Allo Boss2 Review (Stereo Streamer)

[baroque]

The one i ordered from allo is loose, but i got another rca cable that came with one of my desktop speakers, which fit perfectly fine.

The new cable jus arrived and the Step-down design RCA perfectly fit to Allo Boos2 sockets, with this cable sound is better though.

 

[TerryO]

I'm liking this Headphone set-up more every day! Yesterday, I went to my buddy Renan's house and we downloaded the JRiver Software onto my computer and it made it so much easier to use compared to the rather "Clunky" software supplied with the Allo Boss2 unit. I'm having a load of fun with this set-up...

 

[RadioBuddha]

I'm liking this Headphone set-up more every day! Yesterday, I went to my buddy Renan's house and we downloaded the JRiver Software onto my computer and it made it so much easier to use compared to the rather "Clunky" software supplied with the Allo Boss2 unit. I'm having a load of fun with this set-up...

OK, that is interesting, I thought that you were limited to only the software choices on the Allo.com website, Moode or Dietpi+Allo, can anyone else confirm, can you use any Raspberry Pi style OS, can you use Picoreplayer with the Logitech Media Server loaded on the SD card?

 

[laurelsudeep]

can you use Picoreplayer with the Logitech Media Server loaded on the SD card?

Picoreplayer is supported on Boss2

 

[Madeintooting]

I thought that you were limited to only the software choices on the Allo.com website

Can confirm Volumio working fine too, any pi os should but you may have to write a few lines for the dac

 

[Fahzz]

Also Max2Play with LMS.
I previously used it on a Digione player so I was familiar with it. My experience is that Max2Play is a bit more user friendly than other options, but there is a small license fee.

 

[Arun Raj S]

Hi Johan
How to earth the acrylic version of Boss 2 when powered by Dual Shanti LPS? Nirvana had a switch so it need not need it. I just upgraded to your LPS but this acrylic doesn't seem to have any earth point as the aluminium version.

@johan
I also own a Boss 2 acrylic version, please let us know, how to earth the device properly?

 

[chauphuong]

Hi Johan, judging from Boss2 picture in Allo website, I just can't find the 2nd inlet to provide power separately to the DAC board as shown in the attached file?

 

[johan]

Hello

Please use the RPI connector on the side of the alu case . I am checking for earthing of acrylic case

 

[MrHifiTunes]

why the 32 tones test has testsignals which double in frequency? this way you hide the second harmonic peak.
It would be better to use 32 test tones which dont mask anything

 

[redjr]

I also hear a difference in sound when trying new DACs...seems to be a psychological effect . My perception changes in 2-3 days

Expectation bias.

 

[PurdueDeep]

I can't get the Boss2 to work over wifi with the USB stick I ordered or without. I'm using a Mac computer. I was able to log into the Boss2 with ethernet connected and configure Wifi with Moode but the Boss2 hardware still does not accept the USB wifi stick connection and ZERO configuration instructions are provided.

This silly thing is a crossword puzzle and the posted manual is worthless as it has ZERO startup instructions. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Its a little troublesome but you should be able to. Just click the wps button on your wifi stick and on your router(in that order, within two minutes).
Then you can go to port it displays and adjust settings!

you are right. The setup is awful. But this is easily my favorite piece of tech in the audio world. Its not like i get paid to provide tech support even. And here I am.

 

[threni]

Hello

Please use the RPI connector on the side of the alu case . I am checking for earthing of acrylic case

Hi, I'm looking into getting the miniboss, but it's not been reviewed here, and the "Technical Details for miniBOSS DAC" link on this page:

https://www.allo.com/sparky/miniboss-rpi-zero.html#downloads

is broken.

How does this perform (output power, SINAD, etc) compared to the boss2?

 

[Dyabolikal]

Hello all, please excuse my novice question: from a software perspective, would it be possible to output music from the Allo Boss 2 in Moode while simultaneously running something like Plex to stream video to another device?

If it can't be done through Moode, can another distro like Raspbian or DietPi run multiple programs simultaneously that would allow it, while still maintaining the Boss 2s full functionality for audio output?

Thanks!

 

[MrHifiTunes]

Any news on how to ground the acrylic version?

Also Im a bit confused on the filter settings.
Can it be explained what they stand for?

 

[Fahzz]

Hello all, please excuse my novice question: from a software perspective, would it be possible to output music from the Allo Boss 2 in Moode while simultaneously running something like Plex to stream video to another device?

If it can't be done through Moode, can another distro like Raspbian or DietPi run multiple programs simultaneously that would allow it, while still maintaining the Boss 2s full functionality for audio output?

Thanks!

Maybe Look at Max2Play? It will run Kodi and Logitech Media Server. There is a small license fee for the software.

 

[Snoopy]

Hello all, please excuse my novice question: from a software perspective, would it be possible to output music from the Allo Boss 2 in Moode while simultaneously running something like Plex to stream video to another device?

If it can't be done through Moode, can another distro like Raspbian or DietPi run multiple programs simultaneously that would allow it, while still maintaining the Boss 2s full functionality for audio output?

Thanks!

Apple TV 4k hdmi for the video. And a streamer with AirPlay for the audio. Isn't that what you want?

 

[Jith77]

Hello all, please excuse my novice question: from a software perspective, would it be possible to output music from the Allo Boss 2 in Moode while simultaneously running something like Plex to stream video to another device?

If it can't be done through Moode, can another distro like Raspbian or DietPi run multiple programs simultaneously that would allow it, while still maintaining the Boss 2s full functionality for audio output?

Thanks!

not sure if it helps, but rpi can be booted from multiple sd cards. You will have to maintain separate SD cards for the different scenario. I dont know specifically about allo boss, but don't see any reason for it not to function.

There are other options to boot from multiple OSes. You can check this for reference - https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-install-multiple-oses-on-a-single-sd-card-for-raspberry-pi/

 

[Audiofool1Q84]

Could you please explain which filters you engaged and how that's done. I have Non OS enabled. Thanks.

I'd like to know as well. In fact a few comments here on filters but I can't seem to find any documentation anywhere on what each of the 4 filters actually do

 

[Audiofool1Q84]

Im running the Boss2 w RPI4 as a roon endpoint and on the display its showing 32 bit for a track that is 24 bit 96. Any ideas why this is? also can anyone give any good info on what the filters are. I find it sounds best with All engaged and Non OS engaged and slow rolloff.

I have this problem only while using Airplay (no matter the device or app). Airplay should be 16 bit but I get only 32. Am on the latest Volumio 2.9 and upsampling is off - the local tech support guy has no clue.