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

If mount is the command you are trying to execute, then you have to have a space after it

 

Mercury V2 is a wonderful upgrade that allows the relocation of my trusty Pi2AES to other spaces in the house. In my primary 2-channel system, I tested the following power supplies on the Mercury V2: Meanwell (stock smps), iFi Elite & FiiO PL50.

The Pi2AES with Jameco 24v wall-wart performed flawlessly over the past few years serving as an extremely reliable Roon endpoint. While waiting for Mercury V2, I tried out the iFi NEO Stream and compared i2s on the Audial S5 I got from @k4rstar. I evaluated the unit for a few weeks thinking it would benefit from some burn-in. However, on SQ alone, it fell short of my expectations and could not displace the Pi2AES. In the end, frequent dropouts and occasional static plagued listening sessions so it was returned. I was going to keep it around as a DSD dac, but it also pops loudly after switching back to PCM.

I compared Mercury V2 and Pi2AES as a Roon group feeding an exquisitely modded Yamamoto YDA-01B through its 2 coax inputs. Shout out to @shaizada for tipping me off to such a beautiful piece.

///////////

[Round 1]
Mercury V2 meanwell smps
vs
Pi2AES Jameco 24v

Winner: Pi2AES

///////////

[Round 2]
Mercury V2 iFi Elite
vs
Pi2AES Jameco 24v

Winner: Pi2AES

///////////

[Round 3]
Mercury V2 FiiO PL50
vs
Pi2AES Jameco 24v

Winner: Mercury V2

///////////

With Pi2AES as control, it was very easy to hear what each power supply brought to the table for Mercury V2. Surprisingly, the stock meanwell smps was not trounced by the iFi Elite, not even a little. Actually, they presented eerily similar to one another in my system. I was shocked because I anticipated much more from the iFi Elite. Going into Round 3, I had strong faith in Mercury V2’s linear pre-regulation circuitry. You could even say it was a threat. This shit better work man!!! Hahah… I’m ̷r̷e̷l̷i̷e̷v̷e̷d̷ pleased to report that indeed the linear powered Mercury V2 is absolutely legit and that the FiiO PL50 provided utmost satisfaction with killer bang for buck performance.

The Mercury V2 with LPS removed a veil by improving articulation, transparency, air, space, depth, tone, texture you name it. Super obvious via direct A/B. Once heard, cannot look back. Going to see if the Mercury will scale with Plixir Elite BDC.

-Ron

*** [1-week follow-up] Mercury w/FiiO PL50 has opened up even more, running away from Pi2AES and it’s diminishing from sight in the rear view mirror ***

 

A resounding yes!




For now, I'm using RCA coax and AES/EBU into an old but audibly pleasing Sonic Frontiers DAC. Initial impressions with AES/EBU are a slightly wider, livelier and detailed sound image. Before, the image was a bit forward from the speakers but now centered between them. Possibly the AES/EBU (which I haven't used before on the DAC), Mercury, BDC, or all of the above.

I use an iFi Power Elite for a Roku device. Maybe I should compare the two LPS.

 

Does anyone know if this IFi (9V) iPower power supply will work for the Pi2AES? And if it will have an impact on sq?

 

The Pi2AES requires 19v ~24v. The Mercury requires 12v. The 9v version wouldn't work for either. It looks like it comes in a 12v version though. I not sure why it would be better than the power brick the Mercury comes with though.

 

actually, it might work for mercury. But we have not tested it below 10V and above 14V.

but it will not harm it though, so it is worth a try if someone has one. I just wouldn’t want to guarantee correct operation.

 

https://www.pi2design.com/store/p21/PSU_for_PI2AES,_40W,[email protected]

The used pi2aes I bought came with 2 of these. From what I understand this is kind of all you need but better/different PSU can have affects on sound. Never tried anything different.

 

Follow up: is there an easy recommendation for a good LPS that the Pi2AES in particular loves using, and sounds better than the stock SMPS? Or is an LPS just a nervosa-inducing, tenths of a percent sorta SQ increase chasing?

 

If you can solder, you could put one of these (if you can source all the parts, the choke can be hard to find), or one of these, between the stock PS and the unit.

The stock Meanwell supply is well specified and reportedly does a good job. I haven't heard that myself, but I've had good results using this cheap linear regulated wall-wart (which I now have a Noise Nuke attached to; probably overkill but I wanted to build one anyway).

 

In my case, for the Mercury V2, seeing is believing with a quick and dirty test on a Nakamichi T100:

Low level noise (< -80dB) with SMPS:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?media/smps.29467/full

Immeasurable noise with LPS:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?media/lps.29468/full

YMMV on whether it makes an audible difference.

 

Where are you measuring this noise?

 

From preamp output. Could be grounding.

 

Could some kind SBAF member please post what Mercury's V2 settings should be when connecting to a Pontus II via i2s

Cheers

 

@caute

I consider that it will be better to make this question at the Pi2AES thread. You can find some LPS indictations there also. This thread is more related to the Mercury. Although some members are used to the Pi2AES also.

IMHO a good LPS improves the Pi2AES SQ. This is based on the experience on my system.

Regards,

QJA

Marcos

 

I am using Allo Shanti as the linear power supply for my PI2AES. But please note it requires a bit DIY work to make the second 5V input (as suggested by @GoldenOne).

 

Me too , nice upgrade from meanwell

 

Just received my Mercury v2. In the past, I've always left my Pi streamers on continuously, should I do the same here? Using the Fiio Pl50 power supply. Thanks

 

ya, I keep them running all the time....

 

Hey all,

I received a Mercury V2 from Michael yesterday. It works well with the 3 DACs I have on hand with one specific exception. I can't seem to get audio via USB from either of the DACs with USB inputs, a Mola Mola Tambaqui or Aqua La Scala V2.

i2s works fine into the Mola Mola. No luck with the RJ45 i2s input on the Aqua - not a concern since it's a loaned unit.

Am I doing something incorrectly re: USB? To be clear, it's not a deal breaker if it doesn't work. I'm just curious.

Also, what are the HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 ports intended for? Are they useful for anything outside a Pi touch screen?

I'm a noob when it comes to streaming outside the Roon Core/endpoint ecosystem.Thanks for your insight.

 

I believe that the 2 USB ports are for storage or peripherals only