I wouldn’t use it with a pi2aes, the digital output of the unit itself should be better than the leaf
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Sorry, off topic, but was about to ask where you got this but I found the mentioning by @M0N in the great cables thread. I have not so good experience with a graphene interconnect, sounded a bit wonky to me, not sure what was going on but sounded off and not engaging. Maybe its one of those things that depend on synergy, so either very good or very bad, depending on the pairing. (PS I have heard some good things (smooth, engaging) with pure silver conductors, I’m thinking of exploring more towards that type of material for my interconnects and speaker wire)
They’re dependent on synergy, I think their digital cable is typically a more safe bet but for their analog ic will depend on the chain more, I also noticed that from new they take some time to get where they should be, but I don’t remember them changing drastically or anything
Graphene sure looks interesting on paper but right now its likely an odd duck in most chains. I might buy this as a flavour to add to my cable collection but maybe not if this was my first venture in more expensive cables.
That’s mainly why I more suggested the dh labs and mad scientist since they’re more affordable than the cerious, and also a safer pick in most chains, would agree that the graphene fall more into a specialist category than other options, but imo pretty unique for the price point if they do fit, but I’d wait to make sure that’s a direction I’d want to go after trying other options first
I am auditioning to the Pi2AES for a few hours now, its sounds is very interesting! I am not sure what are the differences in what i am hearing, still the first day but i feel like the entire sound presentation changed a bit, the best way i can describe now is that everything sounds a bit farther away with more space between instruments, and overall the entire sounds is lighter (probably less congested?) than without the streamer.
Looking forward to getting used to its sound so i can properly compare it to the PC 
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Interesting observations on the Pi2AES change! This is coming from the previous ddc you mentioned earlier?
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Yeah, was talking specifically about the Digital Coax, no experience whatsoever with the interconnects.
The conductor material makes a difference, but then again everything makes a difference. On silver, whether it’s plated copper or solid silver, makes a sound and price difference. The insulation, the construction. Just so many variables, impossible to try it all so just go by known quantities, specific recommendation parings and then experiment on your own. All of the above!
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Yes exactly, still need more time to understand what is going on with the sound but it is for sure different.
The best way i can describe it right now is that the sound seems leaner / more delicate as if it lacks body compared to before, i like warmer sound myself so that usually bothers me, but this is a bit different because every time de sound calls for more body and more bass presence / slam it is ALL there, it is a beautiful thing really and i am truly enjoying it!
It is like the sound was filled with something that should not be there without the streamer, making it appear more weighty. I am wondering if this is what people call a “100% black” background…
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That’s a lot to do with it yes. It’s also what then allows you to begin to see differences in cables more. For example, you could connect a BNC or Coax cable known for being weightier while still maintaining the clarity and detail and manage your sound to your liking.
What I recommend you do, it in a couple of weeks… switch back to your old DDC setup and see what that sound like. It’s then when you’ll realize the differences most.
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Hey guys, so i have enjoyed using Roon with my Pi2AES so much i have decided to purchase a second raspberry pi 4 so i can use it as a second listening station in my bedroom, i was using an Android phone connected to either a Mojo or a Gryphon for that.
My plan is to connect the raspberry pi directly into the Gryphon via USB, and since i have a Leaf Audio DDC i could probably use Raspberry → DDC → Gryphon. With that i may not get the very best audio quality compared to a hat but i would still leverage Roon and my EQ settings.
My question is, do you guys know a chep audio hat for this purpose which would deliver a better audio quality over the USB + DDC route?
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Not sure it’ll be better but I have a hifiberry that’s quite decent. If you’re in the US I can send it over for you to try I won’t be using it for the next few weeks
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I wouldn’t over think it, plug the Pi in directly via USB, try it with the DDC, use the one you prefer and call it a day.
Is there more to be had, probably, but it’s not going to be night and day, and you have to consider if you would get a bigger improvement with the additional $$ elsewhere.
I have two Pi’s with direct connections via USB on systems I don’t commonly use, just so I can stream from Roon.
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Thanks man but i am now living in Brazil
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lol that’s a little too far but as @Polygonhell said, you can probably get a little more out of it but if you already have stuff around, not sure it’s worth the investment. Try what you have and see if you feel something is really missing. In our hobby you can always go further up, doesn’t mean you should lol
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Haha, i know right?! Its just that since now i know USB sucks i want to get it out of the equation regardless.
I was looking into the Hifiberry stuff and the “HIFIBERRY DIGI+ STANDARD” is only $35, i may give that a try since i’ve spent more than that on a bottle of beer a few times, can’t hurt!
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If i may offer my own opinion here for some clarification please, USB does not necessarily “suck”, my own experience is that USB can cost a good sum of funds to implement, incorporate and maximize in a system because it can, especially as you scale up your equipment, highlight the deficiencies of particular pieces you are using.
Personally i much enjoy the end result of a well put together chain using USB, BUT in my own experiences, I have had to work hard to diagnose, identify and take corrective action each and every step of the way as my systems grew either more complicated or resolute. 
It’s way too early in the AM for me at this very moment and i don’t feel like typing out a small book of experiences, problem sets and solutions. Suffice it to say that i am relatively heavily invested in some USB only products and in order to maximize their potential i have had to regularly work around issues that were caused by one piece’s highlighting an associated piece’s weaknesses. Unfortunately this “cat & mouse” game will often times be different for each of us because there will usually be a disparity somewhere along the entire chain between what i am using and the next user. These disparities when implementing a higher performance USB based front end are where the “Devil in the details”, saying comes into play. 
I recently stated somewhere that my own preference after several years experimenting and dumping much money into USB has been to avoid it in the future, NOT because it sucks though, but instead because it MAY, depending on your set-up, simply take you down a hole of expenditures in equipment that ultimately could have been worked around using an alternate method of connection. This is where knowing the direction you want to go in and sometimes “biting the bullet” on a cost up front may save you money in the future 
.
In conclusion, USB in my opinion, doesn’t suck BUT it can be tricky to implement well. This can be said of each source output across the board in this hobby. Happy listening friend, @luizgarcia
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I would also add that USB out on a Pi4 is often going to be one of the least noisy USB implementations. Especially compared to older Pis… Pi’s? Pi-s? Pis sounds… so wrong.
Any kind of galvanic separation of the USB chain or a good power supply such as the IFI Power series on the Pi and / or the Pi hat will give you some more than clean and accurate enough USB signals. A hat is fun to try and can give you some very interesting options but given that you are then relying on the clock of the Pi unless you get into some of the more complex, expensive and esoteric hat solutions then there is no real advantage to going that route over a good USB chain other than what connection is most convenient for you. A USB to DDC is going to give you reclocking before your dac while a hat to dac chain will have no reclock. So it is very much up in the air as to which is “best” and personally I think it makes more sense to go with what works best with what you want to connect to it!
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Wasn’t sure where to post, but it looks like the Holo Red DDC/Streamer is back in stock on Kitsune and Magna HIFI. I honestly thought it’d be out of stock/production indefinitely lol. If anyone was looking for one, well now’s your chance.
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Man the Pi2AES is such a wonderful little box for the price point. I know I can have more but with a good power supply a good cable, (both which cost more than the Pi2AES itself lol) It really scales spectacularly well. I plugged it into the Meraki switch I’d moded and my new modest AIO desktop system is really a lot of value.
I haven’t written much about it because I’ve been putting things together, focusing on best practice. Putting a fair bit of attention to isolation/damping, power etc and it’s just downright enjoyable.
Pi2AES w/LPS > Vinnie Rossi LIO via a Von Gaylord Chinchilla MK2 BNC cable… and that’s it, because AIO don’t require a lot of cabling dammit! My one and only can in the house is an LCD-24 which suits me just fine. It doesn’t have the D8KP bass texture but it’s a fun can.
Anyway, after spending all evening listening to music on the chain, I realized that I hadn’t actually sat to listen to music on HPs in well over a year.
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