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

If anyone may find it helpful I've posted a few measurements of jitter and noise from the pi2aes here:
https://goldensound.audio/2021/07/22/pi2aes-streamer-measurements-and-5v-psu-mod-instructions/

Also tested noise output with stock psu vs ifi ipower with 5v direct mod, and provided instructions for anyone who wants to use a 5v PSU.

Absolutely stellar performance at such a low cost.

 

PI2AES Production Update - 07/23/21
Finally some good news! The 40-Pin GPIO Headers have just arrived. The not so good news is they arrived at 7PM on a Friday and my guy who does the assembly work is out until next Wednesday. But at least we can now make a plan and begin shipping by the end of next week., As before, if anyone wishes to, they can cancel their order for a full refund.

Many thanks for your continued patience from the Pi 2 Design team, and stay safe!

 

If anyone wants a refund, I'd be happy to have their spot. I need to set up another system and this is the one missing piece.

 

We just put another 40 units in the store now that the connectors are here. Lead time is still 3-4 weeks from now.

 

Any updates for people waiting on the PI2AES by the mailbox? No rush, just wondering when shipping might land in August…

 

just got the first 25 this afternoon. They’ll go out this week then the next 25 mid next week.

 

@Michael Kelly I have a PiZero that I've not found a use for. Is there a way to connect a Pi2AES to it?

 

sure. The zero has the same 40-pin header and two of the mounting holes match.

 

Thanks. A 3rd HAT it is then....

 

You'll need to solder on some header pins to the Pi Zero, or solder on the HAT

 

Yup, already ordered. Thanks though.

 

Wondering if anyone has some advice - I’m getting some noise from the Pi2AES when using the AES output (also i2s which I’ve installed using a makeshift RJ45 adapter).

It’s a kind of faint whistling noise, varying in pitch, which passes through the DAC (Sonnet Morpheus) into my ZMF Pendant. It passes through even when the DAC is in standby mode and amp volume is zero. No noise with the coax or optical outputs. I’ve tried different power outlets with no change.

I’m trying another source at the moment (Sonnet Hermes) and it’s fine with AES and i2s so I think it must have to do with the Pi2AES, and I assume a power issue.

Is this a situation where a better power supply might help? I’m using the standard Meanwell. I’m in Australia if that matters.

 

I am sorry to hear about this. It doesn’t seem likely to be a grounding issue because the I2S is non-isolated but the AES is. My other thought would be that noise from your raspberry pi is getting through to your DAC. Do you have a USB power supply handy that you can use to power the pi? And then remove the jumper marked pi 5V. This will isolate the two power domains, although not the ground.

I have seen something similar to this in the past related to the ethernet. It also could be the wireless depending on if you were using it or not. Unfortunately trying some different things will be required to zero in on this. I cannot say that it is not the PI2AES but this is not an issue that has come up very often.

 

I've experienced something similar, but intermittent, with a different tube amp, the Eddie Current Aficionado with Linlai E-2A3 output tubes. Much experimentation convinced me that one of the two tubes is behaving like a receiver for stray EM fields:

1. Zero issues with same Pi2AES>Holo Spring 2 KTE source with two solid state amps (ecp DSHA-3F and SPL Phonitor XE)
2. Swapping the two output tubes moves the faint noise to the other channel
3. Rearranging gear and cable runs has made the problem go away
4. Certain electronics (mobile phone, laptop) trigger the issue if they get closer to the tube amp
5. I have another similar system at a different location, with a Sonnet Morpheus, different gear and cabling layout, and different tubes on another EC Af. Never experienced the problem there.

Notice that coax is shielded and optical or course does not emit EM interference.

Anyway, I'd suggest you try to rearrange your gear and cabling to avoid any digital unshielded cable or device anywhere close to the Pendant, and check the results.

 

Thanks very much to you both. I’ve tried in different locations (in the same house and different houses) and trying to shuffle the layout of my gear a bit and hasn’t seemed to make a difference. It does improve when I switch back to the stock tubes in the Pendant but still there faintly.

I’ll have a go with a USB power supply and see if that helps. I have also been using wireless so might try Ethernet.

 

if you have no luck with everything else let me know via email ([email protected]) and I will get you another unit to try. It’s possible there’s a defect in one of the parts on the board that doesn’t impact functionality, but is causing this noise.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding the best Pi to pair with this these days?
I have a couple pi2AES already, but the recommended Pi isn't very in stock at Amazon and it makes me wonder if there's something else that works better.

 

I use the Pi-2B. Any Pi-3 will do as well.

 

I just set up a Pi4 with 8GB of RAM to run AudioLinux / HQPlayer Embedded on the Pi2AES with the OS in RAM!

Unless that kind of compulsive time-sink tweaking appeals to you, you're better off saving the cash and getting yourself a nice reliable Pi 3B. Why worry about Amazon pricing when there's a thriving second hand market?