Pi2 Design Idiot-Proof Ready-To-Go RPi/AES Streamer

Which Shunyata AES cable did you try and how did it compare to the one you previously built yourself?

 

It is the Cobra version

The sound is more articulate. A friend and I tested both over an afternoon

 

The new Mercury V3 with built in mini noise nuke is available for ordering now. V3 is now $599 which is $200 less than V2. Delivery is 2-3 weeks as we finally get the metal cases that caused the month long delay.

https://www.pi2design.com/store/p29/Mercury_V3_Streamer.html

 

Sweet. Since it is based on the Pi4 and not the compute module, could I swap out the 4GB for the 8GB I own?

It looks smaller than the V2.

 

It’s the same size.

also, we chose the 4GB because for audio use the extra memory is of no value. Plus we can always substitute the 8GB if we ever have any issues with getting the 4GB and no one will complain. We can’t go the other way, though, without taking a hit from people.

 

Very nice. How is WiFi performance, considering the metal case? V2 had a connector for external antenna.

 

Also, what part of the process lowered the price that much? Any reason for any performance differences going from compute module to pi4?

 

For production the front plate of the V3 will actually be made of matte black acrylic to allow the internal Wi-Fi signal to pass. We are reasonably confident that that will work for most people, but it is always possible to add a USB Wi-Fi adapter at any time. We have identified a couple that seem to be well recognized by the raspberry pi OS.

 

The main initial reason was availability. Once the shortages of any type of raspberry pi started to clear up, we decided that relying on the module was more risky than the standard board. This is because the way they make the modules in so many different variations, it could never be something we would get in stock. We would always have to order a larger volume ahead. This creates much higher carrying costs.

In addition, the module is missing the USB3 interface and requires the connectors and standard USB chips. None of these items were significant in any of themselves, but added all together it meant we could be more confident in offering a more aggressive price.

some of you will remember that we initially started mercury at this price, but we had to increase it as we were unable to get the modules from standard distribution, and had to pay 2, 3 or even 4 times as much for them thus greatly increasing the price.

 

Dang, you guys must be hammering the website. I haven't been able to get beyond a timed-out message since the V3 was posted about.

 

I will look into this, I have not received any notification that there’s a problem with the website. I’ve had one order come through.

I was able to get on the site and put one mercury into the shopping cart. Not sure why you’re having trouble, but sure we can sort this out. If you have to send me a private message do so, and I will give you a link to use to purchase

 

BTW I will be posting the user manual and more information in the next day or two.

 

@Michael Kelly will it work with Uptone LPS 1.2 LPS which has 12v out but is limited to 1.1A considering no USB peripheral or Wi-Fi.

 

Peak current at 12V is ~600ma so the 1.1A will be fine.

 

No probs with the website yesterday or today for me, I was able to put in an order without issue.

 

Yeah, no clue what was up on my side, but I couldn't even access the site until very late last night. No problems now though. I just need to make up my mind whether this suits my needs (I have a simple desktop headphone rig: DAC and amp; no streaming services, all my music is stored on an external HD which I would want to attach to whatever streaming solution I end up with).

I am currently leaning towards an M2 Mac Mini mostly due to ease of use and confidence it's a setup I can count on to be in use for years to come. That said, I am intrigued by something like the Mercury specifically. I just need to do some homework and see if my usage can be done with minimal headaches as I know it would be with the Mac Mini solution.

 

@Michael Kelly : Congratulations on getting Mercury V3 into production--and a such a wonderful price.
I continue to enjoy my Mercury V1 (beta unit) as Ethernet>I2S endpoint running GentooPlayer.
And I have recommended Mercury many times to our clients. Just now told some folks--who previously lamented that V2 was sold--about V3. Hope you sell a ton!

Two questions:
1) Are you still using the same TI DS90LV031A quad LVDS line driver for the I2S over HDMI output--or have you switched to a better part? (Sorry I never sent you some low-jitter part number candidates as promised on the phone long ago.)

2) Is the architecture still the same wherein you use the WM8804 for the MCLK injection, SPDIF, and to clockout the I2S?

(Thus still limited to 24/192. Still this is better than the Holo Red wherein everything is run through USB subsystem and of the Compute Module--and then multiple chips--even if output is going to be I2S. SQ-wise, for I2S my Mercury (as tweaked, powered by a great LPS and on the isolated side of our EtherREGEN) is definitely superior to the Red. I don't need all those other features, though being able to go to 384K would be nice.)

Cheers,
-Alex C.
UpTone Audio LLC

 

we use the same LVDS parts as before. Do you have some pointers to show that faster devices would reduce jitter?

as for the speed limits, that is a factor of the I2S interface on the pi cpu chip itself. Additionally the WM8804 is also limited to those speeds. If the I2S interface on the pi changes specs we would look at a different solution to r encode the AES stream. Probably a small FPGA.

At this time it is not clear if the new companion chip in the pi 5 can operate higher than 192Khz. Also why? They are no sound benefits unless you believe in the whole NOS cult. oops, did I say that out loud?

 

Specific mention of EtherREGEN by name, but no specific mention for the LPS??

 

Hi Micheal:
The T.I. LMK series of clock buffers have jitter in the femtosecond range. Not made in a quad input version but there is a dual that are spectacular as I2S/LVDS driver if you use two of them.
https://www.ti.com/product/LMK1D2104. But in the 250-500 pc. tier they are still $5 each.