ALLO USBridge Signature

[purehifi192]

Hi @allo.com

 

I have some questions about the USBridge Signature.  I have the Digione Signature so am curious if the USBridge replaces the underlying RPi that comes with the Digione or is the USBridge sandwiched in between the RPi and DIgione?

 

If it replaces the RPi, rather than sandwiched in between, is it built using the RPi4 or 3+?

 

Also, with respect to the power, it appears that _unlike_ the Digione Signature player and its two USB type C connectors, the USBridge Signature player uses type C to power the RPi and a barrel type connector to supply clean power to USBridge/Digione.  Is that correct?

 

Oh, and one last question, can you share the differences between USBridge Sig and Digione Sig specifically regarding noise?  I'm believe USB will be able to deliver higher bitrate than using BNC, but outside of that, are they equal in limiting noise or is one quieter than the other?

 

Thank you.

[allo.com]

Usbridge Sig replaces the RPI, It is build using RPI compute module 3B+. Speed on the ethernet (our own design and dedicated ICs)  is 330Mbs enough for DSD 512 or even 1024 (not that it exists..)

 

 USbridge Sig uses a type C connector for power (including dirty power to your Digione Sig) and USB type A to output data (to your DAC). We have a special  ALU case that allows a Digione Sig output (BNC RCA) and DC barrel to "clean side" of Digione

 

 In regards to noise , Usbridge Sig needs a good PSU if you want to feed your DAC from USB power . We recommend Shanti at around 100nV of noise. Normally good DACs are not powered from USB port and Shanti is a dual PSU feeding both USBridge and your favorite DAC (5V/3A side for Usbridge and 5V/1A side for Dac)

 

 Whats better USB or BNC/RCA output ? Frankly it depends on how your DAC input was implemented . USB can output 512 DSD while RCA is limited by standard at 24/196 PCM

 

 

38 minutes ago, purehifi192 said:

 

 

[bamyasi]

6 hours ago, allo.com said:

Yeap we are contacting him .

DietPi v6.26.3 has been released today, so things should be settling down and devs more available. Please keep us updated regarding the status of USBridge Sig network driver in DietPi.

[allo.com]

Hi

 

 I just got word the driver will be included in the 6.27 (next release) on DietPI

[Judelow]

7 minutes ago, allo.com said:

Hi

 

 I just got word the driver will be included in the 6.27 (next release) on DietPI

Great news

Would you mind reminding us the right process to update drivers properly?

Regards

[ALLOsupport]

2 hours ago, Judelow said:

Great news

Would you mind reminding us the right process to update drivers properly?

Regards

to update the driver manually  version follow this link.

http://3.230.113.73:9011/Allocom/DietPi/info

 

[Judelow]

Hi allo!

I just received my usbridge sig today! It works perfectly fine out of the box. Thanks!!

One question: in allo GUI, I see that I have v6.18.14 version and the gui suggest that an update is available. As everything is working fine, should I press the update buttons?

[biosailor]

Just received the new Allo USBridge Signature today. I tried to get it to work, unfortunately in vain. I flashed the latest Ropieee XL (that seems to support USBridge Signature) onto a micro SD card, but after starting up the USBridge Signature, it does not appear in my network, and hence, Audirvana will not see the device.

When I use the SD card supplied with the USBridge that runs DietPi, the USBridge is visible in my network, but when connected via USB to my Devialet, I hear no sound from my speakers. Needless to say that the Raspi 4 works flawlessly with Audirvana having the latest Ropieee XL version installed.

Bit of a shambles!

Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

[biosailor]

Sorry, sorry, sorry for my previous post. My mistake, accidentally I flashed Ropieee and not RopieeXL onto the micro SD card. After re-inserting the proper card, all was fine and I am now listening to Audirvana via the USBridge signature connected to the Shanti LPS. Give me a bit time and I get back with my listening impressions.

[odonnell]

1 hour ago, Judelow said:

Hi allo!

I just received my usbridge sig today! It works perfectly fine out of the box. Thanks!!

One question: in allo GUI, I see that I have v6.18.14 version and the gui suggest that an update is available. As everything is working fine, should I press the update buttons?

Here is a previous discussion of this question :

You should probably do the update eventuarlly, but cancel the portion that would update the kernel. But the update doesn't appear to be urgent. I suggest that you (and everybody) read the comments from Allo in the previous discussion, and consider how they apply to your particular use of the USBridge Sig.

[allo.com]

Thx you  and let us  know what you think of SQ after auditioning

[biosailor]

After just a bit of listening, I like what I am hearing! The first thing that was immediately evident was the level of detail I could hear. Listening to the Aurender N100H with its own app (Conductor), I was always under the impression the musi was a bit muddled, I was missing the details present in the music. 
This changed when I switched to the Raspi 4 and streaming through Roon. Much more detailed than the Aurender. However, the Raspi 4 sounded a bit harsh with Roon. It improved a bit when I fed the Raspi with the Shanti LPS. The Raspi became quieter, but it still sounded a tad harsh.

Then came the upgrade of my Mac Mini 2018 to Catalina! No functioning Roon any more! So I switched to Audirvana 3.5 and to my surprise, my system sounded more pleasant, albeit with a bit loss of detail. Nevertheless, I preferred Audirvana over Roon due to its ,milder‘ sound characteristics. Yet, there was a tiny bit of treble glare and a bit of ringing remaining.

And now the USBridge Signature: the loss in detail when going from Roon to Audirvana is totally compensated if even improved. What is truly wonderful is the total lack of the slight ringing that was persistent with the Raspi 4. The sound is extremely clean, but not over-detailed into clinical sounding. And TOTALLY quiet! Fascinating!

I need to listen more into the bass region. My first impression is that the bass is bit drier, more focused and better discernable in the entire sound ‚gemisch‘. In a ‚brightish‘ system as mine (Devialet Expert 120/ ATC SCM19 speakers) these improvements count a lot!

 

One thing I must say: Allo‘s service is outstanding, period! For both, the Shanti and the USBridge Signature, ordering and delivery went smoothly and extremely quickly: after mailing off the order, two days later I received the items. Outstanding service!

 

To be followed with more impressions...

[Koomy]

46 minutes ago, biosailor said:

After just a bit of listening, I like what I am hearing! The first thing that was immediately evident was the level of detail I could hear. Listening to the Aurender N100H with its own app (Conductor), I was always under the impression the musi was a bit muddled, I was missing the details present in the music. 
This changed when I switched to the Raspi 4 and streaming through Roon. Much more detailed than the Aurender. However, the Raspi 4 sounded a bit harsh with Roon. It improved a bit when I fed the Raspi with the Shanti LPS. The Raspi became quieter, but it still sounded a tad harsh.

Then came the upgrade of my Mac Mini 2018 to Catalina! No functioning Roon any more! So I switched to Audirvana 3.5 and to my surprise, my system sounded more pleasant, albeit with a bit loss of detail. Nevertheless, I preferred Audirvana over Roon due to its ,milder‘ sound characteristics. Yet, there was a tiny bit of treble glare and a bit of ringing remaining.

And now the USBridge Signature: the loss in detail when going from Roon to Audirvana is totally compensated if even improved. What is truly wonderful is the total lack of the slight ringing that was persistent with the Raspi 4. The sound is extremely clean, but not over-detailed into clinical sounding. And TOTALLY quiet! Fascinating!

I need to listen more into the bass region. My first impression is that the bass is bit drier, more focused and better discernable in the entire sound ‚gemisch‘. In a ‚brightish‘ system as mine (Devialet Expert 120/ ATC SCM19 speakers) these improvements count a lot!

 

One thing I must say: Allo‘s service is outstanding, period! For both, the Shanti and the USBridge Signature, ordering and delivery went smoothly and extremely quickly: after mailing off the order, two days later I received the items. Outstanding service!

 

To be followed with more impressions...

 

Thanks for your impressions. Mine should be arriving soon!

[biosailor]

I just tried Roon with my new USBridge Signature/Shanti LPS! Because my library is small (around 350 FLAC/AIFF files), I copied my music onto the Mac‘s internal SSD (1 TB) to avoid the issues with file permissions on the new Catalina OS.

Went the like a charm, Roon recognizes the Ropieee XL USBridge instantaneously.

While listening yesterday to Ausirvana 3.15, I very much liked the sound (and the newest iPad remote is great), even though I found the sound almost hyper-detailed. With Roon, however, the sound is just right! Perfectly balanced, smooth, full of fine delicate details. I listened totally emerged for hours, after which I said to myself: that‘s it, I don‘t need to go and further!

I also concentrated myself on the Bass. It is particularly good, focussed, so that every pluck of a bass string can be heard. I listened to Jimmy Giuffre‘s ‚The Jimmy Giuffre 3‘. If the bass is not well processed in your system, it‘s an indiscernible rumble in the background. Nothing like this with the USBridge Signature: well defined, dry bass. A joy!

The Aurender N100H has to go, no way I enjoy it as much as my new USBdrige. It‘s darkish, slightly muddled sound is just not good enough. I‘ll try to sell it, and with a bit of luck, I‘ll have one more change in my system: the Harbeth Monitor 30.1! I‘ll have an audition this coming week.

[matthias]

16 hours ago, biosailor said:

While listening yesterday to Ausirvana 3.15, I very much liked the sound (and the newest iPad remote is great), even though I found the sound almost hyper-detailed. With Roon, however, the sound is just right! Perfectly balanced, smooth, full of fine delicate details. I listened totally emerged for hours, after which I said to myself: that‘s it, I don‘t need to go and further!

 

Thanks for sharing your listening impressions.

 

Interesting that with the USBridge Sig you prefer Roon over Audirvana.

 

Do you think that Ropieee is a better match for Roon and maybe another OS like Moode a better match for Audirvana?

 

I am just curious.

 

Matt

 

 

[biosailor]

5 hours ago, matthias said:

 

Thanks for sharing your listening impressions.

 

Interesting that with the USBridge Sig you prefer Roon over Audirvana.

 

Do you think that Ropieee is a better match for Roon and maybe another OS like Moode a better match for Audirvana?

 

I am just curious.

 

Matt

 

 

The difference between Audirvana and Roon isn‘t large. I perceived Roon to be a tad more pleasant. If Audirvana had a tiny bit of edginess, Roon lacked it entirely. As in both sessions, Ropieee XL was used, the, admittedly small, difference I heard must reside in the different algorithms. Roon uses RAAT as the streaming protocol, while Audirvana uses a different one. 
 

I‘m almost convinced that a different OS like Moode, etc. will produce a slightly different SQ. I‘ll try this suggestion out in the next weeks and report back.

[matthias]

7 hours ago, biosailor said:

The difference between Audirvana and Roon isn‘t large. I perceived Roon to be a tad more pleasant. If Audirvana had a tiny bit of edginess, Roon lacked it entirely. As in both sessions, Ropieee XL was used, the, admittedly small, difference I heard must reside in the different algorithms. Roon uses RAAT as the streaming protocol, while Audirvana uses a different one. 
 

I‘m almost convinced that a different OS like Moode, etc. will produce a slightly different SQ. I‘ll try this suggestion out in the next weeks and report back.

 

Yes, I am sure the differences are small, so it is a matter of fine-tuning or matching.

 

Audirvana uses UPnP. Searching different forums I found Audirvana and Moode to be a good match.

 

Thank you for trying it and sharing your impressions.

 

Matt

 

 

[biosailor]

2 hours ago, matthias said:

 

Yes, I am sure the differences are small, so it is a matter of fine-tuning or matching.

 

Audirvana uses UPnP. Searching different forums I found Audirvana and Moode to be a good match.

 

Thank you for trying it and sharing your impressions.

 

Matt

 

 

Yes, you are right, of course. The differences could be due to different transport protocols (UPnP vs RAAT).

 

I'll try Moode and see how it goes with Audirvana. Thanks for the tip!

 

However, based on Roon's vastly better GUI, I might be sticking to Roon for the time being. But  it's always fun to optimise things. While I'm typing, I am downloading Moode.

 

Till soon and thanks!

[clipper]

44 minutes ago, biosailor said:

Yes, you are right, of course. The differences could be due to different transport protocols (UPnP vs RAAT).

 

I'll try Moode and see how it goes with Audirvana. Thanks for the tip!

 

However, based on Roon's vastly better GUI, I might be sticking to Roon for the time being. But  it's always fun to optimise things. While I'm typing, I am downloading Moode.

 

Till soon and thanks!

I could never give up Roon (because of the interface), but I prefer the way it sounds when outputting to Squeezelite.  

 

To enable this, go to Roon Settings, Setup, Enable Squeezebox Support = Yes.  In Device Setup (under Advanced), I also set Use Flac Compression to No.

 

Many of the audio OSs have Squeezelite built in.

 

 

 

[biosailor]

2 hours ago, clipper said:

I could never give up Roon (because of the interface), but I prefer the way it sounds when outputting to Squeezelite.  

 

To enable this, go to Roon Settings, Setup, Enable Squeezebox Support = Yes.  In Device Setup (under Advanced), I also set Use Flac Compression to No.

 

Many of the audio OSs have Squeezelite built in.

 

 

 

If I understand correctly, setting 'Enable Squeezebox' in Roon requires a Squeezebox music player, correct? I don't have one, so I can't try.

[matthias]

32 minutes ago, biosailor said:

If I understand correctly, setting 'Enable Squeezebox' in Roon requires a Squeezebox music player, correct? I don't have one, so I can't try.

 

Squeezelite renderer is integrated in Moode, so you can use Moode for Roon via Squeezelite and for Audirvana via UPnP.

 

Matt

[biosailor]

25 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

Squeezelite renderer is integrated in Moode, so you can use Moode for Roon via Squeezelite and for Audirvana via UPnP.

 

Matt

Tried moOde, flashed it onto an SSD, inserted it into the USBridge Sig, but couldn't get it to work at all. Is there some walk-through how to do it?

Thanks

[matthias]

18 minutes ago, biosailor said:

Tried moOde, flashed it onto an SSD, inserted it into the USBridge Sig, but couldn't get it to work at all. Is there some walk-through how to do it?

Thanks

 The set-up guide is here:

 

https://github.com/moode-player/moode/blob/master/www/setup.txt

 

Otherwise you can contact Tim Curtis here:

 

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/271811-moode-audio-player-raspberry-pi-1496.html?s=114876cea8c0efe880df97e572b57b6b

 

or via his direct email: tim at moodeaudio dot org
 

 

Matt

[biosailor]

Thanks for your help. I'm afraid, the github link is gobbledegook for my limited raspi knowledge. I shall contact Tim Curtis. Maybe he is patient enough to help me.

[matthias]

1 minute ago, biosailor said:

Thanks for your help. I'm afraid, the github link is gobbledegook for my limited raspi knowledge. I shall contact Tim Curtis. Maybe he is patient enough to help me.

 

IMO, the best is to go via his direct email.

ATB

 

Matt