Orchard Audio is releasing the new PecanPi Streamer and DAC, which can be purchased as a stand-alone DAC for RaspberryPi computer tinkerers or, more excitingly, as a plug-and-play music streamer. I have spent the last couple of weeks listening to the music streamer version of the PecanPi DAC, and I can only say that I continue to be wowed by the quality of sound that Leo Ayzenshtat, the brain behind Orchard Audio, puts out.
I was introduced to Orchard Audio when I reviewed the ApplePi DAC about a year ago. The ApplePi was a bit of a conceptual mountain for me to overcome. That was mainly because it needed to be paired with a RaspberryPi, or similar, Linux based tinkerer’s type of computer. And while I’m fairly technical and knew what a RaspberryPi was, I had not used one. So, I had to do some learning before I could listen. When I started listening, I was floored by the quality of sound that the ApplePi offered. In fact, I purchased one to be the source for my headphone rig. It was clean, fast, balanced, the staging was great and the price was surprisingly inexpensive.
Technical Specs
The PecanPi music streamer appears to take what Leo learned from the ApplePi and not only improves upon the sound but also wraps it in a much easier to consume the plug-and-play experience. The PecanPi uses the same dual Burr-Brow PCM1794A DAC chips in a monaural mode as the ApplePi. It also has an improved Crystek CCHD-575 ultra-low jitter clock and SRC4193 volume control, which is totally new, and OPA1612 output stages.
The PecanPi continues to offer both RCA and mini-XLR outputs. The PecanPi also has new dual parallel OPA1622 headphone drivers, which offers up to 2.5Vrms of output. This can drive most consumer level headphones easily, but if you need more power, as I do for my Audeze LCD-2 headphones, then hook the output of the PecanPi up to an external amp and set the volume 10-15% below max for the best sound. Complete specs and setup instructions are available here on the Orchard website, and the setup instructions are also shipped with the product.
Setting Up
The device takes about 45 to 60 seconds to boot up, at which point you are able to access it through the Volumio app via your smartphone or tablet. You can also open a browser and go to http://volumio.local from any device. If for some reason http://volumio.local does not load the software, a fallback option is to find the IP on your network and type that into your browser.
You can opt to purchase the streamer with pre-configured WiFi setting which would make setup even easier, but if you forgo that, you can set up the WiFi after first connecting the device with an ethernet cable and configuring the WiFi settings in the app. This took me less than 5 minutes as I had never used Volumio before, but the UI was clear and intuitive.
As a side note, the controlling software of the PecanPi appears to be very stable. I unplugged it many times without going through the official shutdown, and it never corrupted the software.
Listening Experience
Once I had the unit set up and back at my desk, I was ready to give it a listen. I loaded up a USB drive with some hi-res music files, stuck it in one of the 4 USB ports for the PecanPi, and was easily able to find and play the music. I had an idea of what to expect as I own the ApplePi DAC and also one of Leo’s CRISPIN amplifiers, so I presumed to think “I know Leo’s sound.” I thought the PecanPi would sound just like the ApplePi, but instead, it was a new sonic experience rooted in the ApplePi’s sound but distinctly it’s own. It offers smoother leading edges, and the sound no longer seems to just burst from nothing into existence. Instead, the sound enters the stage at a more natural pacing. And the low-end, while still as clear as the ApplePi, now sounds a bit louder and deeper, giving the music a more solid foundation to live on.
I was also surprised to hear improvement in sound staging, placement, and solidness. The LCD-2 headphones, being open planar headphones, can sound airy and ethereal at times. Even with an amplifier that is fully capable of driving them, their detail and design can expose gaps in the sound due to either a recording or a component. Yet when I used the PecanPi amplified by the Burson Soloist, I was able to experience some of the best and most solid sound that I’ve heard from these headphones.
Between the PecanPi, Busron, WyWires RCA cables and the LCD-2 headphones, yes, I’m still listening to about $3k worth of gear, but the sound outpaced that. I grinned from ear to ear and was excited to feel the joy that improved sound can give.
I also used the PecanPi female 1/8th-inch RCA adapter it comes with to connect the Shure se425 earphones and the ESS 422H Heil AMT over ear headphones and continued to be very impressed with the sound.
Summing Up
So with all of the good news, is there any room for improvement with the PecanPi? There might be, or this might just come down to personal taste. I think that the center channel audio of the ApplePi DAC is more forward than it is with the PecanPi DAC, and that sound is a bit more to my personal liking. Maybe I’m just splitting hairs, but I noticed this on both the LCD-2 and ESS 422H headphones. Everything else mentioned above about the PecanPi is an improvement, which is impressive since the ApplePi sounds so very good.
Also, I would love it if the PecanPi, or a future interaction, would be plug-and-play compatible via USB so I can just plug it into my computer and use it as the DAC like I can with the HL Labs Geek Out of other plug-and-play DACs.
I continue to be very impressed by Orchard Audio’s products, and Leo has done an outstanding job with the new PecanPi music streamer. The PecanPi is one of the better sounding DACs I have heard in the ‘affordable’ price range, and until May 31st it is also available at its pre-order price of $399. At that price, it is absolutely worth your time to give the PecanPi a listen. Personally, I can’t wait to hear what Leo comes up with next.
Price: $399 (pre-order price good through May 31st)
