Thanks for all responses. It looks like 2GB RAM would be sufficient for this purpose.
Similarly the intended use of the pi is solely to stream FLAC from attached 1TB portable HDD or SSD. Is the HAT add-on recommended solely for audio, and what are the options? I use USB Type A from computer to connect to USB Type B of the DAC. If the HAT SPDIF is a superior connection which produces higher sound quality than the USB, I might be inclined to explore. Any links to the HAT options? I'm currently using a rather fancy USB cable which costs 10X more than the Raspi4 and it's rather good.
Good to note that Moode is better than Volumio. There are Raspi users who recommended the Volumio on other threads here.
I need to be a bit careful here with what I say, only because there are lots of different opinions out there about whether USB/USB is “better” than (say) co-ax >co-ax or optical > optical. I don’t profess to be qualified enough to give an informed opinion here. And the conversations about (say) the quality of the USB implementation in such and such a DAC, is well beyond me.
I can, however, tell you about the journey I’ve gone through.
Having started with two Dragonfly DACs (into USB on the Pi), I then moved on to a DAC HAT. (I went for the ALLO BOSS DAC HAT) but there are many others.
I’m assuming that as you’ve mentioned an external DAC, this is what you’ll be using (I.e. a DAC HAT not required).
I then moved on to a Schiit Modi 3 DAC (USB from the Pi) and then a Schiit Modius (USB from the Pi). I was more than happy with the resulting SQ on both.
The only reason I then purchased an ALLO DIGIONE SIGNATURE HAT was because I’d heard others say how fantastic it could be and out of the blue, one came up second hand. I could not have justified buying a new one at the moment. I can try and explain how I believe the SQ has improved over the USB connection to the Modius but I struggle to describe things in a way that others seem to be able to.
If it was me, and I had my time over again, I would probably still go the USB/USB route initially, unless my DAC was reported to have a below par USB implementation.
You still have the option of adding a HAT later on, if you feel the need or just want to see what all the fuss is about. Several manufacturers. I’ve only used ALLO. Others have used Just Boom, Hi Fi Berry and others.
Can I just add one thing though. Although currently a Moode user, because of the short time I used Volumio, I cannot say which one is “better”. I strongly suspect it’s a very close call.
Envious of the USB cable, but mustn’t go there!
Happy to answer any follow up incl what I’m doing with PSUs etc.
