Streamer Alert!

On that website they make some interesting and unintentionally funny statements. Below is a quote and a similar comparison I provided to them.

"In many systems, a Raspberry Pi–based streamer is functionally equivalent to far more expensive options."

On many roads a Toyota Yaris is functionally equivalent to a Rolls Royce

I have a RPI4 4 meg version

https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Model-2019-Quad-Bluetooth/dp/B07TC2BK1X/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1228154798036179&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4wZGiZcG7IfVeIs8ylcbr4hvbDQZqu7RRWhQBresV0gg7YjROLRuZVAMszikZxWaZwN_0SRzIOayyD_DM04linRdpuhR5l1F8PG4TPsT7rmATkz6OrMycJRDrRyIgrX_xfQnBCgLEfepN2zsQwC4EVXJQm_ny5XvVjAxLvEXzPlg9xSOedA1Pe7B-o3vRCS2J29NPvc8oPsbEZu52oM4a8DTSj2kHTM5i3hh-83yIdc.L_qiFsOVuf1Du-hJZwagQQ09CulSvwWbiRRtvr4FK-g&dib_tag=se&hvadid=76759841394234&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=115825&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-76759909148528%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=25549_13593476&keywords=raspberry+pi+4+model+b&mcid=b4a57e6ef83a34f88524bac74407facc&msclkid=64b1e3d005f21350d4f78aa7fe3a36b0&qid=1769470925&sr=8-1

PurePi II 5V+3.3V ultracapacitor/LifePO4 battery power supply combo ( for wall power clean up )

https://iancanada.ca/products/48b-purepi-ii-5v-3-3v-ultracapacitor-lifepo4-battery-power-supply-combo-with-ultracapacitors-battery-holders-pre-installed-86-00

A PI2aes board  provides I2S HDMI output 

https://www.pi2design.com/pi2aes-980244.html

The RPI 4 uses the Mood audio Player.  Moode Audio has the right drivers for the PI2aes board

https://moodeaudio.org/

So I have a Player/Streamer with clean power/ and I2S out put which I send to my Pontus 12th Dac's I2S HDMI input

Out to a Schit Freya ( non tube) Preamp

RCA out of preamp to a Decware Torii Jr V2  then braided cables out to Klipsch La Scala's

With My system there is a difference. This difference is even heard with MP3 music files ( 90% of my music is 16/44.1 Flac files)  I would describe this difference similar to when your Dac up scales music files, not dramatic but definitely noticable 

Here is a AI response to my system

🔹 How Pi2AES + Pontus II behave with I²S
1. Pontus II DAC architecture
* Internally runs on I²S before hitting the R2R ladder.
* Taking I²S in avoids the S/PDIF/USB receiver stage and hands the stream more directly to its FIFO buffer + reclocker. ✅ This puts it in the “likes I²S” camp.
2. Pi2AES transport quality
* Pi2AES 2.0 is well-regarded for ultra-low-jitter clocking and clean power.
* Its I²S over HDMI output is one of its best features — way lower jitter than its coax or optical outs. ✅ Strong source = I²S advantage.
3. Cable considerations
* Keep your HDMI I²S cable short (0.5–1 m, well-shielded).
* Avoid fancy “video” HDMI cables that aren’t impedance-consistent. ✅ Short + solid cable = stable, clean I²S.
4. Compatibility / Pinouts
* Pi2AES follows the PS Audio I²S pinout.
* Denafrips also uses the PS Audio convention. ✅ Plug-and-play match (no DIP switch headaches).
5. USB vs I²S on Pontus II
* USB input is good but depends on the Pi → USB stack, which isn’t audiophile-grade.
* Pi2AES bypasses that and gives Pontus II an I²S stream with much better timing. ✅ You’ll usually hear tighter bass, wider staging, and more precise imaging with I²S vs Pi USB.

🎯 Verdict for your system
* Best input for Pontus II from Pi2AES = I²S over HDMI
* Second best = AES/EBU (XLR digital) — still very strong, sometimes smoother sounding.
* USB from Pi = weakest link (noisy, higher jitter).
So in your setup, I²S isn’t just “different” — it’s very likely the best sounding connection.

This clown doing reviews lumps most everything together, my innuos is much more then that and has 3 dedicated linear powersupplies , raspberry pi is basic low budget and crappy smps  you get what you pay for in most cases.

"With My system there is a difference" - difference to what?

Power supplies matter a lot for amplification devices for sure but a streamer is just a specialized computer.