Well, I'm happy. For the first time in a while I've started buying music again… because now I can play it properly through raspyfi!

Since moving house a couple of years ago, I haven't had the space to set my stereo up properly. I have an Arcam Alpha 10 amp which I've had for many years and which I love, but these days I mostly just put my TV output through it. And my Rega Apollo CD player has sat in the loft, neglected. I've investigated all sorts of options to start listening to my music digitally over the years, but it's always seemed not quite right – or very expensive. But this project has solved all of that. Now I have my RPi streaming FLACs (over WiFi) from a network share on my server, playing through a HiFiMeDiy DAC and into my amp. And it sounds fantastic! Possibly as good as my CD player ever did. I think my old MS 208 floorstanders may be the weakest link now… although I'm clutching at straws here – very please with the sound.

This is my second DAC from HiFiMeDiy. First I tried the tiny USB to 3.5mm jack, and now I've upgraded to the DAC 2 with matching external power supply. That seems more suited to a HiFi setup, but is a fair bit more expensive. Also, I've tested the DACs against one another by playing the same track simultaneously through the Pi and through a laptop with media monkey installed (in WASAPI exclusive mode) and I honestly couldn't tell the difference. At any volume. Or through UE 9000 headphones. So, if anyone is looking for a DAC, go for this one – you really can't go wrong!

http://hifimediy.com/index.php…..duct_id=83

This doesn't have a separate PSU, but the Nokia PSU I'm using to power my Pi seems plenty powerful enough for both.

Anyway, huge thanks to Mikelangeloz and everyone else involved – I'm enjoying music again! And at some point I'll donate some cash to the project, honest

Cheers,

Karli