Hi,
I'm new to a lot of the "measurement" stuff, please be gentle!
So I want to build my first XO with CamillaDSP.
So I have a RPi5/DAC8X and I think I need a way to expose all eight DAC8X channels to the calibration Windows PC?
So perhaps can the USB UAC2 gadget expose them or does it max out at 2 channels?
I'm asking because from the limited info I can find online it looks like XO stuff in Audiolense XO needs access to the individual channels.
Or do I need 8 channels of USB DAC for testing, if so, thinking out loud, could I get four cheap 2 channel USB DACs, maybe PCM5102A DAC chips same as the DAC8X, it feels like this could cause "timing" issues though?
Could I use a 2 channel DAC and manually change cables when testing say the LR tweeters when testing stereo HF or the R mid to R tweeter when testing XO?
I do have an old MiniDSP U-DAC8 8-channel, not sure if it would be a mortal sin to use that for measurement? I also have a 4 channel UMC204HD.
Or am I barking up the wrong tree, I asked on the AudioLense XO forum but no reply yet.
Thanks!
I'm new to a lot of the "measurement" stuff, please be gentle!
So I want to build my first XO with CamillaDSP.
So I have a RPi5/DAC8X and I think I need a way to expose all eight DAC8X channels to the calibration Windows PC?
So perhaps can the USB UAC2 gadget expose them or does it max out at 2 channels?
I'm asking because from the limited info I can find online it looks like XO stuff in Audiolense XO needs access to the individual channels.
Or do I need 8 channels of USB DAC for testing, if so, thinking out loud, could I get four cheap 2 channel USB DACs, maybe PCM5102A DAC chips same as the DAC8X, it feels like this could cause "timing" issues though?
Could I use a 2 channel DAC and manually change cables when testing say the LR tweeters when testing stereo HF or the R mid to R tweeter when testing XO?
I do have an old MiniDSP U-DAC8 8-channel, not sure if it would be a mortal sin to use that for measurement? I also have a 4 channel UMC204HD.
Or am I barking up the wrong tree, I asked on the AudioLense XO forum but no reply yet.
Thanks!
Hi!
I've recently started using CamillaDSP as a XO in my new 4-way build. Here is the gadget that i built:
I used this blog post as a reference: https://diyelectromusic.com/2024/05/27/rpi-5-quad-stereo-sound-with-pcm5102a/
It uses a RPI5 and four I2S PCM5102A modules that, like you said, are essentially a HiFiBerry DAC8X. There are no timing issues as all 4 modules are connected through I2S, therefore are synced.
I tried it using an airplay client installed on the pi - it works, but is no stable enough. A lot ot delays, clicks and pops. Then I configured the USB gadget mode and connected it to my Mac via USB (be aware that you have to use the USB-C port and not the ones on the back of the PI, that are USB-A). The Pi shows as a audio interface on the Mac and I can play through USB, run the XO in Camilla and play through all 4 modules. It works great.
I have used this github repo, that has great documentation, as a reference: https://github.com/mdsimon2/RPi-CamillaDSP?tab=readme-ov-file
I've recently started using CamillaDSP as a XO in my new 4-way build. Here is the gadget that i built:
I used this blog post as a reference: https://diyelectromusic.com/2024/05/27/rpi-5-quad-stereo-sound-with-pcm5102a/
It uses a RPI5 and four I2S PCM5102A modules that, like you said, are essentially a HiFiBerry DAC8X. There are no timing issues as all 4 modules are connected through I2S, therefore are synced.
I tried it using an airplay client installed on the pi - it works, but is no stable enough. A lot ot delays, clicks and pops. Then I configured the USB gadget mode and connected it to my Mac via USB (be aware that you have to use the USB-C port and not the ones on the back of the PI, that are USB-A). The Pi shows as a audio interface on the Mac and I can play through USB, run the XO in Camilla and play through all 4 modules. It works great.
I have used this github repo, that has great documentation, as a reference: https://github.com/mdsimon2/RPi-CamillaDSP?tab=readme-ov-file
On the Pi. Mac is only used to run Amazon Music and Tidal apps.
Mac sees the 2 channels that are exposed by the gadget mode of the Pi (check here: https://github.com/mdsimon2/RPi-CamillaDSP?tab=readme-ov-file#8-enable-usb-gadget-optional ). These 2 channels are also seen as a capture device on CamillaDSP. So, when you play something in your Mac (or any computer, as the Pi exposes a standard USB audio interface), it goes through USB to Camilla.
The 8 channels of DAC8x are visible only within the Pi. It shows up as a playback device in CamillaDSP.
I am not sure if I understand what are you trying to achieve, but why would you want to expose the 8 channels of DAC8X to your computer?
I think I need 8 channels accessible to Windows to do crossover correction in AudioLense XO but I could be mistaken, all new to me and I don't have AudioLense XO yet...
I am not familiar with AudioLense XO at all, but if you need only to handle crossover for your active speakers, CamillaDSP can handle it. That is the setup that I use.
Mac (or a Wiim Pro through an RME interface) -> Pi USB in, 2ch -> CamillaDSP -> XO stuff, outputing 8 streams, 4 for each speaker -> 4x PCM5102A modules connected to the Pi through I2S -> 2x RCA outputs per module, L/R -> 4 Fosi Audio ZA3 stereo amps -> Speakers (two cables, + and -, for each driver).
Mac (or a Wiim Pro through an RME interface) -> Pi USB in, 2ch -> CamillaDSP -> XO stuff, outputing 8 streams, 4 for each speaker -> 4x PCM5102A modules connected to the Pi through I2S -> 2x RCA outputs per module, L/R -> 4 Fosi Audio ZA3 stereo amps -> Speakers (two cables, + and -, for each driver).
Are there any DAC limitations, can you only use certain models, any bitrate or sample rate restrictions, could you get 8 channels of 32-bit, 384KHz, could you get 8 balanced out?
I ask because I think the DAC8X only goes to 24/192 even though the DACs are capable of 32/384.
Sure. It is attached to this message. It is not the latest one, but it should be OK as a reference.
Honestly, I am using these 4 modules as a temporary solution. I can't accept that a module that costs 2 US dolars (free freight to Brazil) has the same sonic capabilities of a proper designed DAC. I intend to replace them with a MOTU Ultralite MK5 or a Okto Research DAC8 PRO as soon as I can.
If I am not mistaken (I am on a trip and don't have access to my gear), the output stream is configured as 32/192 (I guess you can check it in the config file). If I recall, It worked just fine at 32/384 as well. Camilla is configured to work with a 192k sample rate, which I think is more than enough. As per CamillaDSP manuals, all the XO work is performed using 64 bit numbers.