Allo Boss2 Review (Stereo Streamer)

[Sister_Ray]

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.

I think I'll also go for RoPieee XL, because I can't seem to get my girlfriend on the Roon bandwagon. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[kdickin2]

The patch worked on DietPi and I can now use the BOSS2 as a Roon endpoint and a Spotify Connect streamer.

 

[rafacq]

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.

I tried to upgrade to moOde v8 a few weeks ago and was never able to make it work. Went back to v7. Guess I’ll wait for a fix for the Allo Boss2. For now, no issues with v7.

I have two of the Allo Boss2 and really think they sound great with my STR-AZ5000ES (den) and my Yamaha RX-A2A (office).

 

[kchap]

The Release Notes do not explicitly say kernel has been updated but you get the impression it is fixed in 8.3.4. You could try installing the latest version, now 8.3.5 on another SD card and see how you go. Even if it has not been fixed you can install 8.3.5 and do the patch as described by @GGroch

You must use the Raspberrypi Imager app, see the Setup Notes (This may have discussed elsewhere in the forum). The process works quite well as the Imager will download the software.

As an aside, I have 4 RPI4 that I have recently changed to moode. I found moode's backup and restore feature very handy. I was able to do a base install on the first unit. Set up all my parameters via the GUI including hostname, NAS and additional internet radio sites. I then did a backup, again via the GUI.

On my PC I edited the host name in the config file followed by as new install of moode on the next RPI. I then logged in, performed a restore using the modified file and rebooted. I edited the config file again and proceeded to the next RPI4, and so on. It was all very quick.

 

[kchap]

Moode version 8.3.5 is using the older version of the kernel, the patched version not officially been released into the wild. I do not need the patch as my RPI4s use USB DACs but I decided give the upgrade a go.

Login using ssh and check current kernel version:
user@moode:~ $ uname -srv
Linux 6.1.21-v8+ #1642 SMP PREEMPT Mon Apr 3 17:24:16 BST 2023

Enter command the update command. It wil as advised by @GGroch
user@moode:~ $ sudo rpi-update pulls/5510
.
.
*** Raspberry Pi firmware updater by Hexxeh, enhanced by AndrewS and Dom
*** Invalid hash given

Run the command again. Be patient, there will be a couple of times where nothing seems to be happening:
user@moode:~ $ sudo rpi-update pulls/5510
.
.
*** Syncing changes to disk
*** If no errors appeared, your firmware was successfully updated to d11d56e8a92cb8c03a51d151153c34276c2ff344
*** A reboot is needed to activate the new firmware

Perform a reboot:
user@moode:~ $ sudo shutdown -r now

Login using ssh and check current kernel version:
user@moode:~ $ uname -srv
Linux 6.1.34-v8+ #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue Jun 20 10:29:00 UTC 2023

Done!

 

[kchap]

I just did an upgrade from 8.3.5 to 8.3.6. The update kept the kernel at the 6.1.34-v8+ (patched) version. I did not have to reinstall the patch.

 

[m8o]

Any reader here in the know as to whether Allo is still operational? I just bought two Boss v1.2 off the UK Pi Hut site (they had 8 when I did so, and I was amazed to find that to be so), though what I really wanted was Boss v2. But there are none of those to be found anywhere. And Allo disabled their own eCommerce function on their site to take backorders. And where reps/insiders used to be very active on Roon Community and here, they no longer are.

Did the lengthy lack of Raspberry Pi availability until very recently have the unfortunate side-effect of putting Allo out of business? That would really suck.

 

[rafacq]

I’m so lucky I have two Allo Boss2. I recently looked at the Allo website and couldn’t find anything in stock.

I recently bought an Eversolo DMP-A6 and can truthfully say both Allo Boss 2 and Eversolo DMP-A6 sound very similar to me. Of course, the beautiful screen on the Eversolo DMP-A6 is just gorgeous. Then it is 4 times the price of the Allo Boss 2.

I may sell one of my Allo Boss 2.

 

[MrHifiTunes]

I have an Allo Boss2 (RPI4) for sale with Nirvana power supply, Wifi Dongle, 16GB SD card and Moode. Paid $286 Sept 2021 direct from Allo after reading the ASR review. Asking $175. I used it for two months. Should have sold it long ago.
Let me know if interested.

Why you "should have sold it long time ago"?

 

[UDXL2C90]

I tried to upgrade to moOde v8 a few weeks ago and was never able to make it work. Went back to v7. Guess I’ll wait for a fix for the Allo Boss2. For now, no issues with v7.

I have two of the Allo Boss2 and really think they sound great with my STR-AZ5000ES (den) and my Yamaha RX-A2A (office).

Is it possible to purchase a 2nd microSD card with MoOde 8.x installed on it? Swap with current 7.x microSD card?

I have Allo Boss2, enjoy it. Don't want to 'brick' it trying to upgrade the OS.

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Is it possible to purchase a 2nd microSD card with MoOde 8.x installed on it? Swap with current 7.x microSD card?

I have Allo Boss2, enjoy it. Don't want to 'brick' it trying to upgrade the OS.

Thanks for any ideas!

Use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash the OS to a micro SD card. You'll have to apply the command line fix. It's strictly copy and paste. You can use the ssh terminal built into Moode.

 

[Videoteque73]

What does the v8 that the v7 can’t?

 

[antcollinet]

What does the v8 that the v7 can’t?

Release history is here:

Moode Forum - Announcements

 

[antcollinet]

Use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash the OS to a micro SD card. You'll have to apply the command line fix. It's strictly copy and paste. You can use the ssh terminal built into Moode.

Alternatively duplicate your SD card, then use the built in update process on the copy.

 

[kchap]

Is it possible to purchase a 2nd microSD card with MoOde 8.x installed on it? Swap with current 7.x microSD card?

I have Allo Boss2, enjoy it. Don't want to 'brick' it trying to upgrade the OS.

Thanks for any ideas!

Reply

Use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash the OS to a micro SD card. You'll have to apply the command line fix. It's strictly copy and paste. You can use the ssh terminal built into Moode.

Agree, as you will need to update the kernel it is probably safer to start with a fresh image and have a fallback. Moode intend to release version 8.3.7 before the end of the year but that should leave the existing upgraded kernel intact.

I'm not sure when when the upgraded kernel will be incorporated into the standard image. It may actually make it into 8.3.7 but I suspect it will be next year.

Follow these instructions Moode setup to do the install this section in particular:

 

[m8o]

I have an Allo Boss2 (RPI4) for sale with Nirvana power supply, Wifi Dongle, 16GB SD card and Moode. Paid $286 Sept 2021 direct from Allo after reading the ASR review. Asking $175. I used it for two months. Should have sold it long ago.
Let me know if interested.

Did you purchase this Boss2 unit with the stainless steel case or acrylic case?

 

[Theodore8]

Below is reply that I got from allo.com when I reached out to them with the same issue.

The instructions from GitHub did not work for me, as they don’t seem to accommodate the Wifi dongle. And without WiFi dongle, the signal is very unstable.

Have not tried the below fix, because I kept postponing. The Allo Boss 2 is at the summer home, and I had wasted two summer vacation afternoons getting upset because after upgrading to v8 the thing became a doorstop. I reflashed it to v7 only to see it work very intermittently.

If anyone tries it, perhaps s/he could share the outcome ?

___________________________________________________________________________
Dear Theodore,

This is regarding the message sent to allo.com

The latest moode image integration has not been completed for Boss2, that is why it no longer works after update.

However, please format the SD card and read the image below and see if the player works.

https://github.com/moode-player/moo...od/image_2023-01-20-moode-r825-arm64-lite.zip

We would like to check if this will solve the issue first, if the problem remains, please contact us again for the purchase of SDcard and of course for the Wifi dongle. 7
______________________________________________________________________________

 

[NikolasA]

Hello I have the allo boss2 with blue aluminum case and nirvana power supply. I bought and had never powered on a while ago…. When I try both the type c or the nirvana power supply I can’t get it to turn on. I do see a small red led inside but nothing on the screen …. Any help? What I should be looking at next?

 

[Theodore8]

Hello I have the allo boss2 with blue aluminum case and nirvana power supply. I bought and had never powered on a while ago…. When I try both the type c or the nirvana power supply I can’t get it to turn on. I do see a small red led inside but nothing on the screen …. Any help? What I should be looking at next?

Is the micro SD card properly inserted?

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Hello I have the allo boss2 with blue aluminum case and nirvana power supply. I bought and had never powered on a while ago…. When I try both the type c or the nirvana power supply I can’t get it to turn on. I do see a small red led inside but nothing on the screen …. Any help? What I should be looking at next?

Get a new SD card. It is the most common problem with Pi’s so at least exclude that from the list of possibilities