Hi all
I wanted to ask what is currently the best value to results path.
I’ve decided to try out Volumio and probably build a new player. I don’t currently have a decent DAC at all yet. I do have Kodi (Openelec) running on a separate device Xtreamer device and I have a spare CuBox-i4Pro with faulty ethernet but WiFi works fine and would be fast enough for audio only and I have a few rpi’s around too.
I was thinking that its looking like a rpi with the Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023 TCXO discussed https://volumio.org/forum/audiophonics-i2s-dac-sabre-es9023-two-types-t3095.html but the thread seems inconclusive so far.
So if you were starting from scratch and had a budget of say $250 to build a DAC worth having where would you start?
Thanks
Hi there,
here’s what I have tested so far:
RPi B with HifiBerry - excellent sound quality, very easy to set up and natively supported by Volumio (simply set audio device to HifiBerry) - only thing here is that you have to solder an 8-pin header to the P5 connector on the RPi (no big deal though)
RPi B+ & 2B with HifiBerry+ - same results as for the normal HifiBerry, only difference here is that Volumio runs smoother because of the newer RPi model and you don’t have to solder anything.
RPi B+ & 2B with HifiBerry Amp+ - amplifier integrated, sou you can connect your speakers directly to the HifiBerry. If using a decent power supply (I am using 18V 3A from an old printer), sound quality is really impressive for such a small thing. Again very easy to run with Volumio, drviers included. A little more expensive that the DAC only solutions from HifiBerry, but depending on your needs, this could be a all-in-one solution.
Audiophonics DAC Sabre ES9023 I2S (works with all RPi models): again excellent sound quality, personal impression is that it sounds even a bit more dynamic and powerful than the HifiBerrys. Really cheap compared to the HifiBerrys, I would say you cannot get much more for just $20.
If you want to use your CuBox, a decent USB DAC might be interesting. I’ve ordered this one via Indiegogo: indiegogo.com/projects/zupe … e-anywhere - specs sound really good, but I haven’t received it yet, so I cannot say anything on the sound quality. But there are lots of other affordable USB DACs, check out the Behringer U-Controls for example.
I don’t think you have to spend $250,- to get a proper streaming device, especially if you already own the SBC. If I had that amount to spend, it would probably result in an additional amp and maybe even speakers…
Hope this helps a bit.
Cheers,
Lars
Thanks Lars
That’s great info. Just from reading more threads with a lean toward rpi i2c I like the look and apparent build quality of these dacs.
audiophonics.fr/en/kits-modu … -9978.html
collybia.com/product/mamboberry-dac/#reviews
kickstarter.com/projects/46 … ts/1136320
Any feedback from those that have heard them, or other recommendations.