Wouldn't the addition of a I2S to SPDIF converter like The S/PDIF Transceiver Module provide this? Can be installed as a separate board next to the cape and would provide high quality SPDIF signal.
Good point, but...
I think you are right Chris, but I already have great sound over USB, to buy both the Botic (price unknown) and the $79 s/pdif transceiver seems like folly, and would probably more than triple the investment in what was supposed to be a cheap music server. I'm not convinced I'd hear the difference with my speakers, and feel I'd be better off setting the likely $200+ aside for a speaker upgrade. I have my eyes on the MA Bronze bx-2's.
I think you are right Chris, but I already have great sound over USB, to buy both the Botic (price unknown) and the $79 s/pdif transceiver seems like folly, and would probably more than triple the investment in what was supposed to be a cheap music server. I'm not convinced I'd hear the difference with my speakers, and feel I'd be better off setting the likely $200+ aside for a speaker upgrade. I have my eyes on the MA Bronze bx-2's.
That's a sensible outlook. People often overlook the fact that speakers (and of course the room they're in - although not easy to do much about) are where most of one's money should probably be spent. I'm a great believer in the strengths of active speakers especially. Sorry Russ/Brian for straying OT.
True, tho I thought that addition of the cape with quality clocks etc. would improve the SPDIF output.
I agree about speakers, where I spend most of my time/money. But you could consider DIY there too, mega bucks to be saved and better quality result with ability to do some tuning to suite your taste.
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I've checked that stereo S/PDIF output is supported by BBB and also implemented in the standard drivers.
The only open question is how well it will work with external clocks from Botic cape. I'm adding this to my TODO list.
(I'm doing this for fun. Please use your donation budget for people in need.)
The only open question is how well it will work with external clocks from Botic cape. I'm adding this to my TODO list.
(I'm doing this for fun. Please use your donation budget for people in need.)
Recommendations?
Can you recommend a DIY speaker design under $500 that is a detail monster without losing lush mid range warmth? I like a decent bottom end, but plan to augment with a sub woofer, so I don't need bottom end to be the speakers primary strength. I'm not opposed to DIY, just don't like to buy without hearing.
Can you recommend a DIY speaker design under $500 that is a detail monster without losing lush mid range warmth? I like a decent bottom end, but plan to augment with a sub woofer, so I don't need bottom end to be the speakers primary strength. I'm not opposed to DIY, just don't like to buy without hearing.
Very refreshing! You jumped on a need/ suggestion, and your answer to help those in need is particularly nice to see. Faith in humanity +5 on this Saturday morn.
Personally, I like Siegfried Linkwitz's designs. The man should know what he's talking about!
I built the Pluto speakers, which may fall within that budget (cost me more, but then I live in rip-off Britain).
My latest build is the Frugel Horn XL with Mark Audio 10.3 metal full range driver http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/246248-frugel-horn-xl-alpair-10-3-10p-7.html#post3791562
I highly recommend this as a great sounding speaker, relatively easy to build, easy to drive, no crossovers and well within your budget. The MA drivers are very detailed and clean, I am a big fan. If you do not seek bottom end (these have plenty) then the MA 7.3 (in FHmk3 cabinets as in pic) is slightly better in mids tho cannot be driven full range to very high levels. I have used the MA7.3s with 18" H-frame subs and they can go loud and clean crossed over around 200hz.
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Hi there,
First of all, I'd like to thank Russ and miero for providing the great opportunity to enjoy this I2S connection from BBB to B3/B3SE.
Along with this thread, I've been trying every I2S connectivity including RasPi/Volumio to B3SE or Opus; BBB/Volumio with Botic1 or Botic3 to B3SE and, like all of you, am waiting for the Botic cape ready for use.
But it will still take a while for the cape to be done. So, taking this chance, I'd like to share my humble experiences so far with you.
As for I2S from RasPi to Opus, applying MCLK from external source (MCLK output from Amanero Combo384 in my case) or from multiplication of BCK by a multiplier such as ICS570 went quite well and the sound via my dual-mono Opus was quite amazing and satisfying.
With BBB, I first tried 3.8.13 kernel with Botic1. The sound quality on B3SE via MPD was not bad but occasional hiccup of audio signal by resampling was annoying and the connection was soon replaced with Botic3 by applying an external clock. This migration to Botic3 was surprisingly successful, particularly with later kernels like 3.14 or 3.15-rc, and my B3SE produced a sound stage of far better clarity, resolution and depth in sonic and spatial aspects, promising the potential capability of the future Botic cape.
Well, my story ends here but I have one question, Russ.
Is there any info or progression as to a particular application or software capable of direct DSD (non-DoP, I mean) which you once mentioned is to be implemented with the Botic cape?
Best Regards,
twluke
First of all, I'd like to thank Russ and miero for providing the great opportunity to enjoy this I2S connection from BBB to B3/B3SE.
Along with this thread, I've been trying every I2S connectivity including RasPi/Volumio to B3SE or Opus; BBB/Volumio with Botic1 or Botic3 to B3SE and, like all of you, am waiting for the Botic cape ready for use.
But it will still take a while for the cape to be done. So, taking this chance, I'd like to share my humble experiences so far with you.As for I2S from RasPi to Opus, applying MCLK from external source (MCLK output from Amanero Combo384 in my case) or from multiplication of BCK by a multiplier such as ICS570 went quite well and the sound via my dual-mono Opus was quite amazing and satisfying.
With BBB, I first tried 3.8.13 kernel with Botic1. The sound quality on B3SE via MPD was not bad but occasional hiccup of audio signal by resampling was annoying and the connection was soon replaced with Botic3 by applying an external clock. This migration to Botic3 was surprisingly successful, particularly with later kernels like 3.14 or 3.15-rc, and my B3SE produced a sound stage of far better clarity, resolution and depth in sonic and spatial aspects, promising the potential capability of the future Botic cape.
Well, my story ends here but I have one question, Russ.
Is there any info or progression as to a particular application or software capable of direct DSD (non-DoP, I mean) which you once mentioned is to be implemented with the Botic cape?
Best Regards,
twluke
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DSD will be available too - DSD64 and DSD128:
- BBB can generate compatible data stream
- Botic will be able to remap outputs if DSD starts to play
- using unreleased driver and other tools DSD is playable from command line
DSD support requires patching and recompilation of sound libraries and applications.
There will be SD card image of Debian that has everything precompiled.
Not yet, ready. I'm waiting for new BBB to test it.
- BBB can generate compatible data stream
- Botic will be able to remap outputs if DSD starts to play
- using unreleased driver and other tools DSD is playable from command line
DSD support requires patching and recompilation of sound libraries and applications.
There will be SD card image of Debian that has everything precompiled.
Not yet, ready. I'm waiting for new BBB to test it.
Thank you so much, miero, for your quick reply.
This is great. I've tried alsa-dsd-player by Michelangelo with no success, always falling into errors such as:
ALSA lib pcm_hw.c:1667 (_snd_pcm_hw_open) Invalid value for card hw:MPD3 (PLAYBACK): cannot open audio device (No such device).
twluke
This is great. I've tried alsa-dsd-player by Michelangelo with no success, always falling into errors such as:
ALSA lib pcm_hw.c:1667 (_snd_pcm_hw_open) Invalid value for card hw:MPD3 (PLAYBACK): cannot open audio device (No such device).
Could be. This is a scenario I've expected.
Quite nice to hear this. Can't wait for it.
Well, thank you. I hope your new BBB available ASAP.
twluke
I understand that it is difficult to cater to everybody's requirements but will the drivers be available to be installed on Archlinux as well? Your current driver install instructions cater for Arch but not the current version 3.8.13-25-ARCH, keeping up with versions may be difficult.
I have just gone back to Arch as it is now the primary distro for Squeezelite.
There will be universally usable pre-compiled kernel 3.14.5 (or newer). Good enough for PCM up to 192kHz.
Also I'll provide patches for libraries and applications. You could then try to compile packages for your distribution.
The other distros might be comfortable to use, but not very usable for (re-)compilation of system components that is required for DSD.
Also I'll provide patches for libraries and applications. You could then try to compile packages for your distribution.
The other distros might be comfortable to use, but not very usable for (re-)compilation of system components that is required for DSD.
Miero & Russ. In order to accomodate 24bit word DAC's could the Twisted Pear Metronome board offer a solution?
Or better still could you incorperate the Texa inst. SRC4192 chip onto the caps (if its less expensive then added two clocks on the caps, which is I believe the design concideration which lead to the capes limitation)?
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4est: I think there is no point of converting PCM into DSD. It just adds a noise. You can easily convert PCM into high resolution PCM and results should be better.
stijn001: Only alternative for 24bit word DAC is to use appropriate clocks for Botic. All other variants will just decrease I2S signal quality and timing.
stijn001: Only alternative for 24bit word DAC is to use appropriate clocks for Botic. All other variants will just decrease I2S signal quality and timing.
Thanks, this might well have to be the way, some of us will need to go, i.e. install different clocks.
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