KlineMJ's HifiBerry DAC+ Headphone system review.
Apr 3, 2019 18:04:08 GMT -5
unsound and adaboy like this
Post by klinemj on Apr 3, 2019 18:04:08 GMT -5
Recently, I asked about the HifiBerry DAC+ Pro card (HFB from now on) with a Raspberry Pi (-->See This Link Right Here!<--)
My interest was to add a 2nd Headphone station in my house, building off my prior Pi experience, but perhaps enabling me to get rid of the DC-1 and use the cash to get another headphone amp + another Pi feed for it. Here's my prior Pi and headphone experience:
-->CLICK RIGHT HERE<--
Last week, I ordered an HFB and a steel case for it. It arrived today.
To build it, I opened the box with the HFB and steel case, unplugged my R-Pi-3, and took the Pi-guts out of the plastic case. I fumbled a bit with the parts for the HFB and case, but within 15 minutes, I had the new system installed. It's easy...put the Pi board into the steel case, install 1 pair of standoffs to hold the board in place, attach a 2nd pair of standoffs to the HFB board, then place the HFB board into the other part of the case, align the halves and press them together and insert/tighten screws to hold the case together. Then, insert the MicroSD card into the unit with the appropriate software on it, plug it in and connect RCA's to the headphone amp. I am using Roon, so I had to go into Roon settings and enable the HifiBerry and put the settings where I wanted, and then the HifiBerry appears in my list of viable "zones" in Roon. (I am using RoPieee software on the Pi...both before when I didn't have the HFB board and now that I do.)
I started listening, and so far - I think it sounds as good as the DC-1. That's a powerful statement, for sure. I have into this streamer the following: $66 for the HFB and steel case, $35 for the Pi 3b, $5 for the cheapo power supply, and $9 for a microSD card.
While I am not ready to fully declare it is definitely as good as the DC-1, I can't hear anything I am missing.
I'll give it a better listen and let you know if my conclusion changes. My only regret so far was that I didn't order from a US distributor via Amazon...I could have had it 2 days sooner.
For the record, I am currently going HFB/R-Pi via ethernet cable to RCA outs and then into the BasX A100, to my Sennheiser cans. Previously, I went R-Pi 3b to the DC-1 via USB to the BasX A100 to my Senn's.
UPDATES:
I've now had a lot more time listening to the Pi/DC-1/A100 vs. the HifiBerry/A100 systems, and all I can say is that they are very close. I am not hearing any significant glaring differences between the two. I keep wanting to hear something that makes me say the DC-1 is clearly better, but every time I think I hear something - I switch back to the HifiBerry and "nope...sounded the same". This is through my Senn 600's, but a brief listen to my B&W 202's came to the same conclusion.
Also, having the option to have volume control via the HifiBerry is very nice when the HP amp is out of arm's reach.
For $130 and 15 minutes to assemble, the HifiBerry is a pretty good deal. FYI, it's about $131 if you order all the parts (including steel case) from Amazon using Prime or $139 if you order direct from HifiBerry where the parts are cheaper but shipping adds in the extra.
The only thing I don't like is what someone pointed out in a review I...the HifiBerry board can move a little within the case. You have to make sure the RCA's are centered in the opening or you might end up with a ground noise.
After I live with it for a while, I am considering adding in a proper power supply.
Mark
My interest was to add a 2nd Headphone station in my house, building off my prior Pi experience, but perhaps enabling me to get rid of the DC-1 and use the cash to get another headphone amp + another Pi feed for it. Here's my prior Pi and headphone experience:
-->CLICK RIGHT HERE<--
Last week, I ordered an HFB and a steel case for it. It arrived today.
To build it, I opened the box with the HFB and steel case, unplugged my R-Pi-3, and took the Pi-guts out of the plastic case. I fumbled a bit with the parts for the HFB and case, but within 15 minutes, I had the new system installed. It's easy...put the Pi board into the steel case, install 1 pair of standoffs to hold the board in place, attach a 2nd pair of standoffs to the HFB board, then place the HFB board into the other part of the case, align the halves and press them together and insert/tighten screws to hold the case together. Then, insert the MicroSD card into the unit with the appropriate software on it, plug it in and connect RCA's to the headphone amp. I am using Roon, so I had to go into Roon settings and enable the HifiBerry and put the settings where I wanted, and then the HifiBerry appears in my list of viable "zones" in Roon. (I am using RoPieee software on the Pi...both before when I didn't have the HFB board and now that I do.)
I started listening, and so far - I think it sounds as good as the DC-1. That's a powerful statement, for sure. I have into this streamer the following: $66 for the HFB and steel case, $35 for the Pi 3b, $5 for the cheapo power supply, and $9 for a microSD card.
While I am not ready to fully declare it is definitely as good as the DC-1, I can't hear anything I am missing.
I'll give it a better listen and let you know if my conclusion changes. My only regret so far was that I didn't order from a US distributor via Amazon...I could have had it 2 days sooner.
For the record, I am currently going HFB/R-Pi via ethernet cable to RCA outs and then into the BasX A100, to my Sennheiser cans. Previously, I went R-Pi 3b to the DC-1 via USB to the BasX A100 to my Senn's.
UPDATES:
I've now had a lot more time listening to the Pi/DC-1/A100 vs. the HifiBerry/A100 systems, and all I can say is that they are very close. I am not hearing any significant glaring differences between the two. I keep wanting to hear something that makes me say the DC-1 is clearly better, but every time I think I hear something - I switch back to the HifiBerry and "nope...sounded the same". This is through my Senn 600's, but a brief listen to my B&W 202's came to the same conclusion.
Also, having the option to have volume control via the HifiBerry is very nice when the HP amp is out of arm's reach.
For $130 and 15 minutes to assemble, the HifiBerry is a pretty good deal. FYI, it's about $131 if you order all the parts (including steel case) from Amazon using Prime or $139 if you order direct from HifiBerry where the parts are cheaper but shipping adds in the extra.
The only thing I don't like is what someone pointed out in a review I...the HifiBerry board can move a little within the case. You have to make sure the RCA's are centered in the opening or you might end up with a ground noise.
After I live with it for a while, I am considering adding in a proper power supply.
Mark
