Following John DARKO's beginner's guides for DIY file-based playback using the RASPBERRY Pi computer engine, WALL OF SOUND's Steve Graham makes a complete newbie's attempt at building a RASPBERRY Pi server-streamer system.

Furthermore, Steve will compare this US$200 RASPBERRY Pi assembly with a NAD M50.2 Digital Music Player (US$4400), via his PS Audio DirectStream DAC (US$6000), ARC REF 110 power amp & SPENDOR D9 loudspeakers.

(Probably not Steve.)


Part 1 - Steve introduces his approach, the the parts, the options & the pricing.




Part 2 - Setup and Programming




Part 3 - Sound quality observations.




" Even though the RPi-based source was inferior to the NAD 50.2, it wasn’t that inferior. All things considered, the Raspberry Pi with the HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro HAT board is a... Five Freaking Star Value! "

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So, how good actually is a Raspberry Pi computer when equipped with a reasonably good (but still reasonably priced) DAC?

Compared with a high-end music server & DAC rig, such as a NAD Masters 50.2 digital music player (US$4399) + PS AUDIO DirectStream DAC (US$8395)?


The Raspberry Pi (US$49 + $15 acrylic case + 1TB Hard drive $50):



Equipped above with an ALLO Boss I2S DAC v1.2 'HAT' (US$65 + ALLO PSU $10):




The NAD 50.2 + PS AUDIO DirectStream DAC:

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

In WALL of SOUND (Steve Graham)'s Part 5 (3 Jan 2021) wrap-up of his Raspberry Pi build, he concludes:


" I’d rate the Pi + S/PDIF HAT + PS DAC at 70% of the “goodness” compared to the NAD/PS combo when playing 16/44 files... 65%...when playing 24/192 files. "

" The level of performance exhibited by the Pi + Allo Boss DAC would be stunning at $1,000. The fact that it can be had for US$189, including hard drive, is quite simply astonishing. There has been no better time than right now to get into file-based audio playback. "

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Owen I have been considering trying the www.allo.com/sparky/digione-player.html feeding into into a seperate DAC. A good chance to try an upgrade to my MacBook Pro which is currently on streaming duty into the DAC.

Hi antg,
ALLO look to have an wide range of digital player products, options & accessories.

Will be interested in your progress, keep us posted

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

I have this:

allo.com/sparky/bundle-sparky-kali-piano-2-1.html

Soundwise it's pretty good and makes for satisfying listening, however nowhere near my TT.

Check if you need a second power supply (there are two for my one, your choice may differ)!!!

Sparky is limited in its choice of playback O/S to pretty much Volumio and nothing else. Be aware of that. There are plugins for most services.

Hmmm. it would pay allo.com to not include a sparky subdomain when they are trying to sell the digione!

I just checked it and it has nothing to do with their Sparky board!

So as you are not limited to choice of OS!