Raspberry Pi I2S to SPDIF Hat

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Michael Kelly, Apr 30, 2016.

  1. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I am so glad you hung in there!

    Cheers,
    Michael

    P.S. going forward we'll include both the 1/4"/XLR and BNC/RCA adapters. As always, thanks for all the great feedback and passion!
     
  2. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Whoever does the soldering on those adaptors should try to stop getting cold joints though. I think I counted at least 5 cold joints out of 6? Seems pretty new to soldering.
     
  3. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    ??? Please provide more detail!

    Cheers,
    Michael
     
  4. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    [​IMG]

    It's so matte and blobby.
    (I thought I'd have it out sooner but it turns out the large SD slot of my reader died in between me taking photos and trying to get RPi detected on network.)
     
  5. auri

    auri Facebook Friend

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    Yeah the joints don't look too hot on mine either. Plus they have the thinnest conductors I've seen since I hardwired my Beyer DT880. A custom cable should be very easy to make though.

    @Michael Kelly - maybe it would make more sense cost-wise to have options at checkout to select between no adapters, 1/4-XLR, BNC-RCA, or both included. I personally needed the BNC adapter, but won't need the XLR adapter in the foreseeable future. I'm also personally happy to pay $90 for an excellent digital transport card - especially now that I have it in my hands and can see how great it's put together - but if you're hoping to gain more mainstream traction, $90 is on the high end in terms of RPi expansion boards.
     
  6. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    You do want the 110 ohm characteristic impedence so it's not as easy as just making a cable with the right heads.
     
  7. hifiandrun

    hifiandrun Almost "Made"

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    Got my P3 version today. Both Pi and 502DAC board were powered with a Li-ion 5V power bank. It could sound better when use separated power supplies.
    1) I am one of the testers who heard high pitch noises from the P1 testing board. I couldn't hear the noise from this new board.
    2) The analog audio output on my P1 testing board was not available. This is the first time I hear them from this new P3 board. The sound quality from the analog output is amazingly good, very conservatively I would say that is 80% good compare to digital BNC to Schiit Gungnir Multibit. It is musical and very enjoyable, on the "warm" side, but lack the treble extension, the subtle details, and a little more "air" from BNC + Gungnir Multibit.
    3) The headphone output did not work - no sound when I use a headphone. I remembered that would need software support. Is it right?
    Happy listening.
     
  8. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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  9. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Just got home and found a package waiting for me at the door!

    The board looks nice, except the BNC solders which look like 2 balls of lead (cold solder). Too late to give it a try right now...
     
  10. JuleZ3C

    JuleZ3C New

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    Don't worry about those two balls, they are just mechanical support for the connnector.
    The signal leads are a bit behind, and might need clipping ;)
     
  11. minio

    minio New

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    @Michael Kelly
    While I am waiting for final version of 502DAC (actually handled by customs), may I ask you what kind of transport do you suggest me between toslink and bnc -> coaxial? My DSP can accept both. Goal is maximum audio quality. Thanks
     
  12. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Either should give good results. Try both and let us know!

    Cheers,
    Michael
     
  13. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    Those are probably not cold joints just the result of leadfree solder. Whenever i use that stuff i always think i am soldering like a newbie because the solder points look just like cold joints. That said, the blob would be smoother if higher heat was applied to appropriately heat t he pin too.
    ..dB

     
  14. bilboda

    bilboda Florida boomer

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    502dac humming along quite nicely. I have a digital remaster of the Allman Brothers at the Fillmore East. It's a live recording and they like to crank it up but can have quiet interludes. The recording is usually a bit congested but I have enjoyed the music from lp, mp3 and these wavs for many years anyway. With this device feeding spdif the congestion is mostly cleaned up, Around the 11:00 mark on Whipping Post there are light chords being played in the left channel at low volume that I now hear clearly and distinctly . All in all, in my system, this is an upgrade. My go to music source.
     
  15. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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  16. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

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    Has anyone got the 502 working with dietpi?
     
  17. shabta

    shabta Facebook Friend

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    So I finally got this thing setup. On 16/44 it sounds much better then running USB out of my computer through a IFI Nano to DAC. Better detail resolution, blacker background, lower lows.

    But my DAC (Corda Stagedac) has trouble synching on anything from 24/88.2 and up. Lots of pops and clicks. Running Picore player. Anyone know what I might try?
     
  18. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    What interface are you using? If you are using the coax make sure the cable is 75 ohm. Also you might try to remove the BNC/RCA jumper. Although the level is correct for the AES/EBU spec, it is possible your DAC does not like the higher voltage. All units are tested for 24/192Khz on coax and XLR and 24/96Khz on opto.

    As a reminder to everyone, the opto out is spec'ed to 96Khz which is the official spec. But, most devices can handle 24/192Khz on their opto in. Still it does require a high quality cable to insure all is good. Also note that our dScope only accepts opto up to 24/96Khz.

    Cheers,
    Michael
     
  19. shabta

    shabta Facebook Friend

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    Thanks for replying Michael. The coax is brand new and specified to be 75 ohm bnc to rca. Beldin cable and canare connectors. It doesn't mean it isn't defective, it just would be a little bit surprising,
     
  20. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Agreed, it would be surprising. Any chance you can try the opto out? Have you tested the analog out directly to your amplifier? I'd like to try to rule out the basic functionality of the board being broken.

    Also, be assured that if you cannot get this to work with your equipment, we will take it back and refund your money.

    Cheers,
    Michael
     

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