ProtoDAC with Ian Canada Purepi , FifoPiMa , MonitorPi , RPI4B with Moodplayer - NO SOUND

Hello Experts,
Im new to building dac streamer based on Gaby's post.Running on NO sound issue. MonitorPI is showing the streaming info when played from Moodeplayer (photo attached) but no sound is coming out. Not sure if I need to do any code change.
Protodac mounted directly to RPI works fine

Please see details below


I did the GPIO bypass for Protodac connecting directly to Purepi 5v as Gaby did (13:56min time in video)​
  • Also soldered the UFL Cables to 3 resistors output - it is 1- WS / 2 - DATA / 3 - BCK (photo attached) for the I2S

I researched the forum found the following post and verified all listed item - they are all correct


https://community.volumio.com/t/ian-canada-fifopima-with-protodac-no-sound/65378/3 - From Volumio
  • LED of XO1 or XO2 clock - Light up (photo attached)
  • The lights that are on (in the Fifo) are:
    -D2 power of course
    -D3 I2S format input
Parts:
  1. #48B. PurePi II 5V+3.3V ultracapacitor/LifePO4 battery power supply combo with ultracapacitors/battery holders pre-installed
  2. Rasberry Pi 4b - 2Gb
  3. FifoPiMa V1.5 Master mode Raspberry Pi I2S/DSD/DoP Re-clocker with ultra-low phase noise XOs

    1. MonitorPi RaspberryPi OLED audio display/analyzer

  4. Protodac

Please see attached photo
 

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  • MoodeVersion.png
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  • UFL- I2S- register.jpg
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  • ProtoDacTop.jpg
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  • FifoPi-X02Light.jpg
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Do you have an oscilloscope? If so, what is its bandwidth and number of channels? (a scope is the most appropriate piece of test equipment to take a look to figure out where the problem is, right?)

Also, it would be helpful if we could know how much you understand about electronics. Such as, do you understand I2S bus, what the mods you did were supposed to do in a signal flow/processing sense, etc.?
 
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Do you have an oscilloscope? If so, what is its bandwidth and number of channels? (a scope is the most appropriate piece of test equipment to take a look to figure out where the problem is, right?)

Also, it would be helpful if we could know how much you understand about electronics. Such as, do you understand I2S bus, what the mods you did were supposed to do in a signal flow/processing sense, etc.?
 
Without a scope, you can use Monitor_Pi to check the I2S bus input to FIFO_Pi and then the output of FIFO_Pi. There are two GPIO bus connectors on the component side (top) of FIFO_Pi. The connector closer to the edge of the board, IIRC, is where Monitor_Pi can be plugged in to show what is coming into FIFO_Pi from RPi. The 2nd GPIO connector should also work with Monitor_Pi to show the output of FIFO_Pi.

Have you tried using Monitor_Pi to verify when you have Moode play different sample rate audio files that input and the ouput of FIFO_Pi show the correct sample rate data?

If not, how to do it should be explained in Monitor_Pi manual (this is all from old memory only, so you may want to double check on what I am suggesting).
 
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Couple things to try.

1. When a track is playing, Menu > Audio info and note the "Output format" line. It either shows the complete PCM or DSD format being output to the audio device or "Not playing". If it shows "Not playing" then #2.
2. Try the passive mode I2S driver since you are using the U.FL outputs which are separate from the GPIO. The passive mode driver is configured when selecting "ProtoDAC TDA1387 X8".

For reference the passive mode I2S driver is "i2s-dac" and the master mode driver is "hifiberry-dacplus". The driver is specified in the file
/boot/firmware/config.txt
 
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Hi Tim,

If I use "ProtoDAC TDA1387 X8" No Signal show in Monitor Pi but if I use
"ProtoDAC TDA1387 X8 (FifoMa)" Monitor Pi shows the correct playing signal
  • When a Track is playing the Moode audio Info Show the correct value (see screen shot)
Based on your comment - I believe the issue is in the config.txt file - since Im using the passive mode of I2S - config file should show "i2s-dac" instead of "hifiberry-dacplus" please see attached screen print config.txt
 

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  • config.png
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The selection "ProtoDAC TDA1387 x8 (FifoPiMa)" corresponds to the config.txt entries below which matches your screen shot.
Code:
# Audio overlays
dtoverlay=hifiberry-dacplus
dtoverlay=force_eeprom_read=0

The Audio info screen shot shows
"Volume levels" lists "ALSA 00.0dB" and "Mixer name" lists "Digital" but the ProtoDAC has no on-chip hardware volume controller (mixer) so these capabilities must be coming from the hifiberry-dacplus driver but its expecting the DAC board to have a hardware mixer. I've never tested a FifoPiMa so I'm not really sure what the exact config should be.

Play a track and check the MPD log for errors regarding the mixer named "Digital"
Code:
moodeutl --mpdlog
cat /var/log/mpd/log

Here's an Audio info screen shot from one of my ProtoDAC's that sits on top of a Kali Reclocker which is passive mode I2S. Note "ALSA none" and "Mixer name n/a"

Screenshot 2025-01-17 at 4.37.59 PM.png

Here's a post from our Forum regarding ProtoDAC and FifoPiMa. You might want to request an account and PM that user to see how he configured things.
https://moodeaudio.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=5531&pid=51401#pid51401
 
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Tim,
Here is the debug log for startup and Mpd log screen shot (no error on mpd that I can see)
Startup with Debug turned on:

0250117 165608 worker: --
20250117 165609 worker: -- Start moOde 9 series
20250117 165609 worker: --
20250117 165609 worker: Daemonize: complete
20250117 165609 worker: Linux startup: complete
20250117 165609 worker: Boot config: ok
20250117 165609 worker: Boot folder: ok
20250117 165609 worker: Radio table: ok
20250117 165610 worker: PHP session: cleaned
20250117 165610 DEBUG: phpSession(get_status): status=PHP_SESSION_NONE
20250117 165610 worker: PHP session: loaded
20250117 165613 worker: Package locks: applied
20250117 165614 worker: File check: complete
20250117 165614 worker: Log to RAM: on
20250117 165614 worker: Debug logging: on
20250117 165614 worker: --
20250117 165614 worker: -- System
20250117 165614 worker: --
20250117 165616 worker: Host name: moodespeaker
20250117 165616 worker: RPi model: Pi-4B 1.4 2GB
20250117 165616 worker: moOde release: 9.2.2 2025-01-08
20250117 165616 worker: RaspiOS: 12.8 Bookworm 64-bit
20250117 165616 worker: Linux Kernel: 6.6.62 64-bit
20250117 165616 worker: MPD version: 0.23.14
20250117 165616 worker: User id: mahmot
20250117 165616 worker: Home folder: /home/mahmot
20250117 165616 worker: Time zone: America/Chicago
20250117 165616 worker: Kbd layout: us
20250117 165616 worker: HDMI ports(s): on
20250117 165616 worker: HDMI-CEC: off
20250117 165616 worker: Sys LED0: on
20250117 165616 worker: Sys LED1: on
20250117 165616 worker: Reduce power: n/a
20250117 165616 worker: Fan control: n/a
20250117 165616 worker: CPU governor: ondemand
20250117 165616 worker: Integ audio: vc4-kms-v3d
20250117 165616 worker: --
20250117 165616 worker: -- Network
20250117 165616 worker: --
20250117 165616 worker: Eth0
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: adapter exists
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: timeout off
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: method dhcp
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: address 10.0.0.133
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: netmask 255.255.255.0
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: gateway 10.0.0.1
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: pri DNS 75.75.75.75
20250117 165616 worker: Ethernet: domain none found
20250117 165616 worker: Wlan0
20250117 165616 worker: Wireless: adapter exists
20250117 165616 worker: Wireless: country US
20250117 165616 worker: Wireless: SSID TM2022
20250117 165616 worker: Wireless: other None
20250117 165616 worker: Wireless: timeout up to 90 secs
20250117 165616 DEBUG: wlan0 check 1 for IP address
20250117 165636 DEBUG: wlan0 check 2 for IP address
20250117 165638 DEBUG: wlan0 check 3 for IP address
20250117 165640 DEBUG: wlan0 check 4 for IP address
20250117 165642 DEBUG: wlan0 check 5 for IP address
20250117 165644 DEBUG: wlan0 check 6 for IP address
20250117 165646 DEBUG: wlan0 check 7 for IP address
20250117 165648 DEBUG: wlan0 check 8 for IP address
20250117 165650 DEBUG: wlan0 check 9 for IP address
20250117 165652 DEBUG: wlan0 check 10 for IP address
20250117 165654 DEBUG: wlan0 check 11 for IP address
20250117 165656 DEBUG: wlan0 check 12 for IP address
20250117 165658 DEBUG: wlan0 check 13 for IP address
20250117 165700 DEBUG: wlan0 check 14 for IP address
20250117 165702 DEBUG: wlan0 check 15 for IP address
20250117 165704 DEBUG: wlan0 check 16 for IP address
20250117 165706 DEBUG: wlan0 check 17 for IP address
20250117 165708 DEBUG: wlan0 check 18 for IP address
20250117 165710 DEBUG: wlan0 check 19 for IP address
20250117 165712 DEBUG: wlan0 check 20 for IP address
20250117 165714 DEBUG: wlan0 check 21 for IP address
20250117 165717 DEBUG: wlan0 check 22 for IP address
20250117 165719 DEBUG: wlan0 check 23 for IP address
20250117 165721 DEBUG: wlan0 check 24 for IP address
20250117 165723 DEBUG: wlan0 check 25 for IP address
20250117 165725 DEBUG: wlan0 check 26 for IP address
20250117 165727 DEBUG: wlan0 check 27 for IP address
20250117 165729 DEBUG: wlan0 check 28 for IP address
20250117 165731 DEBUG: wlan0 check 29 for IP address
20250117 165733 DEBUG: wlan0 check 30 for IP address
20250117 165735 DEBUG: wlan0 check 31 for IP address
20250117 165737 DEBUG: wlan0 check 32 for IP address
20250117 165739 DEBUG: wlan0 check 33 for IP address
20250117 165741 DEBUG: wlan0 check 34 for IP address
20250117 165743 DEBUG: wlan0 check 35 for IP address
20250117 165745 DEBUG: wlan0 check 36 for IP address
20250117 165747 DEBUG: wlan0 check 37 for IP address
20250117 165749 DEBUG: wlan0 check 38 for IP address
20250117 165751 DEBUG: wlan0 check 39 for IP address
20250117 165753 DEBUG: wlan0 check 40 for IP address
20250117 165755 DEBUG: wlan0 check 41 for IP address
20250117 165757 DEBUG: wlan0 check 42 for IP address
20250117 165759 DEBUG: wlan0 check 43 for IP address
20250117 165801 DEBUG: wlan0 check 44 for IP address
20250117 165803 DEBUG: wlan0 check 45 for IP address


20250117 165805 worker: Wireless: address not assigned
20250117 165805 worker: Wireless: Hotspot activating
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: timeout up to 90 secs
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: Hotspot activated using SSID Moodespeaker
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: method dhcp
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: address 172.24.1.1
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: netmask 255.255.255.0
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: gateway 10.0.0.1
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: pri DNS 75.75.75.75
20250117 165812 worker: Wireless: domain none found
20250117 165812 worker: --
20250117 165812 worker: -- File sharing
20250117 165812 worker: --
20250117 165813 worker: SMB file sharing: on
20250117 165813 worker: SMB password: none
20250117 165813 worker: NFS file sharing: off
20250117 165813 worker: DLNA file sharing: on
20250117 165813 worker: --
20250117 165813 worker: -- Special configs
20250117 165813 worker: --
20250117 165813 worker: Plexamp: not installed
20250117 165813 worker: RoonBridge: not installed
20250117 165813 worker: Allo Boss 2: not detected, OLED script ok
20250117 165813 worker: Allo Piano 2.1: not detected
20250117 165813 worker: IQaudIO AMP*: not detected
20250117 165813 worker: Bluetooth: session vars ok
20250117 165813 worker: --
20250117 165813 worker: -- ALSA debug
20250117 165813 worker: --
20250117 165813 worker: Cards: 0:vc4hdmi0 1:vc4hdmi1 2:sndrpihifiberry 3:empty
20250117 165813 worker: 4:empty 5:empty 6:empty 7:empty
20250117 165813 worker: Mixers: 0:none 1:none 2🙁Digital) 3:none
20250117 165813 worker: 4:none 5:none 6:none 7:none
20250117 165813 worker: --
20250117 165813 worker: -- Audio configuration
20250117 165813 worker: --

20250117 165813 worker: Audio device: 2😛rotoDAC TDA1387 X8 (FifoPiMa)
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA card: has not been reassigned
20250117 165813 worker: MPD config: update not needed
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA output: I2S
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA mode: Direct (hw)
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA mixer: Digital
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA volume: 100% (0.00dB)
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA maxvol: 100%
20250117 165813 worker: ALSA loopback: off
20250117 165813 worker: MPD mixer Software
20250117 165814 worker: Audio formats: S16_LE, S24_LE, S32_LE
20250117 165814 worker: CamillaDSP: off
20250117 165814 worker: CDSP volume: -37.1dB
20250117 165814 worker: CDSP volrange: 60dB
20250117 165814 worker: --
20250117 165814 worker: -- MPD startup
20250117 165814 worker: --
20250117 165814 DEBUG: MPD|ALSA devnum: invpolarity|i2s
20250117 165814 worker: MPD service: started
20250117 165814 worker: MPD port 6600: accepting connections
20250117 165814 worker: MPD ALSA Default: on
20250117 165814 worker: MPD ALSA Bluetooth: off
20250117 165814 worker: MPD HTTP Server: off
20250117 165814 worker: MPD volume: 49
20250117 165814 worker: Saved MPD vol: -1
20250117 165814 worker: Saved SRC vol: 0
20250117 165814 worker: MPD crossfade: off
20250117 165814 worker: MPD ignore CUE: no
20250117 165814 worker: MPD CDSP volsync: off
20250117 165814 worker: --
20250117 165814 worker: -- Music sources
20250117 165814 worker: --
20250117 165815 worker: USB drive: usb-drive (vfat)
20250117 165815 worker: NVMe drives: none
20250117 165815 worker: SATA drives: none
20250117 165815 worker: NAS sources: none
20250117 165815 worker: --
20250117 165815 worker: -- Feature availability
20250117 165815 worker: --
20250117 165815 worker: Input select: available, Source: MPD, Output: ProtoDAC TDA1387 X8 (FifoPiMa)
20250117 165815 worker: Bluetooth: available, PIN: None, ALSA/CDSP maxvol: 100%/0dB, ALSA outmode: Standard
20250117 165815 DEBUG: startAirPlay(): (/usr/bin/shairport-sync -v -a "Moodespeaker AirPlay" -- -d _audioout > /var/log/moode_shairport-sync.log 2>&1 &)

20250117 165815 worker: AirPlay: started
20250117 165815 DEBUG: startSpotify(): (librespot --name "Moodespeaker Spotify" --bitrate 320 --format S16 --mixer softvol --initial-volume 5 --volume-ctrl log --volume-range 60 --cache /var/local/www/spotify_cache --disable-audio-cache --backend alsa --device "_audioout" --onevent /var/local/www/commandw/spotevent.sh -v > /var/log/moode_librespot.log 2>&1 &)

20250117 165815 worker: Spotify Connect: started
20250117 165815 DEBUG: startDeezer(): (pleezer --name "Moodespeaker Deezer" --device-type "web" --device "ALSA|_audioout||S16" --initial-volume "10" --secrets-file "/etc/deezer/deezer.toml" --hook /var/local/www/commandw/deezevent.sh -v > /var/log/moode_pleezer.log 2>&1 &)
20250117 165815 worker: Deezer Connect: started
20250117 165815 worker: Squeezelite: available
20250117 165815 worker: UPnP client: started
20250117 165815 worker: Plexamp: not installed, ALSA maxvol: 100%
20250117 165815 worker: RoonBridge: not installed
20250117 165815 worker: Multiroom: available
20250117 165815 worker: GPIO buttons: available
20250117 165815 worker: Stream recorder: n/a
20250117 165815 worker: --
20250117 165815 worker: -- Security
20250117 165815 worker: --
20250117 165815 worker: Web SSH server: on
20250117 165815 worker: XSS detection: off
20250117 165815 worker: HTTPS mode: available
20250117 165815 worker: --
20250117 165815 worker: -- Peripherals
20250117 165815 worker: --
20250117 165818 worker: Local display: off
20250117 165818 worker: Chromium ver: 126.0.6478.164-rpt1
20250117 165818 worker: Chromium cfg: directory ok
20250117 165818 worker: Screen blank 600
20250117 165818 worker: On-screen kbd: off
20250117 165818 worker: Disable GPU: off
20250117 165818 worker: HDMI orient: landscape
20250117 165818 worker: HDMI 4K 60Hz: off
20250117 165818 worker: DSI scn type: none
20250117 165818 worker: DSI port: 1
20250117 165818 worker: DSI brightness: 25

20250117 165818 worker: DSI rotate: 0
20250117 165818 worker: Rotary encoder: off
20250117 165818 worker: USB volume knob: off
20250117 165818 worker: LCD updater: off
20250117 165818 worker: --
20250117 165818 worker: -- Miscellaneous
20250117 165818 worker: --
20250117 165818 worker: Software update: Automatic check on
20250117 165818 worker: Software update: Unable to check, No local IP address or Hotspot is on
20250117 165818 worker: Auto-CoverView: on
20250117 165818 worker: CoverView timeout: Never
20250117 165818 worker: Auto-shuffle: off
20250117 165818 worker: Auto-play: on, via playid 10771
20250117 165818 worker: Maintenance task: 360 mins
20250117 165818 worker: Current view: reset to Playback
20250117 165818 worker: Active flags: all false
20250117 165818 worker: Reset flags: skipped
20250117 165818 worker: Session check: ok
20250117 165818 worker: --
20250117 165818 worker: -- Startup complete
20250117 165818 worker: --
20250117 165818 worker: Mount monitor: started
20250117 165818 worker: Radio monitor: off
20250117 165818 worker: Watchdog monitor: started
20250117 165818 worker: Responsiveness: Default
20250117 165818 DEBUG: Sleep intervals: worker=3, waitworker=1, watchdog=6, mountmon=30, mpdmon=6, gpiobuttons=1
20250117 165818 worker: Ready
20250117 165819 DEBUG: chkVariables(): Excluded key: path
 

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