Allo Boss2 Review (Stereo Streamer)

[Jazz3006]

It's a streamer, you would need additional software on windows, see link.

https://www.streamwhatyouhear.com/

Have you noticed any lag with this?

 

[Madeintooting]

Have you noticed any lag with this?

Not significantly, there's a buffer that you can adjust in Moode and Volumio.
Another consideration is how it's connected to your PC.
In my case I have the Boss hardwired to the router and stream music from a laptop over wifi.

What are you thinking of doing with it?
Probably wouldn't be ideal for music production.

 

[Jazz3006]

Not significantly, there's a buffer that you can adjust in Moode and Volumio.
Another consideration is how it's connected to your PC.
In my case I have the Boss hardwired to the router and stream music from a laptop over wifi.

What are you thinking of doing with it?
Probably wouldn't be ideal for music production.

I need to be able to connect to two different laptops when I switch between them and my modem placement restricts router placement (apartment), so it'd likely have to be over wifi both directions.

 

[Madeintooting]

I need to be able to connect to two different laptops when I switch between them and my modem placement restricts router placement (apartment), so it'd likely have to be over wifi both directions.

Though the pi4 it's based on does have internal wifi the aluminium case blocks much of the signal, Allo recommends using an external wifi adaptor, they do sell one but any decent one would do.

See if it works in your situation, if it's close to the router it may, if not be prepared to get a usb wifi adaptor.

 

[Jazz3006]

Though the pi4 it's based on does have internal wifi the aluminium case blocks much of the signal, Allo recommends using an external wifi adaptor, they do sell one but any decent one would do.

See if it works in your situation, if it's close to the router it may, if not be prepared to get a usb wifi adaptor.

I just don't want to spend the money only to find out I don't like the delay or something. Kind of tempting to find the Pi I already own and try out the Piano hat to get the 2.1 sound output.

 

[Soundfy]

Hi everyone, new member here who has been lurking for some time. Amazing forum!

l am investigation a setup for my attic loft. I will pickup a NAD C356cee today of which I read the pre-amp is not the best. I will only stream music. Can I connect the Boss2 directly to the power amp main in?
(My speakers are B&W 685)

 

[johan]

I am back from vacation ..

Yes you can connect direct to the RCA input of power amp

 

[Soundfy]

Thanks @johan . I am also a bit of a home automation nerd. Can I run/install other programs on the PI4 and still use alle the normal functions (display on the boss2, roon, etc.)?

 

[johan]

That depends on what software you run ...if its very intensive...then no. You will need to test .

 

[TerryO]

I added a Boss2 to my system after a close friend endorsed it. Two days isn't long enough for me to give a full endorsement, but the music playing through it to a Bottlehead HP amp and Sennheisser 580's is excellent.

 

[jtwrace]

I am back from vacation ..

 

[Soundfy]

That depends on what software you run ...if its very intensive...then no. You will need to test .

Today I receive the Boss2. I do not want to install a dedicated OS for streaming (i.e. Volumio, MoOdeaudio, etc.), because I other want to use the Pi for of other things (mediaplayer for netflix, some simple home automation scripts).
So I want to use the standard Raspberry Pi Desktop and install streaming software.
I assume the boss2 hat is supported in that OS? Such that the hat is just like a soundcard.
Anything to consider or advice for the setup?

 

[johan]

Boss2 has drivers in Rasbian

 

[TerryO]

Where did you buy Boss2? From what I saw they are out of stocks for awhile? Thanks!

Mine was ordered and sent from India and due to various delays it took a bit more than a month before it finally arrived. Evidently they now have a Rep. in the US, so hopefully many of those problems will be resolved.

 

[Soundfy]

Today I received the Boss2 Player. Mine came with Dietpi+AlloGUI. A few tips for new owners because I found no manual:
-The remote needs AAA batteries which are not included.
-To access the Allo GUI

1. Use the 'joystick' to get the IP adress from the Allo via 'system info'
2. Type in that IP in a browser on the same LAN.
3. The Allo GUI appears (if not, unplug and replug the power and try again from step 1).
4. Use these credentials (bit weird but OK);
   1. Email Adress: [email protected]
   2. Password; allo
5. Done! You can now stream using several services.

I have a Marantz C356cee and connected the Boss2 directly to the poweramp, not using the preamp. Works and sounds well!

Only the display is a bit offset in the housing, but I will see if thats easy to fix myself.

 

[Shoaibexpert]

Just came across this product as I was looking for a Roon endpoint streamer that can connect to my SMSL SU-9 DAC. The DAC is supposed to feed balanced Analogue signal to the NAD C298 Amplifier making KEF R7s sing...so I needed a decent, well measuring device.

Is this based on the Raspberry Pi 4/B as the new ones have USBs that are galvanically isolated. Also, can this device give out USB data to my SU-9 DAC...don't wanna rely on its internal DAC...and if someone has found it to be Roon ready? Thanks

 

[Eetu]

Just came across this product as I was looking for a Roon endpoint streamer that can connect to my SMSL SU-9 DAC. The DAC is supposed to feed balanced Analogue signal to the NAD C298 Amplifier making KEF R7s sing...so I needed a decent, well measuring device.

Is this based on the Raspberry Pi 4/B as the new ones have USBs that are galvanically isolated. Also, can this device give out USB data to my SU-9 DAC...don't wanna rely on its internal DAC...and if someone has found it to be Roon ready? Thanks

This is a Pi 4 + DAC combo but you already have a DAC. Soo.. why not get a Pi 4? Get a FLIRC case and install Ropieee or Moode. It's not difficult nor time consuming.
https://ropieee.org/getting_started/

 

[Shoaibexpert]

This is a Pi 4 + DAC combo but you already have a DAC. Soo.. why not get a Pi 4? Get a FLIRC case and install Ropieee or Moode. It's not difficult nor time consuming.
https://ropieee.org/getting_started/

Yeah, was thinking on those lines. Would the RPi be cleaner as a source than say a Windows Computer? Measurement wise...especially with a LPSU?

 

[Theodore8]

There are many convincing reports/posts over this site explaining that Rpi4 feeding your DAC through USB will deliver bit-perfect transmission.

Note: The recommendation by @Eetu to ensure RPi4 has proper passive cooling (e.g., a FLIRC case) is important. For my part, I use a regular case with good-size openings, and large heat sinks on the chips: https://secure.reichelt.com/ch/de/r...ebefolie-rpi-cool-premium-p242760.html?&nbc=1 and https://secure.reichelt.com/ch/de/r...mm-schwarz-rpi-cool-40x30-p261928.html?&nbc=1 . Running temperature is just fine with RPi4 connected to network through Ethernet cable.

 

[MCH]

On the same lines, anyone has any opinion the pi zero w feeding a dac through USB? The old story about ethernet bus making usb bad for audio in any pi previous to 4 should not apply as it has no ethernet connection...