IanCanada's RPi4 + DAC + Clock + I/O + Power supply

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navin

navin

Member
Joined 2002
elektromag.com
#1
Hi all,

I have been trying to understand all of IanCanada's offerings on Github.
GitHub - iancanada/DocumentDownload: Download documents of Ian's products

My idea is to use his board to build an RPi4 based Streamer/Player/DAC.

I would like the DAC to communicate to the RPi via I2S and have additional inputs for my laptop (USB), CD Player (SPDIF COax), Game Machine (TosLink), and mobile device (BT). I tried making a list of boards I would need but got lost.

I could not find any USB or BT input board nor how to connect the RPI to the DAC via I2S.

I do not need SPDIF outputs, I only need RCA and XLR, at this stage but if the space permits I don't see why I should leave them out.

I also don't want to get into the complications of a battery power supply because I don't know what it entails (Capacitor Conditioners, etc.).

I tried to make a list (see below) but would rather if a complete kit was available or maybe if someone help me determine which boards I would need.


BridgePi Adapter USB Interface to GPIO
DocumentDownload/BridgePiUsersManual.pdf at master * iancanada/DocumentDownload * GitHub

Isolator Pi II - I2S, DSD, DOP Isolator
DocumentDownload/IsolatorPi at master * iancanada/DocumentDownload * GitHub

FIFOPI Q3 ULTIMATE FIFO Reclocker
DocumentDownload/FifoPi at master * iancanada/DocumentDownload * GitHub

ShieldPi
DocumentDownload/Adapters/ShieldPi at master * iancanada/DocumentDownload * GitHub

Dual Mono ES9038Q2M DAC HAT
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/RPiDacHAT/ES9038Q2MDualMonoDacHAT

Transformer I/V (SE, Bal, Headphone)
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/RPiDacHAT/IVboards/LL1544aTranformerIV

I2S to HDMI Transmitter and Receiver
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/HDMIpi

Receiver Pi for TosLink and Coaxial Input
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/ReceiverPi
OR
SPDIF Inferface Board
https://github.com/iancanada/Docume...II series/SPDIFboard/SPDIF_InterfaceBoard.pdf

TransportPi for SPDIF, BNC and Optical output
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/blob/master/TransportPi/TransportPiUsersManual.pdf

ESS controller + extension kit
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/ESScontroller
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/ESScontroller

Dual Linear Power supply
https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/LinearPi

Thanks
 
#2
I really hope you get a response. I am in a similar situation, I am unsure what to get. I would like to run Roon/Moode/Picoreplayer (Streamer/Player/DAC) on an RPI/DAC to XLR output to amp/amps for quality lossless audio playback with Tidal/Deezer/Amazon HD and the option of volume control.

The only real difference in what I am looking for is that I will need a preamp at some point to be able to use my 2 front speakers on the RPI setup in my 5.2.4 Atmos setup unless there is a preamp hat as well?

Hopefully the RPI experts will sound in with some examples of configurations.

What are you thinking of mounting your setup in? I am a little stumped on how to mount all these things in a box as well. Do we need to get one of those StationPi kits to be able to mount everything in a box?

Snorfster
 
#3
Snorfster said:
I really hope you get a response.

I would like to run Roon/Moode/Picoreplayer (Streamer/Player/DAC) on an RPI/DAC to XLR output to amp/amps for quality lossless audio playback with Tidal/Deezer/Amazon HD and the option of volume control.

The only real difference in what I am looking for is that I will need a preamp at some point to be able to use my 2 front speakers on the RPI setup in my 5.2.4 Atmos setup unless there is a preamp hat as well?

What are you thinking of mounting your setup in? I am a little stumped on how to mount all these things in a box as well. Do we need to get one of those StationPi kits to be able to mount everything in a box?

Snorfster
Click to expand...

You can also see this thread.
Best value streamer with no DAC | Page 9 | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

The mechanical part is pretty easy for me but given the lack of response for Ian Canada's boards (I posted on 3 different sub-forums on DIY audio) I am thinking of revising my plans and looking at Allo instead. Hopefully, Allo will offer some support at least before you buy the components (in this case USBridge + Kali + Shanti etc.).

USBridge Sig - Ultra low noise RPI
Kali (i2s Reclocker)
Shanti Dual Linear Ultra Low Noise PSU
and a small screen to see what the media player is doing
White SPI / IIC 256x64 OLED 3.12" screen - Audiophonics

and maybe an isolator as well
https://www.allo.com/sparky/isolator-1-2.html

If you are feeling less adventurous and are willing to use an SMPS instead of a well regulated linear power supply you can even try this
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/netw...li-reclocker-audio-gd-compatible-p-13064.html

Ian Canada's video on jitter is also one worth watching
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3nJmw8x4SU&feature=youtu.be

The bigger challenge is the software. Finding software that does audio (FLAC and Tidal) or video (Netflix, Prime HD) is easy. Finding one that does lossless audio (local and streaming) and 4k video (local and streaming) is not.

Plex might be the best option. Emby and Jellyfin are others. Kodi (aka XBMC) is also an option but the GUI is not the best.
 
#4
This is my understanding and could be wrong, but I am currently successfully running his boards with RoPieeeXL to play from roon and airplay:

FiFOpi: This is needed because the clock on the rPi isn't at a clean audio multiple and this will buffer the data out at a nice jitter free rate. This is a must have IMHO if you are interested in using the rest of Ians boards

DAC: Obviously this is needed, or why would you be here. I have the dual mono 9038 one.

I/V board: I am using the transformer board, sounds lovely. Needed or you have to roll your own

Here's the tricky one:

ESS controller: I couldn't get the built in volume control in the ESS chip and Roon to work without this. I'm not using the display or rotarty encoder etc but I need the controller to make the whole thing work with the volume control in roon or in airplay devices to work with hardware VC.

You'll need power supplies as well.

Hope that helps.
Sheldon
 
#5
stokessd said:
This is my understanding and could be wrong, but I am currently successfully running his boards with RoPieeeXL to play from roon and airplay:

FiFOpi: This is needed because the clock on the rPi isn't at a clean audio multiple and this will buffer the data out at a nice jitter free rate. This is a must have IMHO if you are interested in using the rest of Ians boards

DAC: Obviously this is needed, or why would you be here. I have the dual mono 9038 one.

I/V board: I am using the transformer board, sounds lovely. Needed or you have to roll your own

Here's the tricky one:

ESS controller: I couldn't get the built in volume control in the ESS chip and Roon to work without this. I'm not using the display or rotarty encoder etc but I need the controller to make the whole thing work with the volume control in roon or in airplay devices to work with hardware VC.

You'll need power supplies as well.

Hope that helps.
Sheldon
Click to expand...
Thanks so much Sheldon.

I think what I was looking to build was a media player that could be used with an external DAC like the SonCoz SGD1, Topping D70BT or D90 that have I2S (LVDS), USB, CoAx (SPDIF) and Toslink inputs.

The Media player would have to have I2S (over HDMI) and CoAx (SPDIF) out and be able to
  1. Act as a server and help me navigate through my Audio and Video files (stored on a USB hard disk).
  2. Act as a streamer for services like Tidal, Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.
  3. Have a simple GUI interface like my Apple TV box so it can be navigated easily by a tech-averse person like myself.

From the following link I made a list of boards I think I might need:
GitHub - iancanada/DocumentDownload: Download documents of Ian's products

  1. Station Pi PCB KIT, $35.00
  2. Fifo Pi Q3 768KHz I2S/DSD/DoP FIFO with isolator and dual XO $135.00
  3. Linear Pi Dual Linear Power supply, $99.00
  4. Uc Conditioner 5V (Universal), $59.00
  5. Uc Conditioner 3.3V (Universal), $67.00 (same PCB different Caps).
  6. TransportPi, $67.00 (I2S and the bonus of SPDIF over RCA, BNC and TosLink).

Is there anything else I would need or anything that is redundant from this list?

I would like to have some screen and controller to navigate. Something like this.
White SPI / IIC 256x64 OLED 3.12" screen - Audiophonics

I would like to make something like this (without the CD player/ripper or swappable hard disks but with the ability to stream video from a USB hard disk services like Netflix, Prime, etc).
NOVATRON
 
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#6
I don't want to lead you astray on the board selections, so I'll leave that for other more experienced folks. But I will say that ropieee only works with the rPi 7" touchscreen or other screens that use the DSI connector. HDMI and SPI screens like that won't work. If you are running volumio or other software you will be fine.
 
#7
stokessd said:
I don't want to lead you astray on the board selections, so I'll leave that for other more experienced folks. But I will say that ropieee only works with the rPi 7" touchscreen or other screens that use the DSI connector. HDMI and SPI screens like that won't work. If you are running volumio or other software you will be fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks. But we aren't limited to Ropiee for the RPi4, are we?

A simpler single-board solution can be found in the links below
https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/visio-pi2aes_datasheet_p3.2.pdf

https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/pi2aes_hw_ref_manual_p3_4.pdf

The limitation is that the Pi2AES is a strictly a PCM device. The limitation of the 24.576Mhz and 22.792Mhz clocks means only streams up to 176k/192k will be supported. For (DSD 512) 352k/384k support one would need a 45/49Mhz clock. Similarly to support (DSD 1024) 705/768k support one would need 90/98Mhz clocks.
 
#10
navin said:
Built a layout using Ian Canada's Station Pi, RPi4, FiFo Pi, Transport Pi, Linear Pi, 3.3V and 5V Uc Conditioners and a 40VA/6V R core transformer.

Shared album - navin advani - Google Photos
Click to expand...
Navin;
What are you using as the player on the Pi?. A friend and I are trying to get a Pi4 running on StationPi to play through a FIFO Pi and the ESS Dual Mono DAC from Ian. We get the green lights on the DAC, and can see LRCK and BCLK signals on the 40 pin Pi header, but we get nothing out on the I2s Data line (pin 40) from the Pi. Seems like the DAC is also getting the LRCK and BCLK signals, since the display goes from No Input to 44.1, but with no data out of the Pi, the DAC does nothing.

We are running Max2Play on the Pi, under 5.4.51 Linux distribution. Seems like a configuration issue, but I was wondering what you were using and if you had any configuration issues.
 
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