i have the “Master License” from JRiver that allows use across platforms. Another advantage of the FifoPi is that it isolates the 3.3v (you have to use an external supply), the isolated 3.3v, in turn powers the HDMIPi, and it allows you to power the Pi itself with an external 5v (instead of powering the Pi through the USB C power input) if desired. With the FifoPi, the clock is swappable, so I currently have Crystek CCHD 957 clocks installed.

In this case, the FifoPi is theoretically not necessary since the DS does not use MCLK and reclocks everything in conversion to DSD, but I still used it in case I ever wanted to try S/PDIF to some other DAC in the future (note - it does not do AES/EBU). PI4>Iancanada FifoPi>Iancanada HDMIPi>i2s on DS. I also built a PI4 using cards from Iancanada so I could try i2s directly from source to DS. With JRiver, I can also use something like BubbleUpnp to stream Qobuz to Jriver, then on to the DS, OR I can also stream directly to the Bridge II, bypassing the PC altogether. In JRiver, they are each considered “zones.” Jriver can either play directly to the DS via USB, or through the network to the Bridge II. It serves as both player (using JRiver) and network storage of my music files.

I have a mini-itx PC that I built just for my audio system. So if you have a NUC, you will still need an OS (most already come with Windows) and software of your choice.

For example, you can’t swap processors if wanted, but there’s not many processors these days that CAN’T handle audio if that’s all you’ll be using it for.įrom an “audiophile” perspective, a NUC does use an external power supply brick with one voltage, so one could conceivably use a linear power supply to feed the NUC rather than the typical multi-output ps monsters of typical computers. NUC is just Intel’s coined phrase meaning “Next Unit of Computing.” It’s a standard small form factor PC, usually using an “all in one” board (versus discrete board with mounted processor).Ī disadvantage to a NUC is there isn’t as much flexibility.

Jriver remote android