THE ALLO KATANA 1.2 DAC REVIEW - A new ball game

[Ashmore]

Thanks both. I have a couple of Lurcher linear supplies. I use one for the Pi now, I imagine I can get an adapter for the other.

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[The Black Adder]

Just updating this thread for you guys.

I've recently been running the SQ version opposed to the THD version lately.

The difference between them both is small. Differences with the SQ is a smoother, more analogue sound. It reminds me of a more vintage DAC but without the bad bits. It has the same presentation, focus and scale as the THD version but with a touch more class. A more ethereal, classic and natural quality.

The bass is somewhat more dynamic too. Still as lovely as THD but with a tad more sway.

So far it's been in my system for just over 3 days and so this is still 'burning in'so I'll be back with more later on.

My preference so far is the SQ is more me but I'll be keeping both to do further experiments.

[Jimbo]

What does SQ and THD stand for Josie?

[Ashmore]

Hi Jimbo

This from the Allo site

Katana gives you the choice between 2 stages:
"Pure THD+N": At -112.9 Thd+n 1Khz A weighted, this stage will satisfy those that want no distortion in music. Board sounds very good.
"Sound quality" stage: 100.5 Thd+n a weighted 1Khz, this board has been optimized for sound quality. While sacrificing some thd+n numbers we found the subjective experience to be, in a word, closer to analog sound.

You can apparently change from one to the other within the same unit by moving jumpers and suchlike.

Simon

[The Black Adder]

Aw.. Thanks Simon.

Sorry, James.. I just kept getting distracted but Simon has explained it better than I.



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[Jimbo]

Thanks for the explanation. I think the SQ may sound better?

[The Black Adder]

That's my findings, James.

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[Ashmore]

I’ve been using the Katana (SQ version) with Isolator for a few weeks and thought some fellow forum members might appreciate a further user perspective.

For the record I have no relationship with Allo, other than as a customer. I haven’t used their other products and I purchased the Katana with my own cash.

A bit of preamble. I have used the PI & IQ Audio DAC+ combo since whenever it was the DAC+ came out. A couple of years at least. Before that I had streamed to Squeezebox devices from a Vortexbox (NAS). So I am pretty comfortable with streaming solutions.

I use the Katana with the recommended two PSU setup; a Nick Lurcher Linear supply for the isolator/Katana and a switch-mode for the Pi. The rest of the system is a ‘Lurcher’ built 300b SET (super) and Colin Topps Fenwick (wonderful largish stand mounts).

Cutting to the chase, in every respect the Katana is fantastic. My experience fully reflects the improvements and characteristics others have described - timing, separation, sound stage, detail retrieval – large ticks in every box. I have encountered no listener fatigue. Quite the contrary the sound is so engaging that I am spending hours listening. It’s a wonder.

Within my system this is not a small step up. The improvements were instantly very noticeable, as well they might be - the Katana is at least six times the price of the DAC+ - so there’s no dishonour to IQ audio here.

I waited some weeks before writing this up to allow myself time to validate my opinions and observe any burn-in effect. I have to say I’m unsure about burn in, not that I disbelieve the possibility, but I’m not sure to what extent perceived differences are due to physical component changes vs getting used to a sound signature over time. I feel it is sounding smoother.

Further observations:
I use the Katana with Picoreplayer. All works a treat. There are some DSP options that you can do on the fly, but I’ve found the changes (at best) very subtle. A welcome addition is that you can set a maximum volume through Picore, and then tweak volume in player software.

The katana runs warm.

I purchased the pre-made player version, which should effectively be a plug-and-play 2 psu option. That wasn’t quite my experience since the kit is supplied set up as though it were the non-isolator version. To get mine working I had to a) buy a second USBC adaptor (only one is supplied), and b) close a jumper (bung the supplied cap over a couple of prongs – skill level required: toddler). Potential buyers should note that although set up is for two PSU operation, only one is supplied.

None of these things are big deals, but although Allo provide a ‘how to’ guide, I hadn’t appreciated I would need to do them, and so set up involved a bit of swearing and for Paul from Picoreplayer to point out I needed to close off the jumper.

So, a little more refinement needed in Allo’s customer experience, but far from being a bewilderingly complex set up that some have speculated about.

Hope this is useful to some folk.

[Bigman80]

Can the isolator be used with the boss?

[struth]

why those little.... yup agree if you bought it a a up and running unit they should have supplied 2 psu and done thumper or at least added a leaflet with how to.