PecanPi Streamer Rev 3.0

I have had the PecanPi for over a month and it is everything all of the reviews have said. Whether listening to Tidal or Qobuz, the audio quality is impressive.

The Pecan Pi streamer is the first stand alone DAC I have purchased. I wanted it to add fidelity to my aging Peachtree Nova integrated amp, and as a Roon endpoint. Set up was straightforward. (Leo at Orchard Audio was quick to respond to an email during setup) and My Roon app quickly saw and enabled the Pi. I was soon streaming hi-res files. The Pecan Pi delivered a clear jump on clarity, detail, and soundstage to all music I sent to it. This is a fantastic audiophile product at a reasonable price. Highly recommended!

I had tested the Leo’s DAC fee months back and was impressed with the sound quality and instruments separation the PecanPi DAC was able to deliver. That time I was mainly testing it using my headphones and PC. Recently I upgraded my 2ch listening spot and was in need of a streamer with great DAC. So I went back to Leo and ordered his streamer. I must admit, the hardware part of PecanPi streamer is top of the top quality. I never expected my flac files would sound so juicy and detailed while streamer over the network. Volumio works pretty well with Spotify and my own Plex/DLNA server. From time to time I had issues connecting to my server, but those are small issues compared to the sound quality. As my integrated amp doesn’t have a built-in DAC, the PecanPi streamer is a perfect solution for me. Previously, I tried Bluesound and Audio-lab streamers, and their software part is not perfect either, while with PecanPi you get the much more advanced DAC developed and created by Leo.

I bought the Pecan Pi because of the great reviews. It lives up to the reviews. It’s not that far off in sound quality from the $2,500 streamer in my reference system.

As a non-audiophile I can’t give a precise analytical description of how this works its magic, but I can say that it has reinvigorated my love of music more than any other component purchase I can recall. All digital files and streaming services sound better and, while Volumio does have its quirks and a little bit of a learning curve, the added test convenience of access from my mobile devices is a big plus. As a bonus, when I had questions during my initial setup Leo was incredibly responsive and generous with his time. Recommended without reservation.

I’ve used a streamer and DAC based on the Raspberry Pi and a middle-of-the-road DAC from the French company Allo, in combination with Volumnio, for the last year or so. The Allo BOSS DAC is based on a single PCM5122 chip for both channels, which I thought does well enough, as my older MB Quart speakers aren’t that great anymore.
Replace the Allo streamer with the PecanPi, and the difference is as night and day. The silences are more noticible, the acoustic guitar is cleaner and comes to life, I can even hear the harmonics on a jazz saxofone again.
So I plugged the older streamer back in to listen to the streamers side-by-side, and it is incredible, the difference. Both streamers are based on the same Raspberry Pi 3B single-board computer, but the DAC hat is different. Leo delivers a better linear power supply with the PecanPi streamer as well, which I’m sure also makes a difference.
I believe the biggest difference is probably the DAC chips. PecanPi has dual PCM5122’s in monaural mode, where The Allo BOSS uses only one for both channels. The quality of the other components and connections certainly make a contribution, but just trusting my ears on a side by side comparison, there is a huge difference.
I’m building new speakers using Orchard Audio mono block amps in the speakers (powered, thus), and will be streaming directly with XLR to the speakers. Can hardly wait to hear the differences then. Just the excellent quality DAC hat in the PecanPi already makes a huge difference.

Wow! As an owner of three digital to analog music systems – the SOtM Ultra Trio, Allo’s Kantana with two TeraDak LPSs, and now Orchard’s PecanPi, it is amazing to me just how good the all in one end point units have become. Summary – The PecanPi is a no-brainer purchase for anyone looking to stream hi-resolution music to their stereo system. The Allo Kantana, the unit my PecanPi will now replace, was no slouch and an excellent unit in its own right…but, there are a number of things I like better about the PecanPi.
But before I go into a comparison between the similarly priced Allo Kantana and the PP, I have to disclaim the advantages the Allo Kantana had during this comparison (to an off the shelf PecanPi). a) The Kantana was powered with two TeraDak LPS (which added about $300 to the base cost). The PecanPi was set-up in its base form, which is what Leo recommends. When I bought my Kantana a year ago, purchase of external LPS was highly recommended and I can state 1st hand that the Kantana improved vastly with the addition of each of the two LPS units. The standalone Kantana was lifeless and blurred without LPSs. b) The Kantana was connected with a Kimber KCAG RCA interconnect during the comparison versus the PP equipped with a much less expensive/reviewed LFD RCA interconnect. NOTE: I can hardly wait to hear the PP with its native balanced XLR outputs.
My subjective, comparative impressions (and why I believe the PP is an incredible value):
1) Soundstage – the sound stage thrown by the PP is incredible. Immediately noticeable and quite a benefit if you speakers cannot have optimal placement. With this, the depth of the stage and instrument separation seem to be more precisely placed. The Kantana had what I thought at the time was a great soundstage, but the PP was exceptionally better at this.
2) Ease of listening and midrange delight – the vocals produced by the PP are easy, emotional, and delightful. While the Kantana has its own unique way of producing great sound and range, the PP is just more pleasurable to listen to over extended periods.
3) Ease of set-up and support – this clearly goes to the PP without question. Set-up was simple, well-explained and for the single question that I had for Leo, my answer came within minutes. Allo support was coming from India and whilst it was not bad, it is a world of difference with Orchard Audio. My pontification on this subject is as follows – when one gets into the sub-$500 USD price range, the support for a complex digital component is not set-up to deal with individuals that lack a basic computer skill knowledge and ability to search forums and follow detailed instructions…a point my 26 YO continually reminds me of :). The PP is a unit that I could easily set-up and run. The Allo on the other hand, required considerably different skills and knowledge…that of a 26 YO CS Major.
4) Build Quality – The PP comes in a self-contained steel enclosure that while quite light, is study and substantial when compared to the Allo Kantana’s plastic assembly. The Kantana feels fragile, exposed and flimsy by comparison to the PP. The Kantana is quite easily moved around by the weight of the wires and has exposed electronic parts. Both structurally and aesthetically the PP is an 9/10 and the Allo is a 4/10.
5) Accessories – the PP is built with balanced XLR outputs and Orchard provides a pair of his proprietary RCA adapters for those requiring single ended inputs. Balanced is a big plus for me although all my listening to date has been single-ended RCA. Orchard provides a 3.5mm headphone jack for a very modest charge, allowing those who wish to use headphones to connect in.
I am really blown away with the quality, versatility, and sound of Orchard’s PP. It is a magnificent leap forward for digital audio and without question a steal at its price.
Please note: I paid for my unit, just like everyone else. My review here was just to provide my personal insights into affordable hi-end audio.
System used to evaluate (because this always comes up) – Roon Nucleaus Server streaming to PP with LFD Spiroflex single-ended interconnects + Allo Kantanta (w/2 TeraDak LPS). The units are connected to an LFD Mk IV SE integrated amplifier connected with LFD Grainless speaker wires to Meadowlark Kestral Hot Rod speakers.

I tried the PecanPi to see if I could simplify my current digital front-end and achieve an equivalent sound quality.

My system comprises a Mac mini i7, as a Roon end-point and server, networked to a SOtM sMS 200Ultra, neo which feeds – via USB – a Mutec MC3+ USB re-clocker and SPDIF converter, which in turn feeds – via SPDIF – a Dac Dac! It’s a system that I’ve modified, through empirical testing over 5 years, to try and extract the best sound I can out of digital music files and streaming services like Tidal; without breaking the bank on truly hi-end equipment.

I’m not going to say that the PecanPi bettered or equalled the sound of my system – because to my ears it didn’t – but for a fraction of the cost the sound it produced was most definitely amazing value for money. If you need, or want, a one-box, no nonsense solution to your digital/streaming front end then you must try the PecanPi. You’ll have to invest a lot more money, and your precious time, to find a better solution. I also think it would be a fantastic digital/streaming addition to a second system if you are looking for great sound on a low budget and simplicity of set up.

I needed to find a streamer to play my music from PC to my aeging, but still excellent hifi system. I read a review of the PecanPi and emailed Leo. He responded almost instantly, even though I’m in Australia, and I ordered my unit.
It arrived this morning, and to say I’m blown away is an understatement. I’m not up on the latest jargon, but to me, the treble on my Kef T27s was just that little bit more airy, and the bass from the B139s sounded deeper, and tighter. So far I’m only listening to DSD64s, but I’ll be working through my entire collection. That’s going to take me a while!
Congratulations, Leo, on a truly outstanding product.

Awesome sound, and naturally the versatility of streaming, equals or exceeds my other players.