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. edwyun

    edwyun Facebook Friend

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    I've been using the old Volumio image from the pi2aes website. I use wireless but I have not noticed connections issues. Should I download the new, updated image from the pi2aes website for the external antenna?
     
  2. RKML0007

    RKML0007 Friend

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    [​IMG]

    Last week I wondered if Mercury V2 would scale with a PLiXiR Elite BDC. I got it with their Statement DC cable and fresh out the box, there was an immediate uptick in refinement and overall presentation. After a few hours, the sound continues to evolve at a good rate, noting expansion of rich density and fluid transparency. Dynamics are startling, with instantaneous torque.

    Although the FiiO PL50 is much more fleshed out after a week’s time — it is readily outclassed as one might expect from a pricey LPS. Bang for buck, the PL50 is a no-brainer for unlocking sublime sound from the Mercury V2.

    -Ron
     
  3. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    You can use it with PI2AES or the LITE, but the USB host and antenna enable are relevant to mercury only.
     
  4. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Mercury Update - 01/21/2023
    Finally got around to updating the images on our web site. All now are 8GB and the latest versions. We have Volumio, Moode and RopieeeXL.
     
  5. That St Kilda Guy

    That St Kilda Guy Acquaintance

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    Thanks Mike
    I went to your site, but the links come out as "file deleted".
    I am running Roopiee from their Roopiee's own site.
    Is there any benefit in installing your OS image over that when it becomes available?
    Also I emailed Denafrips to ask what the I2S settings should be for their Pontus II, but they couldn't give me a definitive answer
     
  6. That St Kilda Guy

    That St Kilda Guy Acquaintance

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    Also, could a fellow SBAF post the instructions to enable the M.2 NVMe SSD drive.
    I am using Roopiee.
    Cheers
     
  7. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    You might be getting the old links because you haven’t refreshed the page recently. I just checked from my phone and they are there.
     
  8. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I dug into this for a bit yesterday. You have to go into Linux, command line world and mount the specific drive (by name) that you have placed into the socket. At least that is what I’ve found. If I boot regular Raspbian OS it will find the drive automaticity.
     
  9. Herbert

    Herbert New

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    Hi - another one with DSD problems
    Mercury >Volumio * > I2S > Holo Audio DAC Spring 3 KTE
    ____
    Works with USB (DSD 64/128/256)
    Works with Coax (DSD64)

    I2S :
    Works with PCM up to 192Khz
    Doesn't work at all with I2S and DSD (thats why I bought it used)
    Tried DSD direct and DSD (DoP) . No chance

    *Flashed another SD with RoopieXl
    Same - no DSD
    *Flashed another SD with Moode
    Same - no DSD
    As this unit is based on the Raspi Compute 4 module like SilentAngels M1T and the REDstreamer and both work with DSD over I2S .
    Is there a workaround ?
    Herb
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2023
  10. That St Kilda Guy

    That St Kilda Guy Acquaintance

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    Ropieee Image from the official Ropieee Site is 3,235,860 KB
    Ropieee Image from the pi2 Design Site is 7,761,920 KB (more than double the size)
    There must have been a ton of work behind the scenes Mike
     
  11. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    The size is due to how we make the image. We use an 8GB card to install the software, make all the configuration changes then do a raw copy of the image. Otherwise the user has to make all the changes to the default images from the sw vendor.
     
  12. That St Kilda Guy

    That St Kilda Guy Acquaintance

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    Yep, I swapped over to your image as soon as it became available

    Cheers
     
  13. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    2 different customers have damaged their Mercury using high powered devices that do not have their own PSU. We have updated the web site to reflect the following:

    Be aware that the USB ports on Mercury are USB2.0 with a MAXIMUM current output of 1A per port or 1.5A total. While there is over-current protection built in, it is still possible to damage the board plugging in high powered USB devices that are not powered from their own PSU. Please exercise caution. If in doubt use a powered hub in between Mercury and your device.
     
  14. iguoh

    iguoh New

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    I just received my Mercury V2 and I have the same issue with DSD over I2S. I am using RopieeeXL and a Holo Audio May L3 DAC. I am using the Mercury as a Roon endpoint. PCM plays fine. If my DSD playback is set to DoP, when the music is playing, all I hear is a hissing sound. I have to set it to "convert to PCM" in order to get music.

    I done lots of searching and I cannot find a solution.
     
  15. iguoh

    iguoh New

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    Hi Michael,

    I used the RopieeeXL image on the Pi2Design site. I noticed that Auto Update is disabled. Is this intentional? Will it cause problems if this is enabled?
     
  16. Herbert

    Herbert New

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    Same here . Tried Volumio -Roopie- Moode. No DSD over I2S. May and Spring L3 support DSD direct and DSD (DoP) .
     
  17. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    RoPieee's setting for Auto Update is off by default. There is a chance that an update can cause something to fail. Off is the safer, conservative option.

    It is mentioned on page 36 of the RoPieee Installation Guide.
    https://ropieee.codexwilkes.com/downloads/ropieee-installation-guide.pdf
     
  18. iguoh

    iguoh New

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    I have two other DIY streamers using Raspberry Pis - both with I2S and power conditioning HATs. I have them set to Auto Update and they work fine so I was wondering if it would be the same with the Mercury V2.
     
  19. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    By default Ropieee does not know about the CM4 (used on Mercury) USB and external antenna settings. If you update those setting might get overwritten. I am not totally sure though.
     
  20. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Mercury I2S output is ALWAYS PCM. DoP requires the DAC to unpack the DSD samples from the PCM frames. I suspect the success you had with other DDC was because they output actual DSD not DoP.
    According to the Kitsune web site, the Spring does not support DoP over I2S, only DSD or PCM:

    upload_2023-1-30_6-48-14.png
     

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