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

@FlySweep

This solution is a junction of the following parts:

1) Bottom: Geekworm N300
https://geekworm.com/collections/ra...e-compatible-with-raspberry-pi-4-model-b-only

2) Top: Bottom portion of the following case (you can find other vendors on the internet). I have that from a previous Rpi use:
https://geekworm.com/collections/ra...-b-armor-aluminum-alloy-case-protective-shell

3) PLA case: I used the Michael Kelly acrylic case as baseline. He provided the files here. I only adjust the design to fit in coolers. My friend created the files for the 3D print, but I consider that it will not be difficult to generate those files in accordance to the 3D printer standards. It can be possible also to simplify the design and remove the armor top case.

4) Standoffs: It was necessary to have a different set of standoff's.

The initial part of this solution is shown here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ay-your-pc-or-laptop.8878/page-19#post-294464

It was very fun to think about this design. In this conception, the key portion was the Geekworn N300 in order to reduce the RPi4 temperature and the original Michael Kelly acrylic case drawings. The rest of the design was around that.

@Michael Kelly I tried as much as possible to follow your basic design. You did a great job on that also. Thank you very much.

Best Regards,

QJA

Marcos

 

Here you go. You can update your original post and link to these.

 

@shotgunshane here's how easy it is!

1) Flash the download from http://moodeaudio.org to your SD card, put the card in the Pi, plug in the Pi.

2) Select the Pi2AES option and turn on AirPlay at http://moode.local/ (the web server starts automatically)


3) Send your audio from macOS or iOS!

 

@Metro

Thank you very much by your support.

Unfortunately, I can not edit the post anymore. But it is in this page.

Best Regards,

QJA

Marcos

 

Finally got mine fired up and serving music! Using moOde and listening to the 24/96 version of Ordinary Corrupt Human Love by Deafheaven through Airist RDAC with CTH into ZMF Atticus. Getting used to the moOde interface... a little frustrating at points, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I am tempted to spraypaint the case gloss black, but some LED dimmer stickers will be fine for now.

Right now I am listening to the RCA coax output... it sounds very, very nice. I'll save serious impressions for when I'm more than a few songs deep. I will be putting together a couple BNC to RCA cables (fancy silver ones!) in the next few days, but forgot to grab the crimp tool from my lab on campus earlier today. I'm a bit disappointed that I don't have any DACs with I2S or AES, but maybe someday.

 

Got playing with the software last week...using Moode now, but figured out how to mount my NAS on Volumio too. They both took like 20 minutes of trying to find the right file sharing format and path combination, but eventually worked. Was getting reasonable SQ out of the rPi USB -> Eitr (coax) -> DAC, plus it let me get familiarized with the GUI.

Got the pi2 today. Spent maybe 25 minutes putting everything together (the majority of which was spent trying to scrape off the backing without scratching the acrylic...ha). Flashed a new card, ran through the set-up, and we are good to go! Using a Mogami3080/Neutrik AES i got for like $20 and sounds great so far! Hooked an inexpensive BNC up too, just to compare. Will allow everything to run in before getting back with a more definitive opinion.

Very cool stuff...thanks Michael!

 

Almost forgot, big thanks to purr1n, too! That walk-through on the first few pages was crucial....made this project a breeze and I appreciate the effort you put in to get it up here!

 

@sbaf217 - have you tried the I2S out into your DAC?

 

I haven't...wasn't sure about the pinout on my DAC. Any advantages to it?

 

AES and SPDIF are both encoded protocols. That means the separate data and clock lines are converted into a single signal which then has to be re-created (decoded) at the other end. This process is well-known and well established, but there is always the possibility that the receiving end does not faithfully re-create the clock that was injected at the transmitting end. With I2S the data and the clock are provided separately so no decoding is required and other than the possibility of noise on the physical lines you get a 100% copy of the data sent.

it is always better from an electrical and data integrity point of you to use I2S if you have it. However, it may very well not be audible depending upon the quality of your DAC.

Michael

 

Thanks for the explanation Michael...I found myself a little too deep in trying to read up on electrical serial interfaces and protocols, ha!

Just plugged an HDMI in and good to go...can confirm works well with the pinout on LKS DAC. Sounds great, but not noticeably different than the AES so far

.

 

Just ordered a Pi2AES and looking forward to comparing it to the Hifiberry Digi+ Pro, Allo Digione Signature, USB Signature, and Sonore Sonic Orbiter SE. I’m going with an RPI 3B+ for lower heat and potentially less electrical noise.
I’m a huge fan of PicorePlayer 6.0 for the simple OS, LMS integration (Band’s Campout, Tidal, BBC 2, Spotty, etc.), RT Kernel for tweaking, and great forum support on LMS SlimDevices. It will be the endpoint for my DIY NUC Vortexbox to my Bifrost 2. Will report back impressions.

 

I finally got around to ordering a Pi2AES this weekend. I've been curious but kept putting it off because I wasn't sure I'd get much benefit out of it.

I actually like using my Mac and PC laptops for music (Qobuz, Spotify, Tidal) because I can use full screen and full keyboard, and I can switch back and forth between other things I'm doing on the computer. What I don't like is being tethered to a USB cable when I want to move around. What convinced me is seeing the example of using MoOde on AirPlay that would allow me to continue what I'm doing now but without a cable, at least on my Mac. What would be something similar for a PC (i.e. a virtual, wireless speaker device)?

What are my options for playing CD's? I came across moOdeCDPlay which allows using a USB disc reader. Is there some way that I can incorporate my CD transport (Meridian 500) into the mix?

 

Volumio can be controlled via a web browser so you can use your laptop for playback control. As for the CD player, either connect it straight to the dac or buy a usb cd drive and connect it to the rpi, Volumio supports cd playback and ripping from connected usb cd drives (on the paid plan iirc)

 

The 7" Display case for the PI2AES is now up in our store. Lead time is 1-2 weeks. This case supports both the PI 2/3 and PI 4 as well as the upcoming AKM DAC. We will have an assembly manual and/or video some time this week. Also .dxf drawings for those who want to cut their own.

http://www.pi2design.com/store/p23/PI2AES_Acrylic_Case_for_7"_Display.html

Cheers,
Michael

 

@Metro

Nice to know that you are using the Pi2AES now. It is impressing me a lot.

In other to have access to the PiAES without the use of a cable, you can use an UPnP connection to do this. If you have an Apple Smartphone I can recommend the Mconnect Player application or the Mconnect HD Player if you have an iPad. It works very well for me. In case you have an Android smartphone you can use the BubbleUPnP application. I have not use it, but there are very good reviews of it over the Internet.

Regards,

QJA

Marcos

 

I have my Pi2AES board ordered, hopefully to arrive in the next 2 weeks unless customs to Ireland decides I shouldn't get it:/

But need to order coax RCA cable - even its for digital signal should I invest into some hifi brand like Audioquest or QED and go for the more expensive models?
For RCA interconnects I can easily hear the difference, but can't say the same for USB cables. Decent 10€ shielded USB cable sounded the same as €150 Audioquest ...

Btw, I guess coax RCA is the best option for Yggi? Or what's the best output on Pi2AES HAT?

 

AES

Le edit: Just get a 110ohm AES cable from like Thomann, there's no need to go crazy.

 

Even though I just installed the Unison and I am really enjoying it, a couple of people have told me this implementation is superior to USB for the Yggdrasil so I went ahead and ordered it. I will post my thoughts when completed.

 

I was in kind of the same boat...though I had two different DACs/setups that I was using. They both sound great (especially compared to the Gen5 USB input and Laptop/Eitr digital front ends that they replaced) . Unison is definitely the best USB solution for Yggdrasil to date. The real benefit to Pi2AES, it seems, is that you can quit looking for USB solutions, regardless of DAC.

Don't know which I'd say is better, because I haven't tried to swap them out and listened apple to apples for comparison, but pretty bang-up upgrade to both of my setups for under $400...was a no-brainer in the scheme of things. Plus, gets you the experience of building/running a pi source/endpoint/streamer, which I think is only going to continue to take off. Sure beat refinancing the house to try out an Aurender W20SE or whatnot, because I'm honestly not sure how much additional benefit there is to be had.

TL;DR - As a fellow Unison owner, I don't think you'll be disappointed picking up the pi2aes