Ok, thanks. I suppose a pigtail could just be soldered to the GPIO pins exposed on the underside if the Pi. That should work.
I was hoping to use a rotary encoder as well as to use the GPIO to turn on my amps... So, no access to the GPIO othewise?
A few more findings.
I have just finish listening to Katana using a pair of Focal Electra 1038. It sounds wonderful. Pure.Crystal .
When I chose deemphasis , the sound is wrong. Muted, takes the sparkle away
It comes alive when I remove the deemphasising and use either a slow or even fast filter.
In the office I am using Katana with a Volt+ D and some older Polk audio bookshelves . Its almost like its driving the bookshelves to the edge. I use them with slightly less than volume I am used to.
Does it make sense ?
I have just finish listening to Katana using a pair of Focal Electra 1038. It sounds wonderful. Pure.Crystal .
When I chose deemphasis , the sound is wrong. Muted, takes the sparkle away
It comes alive when I remove the deemphasising and use either a slow or even fast filter.
In the office I am using Katana with a Volt+ D and some older Polk audio bookshelves . Its almost like its driving the bookshelves to the edge. I use them with slightly less than volume I am used to.
Does it make sense ?
Isn't deemphasis and its treatment in playback part of the data stream? I.E automatic. Could it be that different OSes are not handling that aspect correctly thus making some files incorrectly decoded.
Maybe there is something going on here.
Maybe there is something going on here.
Hi Folks,
Really interesting thread, I apreciate allo product, I'm using an DigiOne Player right now. I follow the launch of Katana, but I mainly wait for their amplifier the F1, it should use the Nirvana power alim too.
@cdsgames : With amplifier are you using with your Focal ?
Really interesting thread, I apreciate allo product, I'm using an DigiOne Player right now. I follow the launch of Katana, but I mainly wait for their amplifier the F1, it should use the Nirvana power alim too.
@cdsgames : With amplifier are you using with your Focal ?
Wrong.
Look. You're wrong again. Cutting out just half of the story from the manual to support your story,
just proves my overall impression about that review.
As you said. It probably requires to be an expert to understand what's been written. 😀
To shed some light on the subject. (I just read the manual)
Surprise. Surprise. There's also a 4 x supply option!
It starts with 3x5V (PI/DAC/Controller) first of all. And that's called "Best" from an Allo perspective. Nope - I wasn't wrong about that. You were!
And if that 3 supply option is still not good enough

This will become the potentially "best of the best" option - my words. -- And all that is valid until you add the already announced isolator HAT and a 5th supply ? which will become - you guessed it - the "TripleBest" setup.
See what I mean!?!? 😉
If you found a different way of feeding that tower - the way you described it - I'd apologize for being wrong about it.
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And all that is valid until you add the already announced isolator HAT and a 5th supply ? which will become - you guessed it - the "TripleBest" setup.
The new Isolator HAT will NOT have provision for own PS.
Matt
I would like to say a few words on reviews.
We have seen many over the years, some with mistakes and some with less. In the end everyone has an opinion, and usually we send an email and correct what we think its wrong.
I do not think that Katana is for advanced users, but I respect opinions.
Now moving on with the testing of main systems and my (cheap system)
Katana continues to shine in my main system surpassing my main DAC. Every filter sounds different Deemphasize sounds wrong.
My "cheap" system. I tried the Shiit , Boss and Katana. At very high volume they all start sounding slightly distorted (acustic distortion)
So , I changed the speakers position and placed a few (big pieces of cloth on the walls and one in the corner) Basically I tired to improve the acoustics .
It helped but did not bring it close to my main system
So I tried more speakers. What I found , is that Katana shines with good speakers.
Every time we moved up to a better speaker, Katana was able to output a better sound.
Moral of the story. Katana will show any acustic imbalances in your system and quality of speakers/amp.
Now I will take a step back and wait for the rest of the reviewers to give their opinions.
We have seen many over the years, some with mistakes and some with less. In the end everyone has an opinion, and usually we send an email and correct what we think its wrong.
I do not think that Katana is for advanced users, but I respect opinions.
Now moving on with the testing of main systems and my (cheap system)
Katana continues to shine in my main system surpassing my main DAC. Every filter sounds different Deemphasize sounds wrong.
My "cheap" system. I tried the Shiit , Boss and Katana. At very high volume they all start sounding slightly distorted (acustic distortion)
So , I changed the speakers position and placed a few (big pieces of cloth on the walls and one in the corner) Basically I tired to improve the acoustics .
It helped but did not bring it close to my main system
So I tried more speakers. What I found , is that Katana shines with good speakers.
Every time we moved up to a better speaker, Katana was able to output a better sound.
Moral of the story. Katana will show any acustic imbalances in your system and quality of speakers/amp.
Now I will take a step back and wait for the rest of the reviewers to give their opinions.
Hi Folks,
Really interesting thread, I apreciate allo product, I'm using an DigiOne Player right now. I follow the launch of Katana, but I mainly wait for their amplifier the F1, it should use the Nirvana power alim too.
@cdsgames : With amplifier are you using with your Focal ?
An older but slightly modded Technics
In the end everyone has an opinion
Yep. I do have a strong "opinion" about that review. 😀
Based on the fact that features simply are not understood (this is documented), the drawn conclusions are flawed and misleading.
If he - after correcting the flaws - still thinks hooking up a USB-C and uUSB cable requires expert knowledge - fair enough. It's still an opinion. 🙄
Why all the fuss? I do think flawed reviews can potentially harm a product for no reason. Such a reviewer should be called out. He'll at least get a chance to correct the mess.
Enjoy.
@soundcheck
I think you are too harsh. Maybe he messed up some technical details, but it appears to me that he got the sound impressions right and this is much more important.
Further it would be much more fair to write your comments in the comment section of the Volumio HP.
Matt
I think you are too harsh. Maybe he messed up some technical details, but it appears to me that he got the sound impressions right and this is much more important.
Further it would be much more fair to write your comments in the comment section of the Volumio HP.
Matt
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Well, looks like Katana isn't going to be here today.
too bad...
More reviews will make this dispute stop, even if I understand what soundcheck is saying.
Who are the 18 other reviewers?
My Katana arrived today and I am starting the build. I will be hard wiring the power (3 power config). Can I use J26 on the micro controller board to bypass the Type C USB connector? Which J26 pin would I use for the +5VDC?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Who are the 18 other reviewers?
Greg Stewart is one of them, I am curious about his review.
Matt
Every time we moved up to a better speaker, Katana was able to output a better sound.
Moral of the story. Katana will show any acustic imbalances in your system and quality of speakers/amp.
.
Hey cdsgames,
I just placed an order. Super excited! I'm going to be streaming Tidal. I'll be using a 300B SET tube amp as my main power amp into Zu Cubes (and Rythmik Subwoofer). I've been told that the Zu Cubes can be quite detail and resolving. Does that type of characteristic make for a good match with the Katana you think?
Thanks!
Great..probably beacuse of the name Katana (weapon)
We will check tomorrow , nothing I can do at this time. (India and EU its very late at night)
We will check tomorrow , nothing I can do at this time. (India and EU its very late at night)
My Katana arrived today and I am starting the build. I will be hard wiring the power (3 power config). Can I use J26 on the micro controller board to bypass the Type C USB connector? Which J26 pin would I use for the +5VDC?
Thank you.
You need to use the USB type C or wires as per manual
Hey cdsgames,
I just placed an order. Super excited! I'm going to be streaming Tidal. I'll be using a 300B SET tube amp as my main power amp into Zu Cubes (and Rythmik Subwoofer). I've been told that the Zu Cubes can be quite detail and resolving. Does that type of characteristic make for a good match with the Katana you think?
Thanks!
I think so but cannot guarantee.
Could you explain a bit about the emmc option -- what role it plays, where it mounts, and what additional capability or capacity it adds?
Thanks, Skip
Thanks, Skip
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