Here’s what I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TD42S27/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073K14CVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WG4DW52/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TYQRXTK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And, here’s this…
Idem; I use exactly the same. Easily assembled and works very well. With Roon and into an USB DAC this is the perfect endpoint.
Great parts list, pretty much identical to what I’m using, except I went with this case:
Lots of people love the Flirc case, but I find this one a bit more “professional” looking–the cooling fins look, well, cool 
. It keeps the RPi4 nice and cool passively, temps while streaming rarely exceed 41C. A good way to go if you don’t rely on WiFi. Seen here next to my DAC:
I have run RoPieee, and it is a great “turnkey” solution that I’d recommend to anyone; effectively it creates an “appliance” that you set and forget. A bit off topic, but lately I am running a minimal install of DietPi with Roonbridge–I underclock the processor a bit, turn off unneeded circuits and LEDs, and set Roonbridge process priority high to ensure good performance at the lower processor speed. I’ve set up both RPi4s and my Allo USBridge Sig this way. DietPi provides more options for tweaking, but of course isn’t nearly as dead simple as RoPieee.
ultraRendu would work.
You never mentioned the DAC you are using. Some DACs have native DSD issues with Linux based bridges. IF DSD is important to you, then I would start my research there.
It’s just a matter of preference. The FLIRC case is a passive cooling device and works very well. It works with ethernet or WIFI. Personally, I prefer the FLIRC. I leave mine running 24/7 and it stays at 45C +/-. My battery powered one runs at 41C +/-.
Dacs are Luxman DA-06 and Schiit Bifrost 2.
I’m kindof leaning towards UltraRendu or StackAudio The Link.
Or Maybe opticalRendu Lite for Roon only.
Allright, I’ll start out with an RPi4 with RoPieee for the Schiit Bifrost 2.
Here’s what I ordered, seems like a nice passive cooling case.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07W7Q6ZC9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AF86O3ULEWCWE&psc=1
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07HXYYB6W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AVT9AOX5347RK&psc=1
But I came to understand that connecting my other DAC, the DA-06 straight to the Nucleus isn’t the best option.
So I’m still debating getting a “StackAudio The Link” or “opticalRendu Lite for Roon only” as wel for that setup. Or an Aries G1 or U1 Mini?
Bifrost 2 has the latest Schiit Unison USB. I was a tester of that USB card on my Yggdrasil, and on many tests it performed better than every previous solution I used with that DAC, including pricey S/PDIF or AES streamers. These days I actually use AES from a Pi2AES, but that’s a (small magnitude) personal preference vs Unison USB. TL; DR: For Bifrost 2, I’d go with Pi 4 and be done.
Thanks!
To be clear, you prefer to connect the Unison USB to a RPi4 instead of straight to the Nucleus?
Update on Stack The Link:
The LINK II is going to be released in the coming week. It has a 50% lower phase noise clock and new software
PCM 32bit/352.8kHz, DSD256
If you want something a little better, you can try an Intel NUC6CAYH. You’ll need to add RAM and an SSD, but you install ROCK and use it as an endpoint.
You can even set it up on low powe settings, the fan doesn’t even come on that I hear.
Very happy with mine, significant upgrade over the RPi3.
The LINK acts as a bridge between digital music files and existing hi-fi systems. All that’s needed is a DAC with a USB connection. Music files can be on PCs and laptops, connected NAS drives on home networks containing archived CD libraries; internet radio and subscription services like Tidal, Qobuz.
(From the StackAudio web)
A Roon Bridge device (such as asked by OP) doesn’t really read and stream digital music files. Nor does it read, buffer and stream Tidal and Qobuz. That’s what the Roon Core server does.
The Bridge receives a RAAT stream on a network port (Ethernet/WiFi), and outputs that same stream on a digital audio port (USB, S/PDIF, AES). Very little hardware is required for this task. That’s why a very modest RPi 2GB with or without HAT is all you’ll ever need. If you’re going to interface via USB to your DAC, no HAT is required.
But using a Bridge (ethernet to USB) will be an improvement on using the USB outputs of the Nucleus?
The general and ‘official’ recommendation is to separate Core and Endpoint, i.e. use a Bridge to output to the DAC. That said, if you have a silent Core device which you can and wish to maintain in your listening space, then I’d connect the DAC directly to it and listen… If its sounds good, you’re set. If you find it missing, it’s still time to use a Pi4 to try and better the sound.
I have used my DAC in both ways and have not been able to find any difference.
Ok, do some testing with the RPi4 I just ordered first.
If I find an improvement I keep using it on the Bifrost 2.
I can then get a StackAudio The Link II for my Luxman system.
The price is still acceptable for that one.
Thanks for all your advice guys, your many replies and a lot of searching around the web made me finally decide.
I doubt it would matter much for SQ, but the Pi 4 setup would be more flexible in terms of physical layout.
I got the Allo Usbridge going into a Pro-ject Audio Pre-box S2. It’s been rock-solid, and I can stream up to full DSD 512 to it without a problem. (helps to have a good network) It’s a remarkably affordable combo considering what it is capable of.
Edit: It appears that the Usbridge I bought isn’t available now, but they offer this:
https://www.allo.com/sparky/usbridge-signature-player.html
You might want to view my series of network bridge reviews here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XRi9utNBl4&list=PLMbsmejHnP8GcUr68FGv0olETD8fbsgor
Mr. Hans Beekhuyzen!
I have watched quite a few of your videos the past few years and just watched a dozen or so of them last week, mostly about SoTM, Sonore, Uptone Audio, Stack Audio, etc …
I noticed there are some more I would like to see in the link you just posted above.
I must say I really enjoy your videos and find them to be informative, contradictory to the many hyped-up reviews one finds on YouTube, webpages, forums and magazines.
I also find it helpful when you mention other devices in your reviews and give your opinion on how they compare to the reviewed device.
I already decided on which bridges to use: I’ll try out an RPI4 with RoPieee I linked above with my Schiit Bifrost 2 and also ordered a Lumin U1 Mini to use with my Luxman DA-06.
I think about trying a Stack Audio Link II as well, it should come out this week.
That said, I’d very much enjoy a review on one of the Lumin bridges from you and hear your opinion on how they compare with the Auralic bridges.
Keep up the good work!
