Allo Digione Signature

[keihin]

On 11/25/2018 at 11:26 AM, quanghuy147 said:

Hi everyone,

I just ordered Digione Signature yesterday. Can't way for it to arrive.

 

I have a question regarding the clean power for it. Can I use Mii 10000 mAh power bank as a clean power  for the Diginone Signature?

[...]

 

I tried using two different power banks to power the clean side of the DigiOne Signature.  This seemed like a great solution, since I already had two that I could use, along with USB-A to USB-C adapter cables.  It would greatly simplify charging and not require new hardware.  Unfortunately, I ran into the same problem with both power banks: they would stop providing power after just a few minutes. The DigiOne would shut off due to lack of power, the signal and music would stop.  As soon as I unplugged/replugged or hit the "charge" button on the power banks, power would be restored for another few minutes.  I know that these power banks have smart controllers that will shut off the power output once a connected device (usually a smartphone or tablet which is charging its own batteries) stops drawing current.  Apparently the low amperage requirements of the DigiOne are below the threshold at which the power banks will continue to provide power.  It's a shame, as this would have been a nice solution. 

 

I'm currently using a small SMPS USB phone chargers (5V, 1A) to power the clean side, and have ordered a low noise linear power supply to replace it.  I'm looking forward to the improvements that may arise when using a cleaner power supply, but have to say that the sound from the DigiOne Signature feeding a Schiit Gungnir Multibit via BNC S/PDIF is already very good.

[keihin]

If you're using the power bank on the dirty side, and the Allo 18650 battery pack on the clean side, you may not see the shut-off issue.  The dirty side that powers the full RPi computer pulls significantly more current than the clean side, which powers only the clocks and audio output circuitry.  That additional current may be enough to prevent the power bank from shutting off.  In any case, I think you will be pleased with the sound.

[keihin]

16 hours ago, dmormerod said:

Yes I saw the same posts in another thread on here. I eventually ordered this 
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cy2TZZA

 

I am using this same Weiland Audio LPS product with my RPi/DigiOne Signature's clean power tap. I ordered mine off of eBay.  The seller was responsive and it shipped in a timely manner and was well packaged.  It was delivered via DHL just 15 days after ordering.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50VA-HIFI-Ultra-low-Noise-Linear-Power-Supply-DC5V-9V-12V-15V-18V-24V-LPS-PSU/163166483418

 

I can only compare it's performance to the small SMPS (Apple 1A phone charger) that I was using while I waited for the Weiland to arrive. The Weiland unit seems to provide nice clean power, with all of the usual sonic benefits.  I don't have the equipment to measure it, but the subjective results are excellent.  At 50VA rated power, the available current reserves are a bit ridiculous for this application, but the price and performance are right, and I have the second tap available for other uses.  Except for being oversized, I'd say it's a good enough match for the RPi/DigiOne Signature, and a very good value at only a small cost premium above the iFi iPower option.

 

FWIW, the RPi/DigiOne Signature actually sounded quite good using the little Apple SMPS.  I've read elsewhere that these chargers have tested pretty well for low-noise performance. So, perhaps that combines with the excellent power circuitry in the DigiOne Signature to deliver this good result.  I knew that my own curiosity about potential gains from a better PS would eventually drive me to upgrade, so I never considered using this long term, but the low cost and efficiency may appeal to some.  Give it a shot if you're curious.
 

[keihin]

On 1/6/2019 at 10:56 AM, InfinitelyBaffled said:

The only thing that presented a challenge on this build were the USB C connectors - I wish Allo would also provide some solder pads on the board to wire power directly - I had to dig up some 90 degree angled adapters to get this setup to fit in the case.

 

I don't know whether this would have helped you, as it sounds like more of a space/packaging issue inside your shared enclosure, but there are alternate power cables available with USB Type-C plugs.  If for no other reason but to eliminate the messy adapter use and overly long cables that were packed with the Weiland, I've ordered a cable from Ghent Audio to take power from my Weiland Audio LPS to the DigiOne Signature board. 

 

In my case, the cable is a Ghent model number DC36 (Aviation GX12/GX16 to USB DC Cable) with these options:

LPS-end Connector: Aviation: GX16-2(1+): pin1(VCC +), pin2(GND)
Allo-end Connector: USB: Type-C
Cable Length: 0.5m

 

It has not yet arrived.  I'll post about it once it's installed.

[keihin]

14 minutes ago, InfinitelyBaffled said:

Let us know how that cable works out for you....

 

Nice work with the packaging. Very clean to have it all in one box. And I think you made the right decision not to mess around with those tiny pads.

 

Cable was delivered today. Very nice quality. The Canare 4SC star quad wire is so much more substantial than the wire used in the stock cables provided with the Weiland LPS. Should have lower resistance and capacitance, as well as better EMI rejection.  All good things. Plugged it right up, it’s working great. Not sure there’s a noticeable change in sound, but I’m happy just to have removed an extra adapter connection, gotten rid of unneeded cable length, and cleaned up the sloppy looking wiring.

 

https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc36.html

[keihin]

12 hours ago, Shangri-La said:

Is it okay to use a normal Android phone USB charger on the dirty/clean board, in terms of +/- polarity? My 18650 batteries are not great so when I use the box as Airplay/uPNP endpoint, I hope I can use an external power supply. 

 

It should be fine.  The phone charger should send 5V +/- to the proper pins, as specified in the USB spec.  I have used an Apple 5V/1A charger for the clean side, and an Anker 24W USB Type-C charger for the dirty side.  The Anker is currently in use. 

 

Interestingly, the Anker is capable of Android "Quick Charge 3.0" charging at higher voltages, but it only delivers the higher voltagesif the receiving device confirms that it can use them. This query/response exchange occurs when the receiving device is first plugged into the charger.  I believe it uses the data lines (not the power lines) for this exchange. If the receiving device doesn't respond, the charger just defaults to sending 5 volts. Given this, the Anker is sending 5V to the dirty side of the Allo DigiOne Signature, and all is working well.

 

The clean side does like clean power, so you may notice some subjective sonic degradation when using a less ideal power supply.  YMMV.  Try it and see.

[keihin]

I'm using these to power the clean side.  Works very well.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50VA-HIFI-Ultra-low-Noise-Linear-Power-Supply-DC5V-9V-12V-15V-18V-24V-LPS-PSU/163166483418?hash=item25fd7af3da:g:1hkAAOSwAV5bZS4s

 

http://ghentaudio.com/part/dc36.html   GX16-2(1+): pin1(VCC +), pin2(GND)