Pi2 Design Idiot-Proof Ready-To-Go RPi/AES Streamer

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Michael Kelly, Jan 16, 2021.

  1. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I have the prototype sitting on my test bench and I have done nothing with it! Just trying to deal with Mercury. Hopefully this new version will go much smoother! :)
     
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  2. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Mercury V2 is going to proto tomorrow (one more review to do). Many of you know the issues we've had with both parts and assembly houses. Sadly, not untypical for these days. In response we've taken a new, but old approach! The PI2AES was a highly optimized Digital Audio addon that relied on the Raspberry PI to perform all the other computer functions. With Mercury we chose the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 to replace the PI, but it still required a fair amount of support circuitry that is not on the CM4. It turned out that many of these parts needed are the very ones in short (or even zero) supply.

    However, it turns out the the combination of the CM4 and the Raspberry PI CM4 IO Carrier is a 100% replacement for the Pi 4! So, creating a new optimized Digital Audio board to plug into the IO board was the solution. At first we were worried about the availability and longevity of the IO board. However there are currently almost 8K in stock at franchised distributors. And Raspberry Pi themselves state it will be in production until at least January, 2028.

    3D screen caps of Mercury V2:

    mercury_v2_front.JPG

    mercury_v2_back.JPG

    mercury_v2_interior.JPG
     
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  3. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Great to hear that…have one question though, will it be possible to change the configuration of RJ45-I2S to Metrum or Sonnet as default is going to be Denafrips.
     
  4. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    it is not too late. Send me or point me to the pinout.

    EDIT - it is the same as I did for the PI2AES addon awhile back:

    1 - SDATA
    2 - GND
    3 - LRCLK
    4 - GND
    5 - SCLK
    6 - GND
    7 - MCLK
    8 - GND
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2022
  5. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Yes, it’s the same one we did for Pi2AES
     
  6. Zachik

    Zachik MOT XMEMS

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    If you need a volunteer to test the LPS, instead of letting it collect dust on your test bench........ ;)
     
  7. xtiva2000

    xtiva2000 New

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    can't wait for this... it can replace my Hermes streamer and allow me to use RJ45 to my Aqua and HDMI to my Topping with the polarity change..

    If the pinout will be same as Sonnet then don't even need to make another custom cable... :)

    Please let us know when the order finally opens...

    also from the drawing which would be to turn pin 16 off ie. Mute on topping and SMSL? My issue with compattibility with Topping was this pin
     
  8. xtiva2000

    xtiva2000 New

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    i fully agree with you on the customer service/after sales support to be one of the best I have ever seen.
     
  9. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Those pins are not driven by mercury. So they float and the topping interprets that as mute. I am very surprised that they have an input that does not have a pull up or pull down resistor to give it a default behavior. But, maybe that’s what they’re talking to you about fixing.
     
  10. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Addition of Sbooster LPS has added some strength to mercury streamer. I was using stock power supply since I got the streamer but switched to sbooster on Thursday and noticed jump in below 2 areas after spending 2-3 days with it
    1. Soundstage - it has gone wider for sure. Earlier the background instruments were on the inner surface of Verite Closed but now feels like they are more on the outside surface. It’s subtle but has definitely gone wider. It may be that the clarity is better and hence the notes feel like coming from wider space.
    2. Bass - The bass is stronger and there is a bloom like we get from rolling some tubes.
    With Sbooster the total cost comes to around $1k but I feel is one of the best streamer and LPS combo at this price point. I do feel mercury does go up a notch or two with good LPS.
     
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  11. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Thank you very much for that information. Obviously we designed mercury with the intent of taking advantage of a linear power supply, but it is not some thing that can easily be measured or quantified without actually listening. So again thank you for that!
     
  12. lordearl

    lordearl New

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    I am just setting up my Mercury streamer and have been unable to get any sound from it despite numerous attempts via a number of different DACS.

    When setting up Volumio, the device is detected without any worries, and I choose 'no' to I2S DAC and the output is HDMI (which is the only option).

    Is this correct?

    I have tested this with coaxial and USB outputs to different DACs but there is no sound at all (in fact the DACs are not registering that there is any signal).

    I've tried the re-configuration and factory re-set options without any change in the results - any help/tips would be appreciated.
     
  13. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Below is correct config for I2S DAC option
     

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  14. lordearl

    lordearl New

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    Ok so even if not using an I2S DAC we should still select yes here?
     
  15. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    That’s not for the external DAC but for the compute module 4 and HAT
     
  16. lordearl

    lordearl New

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    Ok thanks I'll try that setting and see if it works!
     
  17. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Also the getting started section on the Mercury web site says not to change that setting from the default in the supplied image. Hopefully this helps others who get confused by the naming in Volumio. It should probably say "I2S Card" or "Internal I2S Interface", etc. But hey, they never listen to me anyway. They still do not list the PI2AES which has been around for 4 years!
     
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  18. Zachik

    Zachik MOT XMEMS

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    Not having "Pi2AES" and/or "Mercury Streamer" options is ridiculous!!!
    I just opened a ticket with Volumio asking for that... Since I am not a Premium customer - they may ignore me.
    Anyone here who IS a Premium customer - please open a ticket with them, requesting adding Pi2AES and Mercury Streamer to the list of options. Effort wise - it should be close to Zero, since it already works using some of the options for I2S that are already there...
     
  19. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    To be fair, Mercury competes with their Primo Streamer/DAC. No real incentive to add us.
     
  20. Zachik

    Zachik MOT XMEMS

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    Pi2AES does not, at least not more than DigiBerry or whatever other HATs they DO list...
    Does not hurt asking ;)
     

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