Received the Pi2AES last week after the projected 3-week wait. Very, very nice. Comparable to the Allo USBridge Signature with Digione Sig hate, but maybe just a tad better. The AES connection has a bit more depth and naturalness than the coax output, but the coax seems a little crisper if that's what you prefer. Running it on an Rpi4 with gentooplayer. The Pi and hat are powered through a very well-made regulation circuit on the Pi2AES board that calls for a 24vdc power supply. I got the recommended Meanwell. You can power the Pi separately by removing a small jumper on the Pi2AES. You can also bypass the power regulation on the board and use a 5v LPS. Instructions are here, along with measurements:
https://goldensound.audio/2021/07/22/pi ... tructions/I tried all three ways with my Shanti LPS from Allo and frankly there's not much difference in my system, though Golden Sound shows a lower noise floor with a 5V input. I don't have a 24v LPS so can't comment on that. The 24v input does offer surge protection, which is nice. For that reason the manufacturer recommends not bypassing it. I also have not compared the Allo DigiOne Sig hat directly on the Rpi4 board. I don't imagine there's a huge difference. The price difference also isn't huge. The Pi2AES comes out at about $285 with Pi, case and PS. The Allo setup is about the same, but the recommended Shanti LPS is an extra $150.
I'm using a Mogami Gold AES/EBU cable. You can spend thousands on an MIT rig. Maybe someday.
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
I'll say this. I'm done with USB. For the price of a halfway-decent USB cable alone, this is better than any budget USB renderer I've tried. It's clean, zippy and accurate.
The setup also works with Moode Audio, which is free (unlike gentooplayer). You set for a Hifiberry Digi+ Pro. Be sure you set the time zone to your location, and choose the 64-bit option for the Rpi4, otherwsie it can be glitchy.
Michael is currently out of stock but check the web site for production uipdates. He's also working on a full-bore streamer with storage.
https://www.pi2design.com/