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

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

  1. sp33ls

    sp33ls Friend

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    Hey Michael, QQ when you get a second...

    Does the optical out from the OTJ-6 support 24/192? I'm testing it out with what should be a sufficient cable and it seems my Yggdrasil isn't a fan. Works just fine with AES. I know most transmitters only support 24/96, which is why I'm curious of there's a spec for this on the Pi2AES?

    I tried searching for it, but couldn't find it. Only found that the WM8804 transceiver can handle it.
     
  2. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    The part we use is the Cliff OTJ6. It is rated to 18Mbps. 24-bit @ 192Khz is 4.6Mbps.
     
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Update:
    I believe this problem was being caused by having my iPod or laptop connected to the Pi2AES via AirPlay while playing music to that same Pi2AES using bubbleupnp on my Samsun S10e. I think having AirPlay connected to that Pi2AES confuses bubbleupnp.

    I’ve been making sure I disconnect AirPlay after use (movies or browsing BANDCAMP etc) and haven’t had the problem since.
     
  4. Pancakes

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    For those who still have connectivity issues (@rhythmdevils ?), I found yet another setting. This is to shut off power saver mode on the onboard LAN wifi (all previous settings I've seen have been for USB wifi dongle and Ethernet):

    $sudo iw wlan0 set power_save off

    Check power save status (should now be off):

    $sudo iw wlan0 get power_save
    $sudo reboot
     
  5. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

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    And because nothing is ever simple, the above command will only work on a Pi 3b. The 3b+ has a different driver so the command is:

    $sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8192cu.conf

    #Disable power management
    options rtl8192cu rtw_power_mgnt=0

    $sudo reboot

    It's likely the Pi 4 has a yet different driver but since I don't own one I haven't bother researching.
     
  6. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    PI2AES and Mercury Production Update - 09/27/2021

    We have gathered the parts we need to build another 100 PI2AES's. I am putting 50 in the store today so we don't get too far behind. We estimate deliveries will happen starting by the end of October.

    As to the status of Mercury, there is also good news. As mentioned before all development is done and has gone very well. We were able to secure another 50 Compute Module 4's, though they have 8GB DRAM instead of 4GB. The plan now is to offer 50 Mercury Streamers with 4GB DRAM and 0GB SSD, and an additional 50 with 8GB DRAM and 1TB SSD. Price is planned for $499 for the 4GB/0GB and $749 for the 8GB/1TB. Full documentation and ordering info will follow by next week.

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

    Andre Y Friend

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    @Michael Kelly I had been waiting for ordering to open up again, and just placed my order!

    I wanted to confirm that the Pi2AES can be used on a Rasp Pi 2? I have one with an old HiFiBerry hat that I want to replace with the Pi2AES. I also have a newer Rasp Pi 4, but I have a nice case for that which won't fit any hats (FLIRC case with built-in heatsink) and mainly use its USB output, and didn't want to use that board if possible.
     
  8. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    it should, but we have only tested with the pi 3 and forward.
     
  9. Andre Y

    Andre Y Friend

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    OK, thanks! I guess I'll be the guinea pig, and let you know how it goes.
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    @Andre Y works great with my Pi Zero Ws that have a BCM2835, so you're probably good.
     
  11. MegaKen

    MegaKen New

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    Can someone please tell me if I need an additional LPS, or is the power supply sold on the Pi2AES site is enough?
    Thanks
     
  12. Pancakes

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    Depends on your level of nervosa.
     
  13. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    I've used my two Pi2AES with the "standard" Meanwell SMPS since I owned them (over one year) and I felt they were competitive with much more expensive sources. However, I could not resist trying an LPS recently (24V Sbooster). It may just be placebo effect, but a very light haze/grit seems to have lifted. Test setup: Roon (mostly modern jazz) > Pi2AES > Yggdrasil A2 > ecp DSHA-3F > ZMF Verité closed monkeypod (simplifying a bit).
     
  14. Qstik

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    The more resolving upstream and downstream of the Pi2AES, the more benefit you'll hear by upgrading from the smps sold by Pi2Design. I was very happy with their Meanwell power supply for a year until I made significant upgrades - particularly upstream.
     
  15. Qstik

    Qstik Acquaintance

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    My Pi2AES sounds glorious while being powered by my Hypsos LPS at 30v - noticeably better than my previous setting of 24v. It routinely draws about 1.5w while playing music and a little over 5w maximum while powering up according to the Hypsos display.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2021
  16. svampebob

    svampebob New

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    Interesting! And 24v was also with the Hypsos? I broke down because of an offer and will also receive a Hypsos one of these days. I'm already at clean 30v, but I am excited to test if 30v really is best, found it better than 5v at least. Am almost ashamed of getting a Hypsos for the pi2aes, but I guess it just talks to the quality of the pi2aes (and/or we are a bit crazy:rolleyes:)
     
  17. Qstik

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    I'm finding that the Pi2AES is absolutely up to the task of operating as a DDC and not contaminating even the cleanest of input signals - in other words, always outputting a pristine converted signal and adding no noise or distortion of its own. In my case, I'm outputting an I2S signal over their RJ45 adapter (no longer offered by Pi2Design AFAIK, low demand probably). The Hypsos offers infinitely variable voltage between 5 and 30 volts in 0.1v increments. Below 13.3v, the Hypsos is current limited to 6 amps continuous; above 13.3v, it is power limited to 80w continuous. When I got my Hypsos in June, I ran it at the recommended 24v for the Pi2AES until just recently when I tried 30v -- never going back - top to bottom improvements, not subtle. Subjectively it sounds as if it is playing louder; but it isn't according to my SLM - just somehow cleaner and clearer. I had no expectation that it would sound better at 30v - makes no logical sense to me.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2021
  18. Qstik

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    Thinking more on my above comments, obviously I'm saying that the Pi2AES is doing "something" to the output signal with more voltage powering the unit. But I would add that it seems to be adding top to bottom dynamic range while not increasing loudness - if that makes sense. Not sure how to explain this, but I have two very qualified friends coming over next week and will see if they agree with my perceptions.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2021
  19. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    The higher voltage somewhat reduces the duty cycle of the 5V converter, thus "potentially" reducing overall system noise. You may have stumbled onto a sweet spot in that conversion. You may also have actually found a sweet spot for the Hypsos, instead of the PI2AES.
     
  20. dericchan1

    dericchan1 Facebook Friend

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    Hi Michael, if by reducing duty cycle of the 5v converter can potentially reduce overall system noise, wouldn’t the pi2aes benefit by removing the jumper and having the rpi powered separately?

    I am of the view that for reclocking devices/digital interface as delicate as the pi2aes, it will actually benefit by using a lower current power supply with low noise floor.
    Deric
     

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