BOSS I2S V 1.2 vs iFi Audio iDSD nano
The iDSD nano's signal-to-noise is 104 dB against the BOSS I2S V 1.2's 112 dB and its output voltage 1.6V RMS against 2.1V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and max sample rate (384 kHz).
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
Estimated price (community-sourced)
Original retail — discontinued, no used price recorded yet
The Allo BOSS I2S DAC v1.2 is a Raspberry Pi HAT-format digital-to-analog converter designed for high-quality stereo playback. It uses Texas Instruments’ PCM5122 DAC, dual low-phase-noise NDK master-clock oscillators for 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz clock families, ultra-low-noise voltage regulation, an analog low-pass filter, and an onboard EEPROM for automatic configuration. The board outputs analog audio through left/right RCA connectors and also provides an Allo Volt amplifier header. It operates as an I2S master, generating the audio clocks for compatible Raspberry Pi computers. Documentation and retailer listings identify Raspberry Pi 2 and 3 as the original supported platforms, while some later listings state compatibility with Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5; software support depends on the operating system and device-tree overlay. The original product documentation does not clearly establish a formal end-of-life announcement, but the product appears to be an older/discontinued Allo design and is mainly encountered through remaining stock or specialist resellers.
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Components that show up alongside the BOSS I2S V 1.2 in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The iDSD nano's signal-to-noise is 104 dB against the BOSS I2S V 1.2's 112 dB and its output voltage 1.6V RMS against 2.1V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and max sample rate (384 kHz).
The ZEN Air's signal-to-noise is 113 dB against the BOSS I2S V 1.2's 112 dB and its output voltage 1.0V RMS against 2.1V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and max sample rate (384 kHz).
The Hi-mDAC's signal-to-noise is 100 dB against the BOSS I2S V 1.2's 112 dB and its output voltage 2.0V RMS against 2.1V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and max sample rate (384 kHz).
The PS200's max sample rate is 768 kHz against the BOSS I2S V 1.2's 384 kHz, its signal-to-noise 123 dB against 112 dB, and its output voltage 2.0V RMS against 2.1V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit).
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