Pi3+D70+Atom+HD650

[laidick]

I am too happy with this setup in bedroom while not allowed to listen my living room.

Can anything else be better ?

Pi3B+ with Volumio installed as streamer
USB to Topping D70
XLR to RCA to JDS Atom
6.5mm to HD650

I think I am done for now.

Thanks ASR.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Great set up. Enjoy!

XLR to RCA to JDS Atom

Just the little point I don't understand. Why not just using RCA ?

 

[laidick]

Great set up. Enjoy!

Just the little point I don't understand. Why not just using RCA ?

I have both XLR and RCA, just experiencing which one is better.
D70 XLR out measurement seems a hair better than RCA. But my ear is not able to differentiate them yet (and ever...)

 

[VintageFlanker]

D70 XLR out measurement seems a hair better than RCA. But my ear is not able to differentiate them yet (and ever...)

Both are quite undistinguishable according to @amirm review.

Still, even if XLR (balanced) was really that better: XLR to RCA adapter doesn't transmit a balanced connection at all. Not sure about that, but it could even get worse.

I would go for a simple RCA cable if was you.

 

[laidick]

Both are quite undistinguishable according to @amirm review.

Still, even if XLR (balanced) was really that better: XLR to RCA adapter doesn't transmit a balanced connection at all. Not sure about that, but it could even get worse.

I would go for a simple RCA cable if was you.

Yes that's correct, let me switch it back and see if anything changes

I don't use adapter, I ordered a pair of canare cable from ghentaudio, one side XLR and other side RCA.

 

[laidick]

By the way, I also ordered SMSL500 from taobao with 11/11 discount, just about $276 USD.

Would place that in living room in case I need it

 

[Berwhale]

Are you planning to put any cooling and a case on the Pi? My understanding is it can get a little warm and start throttling the CPU - I don't know if this much of a concern when running something like Volumio - I stuck my Pi 4B in a case with heatsinks and a fan anyway.

 

[solderdude]

Why haven't you removed the plastic foil over the display ?

 

[laidick]

Are you planning to put any cooling and a case on the Pi? My understanding is it can get a little warm and start throttling the CPU - I don't know if this much of a concern when running something like Volumio - I stuck my Pi 4B in a case with heatsinks and a fan anyway.

I ordered a pi4b on the way with Argon One case, which is aluminum with heatsink , because I heard the heat problem on 4B.

But I am currently use 3B, which is slower, but definitely no heat issue at all . Just a bit warm when I touch it. Naked seems fine too

I am afraid fan would generate noise in my signal chain, so I would avoid using any fan is possible.

 

[laidick]

Why haven't you removed the plastic foil over the display ?

Hahaha , good spot. That was put in living room I just normally keep those plastic to protect the little screen from being scratch. I don't read it all the time anyway.

 

[Berwhale]

I ordered a pi4b on the way with Argon One case, which is aluminum with heatsink , because I heard the heat problem on 4B.

But I am currently use 3B, which is slower, but definitely no heat issue at all . Just a bit warm when I touch it. Naked seems fine too

I am afraid fan would generate noise in my signal chain, so I would avoid using any fan is possible.

The 4010 fan in the GeekPi case I bought is audible on slow (and very audible on high) with the Pi on my desk. I know that I won't be audible when installed in my lounge. If I do get bothered by it, I will look into quieter fans like the Noctua I put in my Dell managed switch (to replace a Delta fan with a supersonic whine)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071W6JZV8/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1

I hadn't really considered the potential for electrical noise from the fan. However, a quick scan of DIYAudio does indicate that this can be an issue. I would be interest to hear if anyone has encountered and dealt with this on the Pi4.

*edit* There is a useful comparison of cooling and acoustic performance of various 40mm fans here: https://www.martinrowan.co.uk/2019/09/raspberry-pi-4-40mm-fan-comparison/

It's no surprise to me that the Noctua comes out quietest, but you do pay for the privilege - I have 4 Noctua fans and one of their controllers in my PC; this added almost £100 to the build cost.

 

[laidick]

The 4010 fan in the GeekPi case I bought is audible on slow (and very audible on high) with the Pi on my desk. I know that I won't be audible when installed in my lounge. If I do get bothered by it, I will look into quieter fans like the Noctua I put in my Dell managed switch (to replace a Delta fan with a supersonic whine)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071W6JZV8/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1

I hadn't really considered the potential for electrical noise from the fan. However, a quick scan of DIYAudio does indicate that this can be an issue. I would be interest to hear if anyone has encountered and dealt with this on the Pi4.

*edit* There is a useful comparison of cooling and acoustic performance of various 40mm fans here: https://www.martinrowan.co.uk/2019/09/raspberry-pi-4-40mm-fan-comparison/

It's no surprise to me that the Noctua comes out quietest, but you do pay for the privilege - I have 4 Noctua fans and one of their controllers in my PC; this added almost £100 to the build cost.

That's insanely expensive to match the price of a pi4 this case.... May be you want to have a look on argon website ?

 

[somebodyelse]

IMO fans are best avoided. The flirc pi4 case does pretty well according to a friend, assuming you don't want to use a hat with it. There's some more heatsink discussion in this thread.

 

[Berwhale]

IMO fans are best avoided. The flirc pi4 case does pretty well according to a friend, assuming you don't want to use a hat with it. There's some more heatsink discussion in this thread.

Thanks, that's a lovely case. I've ordered one from CPC for £16 delivered in the UK.

 

[lopchu]

Nice, thanks for sharing!

I currently have

Pi3B with Volumio installed as streamer and a 128GB micro sd card with flac files
USB to Behringer UCA222
RCA to NAD3020 (stereo amp)
6.5mm to HD650

I am planning to exchange the NAD3020 with a proper headphone amp like the Atom. And I have read great things about Pi dac hats utilising the I2S connection.

 

[somebodyelse]

I am planning to exchange the NAD3020 with a proper headphone amp like the Atom. And I have read great things about Pi dac hats utilising the I2S connection.

See the master index of reviews, Bareboard DACs/Streamers section for the ones measured here so far.

 

[Daverz]

I'd want more space for music.

I'd also put the Pi in a case. The standard plastic one is fine, and I suggest black so the LEDs aren't bothersome in a dark room. I don't think it needs a heatsink.

 

[lopchu]

Oh, nice. Thanks for the hint. Was looking at the HifiBerry DAC already and I am pleased to see it measured well.

 

[laidick]

I'd want more space for music.

I'd also put the Pi in a case. The standard plastic one is fine, and I suggest black so the LEDs aren't bothersome in a dark room. I don't think it needs a heatsink.

I use a blutak to hide the LED

 

[laidick]

Oh, nice. Thanks for the hint. Was looking at the HifiBerry DAC already and I am pleased to see it measured well.

There is another on called nanosound DAC which is great too. You may want to have a look.