Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Streamer: Precision in High-Fidelity Audio
First Impressions and Design
When you first get your hands on the PecanPi+ Streamer, you can’t help but notice its sturdy metal chassis and meticulous assembly. It both looks and feels like a robust piece of gear, engineered to keep going for countless hours. The touchscreen impresses with its brightness and responsiveness—touch inputs register reliably, and the surface doesn’t quickly gather fingerprints. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and free of flashy flourishes, so it fits seamlessly into any environment. Here, it’s all about the music, not extra adornments.
Sound That Uncovers Nuances
Under the hood, the PecanPi+ lives up to its strong exterior. It uses the flagship AKM AK4499EXEQ DAC chip paired with an AK4191EQ modulator, resulting in precise, highly detailed sound. You can catch all the subtle layers in vocals and instruments—details that often go unnoticed. The tonality stays neutral—no artificial boosts—so you hear the music as it was intended to be heard. There’s no harsh digital edge, meaning you can enjoy long listening sessions without fatigue.
Headphone Amp: Go External for Demanding Models
The built-in headphone amplifier is a convenient bonus, letting you plug in your headphones and listen right away. However, if your headphones are high-impedance or particularly power-hungry, you might find the internal amp doesn’t fully deliver the volume or dynamic range you prefer. In such cases, pairing the streamer with an external amp, like a McIntosh MHA200, brings out a deeper, richer dimension. You might even catch nuances in your favorite tracks that you never noticed before.
Bridging Your Music Library and Streaming Services
One of the PecanPi+’s strongest features is how easily it connects to different music sources. Whether you keep your tracks on a NAS or an external drive, or you prefer Spotify or Tidal, everything is accessible. Volumio support, in particular, makes it easy to manage both your local library and streaming services from one interface. You’ll feel like every track in the world is just a tap away—whether it’s something from your personal collection or the latest release making waves online.
Missing Wi-Fi: A Small Inconvenience
While it handles wired connections with no trouble, the PecanPi+ does not come with built-in Wi-Fi. This can be a slight downside for those who want a purely wireless setup, as you’ll need an external Wi-Fi adapter or a LAN cable to get connected.
Software Nuances
Thanks to Volumio and RoPieee (for Roon), the device offers substantial flexibility, though small bumps can appear here and there. For example, we encountered difficulties setting the volume to a fixed level in order to use the PecanPi+ strictly as a DAC. In rare cases, switching between streaming services may require a reboot if the audio cuts out. However, these quirks are generally minor and can often be fixed through updates or specific settings tweaks.
Note: As of April 1, 2025, the PecanPi+ is now officially Roon Ready, offering even smoother integration within the Roon ecosystem.
Final Thoughts: A Versatile Companion for Discerning Ears
The Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Streamer is dedicated to delivering a high-quality listening experience. It’s a strong choice for those who value detail and want a straightforward way to bring together their entire music collection—whether stored locally or accessed via streaming platforms. Yes, the built-in headphone amp might not be ideal for certain demanding models, and the lack of built-in Wi-Fi plus occasional software hiccups could be mildly irritating. But these factors hardly overshadow its core strengths. When it comes to revealing nuance and depth, the PecanPi+ excels, immersing you in the finer layers of your favorite recordings.
If you’re looking for a device that exposes the true character of your music and integrates seamlessly into your home setup, the PecanPi+ can be a reliable companion for years to come.
