Allo Sparky USBridge

[jtwrace]

Does anyone use this with Roon?  If so, has it been working well?  Have you compared it against anything?  Also, does the OS auto update?  This company actually seems like the real deal when it comes to engineering.  

 

https://allo.com/sparky/usbridge.html

 

I was going to try a Raspberry Pi then this was mentioned:

How about RPI? RPIs are great and very energy efficient, but on USB they have 2 major flaws. First is that bandwidth is shared between the 2 USB ports (so in fact there is only one USB), and second is that ethernet is also shared on same bus! Of course, you also have the noise on USB at about 60mV.

 

 

@The Computer Audiophile I'm sure they would love a review.  

[jtwrace]

18 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Interesting.

I just ordered one...

 

FWIW "DIET10" gets 10% off in the cart if you choose DietPi as the OS

[jtwrace]

1 hour ago, hopkins said:

I had a chance to test the Allo DigiOne card, which has spdif output, and compared it to similar cards (hifiberry...)  I was thoroughly impressed. It seems Allo delivers on its claims. I look forward to hearing impressions of the USB Bridge. 

That's good to hear at least!  

[jtwrace]

18 hours ago, hopkins said:

Here is my brief but enthusiastic review (Google translate required for non French speakers, sorry) : http://forum-hifi.fr/thread-4520.html

Thanks!  It will be interesting for sure.  

[jtwrace]

18 hours ago, hifi_swlon said:

I ordered the digiOne yesterday. I like the fact they publish their measurement data - if nothing else you can at least say they know how to engineer something.  The fact the the USB bridge runs on their own SMB means they're pretty competent engineers. 

 

Ive already been down the USB route once so ruled it out for this test and decided to go spdif for a change. I don't know the USB bridge numbers but their claimed (and measured) jitter on the digiOne, using their basic £15 PSU, is 0.588 picoseconds if i remember correctly. Noise of 50uV. Will be interesting to see how it sounds, having never tried spdif.

 

Juas as an aside their customer support was second to none.  

My USBridge should arrive today but I won't be able to try it until tomorrow night.  I'm really looking forward to trying it though.  Should be interesting for sure!  

[jtwrace]

1 hour ago, mentt said:

Just ordered USBridge

Cool! 

[jtwrace]

I picked mine up from the USPS this morning.  I quickly opened the box but that's it until tonight. Not sure I'll have enough time to get through it but I'll take some pictures at least.  

[jtwrace]

Here is the box of parts!

 

[jtwrace]

3 hours ago, k-man said:

@jtwrace ended up sending USBridge back.

I purchased the unit around the same time, so I definitely can relate to some expectations that were not met (for him) but the difference for new buyers is more plug and play friendly. 

That is true but I have another on the way....

[jtwrace]

5 hours ago, CCC said:

Patiently awaiting the review from jtwrace.

Received the board combo 1 month ago, so hope you have put it through the paces.

I respect your opinions, so hope to hear your thoughts soon.

Hopefully by next week I'll be able to give some preliminary subjective feedback. 

 

1 hour ago, k-man said:

That is great to hear! Thanks for bringing the attention of Allo/USBridge to CA from Roon community. 

My pleasure.  I've been in search of lower cost alternatives to the µRendu and sMS-200 so this fits that goal.  I'm curious to see how it performs subjectively and objectively.  

[jtwrace]

On 8/11/2017 at 11:10 AM, k-man said:

Is it a third party who will carry out the measurements? Allo'a noise output of USBridge is less than 12 microvaults, but I haven't come across similar measurements of microRendu, UltraRendu, or SOtM.

I don't know.  There are many places that will do it.  There are some but not with that measurement.  µRendu is here, sMS-200 is here and the LPS-1 is here  There are some AP measurements of the USBridge on the @allo.com site though.  At least they do show some objective data unlike most.  

[jtwrace]

USBridge is in the house and playing music!  Took all of 3min to get it up and going.  

[jtwrace]

12 minutes ago, allo.com said:

LAN is best.

This is good to know as I was going to ask.  Can you tell us why that's the case?  

[jtwrace]

@allo.com

 

Can you also explain how you test the mV on the USB?  I'm referring to the comments below that I've made bold.  

 

How about RPI? RPIs are great and very energy efficient, but on USB they have 2 major flaws. First is that bandwidth is shared between the 2 USB ports (so in fact there is only one USB), and second is that ethernet is also shared on same bus! Of course, you also have the noise on USB at about 60mV.

 

Maybe Sparky? The 2 USB ports (next to the ethernet port) share one input to the CPU (split by a hub). Noise on USB bus is about 27mV (pretty good) and ethernet is completely apart (bus is not shared). So it's ok, but not great.

 

https://allo.com/sparky/usbridge.html#specs

[jtwrace]

5 hours ago, allo.com said:

A new patch was successfully  applied to let many DACs play native DSD. We should release the new image next week (Monday/Tuesday)

That's great news!  Glad I brought this to your attention.  

[jtwrace]

12 hours ago, allo.com said:

Noise on USB ports was measured using an oscilloscope . I will try to see if we have the captures.

@allo.com

 

Can you tell me if you're talking about noise on the power or data line?

[jtwrace]

1 hour ago, Kelly said:

I have a USBridge on the way with DietPi loaded. Is Roon already installed, or will I have to add that?

 

What are people doing with power supplies with this thing? I am willing to spend up a little bit, I was thinking of something like an SBooster or CIAudio. But it looks like these are skirting the power limits. And of course it would be nice to power the boards separately, that leads to Teddy Pardo with the dual output 5V supply looking ideal, but at over $500 that seems a bit much for this type of device? Any recommendations?

Maybe an alternative.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=152347.msg1628527#new

[jtwrace]

@allo.com

 

Is there a preferred USB port to use for the dac?  Based on the picture below, I don't think so but thought I'd ask.  

 

 

 

[jtwrace]

4 hours ago, octaviars said:

@jtwrace if I am not totaly wrong you use the USB port that is on the atatched card to the Sparky.......the singe USB port is the one to use for the DAC otherwise you dont use the recklocked and separated USB port from the Sparky.

 

4 hours ago, DarwinOSX said:

That’s correct and is the entire reason for the Sparky board. 

 

2 hours ago, k-man said:

Same message as the above 2 posts but louder....from your photo IT'S THE SINGLE OUTPUT ON THE TOP!!!! 

 

2 hours ago, k-man said:

PS I envy your smoked black acrylic case. Not that it will matter whenever the metal cases arrive 

 

Thanks all for the replies.  So it's the BLUE USB port on the side?  My unit came assembled so I had no idea.  

[jtwrace]

2 minutes ago, Kelly said:

So the million dollar question is...does the blue one sound better than the others?

I've got it in there now....subjectively, I don't think it does but that might not mean much.  

[jtwrace]

14 hours ago, ted_b said:

I would assume no!  Plug into the bridge, not Sparky!  The pictures show a lone USB 2.0 port on the USB Bridge card (above the dual ones you mistakenly plugged into the first time).  I would think you'd stay away from any of the ports on the Sparky card.  The sq differences ought to be obvious.

Ah ha!  Now that makes a difference!  

[jtwrace]

11 hours ago, k-man said:

I'm looking forward to the DietPi custom image- release is soon/imminent. Is it going to rival SonicOrbiter? 

I'm looking forward to the new kernel update Mon/Tues to get native DSD from my Brooklyn.  :-)

[jtwrace]

If someone is on a budget the USBridge is an absolute no brainer.  From what I hear, even if someone isn't it's a no brainer.  

#shocked

#notwhatiexpected

#cantwaitforobjectivetest

[jtwrace]

5 minutes ago, rickca said:

How does the sound quality compare to sMS-200 or microRendu?  How much Linux knowledge do you need to get it working?

I don't have a µRendu here to try but replaced it with the sMS.  The sMS is a stellar unit for sure.  I can't say that I feel as though I'm missing anything with the USBridge though but haven't gone back to the sMS either.  I'm really wanting to get through all the little things with the USBridge first.  No knowledge is needed as they deliver them ready to go now. Plug 'em in and they work!  

 

The only issue I'm having is that within Roon I'll lose the USBridge and am forced to unplug the power and it will be fine.  It's occasional though.  I'm hoping that @allo.com can somehow help with this whether it's a log report or something.  I've NEVER had this issue with the sMS and my network is very reliable using the Eero network so I know that's not the issue.  

[jtwrace]

Just now, mikey8811 said:

Are you running Volumio or DietPi?

 

Also, any thoughts vs your memory of the Auralic Aries?

DietPi is the way to go from what I've been told so that's what I did.  

 

I no longer have the ARIES but do have the ARIES MINI.  I'm totally hooked on Roon and that's all I use and quite frankly like these streamers the best.