I'm intending to run a Raspberry Pi with IQaudio DAC PRO HAT for local USB audio playback.
I need to buy a power supply. I know there's debate on whether a linear or SMPS makes a difference. Assuming I go linear, I don't have the skills / desire to wire something myself. Plug and play and some lines of code are ok 🙂
Out of these two (or neither), which would you choose for the Pi? (we're talking Pi 3 model B - not the latest B+).
I've read R-Cores are better than toroids for noise.
Toroidal based with LT1085 reg:
5V USB 15W DC Double Mouth Output Have A Fever Linear Power Supply Direct Regulator CAS XMOS Raspberry-in Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
R-core based with LT1083 reg:
Sliding Linear LT1083CP High Power Adjustable Regulator HIFI Linear Power Supply DAC Audio Decoder Professional Power Adapter -in AC/DC Adapters from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Thanks for your advice
I need to buy a power supply. I know there's debate on whether a linear or SMPS makes a difference. Assuming I go linear, I don't have the skills / desire to wire something myself. Plug and play and some lines of code are ok 🙂
Out of these two (or neither), which would you choose for the Pi? (we're talking Pi 3 model B - not the latest B+).
I've read R-Cores are better than toroids for noise.
Toroidal based with LT1085 reg:
5V USB 15W DC Double Mouth Output Have A Fever Linear Power Supply Direct Regulator CAS XMOS Raspberry-in Amplifier from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
R-core based with LT1083 reg:
Sliding Linear LT1083CP High Power Adjustable Regulator HIFI Linear Power Supply DAC Audio Decoder Professional Power Adapter -in AC/DC Adapters from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Thanks for your advice
Hi Dave,
I have a R-PI3 but have never used it with a DAC. The R-PI3 in itself is rather uncritical with respect to the supply voltage as long as it is within voltage specs and with sufficient current capability.
So, I guess your concern is feeding the DAC through the USB connector?
First, I will leave you this link for the different types of transformer cores: Power Transformers for Audio Equipment | audioXpress
R-core transformers have mainly an advantage over toroids with respect to production costs. The performance difference for your use is negligible.
I am convinced that both the supplies you propose will work well and you would hardly notice a difference if you could compare.
Toodle-oo,
I have a R-PI3 but have never used it with a DAC. The R-PI3 in itself is rather uncritical with respect to the supply voltage as long as it is within voltage specs and with sufficient current capability.
So, I guess your concern is feeding the DAC through the USB connector?
First, I will leave you this link for the different types of transformer cores: Power Transformers for Audio Equipment | audioXpress
R-core transformers have mainly an advantage over toroids with respect to production costs. The performance difference for your use is negligible.
I am convinced that both the supplies you propose will work well and you would hardly notice a difference if you could compare.
Toodle-oo,
Hi guys, I have IQaudio Pi-DAC Pro and Raspberry 3b + and Ifi ipower 5v power adapter, I do the power supply from raspberry, but the top of the dac also has a 5v power input, I solder that input and plug the power adapter into the dac just raspberry Will there be power to pi too, or will it be necessary to power raspberry separately?
I have the Allo Nirvana SMPS on a 3B+, and its much better than the iFi ipower(ground to PE connection to shunt leakage current).
Hi helsloot, I have exactly your hardware and I power both the Pi and DAC from the Pi's micro-USB power connector. I have been using the Pi thus connected to play music for over a year with no issues whatsoever.
The only advice I will give you is to make sure to play high quality audio files/streams. Files and streams primarily intended for headphone listening may not be good enough.
The only advice I will give you is to make sure to play high quality audio files/streams. Files and streams primarily intended for headphone listening may not be good enough.
Thank you @edbarx
What I'm wondering is, will it work on raspberry only when I power the pi dac pro from 5v input or will I need to power both separately with a 5 volt adapter? If I feed raspberry and pi dacpro with separate 5volt adapters, will 10 volts be sent to these two devices in total ?
What I'm wondering is, will it work on raspberry only when I power the pi dac pro from 5v input or will I need to power both separately with a 5 volt adapter? If I feed raspberry and pi dacpro with separate 5volt adapters, will 10 volts be sent to these two devices in total ?
I do NOT suggest you to use two power supplies as you will be paralleling them with only one supplying power. This happens when paralleling regulartor chips of the same nominal voltage. The reason for one chip taking all the load is because the actual output voltages are not mathematically equal but approximately. For two SMPS/linear power supplies to equally share current, they must have precisely the same characteristics which is never guaranteed. Moreover, the copper tracks which help to share power must present the same impedances to both power supplies.
I know there are some who power DACs from a separate power supply but I do not know what they do to guarantee two power supplies energise what they are intented to. Probably, the +5V rail is discontinued between the DAC and Pi. This creates a common ground and two power rails.
The voltages of paralleled power supplies do not add; only the current adds.
I know there are some who power DACs from a separate power supply but I do not know what they do to guarantee two power supplies energise what they are intented to. Probably, the +5V rail is discontinued between the DAC and Pi. This creates a common ground and two power rails.
The voltages of paralleled power supplies do not add; only the current adds.
Just try powering from the 5V input on the DAC board and see if the RPi also powers up. If it doesn't then you can power the RPi separately. Otherwise, you have to use just one supply.
There's another forum thread ("Raspberry Streamer Hifi") running concurrently with this one, which addresses some of the questions raised here.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/356779-raspberry-streamer-hifi.html#post6313638
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/356779-raspberry-streamer-hifi-2.html#post6315443
You may be interested in my take on the subject -
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/356779-raspberry-streamer-hifi.html#post6313638
Separate power to rPi/hat-DAC is usually optional. Explained at the end of this post -
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/356779-raspberry-streamer-hifi-2.html#post6315443