The ALLO Audio music steamer - Pic heavy review

[Starterman]

I don't think think the IQ DAC will work with Kali even with the 3v3 supply - because it operates in master mode and the Kali requires a dac that's in slave mode.
Like Mike, I greatly prefer the Kali/Piano over the IQAudio sound.

For the IQ DAC+ to be master it would need a clock on board. I cannot see any evidence of one, so I think it operates in slave mode.

[jonners]

For the IQ DAC+ to be master it would need a clock on board. I cannot see any evidence of one, so I think it operates in slave mode.

True. I was passing on something I read elsewhere, which looks like it was incorrect. I'll be interested to see if the addition of the 3v3 supply can make it work.

[Starterman]

Initial impression listening to the PI2/Piano2.1 combo (no KALI) with the inductor on the Piano shorted are good. Dynamics and soundstage are much better and it could well be preferable to the IQ DAC+ now.
More listening needed, but much 'appier with 'Allo 'Allo now.

[mikeyb]

Initial impression listening to the PI2/Piano2.1 combo (no KALI) with the inductor on the Piano shorted are good. Dynamics and soundstage are much better and it could well be preferable to the IQ DAC+ now.
More listening needed, but much 'appier with 'Allo 'Allo now.

Excellent

[jonners]

Initial impression listening to the PI2/Piano2.1 combo (no KALI) with the inductor on the Piano shorted are good. Dynamics and soundstage are much better and it could well be preferable to the IQ DAC+ now.
More listening needed, but much 'appier with 'Allo 'Allo now.

Just now I tried shorting the inductor on the Piano 2.0, with the Kali in place. Result: The opposite of what Dave found: I thought the sound was livelier and more dynamic with the inductor in circuit.
Dave, are you going to give Kali+Piano another try?
(I'm on Moode 2.7 btw)

[The Black Adder]

Shorting the inductor? Any pics of this please?

[jonners]

Shorting the inductor? Any pics of this please?

The inductor is the square black component with '152' on top, near the headphone socket. I just powered down and (carefully) put a croc clip across it. That was just my way though, and I don't necessarily recommend it to others!

[Starterman]

That's exactly what I did!

Please be very, very careful not to touch the caps on either side of the inductor with the croc clip - one end of each cap is ground and if you short to that end something will go pop!

[Starterman]

Just now I tried shorting the inductor on the Piano 2.0, with the Kali in place. Result: The opposite of what Dave found: I thought the sound was livelier and more dynamic with the inductor in circuit.
Dave, are you going to give Kali+Piano another try?
(I'm on Moode 2.7 btw)

Yes I will try the KALI again. I need to figure out how the 2 inductors on the KALI board are connected. If one or both are in series with any analogue supply (to the DAC) they will probably end up being shorted.

[jonners]

That's exactly what I did!

Please be very, very careful not to touch the caps on either side of the inductor with the croc clip - one end of each cap is ground and if you short to that end something will go pop!

Indeed. And be careful it doesn't flip off and short something somewhere else!
In other words, don't do this at home!