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 am sup[posed to receive the units Friday or Monday, but I don't have a tracking number from the assembly house yet. Hopefully today. Will update as soon as I have the units in hand.
     
  2. Orange5o

    Orange5o New

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    Hello all, currently running a lite and wanting to switch over to the mercury, but have two questions for the group:

    1) is anyone running the internal ssd with volumio? If so, may I pm you about how you set it up?

    2) noticed the comment about the internal ssd overheating, has that been others' experience as well and is it recommended to add heatsinking? Thanks!
     
  3. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...of-ready-to-go-rpi-aes-streamer.10471/page-30
     
  4. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    Will Mercury V2 output via USB to my Denafrips DDC?
     
  5. Aklegal

    Aklegal Friend

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    Assuming that Denafrips usb works with Linux, the answer is yes. I've used several different USB dacs with the Pi2AES without issue. I doubt the Mercury will be any different.
     
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  6. AukePauke

    AukePauke Acquaintance

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    With the pi2aes. You use the usb of the pi. No usb on the pi2aes board. To my knowledge the Mercury doesn't enhance the usb also.
     
  7. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    That makes zero sense. If Mercury V2 outputs a data stream to USB, then surely it's the same stream quality as any of the other outputs?
     
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  8. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    The SPDIF, TOSLINK, AES and I2s are all derived from the Compute Module 4 (CM4, basically a PI 4) I2S Interface. This is completely separate from the USB audio path from the CM4. On Mercury the USB port is implemented with no special isolation or low noise voltage regulation. The primary purpose is for digital data, not audio data.

    Additionally, in order to use USB for audio output you would need to disable the I2S path on the software player.
     
  9. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    That's a shame. I suppose I could take AES out from Mercury II into Hermes then I2S into Pontus II. Should work.
     
  10. edwyun

    edwyun Facebook Friend

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    Hermes has AES input?
     
  11. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Why not I2S directly into Pontus? Mercury does everything Hermes does and give you I2S output.
     
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  12. That St Kilda Guy

    That St Kilda Guy Acquaintance

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    So much said about I2S. I currently run Bitfrost 2/64, but I'm wondering if I'll get a better sound with a Denafrips Ares II 12 Anniversary that now implements I2S. Thoughts would be appreciated. I run a Jotumheim 2 and Burson 3X GT
     
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  13. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    Does Mercury V2 use OXCO clocks?
     
  14. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    If you also buy Iris and connect via I2S then that will be a difficult combination to beat. Ares II is just ridiculously good for the money.
     
  15. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    Yes. Lots of inputs.
     
  16. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    No, it does not use oven controlled crystal oscillators, which is what OXCO stands for. Those are outrageously expensive, and while they can provide technically a better clock, other items in the chain would dominate, and you would get essentially the same result.

    Any design done for commercial applications is a compromise of performance and cost.
     
  17. edwyun

    edwyun Facebook Friend

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    When I looked at rhe Hermes a while back, I thought it only LAN input and lots of outputs.
     
  18. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    Not sure you were looking at the Denafrips Hermes TBH.
     
  19. George Hincapie

    George Hincapie New

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    I know what OCXO stands for thanks, and that was the point I was making. I'd feed any end point through the Hermes before going to my DAC. It's just better.
     
  20. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    If you've decided that and been prepared to spend the extra few hundred $ on the Hermes, great, you don't need the Mercury and can take USB straight from your computer or from a Pi if you want a streamer. So forgive me, but I have trouble understanding what you're doing in this thread.
     
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