View Full Version : AlloBoss/Audiophonics/Mo0de/Volumio initial comparison
System in use: Schiit Saga preamp + Quad 306 (DADA and RedHill modified) + Living Voice speakers.
Comparison between:
Rpi2 + Allo Boss + Volumio + Rpi power supply
With:
2. Rpi3 +Audiophonics sabre Es 9018 + MoOde + Linear PS.
The original comparison used different output leads. I have now rectified this and the Chords have been replaced by QEDs -(Profile Audio), which I view as being slightly superior.
I have run several blind comparisons between the two, using Radio Paradise and BBC Radio 3 as sound sources.
I view the AlloBoss as being slightly superior in almost all aspects of SQ, namely: better separation of instruments allied to a more widely spread soundstage; better bass and a better ‘high end’ (the ‘high-hats’ are, for example, more pronounced). These effects were less pronounced when listening to a live BBC radio3 concert.
I am aware that these contrasts could be due to software differences. Has anyone else run comparisons?
One wonders if a different/ ‘better PS’ would further enhance the AlloBoss.
Richard.
The logical step is to go for the allo isolator and battery psu for the boss. I've only just got mine running but it's damn good and benefits massively for upsampling to my ears. It's the best digital I've had. If you're local maybe we can try a comparison.
I've read moOde sounds better so went straight for that so can't compare to voluminous at present but will try in due course.
The Black Adder
23-09-2017, 06:17
I'm currently running the Allo Boss with the Isolator. I've not got round to upsampling yet, are you getting good results?
I've been reviewing the ALLO units for a while now and they are certainly worth it.
The Isolator really does add an extra level to the sound although I've not tried the battery pack with it.
The Black Adder
23-09-2017, 07:03
The logical step is to go for the allo isolator and battery psu for the boss. I've only just got mine running but it's damn good and benefits massively for upsampling to my ears. It's the best digital I've had. If you're local maybe we can try a comparison.
I've read moOde sounds better so went straight for that so can't compare to voluminous at present but will try in due course.Which battery psu are you using?
Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk
Josie,
Do you use up-sampling with your AlloBoss? (I have mine set to 'native'). If so, do you mind sharing your settings? (I treat you as the expert on this field in the forum).
Many thanks,
Richard.
Comparison between:
Rpi2 + Allo Boss + Volumio + Rpi power supply
With:
2. Rpi3 +Audiophonics sabre Es 9018 + MoOde + Linear PS
Very interesting, thanks for posting.
Obvious question would be why not swap over the power supplies and see if that edges the Boss even further ahead? Then you might see whether it would be worth upgrading the PS?
I am also thinking about upgrading PS, and am considering the IFI ipower 5v. Have you seen this:
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/31119-power-supply-8-group-test-lps-and-smps/
I am using latest Moode with advanced RT kernal and upsample to 32/384, though I haven't done any comparisons with other settings to see the difference - sounds good to me!
Which battery psu are you using?
Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk
I've mainly been running off a 7ah 12v sealed lead acid battery but I also have the allo battery pack and life po cells (but no charger!) and a tracer 22ah 12v lifepo pack. I haven't done any a to b testing yet though.
The Black Adder
24-09-2017, 10:15
Josie,
Do you use up-sampling with your AlloBoss? (I have mine set to 'native'). If so, do you mind sharing your settings? (I treat you as the expert on this filed in the forum).
Many thanks,
Richard.I've not got round to up sampling yet.. I've just set it to the wildcard 24bit/*khz.
It plays everything I throw at it at the moment Including .dsf files
Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk
Very interesting, thanks for posting.
Obvious question would be why not swap over the power supplies and see if that edges the Boss even further ahead? Then you might see whether it would be worth upgrading the PS?
I am also thinking about upgrading PS, and am considering the IFI ipower 5v. Have you seen this:
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/31119-power-supply-8-group-test-lps-and-smps/
I am using latest Moode with advanced RT kernal and upsample to 32/384, though I haven't done any comparisons with other settings to see the difference - sounds good to me!
Hi Luke, thanks.
I can't do what you suggest as the linear ps supplies 6.35V to the Sabre DAC (which then regulates it down to approx.5V to supply the Rpi). If I put 6.35V straight into the Boss/Rpi I'm not sure it would last too long.
The iFi link is interesting. Most opinions seem to be favourable - with some questioning the longevity. I may experiment with a battery pack later.
Cheers,
Richard
Short update:
1. I've ordered an iFi PS for the RPi+ AlloBoss. It is due on Friday so will report back. Thanks Luke for the link: https://www.computeraudiophile.com/f...-lps-and-smps/
2. With the Volumio set-up I changed the setting to 24/96 from native. I think there is a very small improvement.
3. With the Mo0de set-up I have the kernel set to Advanced-LL and a latency of 10ms.
Please, please, will anyone with more experience/expertise than me wish to suggest 'better' settings -please feel free to do so.
Bw
R
Update:
The iFi 5V supply came two days earlier than expected. I have plugged it into the AlloBoss system and am using Radio Paradise as a sound source. I cannot tell the difference between the iFi and the stock Rpi ps.
R
Update:
The iFi 5V supply came two days earlier than expected. I have plugged it into the AlloBoss system and am using Radio Paradise as a sound source. I cannot tell the difference between the iFi and the stock Rpi ps.
R
Oh no, how disappointing. I was about to pull the trigger on an ipower myself. Perhaps I will try a battery pack instead...
Oh no, how disappointing. I was about to pull the trigger on an ipower myself. Perhaps I will try a battery pack instead...
I don't know if the iFi device requires a 'burn-in' but I'll do another test later this week. Please remember that all my comments relate to me and my equipment (and I'm nearly 70 years old!). The iFi is cheap enough for a 'punt' without breaking the bank.
On a side issue, last time I tried the AlloBoss/Audiophonics comparison I used Radio Paradise 320, and this time the difference between the two seemed less apparent. Not what I was expecting!
If you do try a battery pack I'd be most interested in your findings.
Thanks,
R
I found a mobile charger battery to be better than the iFi on my RPi3. Better still is the Sbooster I've just put in the system today. I tried the 5V supply from my HDPLEX linear power supply but didn't like it - to be fair the 5V output isn't meant to be the greatest. Sbooster is the winner out of the power supplies I've tried.
Some battery packs are better than others I will say. Much depends on the electronics inside. I also use one for my rpi and for both my chromecasts
Some battery packs are better than others I will say. Much depends on the electronics inside. I also use one for my rpi and for both my chromecasts
I totally agree. It took me a while to settle on the RaviPower one that I've used for quite some time in preference to the iFi. I can't say the Ravi is the best out there, just the best of the ones I tried. The Sbooster is very good though (even better) and it doesn't need recharging. BTW I using an Allo DigiOne on an RPi3.
Battery is still a good and cost effective option.
System in use: Schiit Saga preamp + Quad 306 (DADA and RedHill modified) + Living Voice speakers.
Comparison between:
Rpi2 + Allo Boss + Volumio + Rpi power supply
With:
2. Rpi3 +Audiophonics sabre Es 9018 + MoOde + Linear PS.
The original comparison used different output leads. I have now rectified this and the Chords have been replaced by QEDs -(Profile Audio), which I view as being slightly superior.
I have run several blind comparisons between the two, using Radio Paradise and BBC Radio 3 as sound sources.
I view the AlloBoss as being slightly superior in almost all aspects of SQ, namely: better separation of instruments allied to a more widely spread soundstage; better bass and a better ‘high end’ (the ‘high-hats’ are, for example, more pronounced). These effects were less pronounced when listening to a live BBC radio3 concert.
I am aware that these contrasts could be due to software differences. Has anyone else run comparisons?
One wonders if a different/ ‘better PS’ would further enhance the AlloBoss.
Richard.
Also using a modded 34/306 (Dada) to KEF LS50 speakers :) sourced from an Allo Kali + Piano2.1 and a linear PSU. I also use a couple of Sabre based DAC's running on Pi2's. Comparatively, IMHO, I find both to sound very good but the Allo re-clocked dual mono setup has the edge because it seems have more "space" to it. It is currently my main DAC and music source (using Spotify premium).
Cycleallday
03-10-2017, 20:17
"Allo re-clocked dual mono setup"
Rupert,
Can you expand on what you have done to achieve the above (on the Piano 2.1)
I would like to reconfigure the 2.1 but didn't want to have to learn the TI coding approach - have you got another way to re-configure the 2 onboard DAC's ?
Mel
Rupert,
Can you expand on what you have done to achieve the above (on the Piano 2.1)
I would like to reconfigure the 2.1 but didn't want to have to learn the TI coding approach - have you got another way to re-configure the 2 onboard DAC's ?
Mel
Dual Mono mode is now available as a setting both in Volumio and Moode.
Yatsushiro
04-10-2017, 08:07
Dual Mono mode is now available as a setting both in Volumio and Moode.
And PiCorePlayer, possibly DietPi as well.
+1
with both moode and volumio you get the dual mono or dual stereo option but only with the Piano 2.1 DAC (because it has 2 identical DAC PCM5142 chips onboard). Initially the second one was intended to drive a sub... but with a little coding, the developers have managed to route a L&R mono signal to each individual chip.
Cycleallday
04-10-2017, 17:37
Dual Mono mode is now available as a setting both in Volumio and Moode.
Can you tell where the settings are in Moode - Ive got the player identified as Piano 2.1 but can't find the place to reset the filters ?
Mel
Can you tell where the settings are in Moode - Ive got the player identified as Piano 2.1 but can't find the place to reset the filters ?
Mel
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'reset the filters'.
There's a setting 'Chip/Device options' just below the DAC setting, but it may be that you are using an old release of Moode that doesn't have that option available. It enables you to set 2.0, 2.1, Dual Mono or Dual Stereo mode.
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'reset the filters'.
There's a setting 'Chip/Device options' just below the DAC setting, but it may be that you are using an old release of Moode that doesn't have that option available. It enables you to set 2.0, 2.1, Dual Mono or Dual Stereo mode.
Really interesting that they have managed to do this - can you tell any difference between 2.0, dual mono and dual stereo? If so, how would you characterise the differences?
Really interesting that they have managed to do this - can you tell any difference between 2.0, dual mono and dual stereo? If so, how would you characterise the differences?
In comparison with 2.0, i find Dual Mono gives noticeably better separation and definition of instruments. If you Google 'Piano 2.1 dual mono' you will find some more favourable opinions.
In comparison with 2.0, i find Dual Mono gives noticeably better separation and definition of instruments. If you Google 'Piano 2.1 dual mono' you will find some more favourable opinions.
1+ my experience as well
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