Raspberry Pi I2S to SPDIF Hat

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

  1. HudsonsBay

    HudsonsBay New

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    Right, it's kind of confusing as this isn't an I2S connection, but that's the area in MoOde that gets selected in the Audio Config -> Devices section. Just hoping that this helps out a noob adopter like myself at some point.

    Some things learned as an iPhone and Qobuz user: Use UPnP and get mConnect. I could only get the Qobuz player to output 44/24.
     
  2. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    All outputs are enabled simultaneously. No need to choose.

    Michael
     
  3. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    @HudsonsBay , important to note: Digi+ Pro, not Digi+. The latter has only a single clock whereas the former has two, one each for multiples of 44.1k and 48k. The Pi2AES also having two clocks, I'm not surprised it didn't respond to being told it has only one.

    I recently experienced mild chipmumkery after mistakenly telling Volumio that my Digi+ was a Pro. The timing difference was consistent with the 44.1k content I was feeding it being played back at 48k.
     
  4. joch

    joch Friend

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  5. FatCat

    FatCat New

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    I received the PI2AES around Christmas time, and while working it makes a substantial positive difference in sound quality. The problem is I've had a really hard time getting it to work with any consistency. In the beginning I was using Logitech Media Server and PiCorePlayer with wired connections from both PC and RPI 2 B v1.1 on a router with multiple other devices and connected to the internet. Since then I have tried anything I can think of to get LMS to auto discover and play to the RPI with no luck. The only way I can get a connection is turning the router off and on again, but after about 2 minuets the connection drops. Currently I am using a brand new RPI 3 B+, wireless internet from both my PC and RPI and a private router that is only connected to PC and RPI. Sometimes (maybe 5 times total) LMS would auto discover PCP and then everything would work fine, and the connections between PC and RPI were not always the same (different router, wired/wireless, etc) and I have had no luck replicating the conditions under which everything worked. Router says both devices are connected, PCP says Squeezelite is active, but LMS doesnt connect. Any suggestions? I'm willing to try anything.
     
  6. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    I would suggest a different OS for the Pi. LMS wouldn't be my first choice...
     
  7. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Agreed. I had been using PiCorePlayer + LMS on my Pi 3 + 502DAC (now Pi2AES) but I gave up because it was becoming increasingly flaky. I love the PiCorePlayer minimalist, fast UI, but so much needs tweaking or can go wrong that I switched to moOde. Slower UI, but no problems otherwise.
     
  8. Unkgd

    Unkgd New

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    Where do you have the Logitech Media Server residing and how fast is your router? When you connected directly via the ethernet, did you turn off wifi and bluetooth on the RPI 3B+? Also, even though PCP says that you can run both the Squeezebox player and Logitech Media Server on the same RPI device, I would not recommend that as it can be processor intensive.

    For refence, I have a couple of RPI streamers set up - one (RPI 2/Digione with wifi dongle) with PCP running Squeezelite and the other(RPI 3B+/DAC HAT) running MOode 4.3. The bluetooth on the RPI 3B+ was turned off. Both of the RPI units communicated via wifi and both of them would have issues with dropouts and occasional disconnects as initially installed. The streamers connect to NAS via the router. Also in the same system is a SonicTransporter I5 running the Squeezebox server software.

    I ended up turning off the wifi on the 3B+ and removing the wifi dongle off of the RPI 2. I used a TP-Link travel router (TL-WR902AC) in bridge mode to act as ethernet bridge to the RPI 2. I used a Tp-Link extender (RE220) to provide an ethernet connection to the RPI 3B+. I got the idea from a blog (https://soundcheck-audio.blogspot.com/2017/05/networking-my-way.html) That said , some of his ideas are a bit out there/over the top (to me).

    FWIW, Since those two mdifications to the data input stream, the dropout and disconnect issues have disappeared from both units. And the sound quality has improved as well.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  9. FatCat

    FatCat New

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    Logitech Media Server is on my PC which is right next to the router, RPI is on the desk above PC and router. I tested wifi off with bluetooth off and wifi off with bluetooth on and an ethernet connection from RPI to router, RPI still not connected to LMS even after rebooting LMS in normal and in safe mode and RPI each time. Router is kind of old, ethernet spec is 100mbps.

    I had tried using MoOde's Squeezelight player setting without success, but I cant tell if I'm doing it wrong. I flashed the SD card I had with MoOde; Should LMS detect MoOde if I click the check next to the Squeezelight box (Audio Config -> Renderers -> Squeezelight)?
     
  10. Unkgd

    Unkgd New

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    I would think that LMS server should detect the RPI with MOode Squeezelight - after the RPI has been rebooted. I will try it with my setup when I get home this weekend, Currently I am running MOode with the MPD daemon.

    You mention that the router is an older 100mps version. As your LMS server and RPI are so close together, have you tried directly connecting the two of them bypassing the router? It would help diagnose if the router is the issue.
     
  11. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Any news on the RJ45 adapter board? I got an email to write a review but I never got one :p
     
  12. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I was about to write a generic update so hopefully everyone on the thread will see this. I respun the design and PCB’s are due to arrive on Monday. We will build them up and ship out the replacements to everybody who ordered one by the end of the week. Obviously no charge.

    Thanks for all your patience and hopefully this revision will give you guys the results you want.

    Michael
     
  13. FatCat

    FatCat New

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    Plugged RPI into PC and to my astonishment LMS detected the RPI! MoOde set to HifiBerry Digi+ Pro and PI2AES makes sound! Thank you so much for the help :bow:
     
  14. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    We have the board in the store at $25 plus shipping. I had to respin, but new ones should go out by end of next week. Current and previous orders will all get the new one as well.
    Michael
     
  15. mtavares

    mtavares Acquaintance

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    I am considering to buy a Pi2AES and I am learning a lot on this topic. I am comming from an Allo Digione Signature, where the power supply has a huge impact on the audio quality.

    i would like to know two things:
    1) Is it necessary to keep the Pi2AES 24/7 on as the Digione Signature to have a better audio quality?

    2) Currenty, I have a good LPS to feed the Rpi side. I was considering to use a LPS for the Pi2AES, In case, the response of the 1) question is yes, my preference is to use something like this (24V):
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/15W-25W-ST...-9V-12V-15V-24V/283669352414?var=585029232181
    or try this other one:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/50VA-HIFI-Ultra-low-Noise-Linear-Power-Supply-DC5V-9V-12V-15V-19V-50W-LPS-PSU-24/322368166536?_trkparms=aid=1110001&algo=SPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20131231084308&meid=16212ec98afb4b6cb9122e6c5dcfa5b2&pid=100010&rk=1&rkt=12&mehot=pp&sd=312906502800&itm=322368166536&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
    Should I expect an audio quality improvement in either cases?


    QJA

    Marcos
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2020
  16. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Are you unhappy with the Allo sound quality? Even though I would love to sell you a PI2AES, the Allo is a very good product, and in some ways superior to ours. Granted it does seem to require their own power supplies to achieve this.

    I would not want to see you be disappointed if our product does not noticeably increase the sound quality.

    Cheers,
    Michael
     
  17. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    This response demonstrates a class that I wish every manufacturer would display. Kudos, sir.

    Edit: @mtavares , if you do decide to go with the Pi2AES and LPS you don't need the 50W one to power the HAT - 15 is enough.
     
  18. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    I own both and keeping sound quality aside, just to have AES/ I2S/ BNC/RCA output from one box is like win win for me.
     
  19. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Well you guys can definitely encourage folks to get the PI2AES! ;)

    Cheers,
    Michael
     
  20. mtavares

    mtavares Acquaintance

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    Michael,

    First of all I really appreciate your response.

    I sold my Allo Digione Signature some time ago. I liked it. I was in the search to buy another one, when I started to read about the Pi2AES and it seems that it has a better costxbenefit and availability.

    In addition, I appreciated very much the engineering applied on the Pi2AES, your support and the prompt response to the feedback of your customers.

    I have my expectations very well set. I know that the Pi2AES will not disappoint me.


    Thanks by your suggestion, I will buy a 15W LPS.


    A question: Do you keep the Pi2AES 24/7 on?

    Regards,

    QJA

    Marcos
     

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