Allo Boss2 Review (Stereo Streamer)

[mash]

While sourcing new units is an issue, I would be way more concerned about the current lack of support for existing customers. They aren't even letting anyone know if/when they will start fixing issues with the Boss2 again (and/or if they even plan on actually fixing the current Linus issue).

I own a Boss2 and am a big fan of the box.....its truly a great value. That said, I'm not sure I'll ever buy from Allo again if they don't quickly fix their support issues....or at least start communicating with their customer base.

 

[Fahzz]

While sourcing new units is an issue, I would be way more concerned about the current lack of support for existing customers. They aren't even letting anyone know if/when they will start fixing issues with the Boss2 again (and/or if they even plan on actually fixing the current Linus issue).

I own a Boss2 and am a big fan of the box.....its truly a great value. That said, I'm not sure I'll ever buy from Allo again if they don't quickly fix their support issues....or at least start communicating with their customer base.

Audiophonics has these listed for sale. They are both French companies.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

I normally use moOde which, since version 8.3.1, has adopted linux 6.1.21; now it is already at version 8.3.2 and 8.3.3 is expected soon; I had to go back to 8.3.0.
I've researched and also Dietpi and rAudio (using kernel 6.1.x) have the same problems and soon I predict that others will also switch to the new version and therefore will be "incompatible".
Thanks for your attention and best regards,
Francesco

Yup. Same here. Stuck on 8.30. I've been using Moode since v 2.x and love the interface and the tweaking functionality. I love the SQ of the Boss 2. If it comes down to it I'll have to give up the Boss 2. I'm hoping for an open source driver.

 

[rost21A]

I love my BOSS2 and run it with the latest version Volumio. So far it's working great!

 

[AndreaT]

Sourcing this thing since the chip crisis hit seems pretty hard, if not impossible. I already had one, but wanted two more to create Roon endpoints with I can hook up directly to active speakers or amp + passive speakers.
Unfortunately I have now waited for 5 months and the end is not in sight. Does anyone know a good, available alternative for the Boss2 (HiFi streamer/DAC in a single package)?

I have one I am not using if you are interested.

 

[Sister_Ray]

Same here. I prefer using a stock RPI4 with Moode and a quality DAC. I don't use the BOSS2 anymore. The aluminum case reduces wifi signal by a HUGE factor and the USB wifi stick isn't a great solution either. Using the stock RPI4 with Moode provided a big difference in wifi connectivity for me. In my view the Boss2 aluminum case is a flawed design for wifi users.

Interesting point, I found its WiFi to be subpar as well, but figured that a dongle would fix this (it is backorder together with the Boss2). Perhaps a separate solution is indeed a better idea...

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Interesting point, I found its WiFi to be subpar as well, but figured that a dongle would fix this (it is backorder together with the Boss2). Perhaps a separate solution is indeed a better idea...

I use an AC1200 dongle I had lying around. It works great. Signal in the room is about -40 to -50 dBm so the internal one actually works well enough.

 

[fdealexa]

Hi everybody,
To all having linux 6.X driver issue, Please have a look to:
https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux/issues/5505
Good luck and best regards,
Francesco

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Hi everybody,
To all having linux 6.X driver issue, Please have a look to:
https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux/issues/5505
Good luck and best regards,
Francesco

I tried the patch. It works. I had to apply it twice. The first try threw up a hash error. The second time it worked. I'm now on Moode 8.3.3. This will be part of the Linux kernel but the time is uncertain. Tim Curtis, the principal developer of Moode, says that if Moode is upgraded before the patch is incorporated in the kernel you'll have to apply the patch again. I'm guessing that the patch will work with other Raspberry Pi audio software that's gone to the 6.x Linux kernel but YMMV.

 

[rafacq]

Anyone knows if one can connect an iPhone lighting connector to the Allo Boss2 using the Apple Camera cable (lighting to USB) and connect it to one of the USB ports so I can use the Allo Boss2 DAC? That is how I connect my iPhone to my iFi HipDac for HiRes audio playback. I understand Apple AirPlay2 is not able to stream HiRes Audio. Anyone can comment and provide information on this subject?

 

[antcollinet]

Anyone knows if one can connect an iPhone lighting connector to the Allo Boss2 using the Apple Camera cable (lighting to USB) and connect it to one of the USB ports so I can use the Allo Boss2 DAC? That is how I connect my iPhone to my iFi HipDac for HiRes audio playback. I understand Apple AirPlay2 is not able to stream HiRes Audio. Anyone can comment and provide information on this subject?

I very much doubt it.

Allo Boss 2 is not a DAC, it is a complete streamer solution. The USB ports are those of the raspberry pi mini computer, and as such are host ports, not device ports.

 

[Theodore8]

I tried the patch. It works. I had to apply it twice. The first try threw up a hash error. The second time it worked. I'm now on Moode 8.3.3. This will be part of the Linux kernel but the time is uncertain. Tim Curtis, the principal developer of Moode, says that if Moode is upgraded before the patch is incorporated in the kernel you'll have to apply the patch again. I'm guessing that the patch will work with other Raspberry Pi audio software that's gone to the 6.x Linux kernel but YMMV.

Hello,

Could you explain, in the simplest possible terms, what one must do to "install the patch".

I went on the page, and the whole thing is Greek to me.

Thank you very much!

 

[GGroch]

Hello,

Could you explain, in the simplest possible terms, what one must do to "install the patch".

It's a single line terminal command. In most cases you have to send the command twice, you get an error message the 1st time:

Command :
sudo rpi-update pulls/5510

(Please correct me on this...but it worked for me)

If on Moode, turn on terminal services 1st if you have not done that:

In Moode: Enable terminal access: m → Configure → System → Local Service → SSH term server → ON.
Once terminal access is enabled, click the OPEN button under SSH term server. This launches the moOde login.
Enter “pi” and then the password “moodeaudio” when prompted.

 

[Theodore8]

It's a single line terminal command. In most cases you have to send the command twice, you get an error message the 1st time:

Command :
sudo rpi-update pulls/5510

(Please correct me on this...but it worked for me)

If on Moode, turn on terminal services 1st if you have not done that:

In Moode: Enable terminal access: m → Configure → System → Local Service → SSH term server → ON.
Once terminal access is enabled, click the OPEN button under SSH term server. This launches the moOde login.
Enter “pi” and then the password “moodeaudio” when prompted.

Fantastic. Thank you so much!

 

[mash]

If I don't want to screw with the patch can I assume that the fix will eventually be incorporated into the Linux kernal and available through a future Moode distribution? (and just stay at 8.3.0 until then)

 

[Fahzz]

Is anyone running LMS/Squeezebox off one of these? If so what OS are you using? I encountered what I think was a conflict between Max2Play and an LMS update that I couldn't resolve and I had to revert to an old Digione player. Thanks.

 

[Sister_Ray]

Interesting point, I found its WiFi to be subpar as well, but figured that a dongle would fix this (it is backorder together with the Boss2). Perhaps a separate solution is indeed a better idea...

Now that the RPi 4 2GB is available again, I ended up ordering two of those (plus aluminium heatsink case and 3A adapter) + 2 SMSL SU-1 DACs (116dB SINAD for less than $80). It's an even cheaper (and on paper, better) streamer + DAC solution (albeit not integrated) than the Boss2 (ca. €150 all together).

 

[ahofer]

Now that the RPi 4 2GB is available again, I ended up ordering two of those (plus aluminium heatsink case and 3A adapter) + 2 SMSL SU-1 DACs (116dB SINAD for less than $80). It's an even cheaper (and on paper, better) streamer + DAC solution (albeit not integrated) than the Boss2 (ca. €150 all together).

ROPIEE? Moode?

 

[Sister_Ray]

ROPIEE? Moode?

Or DietPi as on the Boss2? Not really a Pi connoisseur, I basically just need it to be a Roon endpoint. Which would you advise?

 

[ahofer]

Or DietPi as on the Boss2? Not really a Pi connoisseur, I basically just need it to be a Roon endpoint. Which would you advise?

I've been a ROPIEEXL user for a couple of years. It's been 'set it and forget it' for me, and my guests (and me when I use Idagio) can use the airplay/shareplay functionality rather than Roon as needed. I've used Volumio, and the client was buggy with android tablets, and a little touchy overall. I haven't tried DietPi so I can't speak to it.