Bought one, just to try out with a high chance of passing it on later. Surprise, it is a very good device. Software is not fully developed yet but the firmware update of last weekend improved some small quirks. Of course it is a computer but a highly "device-like" one as it can be operated like HiFi separates and does not give any noise at all as it has no fans (BIG plus). Is there anyone of you that has the Olive One too ? What are your opinions ? IMO it is more user friendly than a Squeezebox Touch and it is a more complete solution. Still the Touch is standing brotherly together with the One. Decisions...
My fingers are itching to open the One and check the innards but I wait a little to have it fully broken in. To be honest I didn't expect the amplifiers to be that good. My DDA-100 seems better but I will have to do AB again after some time. They go together as green and blue with regards to form and design... No IR remote control though so I had to start using a tablet to control it. It was forced but I reluctantly can tell it is way better than IR remotes. This feels like a confession 😉
I feel all in ones and/or DDX are the future as separates seem to die out and those left standing are in a price category that I don't like. So... DDX, "all in ones".... No more class A, DACs, analog switching, expensive potentiometers, gold plated relays, cap rolling, opamp rolling ??? Maybe even no more DIY ??? 😱
If I imagine my audio rack without the amp and the Touch it is a lonely affair. Just one (1) device doing everything. Possibly a high WAF factor too (assumption!) but I don't mind myself as well. The round form makes it a strange device in audioland but it has a high attraction factor as everyone that sees it wants to try it out 😉 Recommended ! Let me know your thoughts and experiences please.
My fingers are itching to open the One and check the innards but I wait a little to have it fully broken in. To be honest I didn't expect the amplifiers to be that good. My DDA-100 seems better but I will have to do AB again after some time. They go together as green and blue with regards to form and design... No IR remote control though so I had to start using a tablet to control it. It was forced but I reluctantly can tell it is way better than IR remotes. This feels like a confession 😉
I feel all in ones and/or DDX are the future as separates seem to die out and those left standing are in a price category that I don't like. So... DDX, "all in ones".... No more class A, DACs, analog switching, expensive potentiometers, gold plated relays, cap rolling, opamp rolling ??? Maybe even no more DIY ??? 😱
If I imagine my audio rack without the amp and the Touch it is a lonely affair. Just one (1) device doing everything. Possibly a high WAF factor too (assumption!) but I don't mind myself as well. The round form makes it a strange device in audioland but it has a high attraction factor as everyone that sees it wants to try it out 😉 Recommended ! Let me know your thoughts and experiences please.
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I don't have this Olive, but I can comment on the last thought of Yours.
Yes, these modern all in one devices are winner just because they work.
I started building a similar server with a small board computer, hard drive, and a DAC, it can be controlled by my cellphone, etc. Since I did not have any useful enclosure for the thing, I put it in a box a few months later. Now when I need music, I put some on my phone... which is crap compared, but it just works. This world, people have no time to thinker... people need things that... again, just works.
How do You use the One?
It seems like a nice addition to a glass table, but then You have a lot of wires to hide.
Yes, these modern all in one devices are winner just because they work.
I started building a similar server with a small board computer, hard drive, and a DAC, it can be controlled by my cellphone, etc. Since I did not have any useful enclosure for the thing, I put it in a box a few months later. Now when I need music, I put some on my phone... which is crap compared, but it just works. This world, people have no time to thinker... people need things that... again, just works.
How do You use the One?
It seems like a nice addition to a glass table, but then You have a lot of wires to hide.
It is on the upper shelf of an old Target audio rack but it looks a bit non optimal and lonely there. The One has more furniture-like properties than I would like to admit. Let's just call it an object of art 🙂
Yeah, I also feel that I want devices that just work. Last listening session with audio pc's brings back memories of guys fiddling around with pc's, Linux and driver tuning. Took way too much time and made way too much noise. I don't need to be able to change things just to change things 😉 I know this is old fashioned but I will not change that. The focus should be on the purpose not on the means IMHO.
Yeah, I also feel that I want devices that just work. Last listening session with audio pc's brings back memories of guys fiddling around with pc's, Linux and driver tuning. Took way too much time and made way too much noise. I don't need to be able to change things just to change things 😉 I know this is old fashioned but I will not change that. The focus should be on the purpose not on the means IMHO.
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nearly hit the "buy" button few months back as I was looking for network streamer but than went through several owners feedback especially on their unfinished software part and decided to look elsewhere, hope it will be fixed soon and you will be happy with it 😉 ...on the other hand I can't imagine it as AIO solution for my main stereo due to limited amp power and input connections but can imagine it as second stereo with bookshelf speakers 🙂
Well, after having used it for some days I can imagine it being the main system as it sounds very good. Haven't run into volume problems yet with my speakers. Software improvements have been decided on a road map so I took the chance. Volume control was quite nervous but that has been solved with last firmware update .
It streams but it offers the possibility for using a SATA 2.5" harddisk or an SSD. Mine has an SSD which results in no mechanical noise at all. No dependance on network quality that way.
It streams but it offers the possibility for using a SATA 2.5" harddisk or an SSD. Mine has an SSD which results in no mechanical noise at all. No dependance on network quality that way.
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JP - your spies must know my every move 🙂. I bought one of these a few months ago and my experience has been mixed. I like the convenience of listening to music directly from the built in hard drive. I use a 1TB HDD and it works well and the mechanical sound of the drive isn't noticeable. Streaming of internet radio has been unstable and I find that annoying. My Squeezebox never dropped radio streams but the Olive does it frequently. The latest versions of the Olive software do seem to be an improvement, so I am cautiously optimistic. But this product is still a work in progress.
The sound through the digital outputs wasn't as good as I would have liked so I upgraded the output to a 75 ohm BNC which was a nice change. I also thought that the line out sound was OK but not as good as I would like. When I opened up the Olive One, I saw that it had roughly the following architecture:
PCM5122 DAC --> DRV632 buffer chip to line out or a separate DRV632 buffer chip to the input of the power amplifier. See the attached picture. U43 is the buffer for the line out and U38 is the buffer for the internal power amplifier. C582 and C583, C561 and C562 are the coupling caps between the PCM5122 and the buffers.
The coupling caps are 1uf ceramic SMD caps. I know that these aren't the best sounding caps so I replaced them in the line amp output with 1uf acrylic caps and found that to be a nice upgrade in sound quality. Note that the parts in the Olive One are very small and the traces aren't very robust so extreme care is needed when desoldering parts. The 1uf acrylic caps that I used were 1210 size and they are bigger than the stock caps, which must be 0805 size. So the 1210 caps are a tight fit but it is possible to fit them in. I haven't played around with the internal amplifier yet but I'll get to that in the not too distant future.
Hope this info is helpful.
----Gary
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Yeah, despite being an "adversary" I have direct contacts with NSA 🙂 We both concluded that you watch way too much porn.
My Olive One has only some weeks on the counter. The thought of changing the SPDIF RCA to a BNC 75 Ohm connector already occurred (took exactly 1 second) 😉 Please note that I haven't used the analog line outputs or the digital output yet, I just used the device as stand alone device as I feel it is intended to be used like that FWIW. I will listen to it connected to my DDA-100 though. It is not the absolute best there is (what is ?) but let's say that I have heard many worse sounding devices. I will look into the coupling caps too.I was hoping they would have used DDX technology but I already found out they didn't. It is a pity analog outputs are via a miserable 3.5 mm jack so I suppose the digital output is the way to go when connecting an external DAC + amp or a digital amplifier/powerDAC. I have only used the wireless connection with the external antenna to copy my files which went flawlessly and quite fast too. You are right it still is a work in progress but the software/firmware and app updates seem to improve the performance and/or user friendliness of the One.
Thanks for the picture. BTW since you already opened it: does it have an SPDIF transformer ? And how good is power supply decoupling done ? Well enough ? What chips did they use for the power amps ?
My Olive One has only some weeks on the counter. The thought of changing the SPDIF RCA to a BNC 75 Ohm connector already occurred (took exactly 1 second) 😉 Please note that I haven't used the analog line outputs or the digital output yet, I just used the device as stand alone device as I feel it is intended to be used like that FWIW. I will listen to it connected to my DDA-100 though. It is not the absolute best there is (what is ?) but let's say that I have heard many worse sounding devices. I will look into the coupling caps too.I was hoping they would have used DDX technology but I already found out they didn't. It is a pity analog outputs are via a miserable 3.5 mm jack so I suppose the digital output is the way to go when connecting an external DAC + amp or a digital amplifier/powerDAC. I have only used the wireless connection with the external antenna to copy my files which went flawlessly and quite fast too. You are right it still is a work in progress but the software/firmware and app updates seem to improve the performance and/or user friendliness of the One.
Thanks for the picture. BTW since you already opened it: does it have an SPDIF transformer ? And how good is power supply decoupling done ? Well enough ? What chips did they use for the power amps ?
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Just checked the datasheet of DRV632. A line driver with charge pump 😱 OMG. It seems symmetrical power supplies are banned these days. Good specs though. What about shorting the caps ? Both PCM5122 and DRV632 are supposed to have very little DC offset.
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It does not have an SPDIF transformer. But I was able to fit a Newava S22083 and it works fine. I've traced out the digital output and can show you how I wired it up if you're interested. Essentially it uses a 74HC04 as the SPDIF output driver with appropriate resistors and coupling cap to get the right impedance and voltage level. The coupling cap is 0.15uf, the series resistor is 374 ohms and the resistor to ground is 93ohms. Disconnect the 93 ohms resistor and hook up the primary of the S22083 where the 93 ohm resistor used to go. Hook a new 93 ohm resistor on the secondary of the S22083. Works like a charm.
---Gary
I think that the input to the DRV632 isn't at 0v so one needs a cap to protect/isolate the input.
---Gary
Hi Gary, I asked because I wouldn't like it if there was one. Just one transformer in the chain is enough IMO. My powerDAC already has one. A picture won't hurt though.
Yes, I did read the manual fully now and it needs input caps. Logic as it is being used with a single power supply. Only the outputs are DC free.
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I haven't looked too carefully at the power supply decoupling. The power amp chips are Class D chips from TI - TPA3106.
Here are a few more pictures. First of the power amp section. Second of the SPDIF output before I replaced the RCA with a BNC. This is a view from the bottom of the board while the other pictures I've shown are the top side.
---Gary
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TPA3106 sound quite OK. It looks like better coils could be used. Which BNC connector did you use Gary ?
I used a panel mount BNC from TE Connectivity - part # 5-1634504-2. I connected wires to the circuit board and left them loose initially. They are only soldered to the BNC connector when the circuit board is put back into the chassis. It slides easily under the pre-mounted BNC connector, which is then soldered to the wires. It does require unsoldering the wires everytime you want to take the circuit board out of the unit, but I don't expect to do that too often. Attached is a picture showing the rear panel with the BNC connector mounted.
---Gary
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Hi the part you are using is specified for max. 50 mating cycles. I use its just 30 cents more expensive brother that can be connected 500 times. Part number is 1-1478048-0. Just a tip.
Hmm - can't say that's a spec I ever noticed. Unfortunately the part that you suggest doesn't seem to be stocked at any of the US distributors. It's available from Newark/Farnell in the UK but they charge a $20 fee to get things over the pond.
The Amphenol parts are a similar but none of the datasheets talk about the mechanical robustness. I frequently use the Amphenol 112432 and it's possible that's actually what I used - can't tell from the photo.
---Gary
Manufacturers call it commercial and industrial/telco grade and if you dig in the datasheets you'll notice the difference. Some of them distinguish between grades by giving the male plugs a different pattern. For the jacks it is impossible to see the difference. The difference is in the plastics and metals used and the thickness and sturdyness of the gold plating. If you like I can throw some 1-1478048-0 in an envelope end send them to you. Normally the parts with better specs are only available in Europe at 25 $ extra fee, at least that's standard at Farnell.
The Amphenol type is specced for 500 mating cycles:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-Connex/112432/?qs=a%2bXT5M9x9d/LIY3JDKYOkA==
The Amphenol type is specced for 500 mating cycles:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-Connex/112432/?qs=a%2bXT5M9x9d/LIY3JDKYOkA==
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JP,
Thanks for the kind offer but I have a few of the "good" Amphenol connectors in my parts box, so I think I am all set. In fact, I found the following 75ohm BNC connectors: Amphenol 112432, TE Connectivity 221244-1, and Multicomp MC23557. The TE Connectivity parts are non-isolated, so I was wrong in saying I'd used a TE Connectivity part in the Olive.
So I either used the Amphenol or the Multicomp. I've got more of the Multicomp so that's probably the one that I used. I can't tell from the datasheet if it's spec'd for commercial or industrial use, although the low price might be an indicator. Any experience with these?
Thanks,
---Gary
JP,
It feels like we have drifted a bit off of your original request for comment about the sound quality of the Olive One. So here is my experience listening to the unit over the last day or so.
I've got the Olive One set up in the same system as a Squeezebox connected to a tweaked Subbu v3 DAC + JG buffer. I've been comparing the Olive One line out vs. the Subbu v3, which both go to a preamp and then onto a tube power amp. As mentioned in earlier posts, I've slightly tweaked the Olive One to improve the coupling caps between internal DAC and the output buffer.
Switching back and forth between the 2 shows that they sound very very similar. If anything, I'd give a slight edge to the Olive One but it's very subtle. I'm sure it could be something as simple as a slight mismatch of levels. Overall, I'd say that the sound quality is surprisingly good, especially for such an inexpensive and compact unit.
---Gary
It feels like we have drifted a bit off of your original request for comment about the sound quality of the Olive One. So here is my experience listening to the unit over the last day or so.
I've got the Olive One set up in the same system as a Squeezebox connected to a tweaked Subbu v3 DAC + JG buffer. I've been comparing the Olive One line out vs. the Subbu v3, which both go to a preamp and then onto a tube power amp. As mentioned in earlier posts, I've slightly tweaked the Olive One to improve the coupling caps between internal DAC and the output buffer.
Switching back and forth between the 2 shows that they sound very very similar. If anything, I'd give a slight edge to the Olive One but it's very subtle. I'm sure it could be something as simple as a slight mismatch of levels. Overall, I'd say that the sound quality is surprisingly good, especially for such an inexpensive and compact unit.
---Gary
Olive states 150 years of sound engineering experience. I'd expect to see better caps in direct signal path, than what they chose to use. Since you replaced already the C582 and C583, C561 and C562, why not replace the C220 / C222 (and their complement pair on the other channel - can't see the numbers....)?
Nick
Nick
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