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[Dennis in FL]

I'm initially running MC as a client on a Raspberry Pi 4 and outputting the audio through HDMI to my Marantz receiver DACs (AKM AK4458).    Sounds pretty good so far although it sounds like "something is missing"  - not sure what......seems less presence.   

I was going to use my OPPO DAC - but it died.   I'm debating if I should just continue with the receiver DAC or should I buy something like a Dragonfly Red or I also have the option of using the Burr Brown PCM1795 DAC in my nearby Sony HAP S1. 

In the case of Sony - I'd have to convert the USB output to optical and then input into the Sony.   

So before I spend the $$$ I thought I'd ask for feedback- has anyone fiddled in this area ?  HDMI vs USB/DAC ?

[Mike Noe]

I just went thru a bit a this with (HDMI vs. USB) 2 denon (one recvr, one DVD/DAC) and an Onkyo recvr, against xDuoo and SMSL usb DACs.  My preamp and amps are neutral-biased (Transcendent Sound separates) but my speakers are bright, and I'm old so my hearing is not what it once was.  Even so, little doubt as to the DAC performances.

Short version, FWIW, I'm kicking my recvr's to the curb and embarking on a DIY USB DAC project of some sort.

(I'm not using rPI, just an MSI B350/Ryzen openSUSE Tumbleweed htpc...)

[GaryB]

I'm initially running MC as a client on a Raspberry Pi 4 and outputting the audio through HDMI to my Marantz receiver DACs (AKM AK4458).    Sounds pretty good so far although it sounds like "something is missing"  - not sure what......seems less presence.   

I was going to use my OPPO DAC - but it died.   I'm debating if I should just continue with the receiver DAC or should I buy something like a Dragonfly Red or I also have the option of using the Burr Brown PCM1795 DAC in my nearby Sony HAP S1. 

In the case of Sony - I'd have to convert the USB output to optical and then input into the Sony.   

So before I spend the $$$ I thought I'd ask for feedback- has anyone fiddled in this area ?  HDMI vs USB/DAC ?

I use these
http://iqaudio.co.uk/
Sound great no messing with HDMi cables!

[Dennis in FL]

Oh wow...that's great !!!

what do you use for a case?

[bob]

I use these
http://iqaudio.co.uk/
Sound great no messing with HDMi cables!

I'd second this, the DAC+ is very nice!

[Zhillsguy]

I've used several of the HiFiBerry dacs with great success and they have compatible cases available.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/13098236011?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=HiFiBerry&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_13098236011

Edit: There s a pretty good list of RPi dacs here:

https://forum.volumio.org/list-i2s-dacs-for-raspberry-t1103.html

[Dennis in FL]

I thought my DAC had died.   Turned out my receiver was the trouble.   I bought a new receiver and hooked in the DAC and it works!!!   Listening to "Kind of Blue" as we speak

[WB3FFV]

 So is everyone saying, that feeding HDMI into a good system doesn't sound well?    Using HDMI it should be using the receivers (or prepro) DAC, and though you can have junk, some gear has very nice DAC's built in.   

 I was thinking of taking and hooking up an RPi4 to my Marantz, just to see how it worked, but for sure I don't want to have to use an external DAC to interface with it, as the DAC's in my pre-pro are pretty darn nice DAC's..

[JimH]

HDMI out of a Raspberry Pi into a receiver is great.  It's how I'm using it.  No problems.

[GaryB]

Oh wow...that's great !!!

what do you use for a case?

IQaudio do a series of cases for their own products. I use the see through one. I also added a push button switch to shut the Pi down nicely.

[Awesome Donkey]

If you're using a Pi 4, I'd really recommend having a case with a fan on it, since the Pi 4s can get pretty toasty.

[GaryB]

Update from IQ Audio is that although the DAC’s work with the Pi4. As Awsome Donkey alluded to they have not yet done a case for the 4 as it “Runs a bit warm”

[Dennis in FL]

Update from IQ Audio is that although the DAC’s work with the Pi4. As Awsome Donkey alluded to they have not yet done a case for the 4 as it “Runs a bit warm”

I bought a case with the Pi4 and also 3 paste-on heat sinks - so far, I haven't seen a problem.   

I plan to recruit my wife and do a test in the near future with the various ways I have of playing the same song (I have a few favorite Audiophile DSD files for use in this testing )

1) MC (Mac) --> DAC --> Marantz Analog in
2) MC (Mac) --> Marantz optical In
3) MC (Mac) --- Marantz ( DLNA in )
4) MC (Raspi 4) --> Marantz (HDMI) - ( I haven't yet tried two other options --> Raspi to DAC or Raspi as a standalone MC server yet )
5) Sony HAP S1 --> Marantz Analog in

We'll see how it goes....a lot of time will pass as I switch from one to another and I may forget the previous setups.

[GaryB]

I bought a case with the Pi4 and also 3 paste-on heat sinks - so far, I haven't seen a problem.   

I plan to recruit my wife and do a test in the near future with the various ways I have of playing the same song (I have a few favorite Audiophile DSD files for use in this testing )

1) MC (Mac) --> DAC --> Marantz Analog in
2) MC (Mac) --> Marantz optical In
3) MC (Mac) --- Marantz ( DLNA in )
4) MC (Raspi 4) --> Marantz (HDMI) - ( I haven't yet tried two other options --> Raspi to DAC or Raspi as a standalone MC server yet )
5) Sony HAP S1 --> Marantz Analog in

We'll see how it goes....a lot of time will pass as I switch from one to another and I may forget the previous setups.

You need to keep in mind that the Pi will try to protect itself by reducing its performance as it warms up.
So “ no problems seen” might not be the whole picture, however if the performance is adequate for you then it isn’t a problem.

What Iqaudio were saying Is that they weren’t happy with one of their “Hat” type DAC’s and a Pi4 in one of their existing cases.