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

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

  1. m8o

    m8o Acquaintance

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    Last edited: Nov 17, 2020
  2. weaver

    weaver New

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    Have done a thread search and can't find any references so: does anyone know the I2S pin configuration for Aqua DACs (La Voce etc.) and/or anyone using one with a PI2AES?
    Many thanks
     
  3. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I am wondering what the interest would be in taking our PI2AES design and adapting it for the PI 400. Functionality would be pretty much the same (likely no parallel I2S), but the connector orientation would be different to accommodate the PI 400. Also need to figure out a simple, low cost case for it. I have started a new thread for this:

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...pberry-pi-400-pi2aes-board.10165/#post-326120
     
  4. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Pi2AES with moode and Airplay have had a big impact on my music discovery and video streaming. Without turning on the desktop computer, anyone in the house can send audio to the Yggdrasil with a few taps. I’ve watched quite a few movies this way, without any hiccups or stutters. The LCD-4 is a fantastic action movie headphone!
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Is there a recommended way to get 2 SPDIF outputs from the pi2aes? There are tons of SPDIF splitters on amazon but I don’t know if this is an ok way to do it. If so can anyone recommend a good SPDIF splitter?

    @Michael Kelly you should add a second SPDIF output in the future I think a lot of people would use it! Not that your creation isn’t awesome as is. ;)
     
  6. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Already 2 SPDIF outputs on there - one on RCA, one on BNC. If you need 2 RCA, just get a BNC to RCA cable or adapter and you’re gold. :cool:
     
  7. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Production update
    Due to our normal shipping person being out with Covid, we had a temp person handling packing and shipping (me!). Unfortunately it seems a small number of PI2AES and 502DAC units that were ordered without cases may have shipped without the proper hardware. If you get your order without the correct hardware please contact us ASAP and we will either send the correct parts or we can refund you (up to $20 USD) if you buy them locally.

    For the PI2AES or 502DAC ordered without the case you should have the following items in a separate clear zip lock bag:
    M2.5 5mmm Male-Female Standoff x 4
    M2.5 18mm Female to Female Standoff x 4
    M2.5 6mm Panhead Phillips Screw x 8

    Also, for those that did get proper hardware, there may be 8mm screws instead of 6mm. Again, let us know and we'll either ship them or refund for local purchase.
    [edit] Amazon has this: https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-9130834-Phillips-M2-5-0-45-Stainless/dp/B07D5VDFTL

    I am sorry about this and appreciate your understanding.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2020
  8. G0rt!

    G0rt! New

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    FYI & FWIW, an analog composite video (CVBS) distribution amp can be used to split coaxial SPDIF.

    These are commonly used in surveillance and similar CCTV systems, and can be had with BNC or RCA connectors, and are inexpensive.

    The 75 ohm impedance, ~1V level and typically >100MHz bandwidth are fortuitously compatible.

    Although usually specified for a video bandwidth of only 5 MHz or less, the actual circuit bandwidth is always much greater to provide sufficient slew rate to minimize waveform distortion, so the SPDIF pulse train is well served.
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    What if I’m saving the BNC output for a hypothetical Gungnir in the future or what if I get one? Then I’d need 2 coaxial SPDIF outs. Do the splitters reduce SQ or cause issues? Can anyone recommend one if that’s the right way to go?
     
  10. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Sorry no idea personally on SPDIF splitters, but another option may be an AES to SPDIF (RCA) adapter or cable, if that’s even a thing, and if it’s safe (not aware of this). Perhaps @atomicbob or someone else can weigh in on this. Unless of course you also plan to theoretically slap a Yggdrasil on top of that Gungnir Multibit plus other DACs stack? ;)
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Yes. Must create the one DAC stack to rule them all.
     
  12. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    So this takes the AES output and converts it to BNC? So I could use a BNC to SPDIF adapter (they’re all super cheap unfortunately basically just monoprice) for SPDIF DAC 2 and use this for the hypothetical Gungnir? With another BNC to SPDIF adapter? Yikes so many adapters.
     
  14. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    please note that you would need to use something like the transformer because the output on the AES via XLR is approximately 3.5V. This far exceeds the typical input for speed if of 0.5V to 1V.

    Also if you were to do a splitter you would want to do it on the BNC because it has a 1V output whereas the RCA is 0.5V.
     
  15. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    My very limited understanding of it all is that the 'lil Sescom dealy uses a transformer to change the 110ohm AES impedance to the 75ohm off bnc in addition to converting from XLR to BNC.
     
  16. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    Don’t buy something based on how you think it might work with a future product. A new gungnir might not even have BNC, or you might end up getting something else instead, who knows.

    As for splitters here’s a thread on gearslutz talking about it, tl:dr is you probably won’t notice any loss in quality but the only way to know for sure on your setup is to try it.

    https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-...777-anyone-know-good-coax-spdif-splitter.html
     
  17. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    It would be very cool if @atomicbob would run some tests on a splitter to know for sure. I’ll buy you one to test if you’re up for it Bob!

    the time it takes to setup something like a splitter makes listening tests kind of difficult. A/Bing in general for something so subtle isn’t great.
     
  18. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    This is 2 in 1 out, but there's no reason you couldn't run it backwards:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753CQ668

    Use the video ports, they're (purportedly) 75 Ohm.

    Feeds my Pi2AES & CD transport to my Modi Multibit. Sounds good to me.
     
  19. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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  20. G0rt!

    G0rt! New

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    I use this to drive 3 Schiit DACs from a single Pi:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSQYHVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_G44WFbJSM0QP2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

    I use RG59 BNC/RCA pigtails for 2 of them, and a BNC/BNC for Gungnir Multibit. No issues. BNC is more impedance correct, but SPDIF is very forgiving.
     

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