Article: Allo USBridge Sig Review

[franz159]

@Gavin1977 the "Material" plugin is installed as any other LMS plugin.

You need to go into your LMS web interface, usually on port 9000 and then click on the "Settings" button, select the "Plugins" tab and you shuold get something like this:

 

In my case the full address of LMS is 192.168.1.20:9000, you will have to type the IP of your LMS device.

[bobfa]

In the MoOde

 

For those of you who have been following along on my audio journey, here is a Mid-December 2019  update. After my review, I have continued using the Allo USBridge Signature.  Also, I purchased a second unit for my headphone system.

 

I have found that Roon 1.7 and MoOde are not always getting along well.  I have tried two versions of MoOde 5.3.1 and 6.4, indicating to me that Roon may be the problem.  With the changes in settings, I have mitigated most of the problem.  I like Roon, and I feel that Roon to Squeezelite on MoOde has the edge on sound quality,  

 

To mitigate the Roon problems, I have two "servers" running.  First is a fan-less i7 NUC running Roon ROCK, it is powered by an HDPLEX 200. Second is a 2014 MacMini with Audirvana.  Both are using my NAS for stored music. The NAS and the two servers connect to the main Ubiquity switch with Cable Matters Cat 8 jumpers (because)!

The servers and NAS are in the basement.  Roon ROCK is accessed using a web browser, but running the MacMini headless had been a problem until I found the "fit Headless" HDMI adaptor. $8.50 at Amazon it helps Performance and lets me pick the resolution for remote access.

 

https://www.amazon.com/CompuLab-fit-Headless-Display-Emulator/dp/B00FLZXGJ6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fit-headless&qid=1576712414&sr=8-1

 

 

To swap between servers, I switch MoOde software on the endpoints to Squeezelite for Roon and UPnP for Audirvana. (A reboot in-between is a good idea). I can do all of the remote control from an iPad.

 

While Roon to Squeezelite seems to bump the sound quality a little bit, I have been unable to hear any significant sound quality difference by adding Audirvana to the system vs. just playing directly on the Allo with MoOde Player.   That is both interesting and refreshing at the same time.  MPD and UPnP are getting much more interest in my book.  

 

As I have noted before, I was having a tough time determining if there is any sound quality difference in networking to the Allo.  This week that has changed as I put the Sonore opticalModule on the endpoint connected to the Kii Three system.  I hear more; a bit more detail, some extra depth, more relaxing?  As I update this report, I am sitting around the corner in the kitchen eating area, and I can hear more.    I confess I  changed three, well four things this week.  I changed the two settings in MoOde.  I changed the USB cable,  I added Cable Matters Cat 8 Cables to all of the devices, and I switched from a generic FMC to the opticalModule and an LPS.   I will try A/B testing with and without the opticalModule soon.    I will also test with it on the headphone system.

 

I might even try an UpTone Audio EtherREGEN when the supply catches up.  It would be nice to have a couple of extra network ports near the stereo.

 

On the headphone system, I have a Ghent JSSG360 Ethernet cable from the wall to the second Allo USB-S and a Moon Audio Silver Dragon USB cable.  It is flexible and does not stress the port on the Hugo 2.  I am using the Shanti power supply to run the Allo USB-S and the Hugo 2 (I might be pushing the second rail of the Shanti). The physical placement in my Kii Three setup currently precludes using my short Lush2 USB cable.  I am using a Ghent JSSG360 USB cable instead. Note there is a small difference between the Ghent USB cable and the Lush2 cable, the Lush2 seems to be a bit smoother on the high end.  Further, USB cable testing is warranted.

 

So that is the background!  All-in, things are working rather well, but not all is perfect, There are still thorns on the rose. Currently, there are problems with new releases of Linux due to a bug that causes dropouts and more to some DACs.  I thought that I heard the kernel problem with my Hugo 2 as I am getting some pops or clicks in the audio.  It did not happen with my Mac driving the Hugo 2.  When I went back to the older version of MoOde, the problem did not go away.  What I have done is to make two configuration changes on both systems.  
    

•     I flipped the switch to enable the USB UAC2 software fix, and that helped a lot. 
•     But it was not "cured" until I switched the CPU governor to "Performance."   

 

Both systems do have problems with DSD audio.  I am sure this is related to the Linux kernel problems.  I only have 59 DSD cut out of 77000 tracks in the library, so it is not a big problem for me...  For others, this could be a big deal.

 

 

But, Bob, you say, enough talk.  How does it sound?  

 

I know that a single person is not a large enough sample to prove something is better. But when my wife comments from the other room that the music sounds better, I am floored, that has never happened!  My son and I, who listen a lot, have never heard my Kii Three system sound this good.  I have had several visitors attend listening sessions before the MoOde 6.4 upgrade, and they all liked it.  It will be fascinating when then come back.

 

The Hugo 2 is a new DAC to my systems, and my experience, limited.  So far, it is the best DAC+headphone amp I have ever had.

 

The Allo USBridge Sig + Shanti running MoOde 6.4 are a big, big win for me!  

 

 

I am less happy with all of the extra hardware around not doing anything.  Pre-Christmas sale!?!  My tinkering time is shrinking, as my listening time is growing.  

 

Off to read the Album of the Evening thread to find more good music.  
 

 

@bobfa

Just One More Thing

MoOde Hints and tips.

• The MPD engine is the core controller software in MoOde and sometimes it does not see the USB DAC.  Turn off I2S is Go into the MPD section of settings and make sure the Device type is USB. I have had to restart the MPD daemon to get that going.
• If you have multiple MoOde devices, it is a good idea to change the display names so that you can sort out which unit is which.  I also change the background color on each device.
• It is easy to set up a Network share in MoOde and play local music with the MoOde player.  
• I am running wired networking.
• I think it is a good idea to set the timezone.
• I set the CPU Governer to Performance.
• Depending upon the DAC play with the USB (UAC2) fix.
• Expand the file system for your whole SD card to have elbow room.
• I have turned off the local display.
• Read the documentation from both MoOde and Allo.

And here are some links of interest

 

http://moodeaudio.org
https://roonlabs.com
https://audirvana.comhttps://www.allo.com

https://uptoneaudio.com/products/etherregenhttp://www.sonore.us/opticalModule.html

https://hdplex.com/hdplex-fanless-200w-linear-power-supply-for-pc-audio-and-ce-device.html

https://ghentaudio.com

https://www.transparentcable.com

https://www.moon-audio.com/dragon-audio-cables.html

https://chordelectronics.co.uk/product/hugo-2/

https://www.kiiaudio.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gavin1977]

Amazing - Thanks Bob.  I especially like the link to the "fit Headless" HDMI adaptor, brilliant!  I'm still progressing with my evaluation and intend to post up further feedback when I have chance.

[bobfa]

I have a short update.  I seem to have found one of the interaction problems with Roon and MoOde!

 

In the setup instructions from @clipper  Roon has to be configured to not compress FLAC files it sends to GenToo Player.  I flipped the same switch for the MoOde endpoint and it seems to have fixed the track skipping/not starting issues I was having.  

 

 

----------------

There is more info on Gentoo Player here.  

 

With some help from @antonellocaroli and some push from @clipper  I started listening to  a test version of Gentoo Player for the Allo USBridge Sig.  

 

 

A lot of cool software is coming out of Italy!  I might just try this on an Intel platform like my Xeon based server.  I guess I cannot sell my extra power supplies just yet!  Merry Christmas!

 

Bob

 

 

[cpasmoi]

bonsoir

 

je suis français et je partage les mêmes préoccupations sur la dématérialisation, utilise actuelle un Pc de bureau Puissant et très énergivore comme serveur sur lequel est stocké ma musique dématérialisée

 

il est relié à un réseau pour diffuser sur un Lecteur Lumin D1 piloté par un IPAD avec l’application Lumin.

 

le lecteur est relié en RCA vers un ampli HEGEL H80 qui drive des enceintes Colonnes DALi Opticon 5

 

je me sers du lecteur Reseau Lumin pour lire mes Fichiers Flac HI res, ce ripés et du DSD64 et 128

 

j'ai un abonnement TIDAL HIFI

 

j'utilise également le service TuneIn pour lire les web radios, mais la qualité n est pas au rendez-vous c est du MP3

 

je souhaiterais m'orienter vers un serveur audiophile et le ALLO USBRIDGE SIGNATURE PLAYER 

 

celui ci serait brancher en USB vers le Lumin d1, et le tout en utilisant Roon à partir de mon IPAD, 

 

plus l’utilité de l'application Lumin 

 

avec Roon implanté nativement dans le Lumin

 

- Lecture des fichiers musicaux en local

- Web radios avec Roon ? est ce possible et quelle qualité de diffusion ?

- écouter TDAL Hifi

 

voila ma requete, par contre pour faire tourner Roon ? comment cela se passe t'il cest l'allo usb bridge sur lequel il est implanté ou bien le lumin D1 , j'ai un peu de mal avec la dématérialisation

 

merci de voter retour

 

cpasmoi

  

 

 

 

[bobfa]

On 12/23/2019 at 1:32 PM, cpasmoi said:

bonsoir

 

je suis français et je partage les mêmes préoccupations sur la dématérialisation, utilise actuelle un Pc de bureau Puissant et très énergivore comme serveur sur lequel est stocké ma musique dématérialisée

 

il est relié à un réseau pour diffuser sur un Lecteur Lumin D1 piloté par un IPAD avec l’application Lumin.

 

le lecteur est relié en RCA vers un ampli HEGEL H80 qui drive des enceintes Colonnes DALi Opticon 5

 

je me sers du lecteur Reseau Lumin pour lire mes Fichiers Flac HI res, ce ripés et du DSD64 et 128

 

j'ai un abonnement TIDAL HIFI

 

j'utilise également le service TuneIn pour lire les web radios, mais la qualité n est pas au rendez-vous c est du MP3

 

je souhaiterais m'orienter vers un serveur audiophile et le ALLO USBRIDGE SIGNATURE PLAYER 

 

celui ci serait brancher en USB vers le Lumin d1, et le tout en utilisant Roon à partir de mon IPAD, 

 

plus l’utilité de l'application Lumin 

 

avec Roon implanté nativement dans le Lumin

 

- Lecture des fichiers musicaux en local

- Web radios avec Roon ? est ce possible et quelle qualité de diffusion ?

- écouter TDAL Hifi

 

voila ma requete, par contre pour faire tourner Roon ? comment cela se passe t'il cest l'allo usb bridge sur lequel il est implanté ou bien le lumin D1 , j'ai un peu de mal avec la dématérialisation

 

merci de voter retour

 

cpasmoi

I am French and I share the same concerns on dematerialization, currently uses a powerful and very energy-consuming desktop PC as a server on which my dematerialized music is stored
 
it is connected to a network to broadcast on a Lumin D1 Reader controlled by an IPAD with the Lumin application.
 
the reader is connected in RCA to a HEGEL H80 amplifier which drives DALi Opticon 5 Column speakers
 
I use the Lumin Network reader to read my Flac HI res files, this ripés and DSD64 and 128
 
I have a TIDAL HIFI subscription
 
I also use the TuneIn service to read web radios, but the quality is not there it is MP3
 
I would like to switch to an audiophile server and the ALLO USBRIDGE SIGNATURE PLAYER
 
this one would be plugged in USB to the Lumin d1, and all using Roon from my iPad,
 
plus the usefulness of the Lumin app
 
with Roon implanted natively in Lumin
 
- Play music files locally
- Web radios with Roon? is this possible and what quality of broadcast?
- listen to TDAL Hifi
 
here is my request, on the other hand to make Roon turn? how it goes it is the allo usb bridge on which it is installed or the lumin D1, I have a little trouble with the dematerialization
 
please vote back
 
it's not me

On 12/23/2019 at 1:32 PM, cpasmoi said:

  

 

 

 

I am trying to answer here and I used Google Translate to help me.

 

The Lumin D1 is a complete playback system with network streamer and DAC if I am correct.  The Allo USBridge is equivalent to the front half of your Lumin.  The network to the front end of the DAC.  I do not think there is a way in the Lumin to actually feed the DAC from USB.  With the Lumin D1 I do not see how you would use the Allo.  

 

IF you are asking about Roon, it will play your local music files and of course Tidal HIFi.  The web radio support in Roon will play whatever the radio stations stream at.  Mostly lower bit rate material.  

 

The Allo will not run the Roon Core.  You need a different computing platform for that.  Here is an article that may help with Roon:  

 

https://roonlabs.com/howroonworks.html

 

 

Also note if you are running Roon you would not use the Lumin App.

 

The Allo can boot multiple operating systems that can act as a Roon Output or Roon bridge as it is sometimes called.

 

Bob Fairbairn

 

 

 

 

[bobfa]

New Year update!

 

I am now using the just released 64bit version of Gentoo Player as Squeezelite endpoints for Roon

 

.  While it is still very early this release is VERY promising.  @antonellocaroli is working on some software updates and a web menu for the OS.   Read the thread below for the latest info.

 

Find out more at: http://gentooplayer.com

 

And on the thread here:

 

 

 

Bob 

 

Note I have updated my system diagram with the current hardware info;

 

 

[luisma]

Hi Bob,  Happy New Year, you are keeping yourself busy, thank you for the contribution. So you are running Gentoo on the Allo Sig, you are not longer using MOODE, I see they have a version for the original Allo Bridge not Sig so potentially I could run Gentoo there too, the last DietPi version doesn't support my Denafrips DAC new board and I think the Gentoo version might.

You are not longer using any AL versions? do you know if Gentoo could run Miska's NAA?

Take care

Luis

[clipper]

7 minutes ago, luisma said:

do you know if Gentoo could run Miska's NAA?

GentooPlayer has NAA (for HQPlayer) built in.  Works perfectly...

 

[bobfa]

5 minutes ago, clipper said:

GentooPlayer has NAA (for HQPlayer) built in.  Works perfectly...

 

[bobfa]

There are some interesting options for us to try here.  I have not tried Roon Bridge and I have not tried UPnP for use with Audirvana.

 

 

[bobfa]

14 minutes ago, luisma said:

Hi Bob,  Happy New Year, you are keeping yourself busy, thank you for the contribution. So you are running Gentoo on the Allo Sig, you are not longer using MOODE, I see they have a version for the original Allo Bridge not Sig so potentially I could run Gentoo there too, the last DietPi version doesn't support my Denafrips DAC new board and I think the Gentoo version might.

You are not longer using any AL versions? do you know if Gentoo could run Miska's NAA?

Take care

Luis

Luis,

 

I have not been using Audio Linux for around six months.  Up until my review of the Allo USBridge Sig I had been running Euphony on my Xeon machine as a single box solution.  I was switching between Roon + StylusEP and Stylus .

 

I am waiting for the 6.4.1 update from MoOde to see what it does.  I think that Allo is working on something new too.  Gentoo Player (not to be confused with Gentoo Linux) has turned out to be a real gem and @antonellocaroli has been working pretty darn hard on making it better in a lot of ways.  I really love to see people who enjoy their work.

 

 

[ambre]

Dear Allo Team and others,

 

Allo Bridge Signature stutters every 15-20 seconds with the new RME Adi 2 FS DAC. 

 

1) My setup was / is Mac Mini I7 ( bridged) => Allo Bridge Signature => Uptone ISO Regen => Pro-Ject S2 Ultra dac.

This plays flawless since weeks now. Ps. Playing with HQ-player 4 and upsampling everything to DSD 256.

 

2) Since yesterday I installed a brand-new RME Adi 2 Fs Dac. It stutters from the first start when connected to the Allo Bridge Signature.  Ps. I have checked the RME Dac with direct USB and Direct USB  & Uptone Iso Regen.

Plays very well (indeed). 

 

Another observation // suspicion (but have to do another trial and error check.) 

The power-unit Shanti was connected in earlier set-up (1) with the Project and Allo Bridge Signature. As soon I use the RME without the Shanti  5.2V at 1.2A in use  can this causes the stuttering by only feeding the Allo Bridge. Can be the current of 5.2V 3A be too high?  

 

Ps.  I have also triedto change  in HQ-player the buffer time and dac bits.... but without success. 

 

Does the Allo USBridge  has a  own clock in terms of master <=> slave with the dac?

 

Please your help.

 

Best regards, Andreas 

 

Ps . Will also post this message in the Allo community.

 

[Casper]

On 11/26/2019 at 2:39 PM, Richard Dale said:

I use Rigelian on an iPad in conjunction with moOde running on Rasperry Pis in my systems and it is a really nice combination. I haven’t found anything as good as BubbleUPnP on Android to use with a DLNA backend on my iPad. The advantage of Rigelian is that it uses the native MPD protocol and has canned configurations for moOde, Volumio and Rune to handle the cover art (you need a file called ‘folder.jpg’ in each album folder with cover art picture). You need to be able to mount the files on your NAS with SMB or NFS.

 

I looked at Rigelian, and see that it’s a subscription model software; but I can’t find any information about the pricing - what does it cost?

 

Cheers,

[Richard Dale]

17 hours ago, Casper said:

 

I looked at Rigelian, and see that it’s a subscription model software; but I can’t find any information about the pricing - what does it cost?

 

Cheers,

I paid 3.49 euros for a year's subscription.

[Gavin1977]

1 hour ago, Richard Dale said:

I paid 3.49 euros for a year's subscription.

As soon as they add in streaming services then I'm in!

[ambre]

On 1/6/2020 at 9:35 PM, ambre said:

Dear Allo Team and others,

 

Allo Bridge Signature stutters every 15-20 seconds with the new RME Adi 2 FS DAC. 

 

1) My setup was / is Mac Mini I7 ( bridged) => Allo Bridge Signature => Uptone ISO Regen => Pro-Ject S2 Ultra dac.

This plays flawless since weeks now. Ps. Playing with HQ-player 4 and upsampling everything to DSD 256.

 

2) Since yesterday I installed a brand-new RME Adi 2 Fs Dac. It stutters from the first start when connected to the Allo Bridge Signature.  Ps. I have checked the RME Dac with direct USB and Direct USB  & Uptone Iso Regen.

 

Very good support by Allo team. But there are still are some problems in communication with RME Dac. Returned to vendor 😞

[ambre]

Just now, ambre said:

On 1/6/2020 at 9:35 PM, ambre said:

Dear Allo Team and others,

 

Allo Bridge Signature stutters every 15-20 seconds with the new RME Adi 2 FS DAC. 

 

1) My setup was / is Mac Mini I7 ( bridged) => Allo Bridge Signature => Uptone ISO Regen => Pro-Ject S2 Ultra dac.

This plays flawless since weeks now. Ps. Playing with HQ-player 4 and upsampling everything to DSD 256.

 

2) Since yesterday I installed a brand-new RME Adi 2 Fs Dac. It stutters from the first start when connected to the Allo Bridge Signature.  Ps. I have checked the RME Dac with direct USB and Direct USB  & Uptone Iso Regen.

 

Very good support by Allo team. But there are still are some problems in communication with RME Dac. Returned to vendor 😞

Very good support by Allo team. But there are still are some problems in communication with RME Dac. Returned to vendor 😞

[Richard Dale]

1 hour ago, Gavin1977 said:

As soon as they add in streaming services then I'm in!

Rigelian is an MPD client and so it isn't its job to implement streaming services. That would be done by the server end software running MPD, such as moOde.

[Gavin1977]

13 hours ago, Richard Dale said:

Rigelian is an MPD client and so it isn't its job to implement streaming services. That would be done by the server end software running MPD, such as moOde.

It's on their to do list on their website

[Casper]

On 1/15/2020 at 3:45 PM, Richard Dale said:

I paid 3.49 euros for a year's subscription.

Thanks!

[katwax]

Just ordered the USBridge Signature Player + Shanti, was looking at it for quite some time, but after reading your review I wanted it even more. Just because I also have the Kii BXT System. So in the end what would be the recommended OS after you tested them all, I have to keep in mind it must be supporting Spotify Connect.

[bobfa]

2 hours ago, katwax said:

Just ordered the USBridge Signature Player + Shanti, was looking at it for quite some time, but after reading your review I wanted it even more. Just because I also have the Kii BXT System. So in the end what would be the recommended OS after you tested them all, I have to keep in mind it must be supporting Spotify Connect.

Hi,

 

I would look at MoOde to see if it does what you want.  I am still using my USBridge on my headphone system.  I like it a lot.  I use the Shanti to feed both the USBridge Sig and my Hugo 2 DAC.  My second one is going to go into a different system that is sill in the needs analysis phase!  (Or mabye wants analysis)

 

On my Kii Three system I have something different.  There will be something posted soon on that!  A bit more upscale!

 

bob

[sjj]

9 hours ago, bobfa said:

Hi,

 

I would look at MoOde to see if it does what you want.  I am still using my USBridge on my headphone system.  I like it a lot.  I use the Shanti to feed both the USBridge Sig and my Hugo 2 DAC.  My second one is going to go into a different system that is sill in the needs analysis phase!  (Or mabye wants analysis)

 

On my Kii Three system I have something different.  There will be something posted soon on that!  A bit more upscale!

 

bob

I have a 2009 Mac mini that I’m planning to replace. Been considering different options including USBridge. Looking forward to your post on what you been working with. Maybe it’ll provide me with another option - before my mini dies.

[bobfa]

14 minutes ago, sjj said:

I have a 2009 Mac mini that I’m planning to replace. Been considering different options including USBridge. Looking forward to your post on what you been working with. Maybe it’ll provide me with another option - before my mini dies.

SJJ,

 

Tell us a bit more about the rest of your system and about your goals, what you use for music sources and your idea of what you want.

 

Bob