Raspberry Pi I2S to SPDIF Hat

The Odroid requires another connector for audio, so no we don't support it. Sorry.

Cheers,
Michael

 

If not you... Who else????

 

Much ado about nothing....

 

I spent my evening and part of the night with the Speed 2. These are first impressions, I usually need weeks of comparative listening to go deep into thin differences but this is what came to my mind while listening.
Set up is my usual speaker setup and for the past few days waiting for the speed 2 I've been listening to it with the Digi+ powered with separated 5V for the Pi2 and 3,3V for the digi+. I normally use MoodeAudio and the Pi2\digi+ as a renderer .
First of all I pulled away the digi+ and put in the speed2. I left the jumper in and used only one 5V rail. I also used the same sd card with moode audio.
First impression is good, it seems clearer. Tried a few songs and became impatient to push it farther.
So I pulled the jumper and separated the speed 2 and the Pi2 with 2 different 5V rails from my LT3042 based PSU.
I couldn't be sure to perceive any improvement. A little disappointed (but I shouldn't, it seems that the onboard regulator works just fine making changes in the psu less relevant) after 3 songs I turned it off and inserted the sd card with modded volumio I had previously prepared. This time I tried to hear the difference with the 2 clocks enabled. I don't know if the software variation (using volumio instead of moodeaudio) has something to do with it but this time I thought I could hear a clear improvement.
Overall I spent most time this way and thus my general impression has to be referred to it.

Everything seems to sound cleaner but at the same time it is less "digital". There is less "blur" effect but at the same time it is very smooth. Bass is very tight, clearly less abundant than with digi+ (the one thing I would have actually preserved) but more textured. Mids is maybe where I heard most improvement. Vocals are more real, less "nasal". Acoustic guitar feel somehow "faster" and more nuanced. Decay is also clearly more intelligible and so is ambience. Highs have a more airy feeling. Lots of details come to my attention but not in a harsh way.
There is something here that I have already experienced with better CDTs. Soundstage is wider and the music is more "all over the room". I need to loan again a good transport to do some close comparative listening to assess if and in what measure this thing is comparable. Over the next few weeks I'll know more. So far I know I can donate my digi+ to a friend.

Some suggestions:
- I hate volumio RC1's guts, hope more modded OSs will be made available while waiting for the rep update
- The speed2 may use, if not frequency leds, at least a power led

Thanks to Micheal for bringing this transport to life

 

Nice writeup. Glad we both agree that some LEDs would be good!

@Michael Kelly what do you think? Also, any ETA on the patch?

 

I started using a CanaKit Wifi adapter on my Raspberry Pi2 (was previously using the Pi's built-in ethernet jack) and BOOM, the larger network share that previously wasn't being cataloged by Volumio magically appeared. That's the equivalent of brushing your teeth to get rid of a rash on your leg!

@Michael Kelly I wish I had more feedback for you, but the SPD2 works and sounds great full stop. I haven't tried the 5V barrel connecter yet but will soon. I guess the only minor niggle is that the plug between the SPD2 hat and the Pi is taller than the one used by the Hifiberry Digi+ and so the plastic standoff screws supplied with the Digi+ are too short, and so the SPD2 flexes more than I'm comfortable with. So far, that's the only issue, and it's not really an issue at all if you plan to supply correct length standoffs with the production version.

 

Can some testers put some photos about they setups? And maybe some specs about PSU's used.

 

I wish I had more to tell too... My Pi2 and speed2 have been powered on and playing since the day the speed arrived. Zero Problem apart issues that are notoriously volumio related. I don't know about you but in my package I found the right the right metal standoff and screws. Will post some pictures later.

 

My bad, I do plan to provide them and should have for you guys.

I am glad the board works well. We will be doing a small run of 50 next month and have it for general sale in September. Thanks for all your help.

Cheers,
Michael

 

We will add the led's as requested. as for Volumio, sorry! We have RUNE audio up and running and will have install instructions this week. Picore player is next.

Cheers,
Michael

 

Both. For EU Audiophonics is the way to go, elsewhere direct from us.

Cheers,
Michael

 

Raspberry Pi2 - Volumio 2 RC1 Mod - Speed2 - BNC->RCA Adaptor - LT3042 2x5V DIYINHK PSU - Talema 2x9VAC 30VA

The other raspberry has a digi+ on for faster comparison.

 

Good stuff. No power related issues with the low current of the PSU's?

 

Not at all. Even with a single 5V rail and a usb wifi dongle. The heatsink gets a little hot but not in a alarming way.
YMMV (Pi3 is hungrier).

 

Vastx! I am right you did not notice much difference in sound between using external or rpi power?
Might this be the problem that you are using same PSU for both?

 

Fraggler - Did you get your unit? Any issues? You're the last of the four to report in!

Cheers,
Michael

Or perhaps we know how to design a local power supply that rejects noise, so that it does not matter?

Cheers,
Michael

 

Welll... I have not yet done exhaustive testing with regard to the matter but what I said was that after 3 songs I couldn't perceive a clear improvement. Separating the digi+ 3,3v seemed a more consistent improvement with the same psu.
Or maybe @Michael Kelly is just right

 

I took another look at the box the SP2 came in and BOOM, there were the metal standoffs that I, in my haste to try it out, had missed the first time! Sorry for the false alarm @Michael Kelly