Allo Sparky USBridge

[allo.com]

Hi ,

 

 sorry I am pretty new to this forum and I dont want to break any rules.

 

I represent allo.com and I am here to answer any tech question.

 

We are working with dietpi and volumio to release new images that correct a few software bugs. Also we will start reshipping the USBridge in 48h already configured , basically plug and play, and with the  acrylic box already made. Yes we know about the alu one...please have patience.

 

We are also looking forward to any review.

 

 One important thing...make sure you are using 5v/3A adapters with the USBridge...anything else and you will get problems. Also the eMMC is connecting below Sparky not in the SD card (although is working in that position) . At last upgrade to latest dietpi , Dan (the great) has released today a new image.

 

[allo.com]

Well you have a few hardware feeding from that PSU...the single board computer , hub/clocks and DAC

 

 On boot all that needs about 2.7A..then it goes down to about 2.1

 

 Whiteout enough power you might get weird problems on USB/Ethernet

[allo.com]

http://dietpi.com/downloads/images/DietPi_SparkySBC-armv7-(Jessie).7z

We've also identified an issue with the DietPi image:
Where eth*/wlan* adapter indexes would be reserved in udev rules. Although, DietPi does detect the active eth index during 1st run setup.

Either way this has now been resolved in our Sparky SBC image update (above link)

 

Also we are working with Dan for a custom image of our USBridge. I am not sure exactly how long it will take but I estimate 2-3 weeks.

[allo.com]

11 hours ago, k-man said:

I use the Poweradd battery bank that outputs 5v/2.1A. It's one of the the beefier ones that powers USBridge+Sparky alright.

 

We give the worst case scenario numbers...but yes without DAC drawing too much current  and after booting we can see steady 1.4A draw. *best case scenario*

[allo.com]

Yes there is a way to feed separately  Sparky and USBridge HAT with different PSUs. We are updating the manual

 

 In involves removing jumpers from USBridge HAT. The capability to feed different PSUs to SBC and USBridge was taken in consideration since the beginning.

[allo.com]

28 minutes ago, seeteeyou said:

https://www.allo.com/marketing/brochures/allo-sparky-brochure.pdf#page=3

 

Well, @allo.com confirmed that's actually 5 × 2.7 = 13.5 W on boot so that's way too much for LPS-1 to handle since that's only good for 5.5 W

 

https://uptoneaudio.com/products/ultracap-lps-1

 

I just checked the GPIO pin out below

 

http://sparkyforum.allo.com/index.php?topic=1874.0

 

Is there a way to power Sparky alone with 3.7V battery while feeding 5V / 1.1A to USBridge separately?

 

I hope that we don't have to block / bend pin #2 and #4 for that particular purpose.

Sparky needs 5V not 3.7V

[allo.com]

USBridge by itself take needs very low power.. maybe 100mA . You will have more than enough juice. For Sparky you could get away with 2A

[allo.com]

14 hours ago, seeteeyou said:

It's gonna be a game changer if everything from the transport to reclocker to DAC were synchronized to such an incredible master clock with absolutely astounding performance. There's simply nothing else like this on the market right now and you won't get much (if any?) competition as long as you're willing to hit the jackpot first.

I am not quite sure how a 10Mhz clock can be used in a DAC ? Frankly I am unsure of the advantage of such "master clock" synchronizing transports , DACs etc.

 

 From a tech point of view...it will not work .

[allo.com]

Frankly speaking... a DC/DC convertor can achieve same levels of noise with proper filtering ..as a LIFEPO4 battery

 

  We will look into the future to make it it more DIY (adding your own PSU for example) but as of now the design has not even been discussed.

[allo.com]

56 minutes ago, seeteeyou said:

 

That's such a surprising reply, here are some examples with 10MHz master clock inputs

 

http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/audio/ral/dsdha2/

http://www.phasemation.jp/product/hd-7d192.html

 

Ratoc RAL-DSDHA2 is powered by plain vanilla WM8741 and there's nothing special about that

 

https://www.cirrus.com/products/wm8741/

I am not even sure where to begin... the audio clocks have very specific frequencies (22/24Mhz clocks are usually used or multiple). Using a 10Mhz clock means that you need some kind of circuit to multiply to specific frequency that you need (2 multipliers) and a way to switch between them. That circuit will introduce (significant) jitter defeating the purpose of such master clock.

[allo.com]

USbridge is back in stock (the webmaster will update the page over the weekend)

 

 We are shipping on Monday

[allo.com]

Please open jumper 28...and feed 2 PSUs

 

 One to Sparky ,,about 5v/2A. Second to Usbridge 100mA/5V very clean. You will get a jump in sound quality

[allo.com]

On 7/7/2017 at 7:16 PM, rikhav said:

 

Not seen the actual usbridge board but how do connect a psu separately to it ?

Does it also have a DC in?

 

Also can the dual llc psu can power the sparky board and the usbridge board separately?

 

In terms of clean power is  it the best from what Allo has to offer ?

You need 2x 5V psu ..one for Sparky (micro USB ) and second for USBridge (dc jack). Our dual PSU is 19v/5v so not suitable.

[allo.com]

You need a standard one for sparky and a clean one for USBridge.

[allo.com]

Hi Hurka

 

 are you using USB or i2s ? From your setup I would say USB ?

 

If you are using Kali --DAC how did you connect it ?

[allo.com]

Seems you have an issue with SingerX/Regen then.

[allo.com]

How can you use the i2s when you have no output to your DAC ?

[allo.com]

Remove everything and connect Spaky to your DAC. Do you see the same problem ?

[allo.com]

16 hours ago, mentt said:

 

I have couple of weeks with USBridge now. I can compare it with microRendu/lps1 combo. 

 

USBridge is more dynamic and has more air. You can say that USBridge has bigger sound and is more musical. Resolution is on the same level. It is interesting that USBridge can perform on this level with stock power supply and microRendu needs lps1 .

 

in the end it comes down to personal taste and system.

 

If you look at it from price point of view I would say decision should be easy

 

my system: ATC scm19, NAD c388, Denon DAC/CD 1520

 

Thx you very much .

[allo.com]

Discount has nothing to do with OS...its valid no matter the OS choice.

[allo.com]

Only DietPi runs Roon. Volumio is also very solid with many features and based on mpd (dietpi is LMS)

[allo.com]

Yes Roon is available in DietPI

[allo.com]

You can use any player...usbridge can be configured as airplay , upnp/dlna

[allo.com]

On 7/29/2017 at 4:10 PM, k-man said:

Yes I believe so too, as LMS can be installed with DietPi, and the USB ports on Sparky are available to attach storage. @allo.com can confirm?

Confirmed.

[allo.com]

The  question is why the USBridge is powering Sparky. Convenience.

 

  We do have a lot of filters between the 2 , both on common mode and differential noise .

 

However you can power them independently (best for sq) . Please refer to manual on how to change the jumper on board.