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Welcome to the Graham Slee Audio Products Owners Forum

 

Open to all owners plus those contemplating the purchase of a Graham Slee HiFi System Components audio product and wishing to use this forum's loaner program: join here (Rules on posting can be found here)

This website along with trade marks Graham Slee and HiFi System Components are owned by Cadman Enterprises Ltd

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BackinBlack View Drop Down
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Points: 2020 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2018 at 8:13am
Some "Big Brand" streamers use a Raspberry Pi or similar Single Board Computer as their core processor, many use Arm processors as does the Pi. The software and following decoding hardware (DAC) are really the key to audio quality.
The cost of trying the base RPI are minimal, basic switch mode PSU, 8GB uSD card and RPi 3B+ can be bought for around £50, much less if you use a Pi Zero. just add software, then try it as a USB feed to your Majestic. Then add whatever HAT, PSU case etc you choose.
There's plenty of food for thought on the Moode, Rune or Volumio Forums. iQaudio (made in UK) and HiFiBerry also have interesting ideas.
I imagine you've already looked at all those and more.

It's just my view, but as Chris notes, I think commercial streamers are too limiting. Been there, done that, as they say. I have acouple of streamers that lie idle with their outdated software and limited file type handling.

Ian
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4334 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2018 at 7:58pm
I would rather build my own computer (whatever form it may take) than buy a pre-built computer or streamer. Cost is ultimately meaningless, it's mainly marketing and consumer psychology. I'm not particularly intelligent but I do have the viewpoint of a sensible engineer and have an eye for small details. I think the RPi into Graham Slee electronics will do the MySphere 3.1 justice. It sounds superb straight out of my Sony Hi-Res Walkman playing FLAC and the FM Radio is excellent too, especially when the transmission quality is high.
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cypsela View Drop Down
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Points: 29 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cypsela Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Dec 2018 at 9:55pm
Originally posted by BackinBlack BackinBlack wrote:

Originally posted by Ernie Ernie wrote:

So power the hat separately?


That's on the to-do list, along with making a decent enclosure for it all. Grahams' 5V PSU will help in powering the DiGi.

Ash, the RPi has Ethernet and WiFi (2.4 and 5 GHz). For loading software to SD cards Ethernet is preferred, otherwise, providing good signal strength can be maintained WiFi works well. Bluetooth is also available should you need it.
Most Hats (add on boards that plug in on top of the Pi) are powered by the Pi, but some Digis and DACs have provision for outboard power supplies.

Ian
Hats off to Ian for taking the trouble to explain what a hat was.
As a interested follower of the forum ,the use of abbreviations can prove frustrating to non technical members like myself.
Might others consider following his lead?


Edited by cypsela - 12 Dec 2018 at 1:39pm
David
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Ernie View Drop Down
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Points: 386 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ernie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 8:33pm
Got 3 streamers RPi with digi pro, Sonos Connect and Cyrus Stream X Signature. Not all digital sources are created equal.

Best sound per pound RPi can’t hear any difference with files above CD (44.1khz 16bit) quality though.

Most convenient Sonos, even Stevens sound wise to the RPi and been running since 2008 and still going strong with regular updates from Sonos. No sign of support ending so I feel it was a great buy. Downside Sonos doesn’t play past 48khz though this isn’t a problem with CD rips and Tidal. Sounds better since I discovered that you need to set the volume to max and fixed.

Hands down winner Stream X (with Qobuz and Rips). GUI is shocking but the sound... like going from £200 amp with built in MM stage to an Accension and Proprius amps.

I know which one I’d be using (or at least auditioning) with +£3k head ear speaker phones. Just saying.
There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4334 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 8:51pm
I will do plenty of research before making any purchases. Thanks for all of your advice. Smile
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DeadWax View Drop Down
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Points: 25 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DeadWax Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 9:36pm
Originally posted by Ernie Ernie wrote:

Most convenient Sonos, even Stevens sound wise to the RPi and been running since 2008 and still going strong with regular updates from Sonos. No sign of support ending so I feel it was a great buy. Downside Sonos doesn’t play past 48khz though this isn’t a problem with CD rips and Tidal. Sounds better since I discovered that you need to set the volume to max and fixed.

 
100% agree with what you say ref Sonos - used it as a streamer since 2012 and it really is rock solid.
What do you mean when you say you discovered that you need to set the volume to max and fixed?
Andy R
Lincoln, UK
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Ernie View Drop Down
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Points: 386 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Ernie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Dec 2018 at 10:44pm
Hi Deadwax,
Try it, go to settings set the volume to max and set it to fixed.

Think it was Graham talking about digital based attenuation that prompted me to give it a go. To my ears (no assurance of quality) it sounds better into the Majestic using the manual volume pot.


Edited by Ernie - 12 Dec 2018 at 11:06pm
There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't.
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