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+--- Thread: Advice needed for an USB DAC (/showthread.php?tid=5576)
Advice needed for an USB DAC - romain - 05-10-2023
Hello,
Allo Boss 2 DAC is not supported anymore since moOde 8.3.2 so I would like to replace it with an USB DAC which has a RCA stereo output. I have a budget of $350, which ones would you recommend me ?
For the while I'm leaning towards Khadas Tone2 Pro and Earmen TR-Amp.
Also, can you adjust volume from moOde interface with an USB DAC ?
Thanks in advance,
Romain
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - Nutul - 05-10-2023
(05-10-2023, 07:58 AM)romain Wrote: Hello,
Allo Boss 2 DAC is not supported anymore since moOde 8.3.2 so I would like to replace it with an USB DAC which has a RCA stereo output. I have a budget of $350, which ones would you recommend me ?
For the while I'm leaning towards Khadas Tone2 Pro and Earmen TR-Amp.
Also, can you adjust volume from moOde interface with an USB DAC ?
Thanks in advance,
Romain
Hi Romain,
the Khadas Tone2 is a wonderful product, IIRC @TheOldPresbyope owns it; and yes, you can change the volume from the moOde interface, although doing that you are compromising the digital stream, which (of course) will not be BIT-PERFECT any more.
ETA
you can also have a look at the Topping DX3 Pro+, as it is in the same price-tag and uses the same DAC-chip.
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - Tim Curtis - 05-10-2023
Have a look at Topping and S.M.S.L USB devices. They seem to be pretty popular and are generally available on Amazon. Best to buy from a source that offers unconditional return in case you don't like the product.
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - TheOldPresbyope - 05-10-2023
@romain
I believe in objective measures of performance so I'm a big fan of folks like amirm and his Audio Science Review site.
It's been my experience that I'm likely to be more than satisfied with the audio performance of any product which appears on amirm's growing list of "recommended" DACs. (There used to be a convenient interactive page where one could search his database for recommended DACs by cost, interface, etc., but I can't find it now.) My selection process consists of finding a DAC on the list which has the features I require and costs no more than I'm willing to pay.
I have the USB-driven Khadas Tone1 board, actually, not the Tone2. I'm quite happy with the Tone1 sonically but it is a bare board; no enclosure, display, etc. I also recently purchased the I2S-driven Inno-Maker HiFi DAC Pro HAT which incorporates the same DAC chip as the Tone1 does. I'm quite happy with it too, although again it's just a board. Both boards have been measured and recommended by amirm and both boards cost less than US$100. Both boards work fine with moOde of course.
From what I've read, the USB-driven Topping E30 II should be just as satisfactory to me as the above. Based on a (pair of) different DAC chip, it is a complete package with enclosure, front panel display, multiple input paths, and even a remote control, and yet costs just US$150. That's probably the most I'd be willing to pay given how well even less costly DACs perform.
The USB-driven Khadas Tone2 has the same DAC chip as the two boards I have but otherwise is a different animal in terms of its enclosure, audio circuitry, etc. There are lots of nice things to say about it but I would have to think hard about spending US$250 given the quality of the rest of my system(s).
As Tim has mentioned, there are other possibilities. Be sure you can have the ability to evaluate and return or exchange if you're hesitant.
Eschew audiophilia nervosa and enjoy the music.
Regards,
Kent
PS - for me, software volume control is just fine even though it's not a "bit perfect" process, same for SoX resampling, and for transcoding DSD to PCM (for example, because I want to use crossfeed processing with my headphones or software volume control with DSD-encoded tracks). There was a time in my life when I had golden ears and might possibly have discerned audible differences with those techniques. Even that were true then, and I'm not sure it was, it certainly isn't true now..
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - romain - 05-11-2023
Thanks @Tim Curtis, @Nutul and @TheOldPresbyope for all your advice
As my budget increased to 500 EUR I opted for the SMSL SU-9 Pro USB DAC. This will allow me to stream my music from moOde via USB, connect my smart TV via Toslink and benefit from HQ Bluetooth with my POCO F5 Pro, without having to switch from a source to another on my AirPulse A100 speakers.
Also, do I still need a quality power supply for my pi 4B if I only use it with an USB DAC ? Until now I had an Allo Shanti to power my Allo Boss 2 DAC.
Best regards,
Romain
P.S. by the way, are you aware of specialised websites, apart from eBay, where I could sell the gear I don't need anymore (power supplies, audio HAT, Raspberry Pis and other SBCs,...) ?
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - Tim Curtis - 05-11-2023
Try one of the official Raspberry Pi power supplies.
https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Model-Official-SC0218-Accessory/dp/B07W8XHMJZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=raspberry%2Bpi%2Bpower%2Bsupply&qid=1683816386&sr=8-3&th=1
For more info on PSU's
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/do-you-need-linear-power-supply-for-dacs.7021/
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - romain - 05-11-2023
(05-11-2023, 02:47 PM)Tim Curtis Wrote: Try one of the official Raspberry Pi power supplies.
https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Model-Official-SC0218-Accessory/dp/B07W8XHMJZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=raspberry%2Bpi%2Bpower%2Bsupply&qid=1683816386&sr=8-3&th=1
For more info on PSU's
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/do-you-need-linear-power-supply-for-dacs.7021/
Thanks @Tim Curtis, I already own the officially power supply, I'll check the article on ASR.
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - Nutul - 05-11-2023
(05-11-2023, 02:38 PM)romain Wrote: Also, do I still need a quality power supply for my pi 4B if I only use it with an USB DAC ? Until now I had an Allo Shanti to power my Allo Boss 2 DAC.
A quality PS is always welcome when it comes to music equipment.
The USB on the Pi4 is separated from the LAN, so it is prone to less induced noise, but the poor default switching PS may still bring some into play.
You may not need a very powerful one, now that you have an external, powered DAC, but still, I'd buy an low-noise PS; even better if it is a linear, quality one.
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - CallMeMike - 05-12-2023
(05-11-2023, 02:38 PM)romain Wrote: ...........deleted.........
Also, do I still need a quality power supply for my pi 4B if I only use it with an USB DAC ?
..........deleted...........
iFi Audio has two switch-mode PSUs that may do the job for you:
- (AmazonFR) iFi iPower2
- (AmazonFR) iFi iPower X
Info on iFi Audio site:
- https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipower2/
- https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipowerx/
RE: Advice needed for an USB DAC - romain - 05-12-2023
I think I'll stick with my Allo Shanti then, even if it's overkill for just powering the Raspberry