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Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 9:21 pm
by Toontrev
As promised after Savvys bake off, I'd report on the Allo Boss following receipt of the separate PS for the DAC if there were any changes.
Luckily I'd also had a P50 delivered the same week, this has meant a bake off of my own each evening comparing the Boss with my Naim Unitilite made so easy with the P50 just flipping the input dial.

The immediate benefit with the additional PS has led to a taming the treble. It was a bit exuberant last saturday and I'd admit that it would probably be soemwhat tiring after a while even though it was a lot of fun. The driving bass and sheer musical enjoyment however remains, swapping back to the Naim has became less and less as the weeks gone on. A lot of the source I listen to is Radio Paradise which I just love, Bill's voice sometimes has some sibilance when he occasionally comments, something I've always picked up on, but this week its much less noticeable with the Boss than through the Naim. The music however is just magical, it sounds so real and absorbing, so much so that I've had to call it a day a lot later in the evening than normal. The bass guitar notes are tuneful not just a thud, the crack of a snare drum which you only ever get live are closer and as I'm such a sucker for female country singers, the latest Kacey Musgraves album had the old goosebumps going - great stuff, isn't this why we care so much..

As a first venture into diy digital these devices are fantastic value for money. It wins no prizes for looks, but this thing streams wirelessly, picks up all the internet radios channels & works flawlessly with a cheapo NAS. One of the reasons I read this form is that it cuts the BS, you are looking at just over £100 for a source that is frankly amazing VFM.

Re: Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 1:57 am
by Chunk McDaniel
Thanks for the imfo Trev. I am slowly getting my head around this internet streaming malarky the more I read. May have to dip my toes in at some stage.

Re: Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 10:48 am
by Ithilstone
Your findings mirror those of the others
for example here:
https://volumio.org/forum/allo-boss-fir ... t9303.html

it looks like AB V1.2 really needs a quality LPSU to sound good

Re: Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 11:01 am
by Hemmo1969
Nice write up Trev.

Which LPS are you using with the kit? Am I right in thinking one for the pi and one for the dac?

Re: Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 11:35 am
by Fretless
Great review Trev. The Pi is a real giant-slayer. And Allo products are a tribute to the booming tech industry in India.

SQ from a Pi is heavily dependent on power source. Wall-warts can be bettered by a DC supply like rechargeable batteries or a powerbank. But an linear PSU is audibly superior.

Re: Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 7:37 pm
by Toontrev
Thanks for the feedback. At the mo I'm using wall plug supplies as recommended on the volumio website . I'm assuming the next step would be a linear power supply for the ~DAC? is that correct?
Question for the doc - why is linear better for music reproduction, was an observation at savvys that the doc recommended supply had a digital display, after 30 mins or so the output never wavered one iota.

Re: Allo Boss V1.2 +RPi3

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 5:09 pm
by Hemmo1969
Toontrev wrote: Sun May 13, 2018 7:37 pm Thanks for the feedback. At the mo I'm using wall plug supplies as recommended on the volumio website . I'm assuming the next step would be a linear power supply for the ~DAC? is that correct?
Question for the doc - why is linear better for music reproduction, was an observation at savvys that the doc recommended supply had a digital display, after 30 mins or so the output never wavered one iota.
A good or better LPS also stops ‘adding’ more crap into the electrical circuit.
Not quite sure which would be best to use and LPS on first, with the ‘get the best source’ you can maybe add to the pi and listen, go from there. Perfect world..... buy two. :lol: