January 2025

Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Streamer Premium Review
Savory or a sweet dessert?
Review By Ric Mancuso / Bargain Audiophile

   For those who are new to this relatively new class of audio components, my review of the Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Streamer Premium will further educate you on the advantages and benefits of this component. First, let me explain what an audio /  music streamer does. We are all familiar with streaming movies with Apps that allow you to watch movies at your convenience without having to purchase physical media. The video/audio stream comes from the provider/server as a continuous digital stream of bits like a CD. However, with streaming the digital CD if you will, lives in the Cloud. Unlike a CD, you don't have to store it. The content is stored for you to access whenever it is convenient for listening. A music streamer (or network audio streamer) must manage many different wireless sources as well as be able to play music files from local storage on your network.

PecanPi+ Streamer Premium Hi-Res Audio DAC
Orchard Audio's PecanPi+ Streamer Premium component is the conduit to the audio digital stream. The unit is housed in a compact chassis with an LCD display window parked in the center of the device to allow viewing of the streamed content of the media. Meaning, you can visually see the song and its progress. Most streamers rely on your sending device to monitor your selection(s). Also, it's in color! Ok, so once attached to the network the PecanPi+ decodes the signal and delivers the song source to its on-board DAC. The DAC then passes the signal along to its analog output stage, which then via the RCA jacks or balanced XLR connectors goes to your preamplifier input. Or with the PecanPi+ you can use the streamer as a preamplifier to connect directly to your amplifier. There is a volume knob on the front panel. That function can also be sourced on your smartphone and/or tablet. There is a high-quality headphone connection on the front panel.

Meet Leonid (Leo) Ayzenshtat, Designer For Orchard Audio
I asked him about what his mission statement was regarding his passion and pursuit of his art. He said, "For me, dedicating time to audio playback is driven by a blend of passion and pursuit. I have found that most people are very passionate about their music, and the profound emotional connection that it fosters. The goal of Orchard Audio is to bring that passion to life, and to create products that allow people to experience music with unparalleled clarity, detail, and emotional impact. Pursuit is equally crucial. It's about the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the constant striving to push the boundaries of audio technology. It's about meticulous research, rigorous testing, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Ultimately, it's the harmonious interplay of passion and pursuit that drives Orchard Audio. Passion fuels our creativity and inspires us to create products that truly resonate with music lovers. Pursuit ensures that we translate that passion into tangible results, delivering audio experiences that are both breathtaking and transformative."

Setup
Being a person who's somewhat resistant to instruction manuals (IKEA), I was cut off at the crossroads with the initial setup. You cannot simply take the unit out of the box and expect it to be a plug-and-play device. Like a computer, you must go by the book. I had to use the required APP by Volumio, an Italian-based platform that Orchard Audio uses to help guide people through the process. All a bit foreign, literally in its usability features to me. To get the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium to output analog audio was a challenge I recall an episode of Star Trek where Scotty was trying to fix and figure out how to launch and fly a Klingon War Bird. He remarked, "Because of the unreadable nomenclature, it was close enough to a Federation vessel, except for the stench of Klingons!"

There are options to download music services such as Tidal, which is a go-to for most folks. My system is primarily revolving around an Apple Eco System of tunes, along with the Bluesound system. I did most of my listening via AirPlay from my Mac laptop. I'm used to this feature with my Bluesound Node as well. It took a few days to burn in the unit as well as breaking in my ears to the new sonic landscape. The PecanPi+ Streamer Premium can output to an outboard DAC. For this review, I only used the on-board DAC. Orchard Audio provides an Ethernet connection as there is no provision for Wi-Fi setup built-in.

I detected a bit of electro-mechanical resonance from the streamer. No buzzing or anything like that. Just a bit of sonic confusion. I put a few Black Ravioli Black Hole pads on top of the metal cabinet and all that disappeared. I used premium RCA cables to join with Rogue Audio's new Sphinx integrated amp under the current review. The loudspeakers used were Magnepan LRS floorstanding magneplanars and the Falcon Silver LS3/5A small monitors.

Listening And Comparisons
I first started out listening with ribbon Magnepan LRS planar loudspeakers. The LRS are the most revealing speakers I use to test out component performance. It was quite evident that this streamer needed some audiophile tweaking. Cables made a difference. The PecanPi+ renders extreme clarity and focus to the sound. I initially had the volume set to high. There was a lot of resolution put on display. Like listening to Quad electrostatic speakers, it's all there, and no need to turn it up!

When I was listening to choir music, I became aware of the articulated and intelligible words being sung by individual singers. I could hear deep into the recordings. Horn sections that always seem to suffer break-up with digital recordings. The PecanPi+ seemed to sound a bit more analog, let's call it "Digi-Log" in this regard.

The trick with more resolution is to ensure proper weight in the lower octaves. If we compare and use an analogy of boxing weight categories, the Pecan Pi+ would be a welterweight. The low end was there, but system matching became more important to achieve a better-balanced perspective. I introduced my REL T-Zero subwoofers into the system, which made the system bloom.

Spatial cues were projected vividly. Soundscape was ultra-wide and tall. Sound cues were portrayed beyond the loudspeaker's boundaries and with good vertical height. Not splashy, but 3D adjacent. I'm not familiar with the chipsets that Leo uses, but they are different sounding to my ears than most of the chipsets employed in DACs. Leo is an electronic engineer who dives deep into his understanding of computers and other digital systems.

Now, back to the clarity and focus that the PecanPi+ can produce. When listening to the Beach Boys CD reissued by MoFi a few years ago featuring songs from the master tape I noticed a few things. These recordings indeed sounded like they were from master tapes. Clarity and focus is the name of the game with the Orchard Audio streamer. I've been involved in making studio recordings, and I recognize what the, you are there sound is. I heard Michael Jackson's master tape of Thriller with his recording engineer Bruce Swedien at the helm with the Harrison console at Westlake Studios in LA.

I will never forget the experience of hearing those recordings. In surround with all JBL Professional speakers. My pant legs were wavering and flapping with the low bass being produced by the playback system. I was with Monster Cable back then and we had installed our Pro Series cables in the studio.

Speaking of cables, I switched out a few different combinations, which did make a difference. Cables are basically tone controls. As we all know, one size doesn't necessarily fit all. The most pronounced tone controls are loudspeakers. Don't shoot the messenger! For hobbyists, it's an endless pursuit. Again, The Bargain Audiophile is primarily looking for simple gifts and the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium certainly fits into most systems without too much fuss.

I landed on evaluating the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium with two sets of loudspeakers. I always start with the Magnepan LRS because of its honesty in revealing the nature of audio components. I try to match components that are of similar value. The PecanPi+ is right in the mix.

The LRS floorstanders were set up in my go-to near-field position. Yes, it does work with proper spacing and a room that can accommodate the setup. Upstairs in our living space, there is a bigger stage and we use Rogue Audio amplification and two sets of speakers, vintage Vandersteen Series 2c speakers and Martin Logan SL 3 electrostatics. Vintage still Rocks people! I will be doing a review in 2025 featuring many pieces of vintage gear! Should be fun and telling.

Listening With Falcon Silver LS3/5A Monitor Speakers
Crossing the pond over to the UK and listening to the Falcon LS3/5A small monitors changed things up a bit. The PecanPi+ Streamer Premium being fed into the new Rogue Audio integrated was a delightful pairing. The nice tube front end with the Rogue complimented the system perfectly. Nice textures with an open fluid presentation. Everything seemed to click together. The imaging was excellent. Vocals in the mid-band were tactile and sounded very real. Again, clarity with focus, and now here comes the term, musical. The system with the addition of the REL T-Zero mini subs bettered the system in most ways. I feel the added weight in the low end was now all there. Digital sections are one thing, but getting the sound into the analog domain is always an engineering challenge, Nicely done here. Listening was done in the near-field position.

Listening With Magnepan LRS Magneplanar Loudspeakers
As I had mentioned the Magnepan LRS ribbons are quite a revealing loudspeaker. Paired with the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium, it was as if I was listening through a clear window. We all wish for transparency along with the other satisfying attributes that round out the musical experience. I was hearing lots of detail and intimate sonic gestures through the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium. Be careful of system matching to make this combination work. Tweeters were positioned on the outside of the LRS panels. Speakers were toed outwards about 10 degrees and on granite plinths. Panels were 8 feet apart. Nearfield listening in an equilateral triangle. Subwoofers in the corners.

Epilogue From The Bargain Audiophile
The PecanPi+ Streamer Premium special Hi-Res Audio DAC, priced at $1499, is not the least expensive streamer on the market. There is competition from combo units with integrated amps and other features. However, when it comes down to enjoying the music with the highest level of the entertainment experience, look no further than the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium. One must be mindful to experiment with different component options to get the best sound from your system with this streamer.

About The Bargain Audiophile
My audio sensibilities tilt to the good to great value for the money audio components, even vintage gear. I love really good cheap eats and also appreciate the exceptional palate bomb $$$$ meal! Oh, and let's follow it up with worthy wine pairings from $ to $$$$. People always ask me, "Are you a good cook?" I say," I just cook with good ingredients." This is similar the way I review good audio systems. Within hi-fi audio, there are amazing great values, even in today's market compared to far more expensive modern units. It's like a Julia Child's recipe for a French omelet. Can't be beat and simply done.

Today's landscape of media entertainment listening options ranges from the smartphone on the go, tablets, laptops, or personal gadgets that are Free Range and of course, the dedicated home audio rig. All can be a source of enjoying the music depending on one's lifestyle and expectations at the moment. Technology has showered us with great opportunities and choices with exceptional values. The Bargain Audiophile's mission is to establish a bridge and a path to enjoy the music.

Specifications
Type: Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Music audio streamer / DAC
DAC Chips: Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) flagship AK4499EXEQ combined with AK4191EQ
Clocking: Crystek CCHD-575 oscillator — ultra-low clock jitter of 82fSec
S/PDIF Receiver: Cirrus Logic CS8416
Output Stage: True balanced fully differential output stages using OPA1612s

Ultra-low Noise Linear Power Supplies
LT3045 (0.8uV noise) for positive op-amp power supply
LT3090 (18uV noise) for negative op-amp power supply
LT3042 (0.8uV noise) for DAC Chips

Headphone Driver
Dual parallel OPA1622s for regular headphones
Quad parallel OPA1622s for balanced headphones

Sampling Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, and 384kHz (S/PDIF limited to 192k)
Bit Rates: 16, 24 and 32-bits (S/PDIF limited to 24-bits)
Formats: Supports all formats. DSD is converter to PCM before playback.
DAC Compatible Rpi Models: 1B+, 1A+, 2B, 3B, 3B+, 4B, 5, Zero, & ZeroW
DAC Compatible Asus Models: Tinker Board & Tinker Board S
S/PDIF Input: Compatible with all sampling and bit rates listed above.
Price: $1499

Company Information
Orchard Audio LLC
32 Pleasant Hill Rd
Succasunna, NJ 07876

Voice: (504) 233-3444
E-mail: leo@orchardaudio.com 
Website: https://www.orchardaudio.com