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

What temperature numbers are you getting? I am looking at those, there are a couple of options to choose from, but they are pricey compared to a basic TOPHAT heat sink.

 

Although I did not mount it by using its screws tightly, It 's 48-50 °C which is about 10°C lower than its standard values.
I think it is similar to this product >> https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-Compute-Module-Motherboard-Dissipation/dp/B091FFVVBB

 

Waveshare has them at -$4 when including shipping. I just bought 100. Thanks for the feedback and suggestion!

 

After 3 hours of continues playback , Gentooplayer statistics are as follows; (very low cpu usage ,optimal temperature values when heatsink installed)

Profile: Profile not Setting
RamSystem: Mode 5
Free memory: 2538MB of total 3855MB

Kernel: 5.15.21-GentooPlayer-RT-MIN-NOGRAPH-EUP100RCU-rt30+
───────────────────────────────────────
GentooPlayer | 20:49 | Thu 07/04/22
───────────────────────────────────────
v6.60-85 | Raspberry Pi 4B+ (aarch64)
───────────────────────────────────────
eth0 | 192.168.1.63
───────────────────────────────────────


CPU(s): 4
On-line CPU(s) list: 0-3
Thread(s) per core: 1
Vendor ID: ARM
Model: 3
Model name: Cortex-A72
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

-march=armv8-a+crc
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Gentooplayer CPU Info
Use cpu-governor to change CPU / performance options
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Architecture | aarch64
Temp | 52'c : 125'f | Optimal.
Governor | performance

Current Freq Min Freq Max Freq
CPU0 | 1500 MHz 600 MHz 1500 MHz
CPU1 | 1500 MHz 600 MHz 1500 MHz
CPU2 | 1500 MHz 600 MHz 1500 MHz
CPU3 | 1500 MHz 600 MHz 1500 MHz
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

COMMAND %CPU
slimserver.pl 0.5
squeezelite-R2 0.3
irq/40-eth0 0.1
init 0.0
kthreadd 0.0
rcu_gp 0.0

 

According to ropieeexl my cpu is at 70C
I’m sure it’s fine but for fun I ordered a copper cm4 heat sink off aliexpress

 

Ya these Pi4 do get hot. 70C is very close to being hot and those heat sinks will help for sure.

 

That is much too high. I guess my background in embedded industrial systems does not serve me well here! 70C would be just fine!

BTW, we will refund via PayPal anyone who gets a heatsink on their own.

 

Just a quick update on the Mercury testing progress:
- Connected 12V linear power supply. I have ordered this one: https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005002753256975.html I know 50W is too much but let it be for the future use.
- Heatsink is ordered from the local online store. Without it the temperature currently shown is ~65 celsius.
- Using I2S connection to the DAC via HDMI
- Using moode software with the internal SSD drive mounted and added to library (mainly playing via Roon)

I haven’t compared default power supply with the new linear power supply in A/B tests but I will definitely keep linear PSU connected. The sound is full and rich, I really enjoy it now.

PS my setup: Roon Server -> wired Cat6 LAN -> LPSU 50W - Mercury Beta (moode Roon Bridge) -> Audioquest Pearl 48 HDMI cable (I2S) -> Denafrips Pontus II DAC -> balanced XLR custom made cables -> Musical Fidelity M6Si amp -> Inakustik Reference LS-804 Air speaker cables -> Tannoy Profile 638 speakers.

 

Recent update: I have added the low profile heatsink on the CM4 module in the Mercury. Not sure if I've done it correctly because I just added it on top of the CM4 (with thermal tapes in between) and secured it with the included nuts. From the instructions is seems I would need to remove the CM4 module from the board and add it again securing it with included bolts and nuts but I'm not sure if it is needed.
The temperature now varies from 47 to 55 degrees celsius (from idle to playing music). So minus 10 degrees (from 65 without a heatsink) I think is not a bad result.

 

you don’t need to do anything more.

 

Quick update for Mercury Production:
I received confirmation that the units will ship to us sometime next week and we will probably receive them the following week. I expect another week or two to start testing, assembling into enclosure, packing, etc.

We also received the CM 4 specific heat sinks so every unit will go out with these.

https://www.waveshare.com/cm4-heatsink.htm

 

Tried searching the thread but didn't find anything, can anyone give a rundown of the meaningful/practical differences there may be between the 4GB and 8GB versions?

 

None with regard to sound quality. We planned only 4GB, but then we could not get enough. Once we switched to the 8GB, we decided to stay.

 

^I think the prevailing wisdom spoken in the thread is that the 8GB is not needed. 4GB should be fine for this application. Most of us have gotten the 4GB.

EDIT: The man himself beat me to it.

 

I am so happy to find this thread

This thread has answered most of the questions I had with the Mercury streamer which I have ordered a couple of weeks ago

One final question though on the power input. I am looking at LPS for this and was wondering if the below would be compatible with the Mercury?

5.5*2.5mm (Polarity: Internal + / outside-)

I know it is 2.5mm diameter but wasn't sure on the length...

Thanks

 

The input DC jack on the Mercury Streamer is 5.5mm x 2.5mm, center positive (+), outside negative (-).

 

Oh awesome thanks so much for the information.

 

And just to be clear, the input voltage is 12V +/- 20%.

 

What are your recommendations for a (DSD) I2S HDMI cable with high quality connectors? I don't want to buy very expensive HDMI cables like Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI or Purist Audio Design Diamond Revision HDMI cable.

 

Maybe I need to put this in the FAQ. You do not need high-quality HDMI cables it is a waste of money. The maximum frequency that is being sent down the cable is 25 MHz. That is 1/40 of the bandwidth even the crappiest HDMI cable can deliver. Just get your basic Amazon 3 foot HDMI cable, I would opt for something thin so it doesn’t pull the unit off the shelf.