Dummies Guide to Pi2AES! Throw away your PC or laptop.

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Jan 29, 2020.

  1. Audionumber3

    Audionumber3 New

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    Yep, I did try all the configuration settings on multiple HDMI cables. It's pretty easy to run through them all.

    I am using volumio...So I might try ropieee and see if that makes a difference.
     
  2. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I certainly wouldn’t tell you not to try different OS and or players, but none of the outputs are affected by the software. Either they’re all working or none of them are working.

    This is also not to say that there couldn’t be a hardware issue. But I do have a current customer right now that could not get a Pontus DAC to work, but borrowed a topping D70S and it worked just fine through the I2S port. It is an unfortunately non-standard interface and although we’ve done our best to drive the signals the way we know Gustard and PS audio work (because we tested those) we simply cannot be 100% sure about the Denafrips DAC until we have one. And sad to say, I’m not spending that kind of money to find out!
     
  3. dericchan1

    dericchan1 Acquaintance

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    Thanks Michael, the weird thing is the pontus dac is displaying the proper bitrate signal but no sound output.
     
  4. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    The bit rate tells you that the bit clock is there. But you still have the left right clock which determine the channels, and the serial data which is the actual audio information. All of these have to be there for you to get sound.

    Aargh this is so frustrating for me because I know if I had it in my hands I could simply probe the lines and figure it out.
     
  5. keath23

    keath23 New

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    Hi all, first time poster. I love my Pi2AES and I am trying to see if I can improve the sound by changing the power supply from the Mean well. I am thinking about either a linear power supply (yes, I am aware the warranty if I use a 5V jumper for the linear power supply) or a battery pack (such as a 24v rechargeable LI-ion batteries pack). Has anyone done a listening test with both and if yes, what were your results?
     
  6. leafy

    leafy Facebook Friend

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    I use a 24V LPS to power the whole unit, very nice improvement over the Meanwell.
     
  7. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    I use 24V Sbooster LPS for my two Pi2AES assemblies, a small but noticeable benefit over the default SMPS.
     
  8. keath23

    keath23 New

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    Thank you for the responses so far.
     
  9. Audionumber3

    Audionumber3 New

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    Hey Mike.

    Found this in an earlier post by Toddrhodes:

    Hi all! Trying to see if I can take i2S for a spin, out to my new Denafrips DAC. The DAC can be customized to just about any pinout, but I've picked a layout that most closely resembles the Gustard layout that I can find:
    Pin 1 +
    Pin 3 -
    Pin 4 +
    Pin 6 -
    Pin 7 +
    Pin 9 -

    When doing that, and verifying that I indeed have signal out of Pi2AES with a BNC cable, I do not get any sound or static or anything via the i2S input on the DAC. I read through the Pi manual and saw that the W1 jumper can be configured to send +5V out on pin 18. I currently do NOT have a jumper in that setting. I'm verifying with the Denafrips guy that I won't muck anything up by supplying 5V there, but can you confirm that in setting this jumper as I have now, that I will indeed put out +5V at Pin 18 going forward? I didn't have it set this way when I tried it initially, in case that's clear as mud.
     
  10. Audionumber3

    Audionumber3 New

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    Then later he posted this:

    For anyone keeping score at home, I was able to get i2s running out to a Denafrips Venus II by adding that W1 jumper across pins 1 & 2. Haven't really listened yet, but I have sound.

    *********************

    Hey Mike, can you please confirm what changing the jumper setting does and will it cause any damages?
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2022
  11. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Yes, that will supply 5V to that pin. See our HW Reference Manual for more detail about the jumpers.

    https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/pi2aes_hw_ref_manual_p4_1.pdf
     
  12. dericchan1

    dericchan1 Acquaintance

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    Thanks Michael, is this something I can safely try by adding a jumper in W1 in pin 1 and 2 and try connecting that to my denafrips pontus ii to see if that will address the issue with no sound output?

    Thanks

    Deric
     
  13. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I believe so. I didn't think the Denafrips DACs used that pin though. It's not shown in n their manual anyway.
     
  14. Audionumber3

    Audionumber3 New

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    Ok, tried it but...it didn't work. :(

    Still no sound at all, through any of the pontus i2s configurations.
     
  15. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Unfortunately you are not the first. We are sending a pi2aes to the denafrips distributor in Singapore tomorrow and hopefully they can get to the bottom of it. We have many other customers using I2S, but the Pontus seems to be an issue.
     
  16. coin777

    coin777 Acquaintance

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    I use PI2Aes with my pontus with I2S with no problems at all.
    Stupid question, but are You using The correct HDMI port? From the pi2aes not the rpi.
     
  17. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    I think Michael and the others would like to know your setup and configuration that makes it work.
     
  18. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Oh yeah, I would like to know!, now that you mention it!
     
  19. Audionumber3

    Audionumber3 New

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    Hey, it's not a stupid question. Some people aren't as knowledgeable as others. But yes, I am using the correct port from the pi2aes hat.

    My question to you also is, how old is your pontus 2? I only got mine brand new from vinshine just over a week ago. I know there are pontus 2 that work with this setup, but they are a little older than mine.

    Thanks for your input.
     
  20. Audionumber3

    Audionumber3 New

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    Hey Mike

    Just so you know, I got a hold of a Gustard x-16 DAC to check and make sure the i2s connection was even working from the pi2aes. It is working perfectly! No problems at all.

    So now, it just comes down to the Pontus and what's going on there.

    Just wanted to update you.
    Thanks
     

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