It’s my birthday in a few days and I have always been more of a “Pi” guy versus cake; apple or pecan for anyone who is handy in the baking department. Orchard Audio might not qualify in that department but they do make really outstanding streamers and amplifiers for such a small company.
Orchard Audio just returned from a successful showing at the Florida International 2023 Audio Expo in Tampa and let us know about two new products that are forthcoming.
Network streamers and DACs are a very hot topic at the moment; especially in the world of high-end headphones where mainstream interest has never been higher and consumers are looking for desktop solutions that can help them enjoy their favorite steaming platforms like TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, or Amazon Music HD.
Orchard Audio will be introducing the PecanPi+ DAC ($399.95 USD) and PecanPi+ Streamer, ($699.95 USD) further expanding the highly reviewed line of PecanPi products. The PecanPi+ DAC leverages Asahi Kasei Microdevices’ (AKM) latest flagship AK4499EXEQ digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and AK9141EQ ΔΣ modulator chips. The 4499 utilizes the latest multi-bit switched resistor DAC method, employing VELVETSOUND technology.
AKM’s design separates the digital processing and the digital-to-analog conversion into separate devices, minimizing the effects of digital noise within the analog output and resulting in a noticeable improvement in both sound quality and signal to noise ratio.
The PecanPi+ design fully explores the benefits of the latest technological advancement in audio reproduction, providing pure, unaltered audio that wholly reproduces the source material.
The AKM chips are coupled with extremely low noise power supplies, an ultra-low jitter clock, and the latest high-performance audio operational amplifiers from Burr-Brown (Texas Instruments). This enables the PecanPi+ DAC to achieve staggering performance.
The PecanPi+ Streamer is a plug-and-play high-resolution music streamer. Control music wirelessly using your phone, tablet, or computer. The device can also be connected to any digital transport utilizing S/PDIF. The PecanPi+ DAC is ideal for do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts.
Specifications
| PecanPi | PecanPi+ | |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio: XLR output (A-wt) | 130dB | 133dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio: RCA output (A-wt) | 124dB | 128dB |
| Dynamic Range: XLR output | 125dB | 129dB |
| Dynamic Range: RCA output | 122dB | 124dB |
| SINAD: XLR output | 110dB | 116dB |
| SINAD: RCA output | 110dB | 112dB |
| Bit/Sample Rates | Up to 24-bit / 192Khz | Up to 32-bit / 384kHz |
Availability
Orchard Audio is offering preorder prices on its website until the end of March 2023. Both the PecanPi+ DAC and PecanPi+ Streamer will start shipping in mid to late May. For more information: orchardaudio.com.
Related reading: Cambridge Audio’s MXN10 & AXN10 Network Players Offer Affordable Hi-Res Streaming
BobPM
March 8, 2023 at 9:48 pm
So what does the streamer use for software? Your choice open source or something proprietary?
Ian White
March 9, 2023 at 12:49 am
Bob,
You have your choice of Roon, Volumio, PiCore Player (Squeezebox replacement) and MoOde Audio.
Best
Ian White