Streamers: Under to ~$1k

[CT007]

@Rhodey

I say the PC does decent because other than the more in focused image and some better depth, it’s not awful. Maybe I’ll feel different the more time I spend with the red.

Yikes… I’m gonna order my Holo Red(instead of the Legendarily not-available-anymore Pi2AES) tomorrow or so, and I guess see if I hear much of a difference with my much more basic level current equipment. Not sure if I should get a better PSU for it or anything.

[hifiDJ]

@CT007

Not sure if I should get a better PSU for it or anything.

While I do think it’s always a good idea to up a PSU, I’d definitely listen to it first and see if you like it and go from there

[ericg]

@CT007

(instead of the Legendarily not-available-anymore Pi2AES)

You can get the Pi2AES-LITE - PI2AES-LITE, PRO Audio HAT

[dB_Cooper]

SpongeBob - Everybody Loves Pie!

[Draaly]

@hifiDJ

While I do think it’s always a good idea to up a PSU, I’d definitely listen to it first and see if you like it and go from there

agreed. Red takes AC in, so no real sense in just going better PSU off the bat. Further than that, i would probabaly get a power plant for the entire chain over just a PSU for the red tbh.

[CT007]

@Draaly

power plant

What sort of product might this be? It plugs into the wall, and gives you a new set of outlets? Same draw as the wall, or maybe adjustable?

[rgdelato]

@CT007

What sort of product might this be? It plugs into the wall, and gives you a new set of outlets? Same draw as the wall, or maybe adjustable?

Have some forum links to send you down the rabbit hole:

PS Audio Power Plant/regenerator thread, P3 / P12 / P15 / P20

Starting a thread for PS Audio Power Plant or other power regenerators out there. This will have the same disclaimer/YMMV as cables. You may or may not hear any differences depending on your gear’s ability to extract detail and presentation. When I started, I put all of my expensive gear on surge protectors and eventually on power conditioners. I wanted to “clean” up my sound and protect my equipment at the same time. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. As my gear got better, I was …

General Power Conditioning / Regeneration / Distribution

General questions for all things related to power between the wall and your gear

But yes, a Power Plant or similar device plugs into the wall and provides its own outlets for your gear.

[luizgarcia]

Hey guys, i am pretty happy with my chain but the one thing i still don’t have is a streamer. I currently have:

PC running Qobuz → Leaf Audio DDC → Gumby → HYPSOS + OOR / Quicksilver

I don’t really have a decent budget for a streamer so i am wondering if a cheap streamer like the Zen would bring a noticeable improvement to my chain or if i would need to spend more to get some good results?

I am a complete noob when it comes to streamers so i appreciate any insight.

[M0N]

With your setup, I’d go for a Pi2AES with a nice linear PSU and aes cable and call it a day imo

[luizgarcia]

So many raspberry pi versions out there, is this the one you mean?

Pi2aes raspberry pi4 4gb

[dB_Cooper]

Yeah, although 1) that’s expensive, pretty much being sold at original purchase price and 2) no mention about which power supplies he’s providing which you want a decent LPS. You also can look into a PS mod where instead of two power supplies you can just use one (5V).

You can find them for $300 sometimes even with a decent LPS.

I even think @elementze is selling a good one here on the forum.

[luizgarcia]

I already have this power supply which i think is reasonable?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002753256975.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.38.7413caa4KqYbWH&gatewayAdapt=glo2bra

I am looking into pricing for a rpi4 so i can build this thing myself, but yep it will be more expensive than a Zen Stream, i imagine it delivers a better sound?

[dB_Cooper]

That should be adequate.

[SaberPunch]

Message you my Pi2AES if you are interested.

[luizgarcia]

Hey @M0N , i have received my Pi2AES today (thanks @SaberPunch) and i an wondering which AES cable would work for connecting it to my Gumby. Is it a AES to coaxial or something like that?

I have also ordered the parts for the 5V hack so i can use this power supply i already have:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002753256975.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.56.21b41802c9TzSd

[M0N]

I would go bnc to bnc, or coax to coax. You don’t have aes so you can’t use aes. In terms of good affordable coax or bnc, I’d probably look into dh labs d750 if you wanted something warmer leaning, or a mad scientist heretical digital for something more neutral a bit more forward and technical

[dB_Cooper]

Also would highly recommend a Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme cable, they’re not expensive, cheap enough to even buy new.

[luizgarcia]

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions!

I want to audition to this thing right away but i don’t have a freaking micro hdmi to hdmi adapter, or a 24v power supply, lol. I will have to wait for the 5v mod stuff to arrive tomorrow so i can give it a go.

BTW, i had no idea coax cables could also sound different! I will give those a try

[Souldriver]

@M0N

I’d probably look into dh labs d750 if you wanted something warmer leaning,

+1 for dh labs. Def warmer leaning but it doesnt leave technicalities behind.

[luizgarcia]

I think i will get the d750.

So, another question. I have finally setup the streamer but i was still not able to figure out how to configure my DDC, i have a LeafAudio (CRYSTEK CCHD-957-25) DDC and i am wondering if i should still use it even with the Pi2.

Is there any gain on using the DDC from the streamer instead of connecting the streamer directly to the DAC via coaxial? If yes i will continue trying.