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

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Michael Kelly, Jan 16, 2021.

  1. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Great, how do I sign up for one Mercury? :)
     
  2. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Bad news. RS Components in the UK showed 115 units in stock on their web site last Tuesday. I ordered 150 last Friday, so I figured I would get at least 100. Instead I got a second, updated order confirmation this morning that showed my new ship date as March 16, 2022. This means that Mercury is on hold until at least early next year.

    There are however, 2 silver linings in this dark cloud. First, we can use most of the parts we just bought for Mercury to do another 100 unit build of PI2AES several weeks earlier than expected.

    The second is that we can still go forward with Gemini since we still have the 58 units we did get. Also, it will be much higher priced, and thus lower volume. Gemini is not yet designed fully so probably November for beta units.

    Of course these are all first world problems and watching the unfolding disaster in Afghanistan helps keep it all in perspective just how luck we really are.
     
  3. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    We will still be here for you next year for some Mercury. I'm pleased with my 7" Pi 2 AES setup. I just wish the available images were a little more modern. I e-mailed JRiver and never heard back regarding purchasing their Pi Image. Moode/Volumio/Squeezelite work fine enough and Roon didn't work out in my life.
     
  4. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Sorry to hear about the setback @Michael Kelly , I hope things go well with the Gemini. I'm tempted to try either/both even though I probably don't need to since I already own two Pi2AES setups. :D
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I agree with @haywood about the font. But there’s something to be said for brand identity and it’s important to pick a font for your company and stick with it. Or do a re brand and switch to a new font everywhere. Might be a good idea. Your product is very high tech but your logo doesn’t communicate that. It sort of says “friendly toy”.

    just friendly advice from someone who knows marketing well.
     
  6. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

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    @Michael Kelly in case you're not counting the number of likes to the above comments, I'll add my name to the New Font crowd. Your products are hi-fi in the true sense of the word - brand them that way.
     
  7. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I am not the target audience of this product since I have two PI2AESs already, but I do like things to be the following in general:
    • Easy to ready from a distance.
    • Distinctive
    • No Times New Roman
    • Can OAFAS read the product?
     
  8. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I will play around with the fonts as suggested. As an engineer of course I spend a lot of time focusing on the functionality, the quality, the performance etc. I will take all the help I can get outside of that narrow area of expertise!

    Since Gemini is actually what is going to come out first given the limited number of units I will be able to build, it is probably even more important to make it worthy of plunking down your hard earned dollars.
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I promise you would way more than make up for the cost if you hired a graphic designer to make you a nice logo. You could then put this on your website and all your products to brand them with the same feel. People in general but especially people in this hobby really respond to branding.

    Describe your company identity (what your company is about, what your goal are etc) to the graphic designer and they should be able to make you a logo that communicates those things.

    I could try to help you find one if you don’t know of one. Even spending 1-2k on it would give you way more sales but you could find someone in whatever price range you set. Advertising works :). I promise. Every corporation dumps millions into it because it works.
     
  10. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    If you know someone who has some experience in this world I would be happy to consult with them. Couple of grand is obviously not zero, but as you say could be well worth the effort. Send me a PM if you have such a person available. And thank you!
     
  11. coin777

    coin777 Acquaintance

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    So... when will the pi2aes leftovers pieces be ready to order? :D
     
  12. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    There are a few people here in design also - Boops being a good dude to ask for some suggestions.

    Remember that most people think audio equipment is 70's-90's Japan serious.

    I like your actual logo, but it has clean straight lines and your font is more obtuse. I think a clean modern font would serve you well in the long run. Whoever is currently doing your etching should be able to also give you some options and assist with design.
     
  13. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    End of September latest.
     
  14. coin777

    coin777 Acquaintance

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    So no pi2aes this month?
     
  15. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    just the last few we owe for previous orders. Those will go out Monday. After that we build more which takes 4 weeks or so. Nothing is quick and easy these days.
     
  16. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    I don’t mind the current logo but have no idea if it’s just abstract design or what. If you wanted something more meaningful someone posted a different logo when we were talking about the front of the unit previously that I thought was kind of clever because it used two pi symbols (it was literally a 2 Pi design):

    https://superbestaudiofriends.org/i...-go-rpi-aes-streamer.10471/page-5#post-339638

    It would probably help to hire a designer to present a unified front as suggested but that can be a significant expense for a small business, especially with things as they are right now. One thing you can do for free is to find advertising and design you like and use that as a guide for how you do your own. Not copy but like influenced by. I’m a fan of minimalism so think that less is often more when it comes to design.
     
  17. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Gemini front panel with Barlow Extra Bold. Keeping our logo.

    gemini_2u_front_barlow_xb.PNG

    Back side for completeness.

    gemini_2u_back_barlow_xb.PNG
     
  18. stevej

    stevej New

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    Purchased my Pi2aes in Jan with the Meanwell PS and was impressed by the SQ. After reading an article were a Sotm SPS-500 PS was used and SQ improved I was a bit skeptical and on the fence about purchasing one. Finally broke down and bought one. For my ears and system this definitely improved the SQ even more. Bigger soundstage, better separation between vocals and instruments, better clarity and tighter bass.
     
  19. alvins

    alvins New

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    Which output from pi2aes are you using?
     
  20. 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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