I have been down a bit of a rabbit hole. Wanted to share some of this to see what you think and also on the off chance it would help.
Been doing quite a bit of reading and watching videos on Audio Science Review and Amir seems quite convinced that RPi noise etc has no impact on the noise and quality of output from a USB DAC Do USB Filters Make DACs Sound Better? He also has done some analysis as to whether Linear Power Supplies make a difference here Do you need linear power supply for DACs?
This has also led me to a website called Archimago's Musings where he also supports this: MEASUREMENTS: Raspberry Pi 3 as USB Audio Streamer (with recommended CRAAP config & TIDAL/MQA arrives).
Now I know that this is all related to USB DACs, but he (Archimago) also did an analysis of the HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro with a SMPS PSU vs a battery PSU. There was no difference in any of his tests between these two power options. And the HiFiBerry with a standard SMPS power supply performed just as well as high end DACs. MEASUREMENTS: Raspberry Pi 3 & HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro (Audio Streaming).
@hifinet you use a RPi Zero W with an Allo Kali reclocker and the ProtoDAC correct? Are you happy with the output from this setup?
My readings are really making me consider going with just a RPi 3B+/3A+ -> FiFoPi MA -> ProtoDAC. I was considering getting an IsolatorPi from Ian Canada as well for galvanic isolation. But I just don't know that this is needed (and frankly I just don't want to spend money if I don't need to). Especially given Archimago's findings with the HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro which didn't have any galvanic isolation.
Interested in comments and if any of the links above help anyone else then great
.
Been doing quite a bit of reading and watching videos on Audio Science Review and Amir seems quite convinced that RPi noise etc has no impact on the noise and quality of output from a USB DAC Do USB Filters Make DACs Sound Better? He also has done some analysis as to whether Linear Power Supplies make a difference here Do you need linear power supply for DACs?
This has also led me to a website called Archimago's Musings where he also supports this: MEASUREMENTS: Raspberry Pi 3 as USB Audio Streamer (with recommended CRAAP config & TIDAL/MQA arrives).
Now I know that this is all related to USB DACs, but he (Archimago) also did an analysis of the HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro with a SMPS PSU vs a battery PSU. There was no difference in any of his tests between these two power options. And the HiFiBerry with a standard SMPS power supply performed just as well as high end DACs. MEASUREMENTS: Raspberry Pi 3 & HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro (Audio Streaming).
@hifinet you use a RPi Zero W with an Allo Kali reclocker and the ProtoDAC correct? Are you happy with the output from this setup?
My readings are really making me consider going with just a RPi 3B+/3A+ -> FiFoPi MA -> ProtoDAC. I was considering getting an IsolatorPi from Ian Canada as well for galvanic isolation. But I just don't know that this is needed (and frankly I just don't want to spend money if I don't need to). Especially given Archimago's findings with the HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro which didn't have any galvanic isolation.
Interested in comments and if any of the links above help anyone else then great
.
