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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 3, 2016 19:25:58 GMT -5
Volumio x86/x64 build. Gigabyte GB-BXBT-2807 - $114Kingston Technology 4GB 1600MHz DDR3L - $18SSDD 2.5 Inch – I had an old 120GB Plextor drive that I used, New it would be $100. Can use 2.5 HDD but SSDD generates less heat. 64G SSDD would be fine too. USB 3.0 1TB External Drive – You can get a 1T drive for < $60, size to need. Small USB wireless keyboard and mouse $35. The Gigabyte has 2 USB 2 ports and 1 USB 3 port. I use the USB 3 for the external USB disk. The other ports are for the keyboard/mouse and the USB output to my XMC-1. X86 Volumio has some advantages compared to the RPI version: A shutdown command takes the unit completely down. The RPI only goes to a shutdown state. You must then remove power. The x86 HDMI output runs a full Volumio GUI console. The RPI does not. You must use a browser on another device. With x86 you can install the system to the main SATA HD. On my XMC-1 input 6 takes video input from the x86 HDMI output and audio from the USB input. It supports all bit-rates. |
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Post by linvincible on Oct 26, 2016 2:54:48 GMT -5
after a bit of research I learnt that neither Raspberry Pi nor Odroid C2 can output DSD128 though I2S, only through USB
not enough power on that port to stream both channels at DSD128 speed, and channels can't be separated (otherwise 2 Pis would have done the trick, as long as the DAC can take the input from two ports)
that's a shame and I wonder if we should not wait for another upgrade of those micro computers before investing into these solutions!
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 26, 2016 6:02:53 GMT -5
after a bit of research I learnt that neither Raspberry Pi nor Odroid C2 can output DSD128 though I2S, only through USB not enough power on that port to stream both channels at DSD128 speed, and channels can't be separated (otherwise 2 Pis would have done the trick, as long as the DAC can take the input from two ports) that's a shame and I wonder if we should not wait for another upgrade of those micro computers before investing into these solutions! I'm fine with LPCM for now. A new RPI is only a $35 replacement in the future. |
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Post by hosko on Oct 26, 2016 6:29:02 GMT -5
X86 Volumio has some advantages compared to the RPI version: A shutdown command takes the unit completely down. The RPI only goes to a shutdown state. You must then remove power. Who shuts down a RPi? It runs in such a pathetic amount of power leaving the wall wart plugged in probably uses about the same amount of juice. I have one strapped to the back of a tv that just stays up and running. If you are running x86 why not just run windows |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 26, 2016 7:01:21 GMT -5
Who shuts down a RPi? It runs in such a pathetic amount of power leaving the wall wart plugged in probably uses about the same amount of juice. I have one strapped to the back of a tv that just stays up and running. I agree it is minimal power, but I am more worried about SD card corruption during a power glitch. If you are running x86 why not just run windows True, but I would want more of a processor to run Windows. My x86 box, a Gigabyte BRIX, uses an Intel Celeron N2807 chip which is more than enough power for Volumio and it is only $120 including case power supply and processor. |
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Post by hosko on Oct 26, 2016 7:13:11 GMT -5
Who shuts down a RPi? It runs in such a pathetic amount of power leaving the wall wart plugged in probably uses about the same amount of juice. I have one strapped to the back of a tv that just stays up and running. I agree it is minimal power, but I am more worried about SD card corruption during a power glitch. Actually RPi UPS's are available. Perhaps Emotiva could add one to their case. Even this is cheap but very effective. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Oct 26, 2016 10:14:36 GMT -5
I've found it more sensitive to connecting and disconnecting some USB devices while the power is connected. Luckily the SD card is trivial to re-flash.... and there's no critical information stored on the card (at worst it will take several minutes to re-scan your music). I would also note that the Raspberry Pi doesn't like to have its picture taken..... SERIOUSLY, I don't know the mechanism, but the output from an electronic flash (even the little one on a pocket camera) will corrupt the SD card. (So, if you take a picture of a running Raspberry Pi, from a few feet away, and use an electronic flash, it will often corrupt the card.) Who shuts down a RPi? It runs in such a pathetic amount of power leaving the wall wart plugged in probably uses about the same amount of juice. I have one strapped to the back of a tv that just stays up and running. I agree it is minimal power, but I am more worried about SD card corruption during a power glitch. If you are running x86 why not just run windows True, but I would want more of a processor to run Windows. My x86 box, a Gigabyte BRIX, uses an Intel Celeron N2807 chip which is more than enough power for Volumio and it is only $120 including case power supply and processor. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Oct 26, 2016 10:15:37 GMT -5
Now that's just plain cute.... I agree it is minimal power, but I am more worried about SD card corruption during a power glitch. Actually RPi UPS's are available. Perhaps Emotiva could add one to their case. Even this is cheap but very effective. |
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Oct 26, 2016 10:19:18 GMT -5
I'd have to say that I've never seen (heard) the need to do DSD (at either rate). Other than the inevitable tiny difference introduced by the conversion process, I simply haven't found that DSD sounds better than PCM. (Whenever you do a conversion, in either direction, the conversion process will introduce a tiny, and sometimes audible, difference... but I simply don't find the DSD version to be better.) I have most certainly found that the DSD versions of certain albums sound better than the CD version, but I just convert them to PCM, and the difference seems to remain (so I guess it's the mastering that's different). I've also got to say that I really don't count the $60 for a Raspberry Pi, case, and power supply as "an investment". (I keep my music files on a USB drive, in hierarchical folders, named for album and group, so I can plug the drive into any player with no re-configuration.) I switched from using a dual-core laptop running Windows 10 and Foobar2000 to a Raspberry Pi using Volumio. I find that the Pi runs more smoothly, with virtually no glitches (the Windows box would hiccough once in a while). (I haven't gotten around to trying the Intel version of Volumio yet.) I use/used USB for both - because, well, it works fine (and I'm connected to an asynch USB input, so jitter is irrelevant). after a bit of research I learnt that neither Raspberry Pi nor Odroid C2 can output DSD128 though I2S, only through USB not enough power on that port to stream both channels at DSD128 speed, and channels can't be separated (otherwise 2 Pis would have done the trick, as long as the DAC can take the input from two ports) that's a shame and I wonder if we should not wait for another upgrade of those micro computers before investing into these solutions! |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 26, 2016 10:51:34 GMT -5
Keith, I think you have the bottom line regarding Volumio. Like you, I just like the interface and operation.
I have a RPI feeding my XDA-2 via optical in my 2 channel system and a x86 Volumio system feeding my XMC-1 via USB in my HT. Both sound great!
Volumio is worth looking into. There are a large number of programmers supporting and improving it with each release.
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Post by yves on Oct 26, 2016 13:43:04 GMT -5
Who shuts down a RPi? It runs in such a pathetic amount of power leaving the wall wart plugged in probably uses about the same amount of juice. I have one strapped to the back of a tv that just stays up and running. I agree it is minimal power, but I am more worried about SD card corruption during a power glitch. If you are running x86 why not just run windows True, but I would want more of a processor to run Windows. My x86 box, a Gigabyte BRIX, uses an Intel Celeron N2807 chip which is more than enough power for Volumio and it is only $120 including case power supply and processor. My six and a half years old 10″ netbook uses an Intel Atom N270, which is actually more than 3 times slower than a Celeron N2807, yet, despite that, is more than enough power for foobar2000 running on Windows.  |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 26, 2016 14:36:39 GMT -5
I used an ancient Pentium 4 machine and it ran Foobar 24 bit 192 khz Flac files without a glitch.
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 26, 2016 14:55:18 GMT -5
My post was "...I would want more of a processor to run Windows...". I never said it wouldn't run.
If you have a laptop it is also a good place to start with Volumio.
If you like something else, well do it!
Threads don't need to deteriorate into right/wrong, but it seems to happen a lot!
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Post by linvincible on Oct 27, 2016 6:27:01 GMT -5
I'd have to say that I've never seen (heard) the need to do DSD (at either rate). Other than the inevitable tiny difference introduced by the conversion process, I simply haven't found that DSD sounds better than PCM. (Whenever you do a conversion, in either direction, the conversion process will introduce a tiny, and sometimes audible, difference... but I simply don't find the DSD version to be better.) I have most certainly found that the DSD versions of certain albums sound better than the CD version, but I just convert them to PCM, and the difference seems to remain (so I guess it's the mastering that's different). I've also got to say that I really don't count the $60 for a Raspberry Pi, case, and power supply as "an investment". (I keep my music files on a USB drive, in hierarchical folders, named for album and group, so I can plug the drive into any player with no re-configuration.) I switched from using a dual-core laptop running Windows 10 and Foobar2000 to a Raspberry Pi using Volumio. I find that the Pi runs more smoothly, with virtually no glitches (the Windows box would hiccough once in a while). (I haven't gotten around to trying the Intel version of Volumio yet.) I use/used USB for both - because, well, it works fine (and I'm connected to an asynch USB input, so jitter is irrelevant). after a bit of research I learnt that neither Raspberry Pi nor Odroid C2 can output DSD128 though I2S, only through USB not enough power on that port to stream both channels at DSD128 speed, and channels can't be separated (otherwise 2 Pis would have done the trick, as long as the DAC can take the input from two ports) that's a shame and I wonder if we should not wait for another upgrade of those micro computers before investing into these solutions! The investment I was referring to what the Emotiva - Pi solution and development needed, which will certainly retail for more than 60$ and probably be less flexible and future proof than whatever we can do ourselves pluging things to a pi. I heard distinct differences between records in PCM high definition and same record in DSD, although I didn't try to convert that same record in PCM myself to listen to it. One test I did though was listen to a DSD64 record and the same in DSD128, which was converted "live" into PCM 24x352.8 since the picoreplayer doesn't support DSD128. That sounded awful! I should try an offline better conversion maybe... |
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Post by vneal on Oct 27, 2016 6:52:22 GMT -5
I get a chuckle when I see all the home made remedies above. Now I understand only a few companies have even attempted to address media players and those that have do not always include a DAC, a viewing screen, a traditional audio component size, ease of use or internal memory. A real plug and play media center no DAC, internal or external memory required. I know of two who offer both. Aurender and Sony.  |
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Post by geebo on Oct 27, 2016 7:03:45 GMT -5
I get a chuckle when I see all the home made remedies above. Now I understand only a few companies have even attempted to address media players and those that have do not always include a DAC, a viewing screen, a traditional audio component size, ease of use or internal memory. A real plug and play media center no DAC, internal or external memory required. I know of two who offer both. Aurender and Sony. View AttachmentThe problem with those (cost aside) is the screen size. I'd need binoculars to be able to read it from across the room. Can they send that video information to the big screen? |
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Post by vneal on Oct 27, 2016 7:09:50 GMT -5
The screen size on the unit if for doing adjustments up close. It has a learning app for Apple or android phones/laptops or Ipads. Me I just use my IPhone 6 as a remote
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 27, 2016 7:15:26 GMT -5
The problem with those (cost aside) is the screen size. I'd need binoculars to be able to read it from across the room. Can they send that video information to the big screen? This big enough for ya???  [img src="  " alt=" "] |
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Post by geebo on Oct 27, 2016 7:17:13 GMT -5
The problem with those (cost aside) is the screen size. I'd need binoculars to be able to read it from across the room. Can they send that video information to the big screen? This big enough for ya??? [img src=" " alt=" "] Now that's great! But can the Sony do that? |
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Oct 27, 2016 7:21:45 GMT -5
Now that's great! But can the Sony do that? Not sure, but I don't think so. Plus isn't the Sony like $2000? |
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