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

Feel free to try ropieee as well.

 

I run the official one (I have a Volumio subscription). Besides installation, plug-ins also have a setting for active/inactive (the UI screen is at the Installed Plugins tab under Plugins). Did you set up the plugins.json file described here:
https://volumio.github.io/docs/Plugin_System/Plugin_System_Overview.html

 

Mercury production Status 03/02/22

We have sent all our parts to the assembly house we are using in China. Unfortunately they have been held in the customs warehouse for the last two weeks due to Covid protocols.

As soon as they are released we will get a delivery date from the assembly house. Then we can enable pre-ordering.

 

Updated Mercury pricing and configuration info:

$499 - Mercury SBAF, special version for SBAF members, 4GB RAM, Acrylic Case - limited to 40 units
$599 - Mercury Standard, 8GB RAM, Acrylic or Black Aluminum Case
$899 - Mercury Vault, 8GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Acrylic or Black Aluminum Case

$299 - Mercury LPS, 40W Linear PSU with Dual 12V Output, with built in Noise Nuke (thanks Atomic Bob!)

$399 - Mercury DAC, Dual Mono Balanced DAC with Headphone Amp, Fixed and Variable Single Ended Outputs

Note that the DAC needs some testing over the next few weeks and may not be ready when Mercury pre-orders are enabled. But the LPS will be.

Mercury DAC 3D captures -







Mercury LPS 3D captures -

 

@Michael Kelly
Is there still a plan to do the couple Mercury loaners for sbaf? or just going straight to production with the sbaf edition?

 

yes, I actually have 42 of the 4GB modules. So that gives us two to use as loaners. Are you stepping up to coordinate the loaners?

 

If not I'd be willing to coordinate again. You may want to include the LPS considering all the nervosa around clean power.

 

Very cool Michael. The LPS (with AB’s Noise Nuke!) was a smart idea.

Don't know if it's too late or not, but having your brand and model name in large print on both the front and back is a bit overkill. That's going to look fairly gaudy as a stack to have all that large white printing. I would suggest just the logo on the front and the model in the back. It's a bit too much right now, IMO.

 

I'm about to start messing around with HQPlayer for my Holo May KTE. It currently gets I2S from a Pi2AES, which is limited to 192kHz PCM. I'd like to also have access to higher sample rates/DSD via the well-regarded KTE USB input. Could I use Mercury to provide both USB and its AES outputs, depending on DAC and use case, running Ropieee that supports both Roon and NAA? Maybe with the optional LPS, to reduce USB electrical noise? I'm just trying to minimize the number of little computers on my audio rack with their cables, LPSs...

 

The USB port uses the same 5V as the compute module which is an on board switcher, not a linear. Results would be the same as using a pi USB port.

 

I'd be willing to handle the Canadian side of things if one ever makes it up here. I'm guessing it'll fall on @rhythmdevils who usually does the rest when it comes to loaners.

 

I’ve already talked to @Michael Kelly about it. Just waiting for him to have them ready and give me the go ahead. Happy to coordinate a Canadian tour if enough people sign up.

 

Hi @Michael Kelly I have Pi2AES for a long time. I connect it to my Sonnet DAC via buffered I2S and do not have any complain and it may be because I don't have any higher end DDC. But I can't find any fault at all with my PI2AES.What are compelling reason for someone like me who is computer savvy and can assemble stuff and only stream to move to Mercury. For eg. Does it use better clock and has better noise isolation etc. Sorry if these points have already been discussed as with toddler at home I don't get time to read forums a lot. So apologies for asking again.

 

Id like to know as well. Good question.

 

I remember having a toddler in the house, now I am the toddler in the house!

Anyway, the development of Mercury was driven by a number of factors. Some technical, some business.

Technical reasons for Mercury (not in any order of merit):

1. Moving the sensitive clock and AES transmitter away from the Pi. Placing them on the same carrier as the module reduces the noise coupling that inevitably occurs when two boards are located one over the other.

2. The larger physical space allowed us to separate the power chain for the CM4 and SSD (using switchers), from the power chain for the clocks, AES transmission and AES balanced driver (using low noise linears).

3. Changing the 5V and 3.3V for CM4 and SSD to lower voltage switchers that run reliably at 12V. This was also needed due to the long term shortage of the original TPS54560 we used on the PI2AES.

4. The change to 12V, along with fully linear regulator power chain for the clock and AES means an external 12V linear can now benefit the overall noise and jitter. No switchers in those paths. Also made doing our own linear PSU viable.

5. Locating all connectors on the back makes for a cleaner case design and easier cable management for the user.

6. Taking advantage of the CM4 PCIe port to add internal high-speed storage.

Business reasons (also not in any order of merit):

1. The main PI2AES power supply chip, TPS54560/540 was becoming, and still is, very hard to get. Quoted lead time from TI is 12/19/2022!

2. Many of you (so, so many) want to use a linear that it became a business necessity to do our own and make it simpler to use someone else's. Or at least actually make a bigger difference in the sound quality. No need to hack the 5V anymore!

3. Providing a buttoned up, non-DIY solution is clearly a good opportunity for more customers.

4. Higher overall price, thus Increasing our margin by offering more value and less effort by the customer.

5. Increasing business with a better looking device, not withstanding some complaints about too much text!

As you can see, Mercury is the base unit of a series of products that will allow us to grow the business and keep Pi 2 Design viable for the next 10 years (that's when I hope my son finally realizes he wont get a better job offer than running Pi 2 Design).

 

Now I want a Mercury with an LPS!

 

Thanks @Michael Kelly all these info will help us make informed decision.

One more question, if I take 4GB version today, will I be able to swap out Compute Module myself if I ever need 8GB in future

 

Yes, though it would void the warranty. Honestly, we would have stayed with the 4GB if we could have gotten enough initially. But, once we had to go with the 8GB, we knew we could not change back mid-production without causing a lot of confusion. So the 4GB's became the SBAF version, never to be seen again once they are gone!

 

New update / info from last night's additional beta testing:
I finally got to test I2S connection. Got a 2ft BJC Series-FE Belden Bonded-Pair HDMI Cable from Blue Jeans Cable, and connected the I2S output of the Mercury to my PS Audio Stellar Strata.
For those not familiar, the Stellar Strata is an integrated DAC / amp with speaker taps as well as headphone jack. I tested it with speakers only (for now).
Switching the input of the Strata to I2S... and... it just worked! Literally took a minute to get it play music.
I would assume any PS Audio product with I2S input would provide the same seamless experience.
As for the sound - very detailed, no audible noise floor at all, deep clean bass, tantalizing vocals. Just awesome!

Michael - quick question on the DAC/Amp:
Will it come with a very short HDMI cable? I cannot wait to stack them (and possibly add the LPSU as well...)
I quickly looked around for a very short HDMI cable and could not find anything THAT short (for stacking). 1 foot is probably the shortest, and not necessarily of good quality...

 

I’d recommend a “Cable Matters” HDMI cable. They’re not an audiophile brand but make good cables.