UCPure has two 3.3V outputs : one is feeding FifoPi Q7 II and the other DAC ES9038Q2M (DVCC and AVCC)
@NeoTheOne Interesting. But what is a good cable ? Mine are quite thick and stranded… but nothing special.
That wasn't exactly ringing. It's Gibbs effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbs_phenomenon
Its because you are trying to play back a square wave that violates the sampling theorem.
Thing is, in the time domain time can't work backwards. Rather, time can only move forward. Ringing is an oscillatory behavior which is damped (decreased in amplitude) as time goes by after the event that initiated the oscillatory energy. Therefore it always gets smaller as viewed from left to right on a scope display.
OTOH, most of the time when a oscillation seems to build up out of nothing as time goes by from left to right on a scope display, there has to be be something else going on. In the case of Gibbs Phenomenon, there are some missing Fourier components (as viewed in the frequency domain) which would be needed to complete the right angle corners of a square wave (because the sample rate is not high enough to keep up with the square wave generator). The missing frequency components create an appearance which kind of resembles ringing even though that's not what it is.
Actually, it doesn't look exactly the same. There are lots of problems with trying to measure RF with a scope if its not done correctly and if the RF is not properly terminated according to transmission line theory.
First thing, always use 10x scope probes that have been calibrated using the calibration square wave signal usually found on the front panel of the scope. Then use the shortest possible ground lead for the scope probe (spring grounds are probably best). Please see the section on grounding starting on page 40 of the document at: https://download.tek.com/document/ABCs-of-Probes-Primer-60W-6053-17.pdf
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I have not graduated to Ivan's board - yet. 🙂 I'm using Ian's standard transformer I/V board with balanced connections.
@Clausen
From Hifi Collective.
Originals values are 511 Ohms. Lower value means less output volume but, I believe, easier impedance to drive for the dac current output.
So I have tested : Vishay Metal film Charcroft Z-Foil resistors 510 Ohms and Audionote silver robium 470 ohms 2W (my preferred). Both are available at Hifi Collective. The Vishay seems to be more precise and the AN seems to me more musical. It's a kind of compromise.
From Hifi Collective.
Originals values are 511 Ohms. Lower value means less output volume but, I believe, easier impedance to drive for the dac current output.
So I have tested : Vishay Metal film Charcroft Z-Foil resistors 510 Ohms and Audionote silver robium 470 ohms 2W (my preferred). Both are available at Hifi Collective. The Vishay seems to be more precise and the AN seems to me more musical. It's a kind of compromise.
My bad, I have read too fast ! Thank you for sharing. I really enjoy ian's standard I/V board too, but I want more... 😉
Hello everyone,
I would like to know if the following configuration is the best possible setup using only Ian Canada components for both streaming and power supply. Here is the full list:
Has anyone built a streamer with this configuration using the Raspberry Pi 5? Were all the modules recognized correctly, and did the drivers work without any issues?
Thanks!
I would like to know if the following configuration is the best possible setup using only Ian Canada components for both streaming and power supply. Here is the full list:
| Module | Recommended Power Supply |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | LifePO4 Mini or PurePi ,which one? |
| FifoPi Q7 | UC Conditioner 3.3V |
| TransportPi AES | UC Conditioner 5V |
| HDMIpi Pro | UC Conditioner 5V |
Thanks!
How did you get the clock speed to show, mine just has the button select, no lower right information.
What about products like Shield_Pi, Station_Pi, SC Pure, ReClockPi, etc.? Don't realize why you need them, or you already have that covered? This is assuming you really do want the best possible setup, of course.
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I assume you mean these?
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/470r-2w-audio-note-silver-niobium-resistor.html
That's quite the price for a couple of resistors! I'll have to see if I can find that in the states, I 'm guessing you'd say it's worth it?
Maybe that's for a pair. I see on Audio Note's website they sell them for £19.50 each.
Nope, there on Parts Connexion for the same price...and sold out BTW. I'm reading about them now. I know what a difference crossover components make, so I guess I'm in the market for these very hi-end resistors now...
The RPi5 was weird though, I could not get it to power up with the stock Raspberry Pi Power adapter run through the UCPi. It just wouldn't do anything. Because I have the Station SMT I wasn't mounting anything on top of the UCPi, I was running wire too it, and the only issue I can think of is the power cord from the RPi is too long. I'm needing to sort out my PSU situation, but in the beginning I was just trying to get sound. I sold my Bluesound Node and got a lot less than I had hoped, and a lot less to finance this build, so it's taking longer than I'd hoped. But I have music, so there's that. And I have no doubt it's defiantly better than the Node was.
I am using a Pi5 myself, I was using a single UCPi for the 5v and I was able to get a UCPure for the 3.3 in the swap meat. I have been having issues with my UCPure cutting out and dropping voltage after some time so I added a Raspberry Pi PSU (I have a Station SMT,) and power up the 5V on the Q7 with that. I am trying to sort out the issue with Ian and waiting to hear back. He suggested I take a video and send it to him, which I'll try to do this weekend.
The RPi5 was weird though, I could not get it to power up with the stock Raspberry Pi Power adapter run through the UCPi. It just wouldn't do anything. Because I have the Station SMT I wasn't mounting anything on top of the UCPi, I was running wire too it, and the only issue I can think of is the power cord from the RPi is too long. I'm needing to sort out my PSU situation, but in the beginning I was just trying to get sound. I sold my Bluesound Node and got a lot less than I had hoped, and a lot less to finance this build, so it's taking longer than I'd hoped. But I have music, so there's that. And I have no doubt it's defiantly better than the Node was.
That’s it. Well, I found it expensive too (and you need to add shipping and customs fees) but compared to the whole project it is still acceptable. And it worth it.
You need to know that you have to solder it in on the surface as the original hole is too small. So take care of having the solder connecting the top and the bottom of each hole.
(Yes this is a bit ridiculous to have such big resistors, but I compared 0.5W version and 2W version… and 2W are better. Believe me or not…)
Attachments
I think 19.50 are for 0.5W ? I would be surprised of such a price difference.
I would like some help in choosing the best possible configuration, so I would like to ask: what are Shield_Pi, Station_Pi, SC Pure, ReClockPi, and what do they do? Should I include them in the configuration?if yes, where?
@riccaficca
I had the same questions a few time ago and here are the answers from Ian to build the best :
1 So this kit is were to start (balanced output) :
https://iancanada.ca/products/flagship-full-function-sync-clock-mode-ess-dac
If you need unbalanced outputs, please add this board : https://iancanada.ca/products/7b-transformer-i-v-fully-finished-assembled
2 And this clocks :
https://iancanada.ca/products/sc-pure-extremely-low-phase-noise-audio-clock
You need #80A and #80B
3 a Rpi 3B or 4B
4 Power supplies
You’ll need for unbalanced :
5V and 3.3V
https://iancanada.ca/products/5v-3-3v-power-supplies-solution (I use #96D)
And for balanced outputs with OPA 861 :
You need to add +/-5V
https://iancanada.ca/products/high-quality-5v-power-supply-solutions (#96K)
You will need to buy separately ultra capacitors for 3.3V and toroidals transformers.
6 Improvements
To upgrade, I have found that powering the Rpi and the audio section with different +5V brings a lot. It is easy to do with StationPi.
I also have found that changing the i/v resistors on i/v transformer board enhance a lot (see my previous post).
I hope this help !
On my side I am wondering how to go further.
And I’m looking for other clever improvements ideas.
I had the same questions a few time ago and here are the answers from Ian to build the best :
1 So this kit is were to start (balanced output) :
https://iancanada.ca/products/flagship-full-function-sync-clock-mode-ess-dac
If you need unbalanced outputs, please add this board : https://iancanada.ca/products/7b-transformer-i-v-fully-finished-assembled
2 And this clocks :
https://iancanada.ca/products/sc-pure-extremely-low-phase-noise-audio-clock
You need #80A and #80B
3 a Rpi 3B or 4B
4 Power supplies
You’ll need for unbalanced :
5V and 3.3V
https://iancanada.ca/products/5v-3-3v-power-supplies-solution (I use #96D)
And for balanced outputs with OPA 861 :
You need to add +/-5V
https://iancanada.ca/products/high-quality-5v-power-supply-solutions (#96K)
You will need to buy separately ultra capacitors for 3.3V and toroidals transformers.
6 Improvements
To upgrade, I have found that powering the Rpi and the audio section with different +5V brings a lot. It is easy to do with StationPi.
I also have found that changing the i/v resistors on i/v transformer board enhance a lot (see my previous post).
I hope this help !
On my side I am wondering how to go further.
- I have ordered Ivan’s i/v transformers board
- I will probably power the dac board with a separated +3.3V for DVCC and AVCC
And I’m looking for other clever improvements ideas.
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Some good news, I was able to modify/hack linux driver used by hifiberry-dacplus dtoverlay to support DSD formats playback.
Now I can play DSD on RPI4 + FifiPima without conversion up to DSD256.
If someone is interested I can provide modification instructions or some kind of binary package...
Thank you so much for your detailed response! I really appreciate the insights and the recommendations. I will contact you privately to discuss further.
Thanks again!