POLL: For streaming, should I even use the Modius? Or HifiBerry good enough?

[watchnerd]

If delivery happens according to schedule, my new integrated amp arrives on Monday.

But I'll need to add an external streamer to use as a Roon end-point.

I have two options:

Option 1. HiFi Berry DAC2 HD -> Amp RCA input

(the unit Amir tested is actually mine)

HifiBerry DAC2 HD Review (Rpi HAT)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the HifiBerry DAC 2 HD. It was kindly sent to me by a member already assembled on a Raspberry Pi board. The DAC2 HD costs US $99 from company website. Here is a shot of the full assembly: Let's zoom into it: As you see it is based on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Option 2. Raspberry Pi -> USB -> Schiit Modius -> Amp XLR input

Schiit Modius Balanced DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Modius Balanced USB DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for testing. The Modius costs just US $199 which is quite cheap for a balanced DAC from a western company. The design language is Schiit all the way (sorry, could not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Notes:

1. I can put the devices behind the shelf with the amp, so the long run distance noise rejection advantage of XLR doesn't matter much

2. Option 2 is obviously more complex -- more wall-warts, more cables, more boxes

3. Option 2 does have better SINAD, by 11-15 dB, if things replicate Amir's tests. But Option 1 is still 100 dB, which seems low enough to be inaudible and good enough.

Given all that, it seems like the differences should fall in the inaudible range, and Option 2, while possibly measuring better, doesn't really gain anything audible for the added complexity.

So should I even bother using the Modius?

 

[staticV3]

How about using something like the MC103 to test audibility yourself?
That seems like it would be much more productive and conclusive than a bunch of people theorizing about ability thresholds and such.

 

[watchnerd]

How about using something like the MC103 to test audibility yourself?
That seems like it would be much more productive and conclusive than a bunch of people theorizing about ability thresholds and such.

Why do I need an external switcher on an integrated amp?

I can just switch inputs on the amp.

Also -- how do I make it double blind?

 

[staticV3]

Why do I need an external switcher on an integrated amp?

I can just switch inputs on the amp.

Also -- how do I make it double blind?

Ah, true. If your Amp allows seamlessly switching between inputs, then an external switcher would be pointless.
As for how to make it double blind, I'd say it depends on your Amp's UI. Like, can you reach it from your listening position? Does it display which input is active? Does it make a sound when switching inputs?
Having a helping hand and an RNG on a phone would be useful.

 

[Apesbrain]

Since it's for your own use, I'd not worry about double-blind; just live with the two for a bit and it will become clear which you prefer.

 

[watchnerd]

Since it's for your own use, I'd not worry about double-blind; just live with the two for a bit and it will become clear which you prefer.

That sounds very non-ASR.

Fraught with cognitive bias.

 

[MCH]

if it was me...
1. you want to keep both: you have a pi, a device that only works with a pi, and a device that can work in other systems -> use the hat on the pi and find another use for the shiit
2. you dont want to keep both: the one that sells first, goes.

 

[Soniclife]

That sounds very non-ASR.

Fraught with cognitive bias.

Sounds very ASR to me, it stops being ASR if you start making claims based on sighted tests though.

 

[rdenney]

Just get a buddy to switch the inputs such that you can't see what he's doing. You have to make sure, however, that both are level-matched, using a voltmeter, to avoid confusing your perceptions and leading to a wrong conclusion.

My suspicion is that you won't be able to tell the difference. I'm quite sure I would not.

(The laptop I've been using for streaming is making a fan noise these days--it was cheap so it doesn't surprise me. I've been looking into a Pi option myself for playing music from my network library. More as a winter hobby project than anything. So this has been on my mind.)

Generally, I like to separate devices that depend on software if possible and reasonable. A streamer in a DAC means that the DAC becomes unusable if the streamer does, and those seem to me more subject to improvements that can't predict that we will require. But DACs are commodity items now--I already have several of them and tend to buy them for a single purpose rather than having to deal with their input switching. (Except the MF V90, which has a lovely, physical, three-dimensional, repairable, not software-driven, old-school rocker switch for selecting between its two inputs.)

Rick "who'd go with the Pi + DAC, but not because of sound" Denney

 

[watchnerd]

Sounds very ASR to me, it stops being ASR if you start making claims based on sighted tests though.

Ah, but is it sighted if I know which device it is but can't see which device it is because they're shoved behind the cabinet?

 

[watchnerd]

All this chit chat and only 1 of you bastiches voted....

 

[watchnerd]

Just get a buddy to switch the inputs such that you can't see what he's doing. You have to make sure, however, that both are level-matched, using a voltmeter, to avoid confusing your perceptions and leading to a wrong conclusion.

The easiest buddy to recruit would be my wife.

The payback for such drudgery will probably be more than the cost of the Modius.

 

[Soniclife]

Ah, but is it sighted if I know which device it is but can't see which device it is because they're shoved behind the cabinet?

If you genuinely don't know which input is which, and the levels are matched then it's blind, but I don't know how you are going to randomly select inputs to test if you can hear a difference. Personally I'd buy the perfect sounding one and forget about it.

 

[Taddpole]

The easiest buddy to recruit would be my wife.

The payback for such drudgery will probably be more than the cost of the Modius.

That's good as we know from other threads/foums it'll be night and day differences when also listened to by a wife.

 

[watchnerd]

Personally I'd buy the perfect sounding one and forget about it.

I might have to use RCA out of the Modius to level match, which isn't its best performing output.

 

[radix]

That sounds very non-ASR.

Fraught with cognitive bias.

As @watchnerd said, if it's just for your own use -- i.e. your own preference -- then you can measure it however you want. You might also consider you like the look of the Modius in your room versus the utilitarian Pi case, etc.

If you want to report your results as some form of statistical truth, then you need to follow a scientific process.

personally, I use Pis in several places.

Using USB would give you a few different format options than the hat, if you're into high-rate dsd.

 

[ZolaIII]

I voted for option one only because you already have it. Wouldn't choose such stand alone DAC, would insist on something with remote control for line out to power amplifier and all do it hardly needs better performance than old Burr Ti even so I would opt for the DSD version of it. If I have to spend money for noticeable better stand alone solution would pick something with deacent hedaphone amp and preferably integrated power supply somehow I believe I could live with couple more cables.

 

[watchnerd]

You might also consider you like the look of the Modius in your room versus the utilitarian Pi case, etc.

Neither will be visible, actually.

 

[watchnerd]

I voted for option one only because you already have it.

Oh, sorry, I didn't make that clear.

I already own both.

The Modius is virgin, never-used, but I do own it.

 

[ZolaIII]

Oh, sorry, I didn't make that clear.

I already own both.

The Modius is virgin, never-used, but I do own it.

Well if its only for the streaming purposes as deticated DAC (meaning you absolutely don't need DSD at all) for power amplifier you really don't need better than old Burr.
Seems Modius is a stiff one.