more’ experience. 

Thats when I got thinking about how much value the NDX was adding and how basic the Naim IOS App is. Wanting to test Roon I got the DigiOne to connect to the Hugo and act as a Roon Bridge. The result... well the NDX has left the Fraim and I doubt it will come back. Don’t know how much RAAT is doing and how much is the DigiOne, but over all it’s a decent step up from the NDX>Hugo. 

Having moved from NDX/XPSDR (£7,800) to DigiOne/Hugo (£2,000 assuming new) it shows, for me, how much work Naim have to do with the new streamers. Such a price difference and the current setup is a leap ahead in sound. As for control app Roon is another level of ease and experience  

Rob

Mort2k posted:

Singlespeed posted:

Mort2k posted:

Singlespeed posted:

I Tried the DigiOne but found it more hifi & less musical than a Naim streamer....

Hi

out of interest what DAC did you output to ? The ND5 ?

 

Cheers Rob 

Hi Rob

When I had ND5xs I preferred the mojo DAC to ND5 DAC

Sold ND5xs

Ran DigiOne with mojo...

Output from that was into NaitXS/HipcapDR/200DR

System then went to 272/200DR

I had a ND5 and moved to a NDX. The 5 was quite harsh even with an XPSDR attached. nDX was much nicer but still a bit forward and fatiguing to me. Added a Hugo to the NDX really transformed the sound, really gave that ‘just one more’ experience. 

Thats when I got thinking about how much value the NDX was adding and how basic the Naim IOS App is. Wanting to test Roon I got the DigiOne to connect to the Hugo and act as a Roon Bridge. The result... well the NDX has left the Fraim and I doubt it will come back. Don’t know how much RAAT is doing and how much is the DigiOne, but over all it’s a decent step up from the NDX>Hugo. 

Having moved from NDX/XPSDR (£7,800) to DigiOne/Hugo (£2,000 assuming new) it shows, for me, how much work Naim have to do with the new streamers. Such a price difference and the current setup is a leap ahead in sound. As for control app Roon is another level of ease and experience  

Rob

Rob, how do you power the DigiOne?

I've had one for a few months powered by a Paul Hynes SR4. FWIW it sounds better than the SOtM sMS-200 with stock SMPS that I previously owned. If they come out with an improved version at a reasonable price I won't hesitate to grab one.

NBPF

right now just with the wall plug it came with. I am conisdering adding and isolator between the Allo & Pi and an external PSU but right now it’s sounds great so leaving it alone 

rob

Mort2k posted:

NBPF

right now just with the then wall plug it came with. I am conisdering adding and isolator between the Allo & Pi and an external PSU but right now it’s sounds great so leaving it alone

rob

Thanks!

Mort2k posted:

I had a ND5 and moved to a NDX. The 5 was quite harsh even with an XPSDR attached. nDX was much nicer but still a bit forward and fatiguing to me. Added a Hugo to the NDX really transformed the sound, really gave that ‘just one more’ experience. 

Thats when I got thinking about how much value the NDX was adding and how basic the Naim IOS App is. Wanting to test Roon I got the DigiOne to connect to the Hugo and act as a Roon Bridge. The result... well the NDX has left the Fraim and I doubt it will come back. Don’t know how much RAAT is doing and how much is the DigiOne, but over all it’s a decent step up from the NDX>Hugo. 

Having moved from NDX/XPSDR (£7,800) to DigiOne/Hugo (£2,000 assuming new) it shows, for me, how much work Naim have to do with the new streamers. Such a price difference and the current setup is a leap ahead in sound. As for control app Roon is another level of ease and experience  

Rob

 

My original plan was to spit the DAC & streamer components & move on the ND5. Finding myself a little like I'd gone 'down the wrong road' I borrowed a friends 272 & then I was certain I'd got it wrong... I know the 272 was a big upgrade over the NaitXS as a pre but I've always found the Naim app usable & simple & the 272 overall now seemed attractive to me. No messing with a myriad of upgrade options with SMPS vs linear supplies & digital interconnects. I'm sure that if you are prepared to invest the time & effort to find your perfect sound then the DigiOne may well be your ideal solution 

To my ears the 'Naim sound' has now returned & I've just been enjoying the music since...

cheers!

nbpf posted:

Mort2k posted:

NBPF

right now just with the then wall plug it came with. I am conisdering adding and isolator between the Allo & Pi and an external PSU but right now it’s sounds great so leaving it alone

rob

Thanks!

From allos site:

'Digione has a galvanic isolator for both power and signals. You do not need an extra isolator. As well, DigiOne has a double relocking of the S/PDIF stream (one of them taking care of metastability and the second one taking care of realigning the data). You do not need another reclocker (like Kali).'