Dummies Guide to Pi2AES! Throw away your PC or laptop.

Raspberry PI 4 4GB and 8GB are in stock at SEEED Studio:

https://www.elecrow.com/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-4gb-ram.html
https://www.elecrow.com/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-8gb.html

Not super cheap, but reasonable for this market.

And now you have no excuse not to get the PI2AES 2.0 you've always wanted!!

oops - It's Elecrow, not Seeed!

 

Folks what's the current delivery time for pi2aes? I need one for my BD early August but not earlier

 

We have less than 20 left in stock from the first build. I just sent the payment to have another 150 assembled and they should arrive in the middle of August. There might be a week or two gap where we are sold out.

 

Hey all. I'm looking for some diagnostic suggestions.

I have an RPi3 B+ running PicorePlayer 8.1 as server and player and with a Pi2AES Rev 3 supporting the player. These are several years old with the Pi2AES among the first Rev 3 batches if I remember correctly.

Very recently, the player stopped supplying digital data to my dac on this system, but the sever was still working with other systems in my house. The symptoms are that the power LED on the Pi2AES comes on normally, but the bit rate LEDs remain off, even with music theoretically being played. Normally, the 44k LED comes on. The second symptom is that I don't get a data lock on dac during music playback using any of the available dac inputs, buffered i2s, coax, or optical. The Pi2AES and RPi3 are both powered from the Pi2AES power input using an excellent DIY linear power supply.

First steps were updating all PicorePlayer and LMS programs and extensions, although it turned out everything was already up to date. After that, I formated the SD card and loaded a new PicorePlayer image. No difference. I can still play all 3 of the other systems connecting to the server by wi-fi, but I can't play this player. The other systems play both internet radio and local music on a USB hard drive plugged into the RPi 3.

Given those results, it appeared that the RPi and programs are working correctly. That made me wonder if the problem wasn't in the Pi2AES. I happen to have spare Pi2AES Rev 3 that I bought for a project that I have gotten around to yet. Swapping in the new Pi2AES, no difference.

At the moment, I'm stumped. At the moment, each individual component seems to be working properly, but no sound. I would love to try some way to diagnose the problem rather than just swapping out parts. Especially since spare RPi's are hard to come by. Any suggestions are welcome.

Jack

 

it sounds like the driver is not being loaded. With the early boards, the LED comes on when the proper clock is selected. If they are both off that means the driver is not selecting either one. Which basically means the driver is not there. It is possible that the driver is loaded, but cannot find the WM8804 at the core of the board, and therefore does not finish loading. But usually that will throw up an error on whatever software player you are using.

BTW, what software are you running?

 

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the quick response. I'm running PicorePlayer. It's the latest version that has been running for at least 6 months with no problems. Even with the problem, there are no flags that something is wrong. There are lots of drivers available. Like 600 drivers. What is this driver you suspect? Please describe what it does. I should be able to go on the driver database and try to find something with a description that is similar to what you tell me. If I can find out what one, I can load it or make sure it's already loaded.

I have been meaning to try one of the other software's, but never have. What is your current preference for running on Pi2AES? I have been sticking to the first gen Pi2AES because I have two Metrum dacs that use the buffered i2s. As I understand that, the pi2AES 2.0 doesn't support that.

By the way, I think you deserve a day off, but thank you anyway for responding.

Jac

 

Mike,

Thanks for your suggestion. It got me looking at differences between the players that were working and the one that wasn't. I found a difference in the specified output device and that cured the problem. I guess I picked the wrong output device when I installed a new software image. I have no idea why it wouldn't work before.

Anyway, I'm back to working and really appreciate your support.

Jac

 

We recommend the Hifiberry Dig+ Pro driver.

 

Thanks. I did already have Hifiberry Dig+ Pro selected. The thing that I did wrong was a player setting for "output". I'm sure it's specific to the Squeezelite world.

 

Hi Michael,
I have the original Pi2AES Pro board being used as a HAT on an Allo USB Signature. The Meanwell 24V power supply powers both boards. I got an opportunity to purchase a FiiO PL50 linear power supply, but this power supply only puts out 12/15V. Should I try the PL50 with the Pi2AES Pro? Not that I expect any dramatic improvement, but would it damage the Pi2AES Pro board?

Thanks.

FiiO PL50 Low Noise Linear Power Supply (headphonezone.in)

 

It might run at 15V, but I can't be sure. But it won't damage it if it doesn't work.

 

For what it's worth, I have an early Pi2AES that has been running on 12V with no problem for years, but it is a solid linear supply that is rated at 3A, but capable of more. I think it depends greatly on whether the supply ever dips on transients. Try it. If it works, great.

Jac

 

Based on the spec sheet the Fiio PL50 is also capable of 3A.
PL50-Low Noise Regulated Linear Power Supply (fiio.com)

 

I have no other use for a 12V/15V 3A power supply so was wondering. There is just 1 piece available and it might be the last one.

 

I wouldn't buy something for the {i2AES at 12V/15V. There is a world of power supplies out there and that's below the recommended voltage. I only have been using the 12V supply with mine because I already had it, tried it, and it worked.

I should add that I'm one of those weird guys that doesn't think you need a linear supply for the Pi2AES. I have been using an old 19V laptop supply in my main system for years.

 

Thanks.

The 24V Meanwell power supply recommended by Michael Kelly works well. I have a Pi2AES Pro sitting on top of an Allo USB Signature Board, and the Allo board gets its power via the GPIO. The only reason I posted was because this power supply was available, and it might be my last chance to grab it. I have no other use for it so it might be better that I save my money (it's selling for about $170).

 

RPi stock seems to be coming back to pre pandemic levels

https://twitter.com/Raspberry_Pi/status/1676963461157498882

 

Allo Shanti LPS will be in about week and will post my opinion, if i don't blow them both with 5v mod

 

Hi,

I just got a pi2aes2 to use with my Chord Qutest - it's lovely!

Has anyone tried using a ribbon cable to connect to the raspberry pi and then putting the two boards side-by-side so it can all be housed in a thinner (albeit wider) case?

Thanks!

 

We use series termination resistors to reduce signal ringing. This should (no promises) allow you to use a short GPIO cable like this:

https://www.amazon.com/risingsaplings-Breadboard-Connection-Raspberry-Display/dp/B0C3S95K6T/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=10HUY2055GWA7&keywords=gpio+cable+male+to+female&qid=1688758374&sprefix=gpio+cable,aps,119&sr=8-5