THE ALLO KATANA 1.2 DAC REVIEW - A new ball game

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05-01-2019, 22:12
Bourneendboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourplum

I am using the isolator with the Boss, works like a charm

Does it fit between the Pi and Boss or on top?

I guess it won't fit inside the aluminium case?
10-01-2019, 20:39
Alp

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigman80

I have a pi question or two.

1) IF I were to use a SSD with the Pi to store the music files, would it need any extra power?

2) IF I were to use a Linear PSU, What king of spec would be required and does anyone have a handy link?

You can run the SSD from the USB, no problem. I did that for a while but (apparently) an SSD generates a lot of noise; I have found the sound to be better streaming from my NAS across wifi.

From what I have read, a linear PSU might be wasted on the RPi itself. I recently bought a 50000 mAh MaxOak battery which has high current output and lasts ages and is much cheaper than a quality linear PSU with a high output current. The DigiOne Signature and Katana both isolate the "dirty" power of the RPi from a separate clean power supply (e.g. a battery or linear PSU) and you also need much lower current supply for that part too.
10-01-2019, 20:47
Bigman80

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alp

You can run the SSD from the USB, no problem. I did that for a while but (apparently) an SSD generates a lot of noise; I have found the sound to be better streaming from my NAS across wifi.

From what I have read, a linear PSU might be wasted on the RPi itself. I recently bought a 50000 mAh MaxOak battery which has high current output and lasts ages and is much cheaper than a quality linear PSU with a high output current. The DigiOne Signature and Katana both isolate the "dirty" power of the RPi from a separate clean power supply (e.g. a battery or linear PSU) and you also need much lower current supply for that part too.

Ah, I see.

Thanks for that.
10-01-2019, 21:48
Sherwood

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Adder

Thanks, Mike. Your welcome.

Yes, the case work is rather simple. I now feel this Allo package now needs to be presented much more professionally. To be able to buy a nicely designed case which fixes the wiring direction issue would be superb. :)

It's all good feedback for Allo.

I would have bought this myself if the product was produced in a case ideally with a good LPS to feed each board. At the asking price it needs to excel on ergonomics and not just on SQ!
10-01-2019, 23:39
atca

My unstacked stack in 50mm case.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...960a050af5.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8affec93dc.jpg
10-01-2019, 23:57
walpurgis

Sugden box, but internals look non-standard to me. Not that I'm familiar with the original.
11-01-2019, 18:56
Ashmore

Hello all

I continue to use the Pi3 + IQ Audio DAC combo. I've been (and continue to be) mostly very happy with it. But having been 'away' for a couple of years I see things have moved on somewhat!

I'm not a newcomer but it's hard to assess the merits of digital stuff, and I suppose I have the impossible question - so with apologies in advance for it - in what ways could I expect this modern marvel to exceed my IQaudio setup? (I note we are in a different price bracket here too).

Simon

PS I'm running a lovely Lurcher 300b, and terrific Reiver (Colin Topps) speakers, it's a revealing system. I manage the current pi set up with picore and squeezecommander.
11-01-2019, 19:10
mikeyb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashmore

Hello all

I continue to use the Pi3 + IQ Audio DAC combo. I've been (and continue to be) mostly very happy with it. But having been 'away' for a couple of years I see things have moved on somewhat!

I'm not a newcomer but it's hard to assess the merits of digital stuff, and I suppose I have the impossible question - so with apologies in advance for it - in what ways could I expect this modern marvel to exceed my IQaudio setup? (I note we are in a different price bracket here too).

Simon

PS I'm running a lovely Lurcher 300b, and terrific Reiver (Colin Topps) speakers, it's a revealing system. I manage the current pi set up with picore and squeezecommander.

I've had an IQAudio DAC hat before, in fact it was my first Pi DAC, but I have to say that the Allo kit is better sounding but others might say different.

The Allo kit is more expensive of course so no shame on the IQAudio.
11-01-2019, 19:17
jonners

@Ashmore

I think you would find that the Katana is in a different league, and your system is certainly good enough to benefit from it. You need to factor in the cost of at least two decent 5V power supplies though.
11-01-2019, 19:27
atca

Quote:

Originally Posted by walpurgis

Sugden box, but internals look non-standard to me. Not that I'm familiar with the original.

Pi3b+
Allo Katana 1.2
Allo Isolator
2x 5v linear PSU from MPAudio
240v to 6v AC transformer from MPAudio

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