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Orchard Audio PECANPI+ DAC
The PecanPi+ DAC is an ultra-high-performance digital-to-analog converter designed for builders, audio hobbyists, and music lovers who want reference-grade sound in a flexible, customizable format. Built around AKM’s acclaimed VELVETSOUND architecture, the PecanPi+ DAC delivers exceptional clarity, natural tonality, and lifelike musical detail — all in a compact board-level design that invites experimentation and integration into your own projects.
Engineered with Orchard Audio’s ultra-low-noise proprietary analog stage, precision clocking, and balanced output architecture, the PecanPi+ DAC reveals micro-detail, imaging, and texture that bring your music to life. Whether used as a standalone DAC in a traditional audio system or paired with a Raspberry Pi to create a powerful DIY streamer, it offers true audiophile performance with the freedom to build it your way.
What Makes the PecanPi+ DAC Special?
The PecanPi+ DAC stands out because it combines true high-end engineering with the flexibility and openness that DIY builders value. Unlike typical DAC HATs that depend on the Raspberry Pi for functionality, the PecanPi+ DAC is a fully capable standalone DAC — the Raspberry Pi is optional, not required.
Here’s a snapshot of the key highlights:
- AKM VELVETSOUND DAC architecture for natural, detailed, and musical playback
- Ultra-low-jitter clocking for precise timing and improved clarity
- Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs for flexible system integration
- High-performance headphone amplifier built directly into the board
- Low-noise, high-resolution proprietary analog stage engineered for transparency
- Standalone DAC operation — ideal for custom enclosures and DIY builds
- Optional Raspberry Pi integration for a compact, high-performance streaming solution
- Compatible with Volumio, Moode, Roon Bridge, and other Pi-based platforms
This combination of digital precision, analog refinement, and DIY-friendly design makes the PecanPi+ DAC one of the most capable and musical compact DACs available today.
Designed for Real-World Music Loving DIYers, Engineers, and System Builders
The PecanPi+ DAC is built for enthusiasts who want both high‑fidelity sound and hands‑on flexibility. Its design focuses on:
- Clean, natural tonality
- Excellent imaging and soundstage
- Smooth, fatigue‑free presentation
- Accurate transient response
- Vanishingly low noise and low distortion
- Easy integration into custom projects
Whether you’re assembling a desktop DAC, building a Raspberry Pi streamer, or integrating it into a larger DIY audio system, the PecanPi+ DAC preserves the nuance and emotional impact of your recordings.
How the Orchard Audio PecanPi+ DAC Fits Into Your System
The PecanPi+ DAC integrates seamlessly into a wide range of DIY and traditional setups:
As a standalone DAC
Perfect for custom enclosures or system upgrades. Connect directly to:
- Preamps
- Power amplifiers
- Integrated amplifiers
- Active speakers
Its balanced outputs and low-noise design make it suitable for both consumer and studio environments.
As a Raspberry Pi DAC HAT
Attach a Raspberry Pi to create a compact, powerful streaming solution using:
- Volumio
- Moode
- Ropieee (roon bridge)
- DietPi
- piCorePlayer
- OSMC
- Others
This flexibility allows you to build the system you want — from a desktop headphone rig to a full-scale audiophile setup.
The Reviewers Are Raving About the Orchard Audio PecanPi+DAC and Streamers
The audiophile press is raving about the Orchard Audio Valencia. Here’s what they have to say…
"The Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Premium offers true high-end audio for the devoted audio enthusiast at a real-world price… the PecanPi+ Premium can be likened to a cult winery: small, without a typical distribution path, with limited awareness among mainstream consumers, yet yielding decadent results. With Orchard Audio, you must be “in the know” of one of audio’s best-kept secrets (you know now), and that is just pure fun. With its updated yet offbeat appearance, the PecanPi+ Premium is sure to spark interest among friends and family when they see it… Collectively, if these attributes are not a reason to care about the Orchard Audio PecanPi+, I don’t know what would be."
Ric Mancuso – Enjoy the Music (January 2025)
"…when it comes down to enjoying the music with the highest level of entertainment experience, look no further than the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium."
Matt Bonaccio – SoundStage Hi-Fi (October 2024)
"Orchard Audio embraces a philosophy and a build that prioritizes performance over comfort and convenience. This is a proven paradigm, one that has certainly served Lotus well. In fact, I’m sure that the same sort of people who appreciate the focused design of a Lotus hypercar would also appreciate the focused design of the PecanPi+ Streamer Premium (that is, when they’re not busy chasing down Porsches and Ferraris). I’m sure many others will too."
Who is the Orchard Audio PecanPi+ DAC Best Suited For…?
The PecanPi+ DAC is ideal for:
- DIYers seeking an extremely high-performance DAC board for custom builds
- Audiophiles wanting a standalone DAC with balanced outputs and single ended outputs
- Raspberry Pi users who want a true audiophile-grade DAC HAT
- Systems built around balanced or single-ended preamps
- Headphone listeners wanting a clean, powerful onboard amplifier
- Anyone upgrading from entry-level DACs or Pi HATs
It pairs beautifully with Orchard Audio amplifiers or any system where transparency and musicality are the goal.
Want to Learn More?
In a world full of DACs that prioritize convenience over fidelity, the PecanPi+ DAC stands out by delivering real high-end performance with the freedom to build, customize, and integrate it however you choose. With its AKM’s flagship AK4499EXEQ switched resistor VELVETSOUND DAC, balanced outputs, and precision analog design, it excels as both a standalone DAC and a Raspberry Pi–powered streaming solution.
Product Specifications
Warranty / Return Policy
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Orchard Audio PECANPI+ DAC — punchy, revealing streamer-DAC
The PECANPI+ pairs boutique engineering with an engaging, musical presentation, making it a standout in the affordable high‑resolution DAC/streamer category. Listeners report deep, impactful bass, open and lifelike midrange, and revealing treble that surfaces cymbal and percussion detail while preserving natural pacing and strong dynamics. Reviewers from Adam LaBarge highlight improved soundstaging and smooth leading edges. Built around dual Burr‑Brown PCM1794A chips, a Crystek low‑jitter clock and quality OPA output stages, the PECANPI+ feels well engineered and responsive to real‑world use; an earlier RCA spacing issue has been addressed in later units. Ideal for headphone rigs, IEMs and compact speaker systems, it offers streamer convenience (Volumio) plus preamp outputs—an excellent value for listeners wanting detailed, dynamic sound without a large footprint.
Pros
- Highly detailed, dynamic presentation with deep, impactful bass and natural pacing—excels on both headphones and speakers.
- Feature-rich streamer/DAC implementation: Volumio control, RCA/mini‑XLR outputs and a capable headphone stage for most consumer headphones.
- Solid engineering and components (dual Burr‑Brown DACs, Crystek clock, OPA output stages) with manufacturer responsiveness to an early mechanical layout issue.
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Cons
- Headphone output isn’t powerful enough for very demanding planars—an external amp is recommended for models like Audeze LCD‑2.
- Early units had an RCA jack spacing/layout problem that required a revision (later units use XLR and include adapters).
Sound Quality
90/100
Dynamics are described as very lively and punchy: 'extremely fast breaks into silence and back again' and 'all gas and no breaks'. Another review notes 'smoother leading edges' and a more natural pacing, indicating both strong micro- and macro-dynamic performance.
Noise Floor
86/100
No reviewers reported audible hiss; several used sensitive IEMs (Shure SE425) and found the sound impressive, implying a low noise floor. The design uses low-jitter Crystek clocking and quality Burr-Brown DACs which support a very quiet background suitable for most IEMs, though reviewers did not explicitly call it 'dead quiet' or 'reference-level silent'.
Headphone Compatibility
86/100
PecanPi includes dual-parallel OPA1622 headphone drivers delivering up to 2.5 Vrms and drove 'most consumer level headphones easily' per the review. Reviewers did note it is not intended as a high-power amp for demanding planars (e.g., recommended external amp for Audeze LCD-2), so compatibility is excellent for IEMs and most headphones but limited for very power-hungry models.
Build Quality
88/100
Internals use quality components (dual Burr-Brown PCM1794A in mono, Crystek CCHD-575 clock, OPA1612 output stages), and reviewers praised the engineering. There was an early mechanical layout issue with an RCA jack too close to the power adapter that was subsequently fixed, indicating good responsiveness to design issues.
Features Connectivity
91/100
Beyond a built-in DAC, the unit offers RCA and mini-XLR outputs (newer units with XLR connectors and XLR->RCA adapters), a controllable Volumio-based streamer interface (network/streaming access via app), and a headphone output driven by dual OPA1622s. The PecanPi also provides preamp/line outputs and multiple output options, making it a full-featured streaming DAC/amp in its segment.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers repeatedly called it 'affordable' and praised value: 'so affordable and engaging', and at an early pre-order price of $399 the reviewer said 'absolutely worth your time'. Even at its regular price the unit was characterized as one of the better-sounding DACs in the affordable range, justifying its cost in reviewers' opinions.
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