Raspberry Pi I2S to SPDIF Hat

If you would be interested in having a PI2AES to do a comparison I would be happy to send you one. Just send me a message with all of your information of where I can send it to.

Cheers,
Michael

 

I am also going to present my review Allo Sig vs PI2AES based on blind test soon.
From what I heared, I wish you really give a try to PI2AES
Also, I powerd PI2AES from 12v compact lead batery, which is more stable in comare to Li-Ion IMHO.
I like your opinion regarding differance in Li-ion battery types.

 

Given I have a Metrum Onyx, being able to use AES (or figure out how to use I2S) would be nice since I currently use RCA SPDIF which apparently isn't its best input. What power supply is required for the whole package?

 

Any reasonable quality 12V supply. We offer a Meanwell GST40A12-P1J (12V @3.3A) in our store. You could of course, play around with different power sources such as linear or battery powered as others have done.

Cheers,
Michael

 

Thanks Michael. So one 12V @ 3.3A for the AES board and one regular power supply specs for the Pi board?

 

The one supply will run both boards. No need to have a second supply for the pi. Again, others have experimented with different options including running the pi with its own power supply. We have a jumper on our board which if you remove it will allow you to do the dual supply method.

Cheers,

 

Hifiandrun,

Thank you so much for this comparison. I always wondered how they would compare, but wasn't ready to buy an Allo Sig to find out. I appreciate how Michael listens to his customers and how he explains his choices and design process. I especially like that Michael has stayed true to the transformer isolation for SPDIF. In my opinion, its a much cleaner solution than the capacitive/frequency shifting approach in the chips used by Allo.

To reiterate Hands comment, it is so nice that there are high quality SPDIF solutions available at low cost. Which ever your choice, we are in the butter zone.

@ Michael,

I don't think he was angling for loaner, but letting Hands have a go with the Pi2AES as a loaner is a good idea. Hands not only evaluates well, but has lots of experience in this area. If there was a way to let him borrow one, I certainly would support it. Even to letting Hands have a go at the one I have on pre-order if that's the best way.

Jac

PS Michael beat me to it. I'm glad Hands will have a chance at a Pi2AES if he wants one.

 

Hi msommers,

I also have an Onyx. Just in case you haven't seen it, here is the pin out for the Metrum RJ45 connection on the Onyx.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2z8m0ycgyeom4a0/Metrum RJ45.tiff?dl=0

What's not clear (and what Metrum isn't answering) is what format the i2s is needed as an input. Luckily, Michael has you covered with buffered i2s on the board and differential i2s through the HDMI connector. I hope to try both with the Pi2AES, but it will require some funny, 2 headed cables.

Speaking of cables, I am currently running the 502DAC with BNC (SPDIF) out through a Blue Jeans cable to RCA on the other end. In other words, a 2 headed cable (BNC/RCA). I also tried the AES balanced output on the 502DAC and actually preferred the SPDIF connection, so its worth trying multiple choices. There is no one perfect answer.

Jac

 

I would greatly appreciate any feedback from those who end up using the I2S interface, whether parallel or HDMI. While it is unlikely that I will change the board, it is possible that I might make simple adapters that allow different pin out should they become necessary.

Cheers,
Michael

 

Thanks Jac. I think for now if there isn't a big improvement moving to AES, I'll continue using BNC-RCA to the Onyx. I have a pretty high quality R-Core LPS dual-feeding my DO Sig power supplies, so not being able to use that is unfortunate as well.

There is a Chinese company (unfortunately the name escapes me now) that makes good quality custom cables of all sorts. I suspect they may be able to fashion some sort of HDMI - RJ45. Let me keep digging.

Otherwise I'll need a new HAT, case, power supply and AES cable, sadly. I LOVE that there are high quality options like this. Frankly it makes the DO Sig look expensive, which already had good value. Well done Michael!

 

Just placed my order. So glad to see something like this available, and thank you for all of the work this community has put into helping make it happen!

I have an RPi3 that has been languishing in a Zone 2 mode with a Digi+ sitting on it. Plan is to take that HAT off, put this on, re-case it to make sure everything fits ok (not assuming current case will work with this HAT), and plug it into my inbound Bifrost Multibit 2A, using Roon as a source.

I will, for the time being, just have to share the Coax input on Bifrost Multibit, I think, else I run optical from my CD transport to Bifrost Multibit and use Coax from the RPi. I could do that I suppose.

Anyway, I'm rambling, can't wait to give this thing a run!

 

No need to go to China for a good custom cable. Places like Blue Jeans Cables and Redco built quality custom cables for a good price. Blue Jeans does data cables (CAT5 and CAT6) and has the correct tooling and testing equipment. I don't think Redco does data because their primary business is supporting Pro Audio.

 

It's not just wiring, a bit of digital logic is needed, or at least that's what I concluded from a site I unfortunately can no longer find. Audiophonics seem to offer something related.

 

I think you're thinking of Ghent audio. Now if this hat would pass DSD512 direct to a dac (my new rage) I'd be all over it. I am using a pro-ject box for now. My 502 dac feeds the Gungnir Multibit very nicely.

 

Ghent Audio, yes! Thank you.

 

The only logic they have on there is a buffer. Since we are already buffered on our board, you could simply wire from the header to an RJ-45. I know I have seen simple adapters to take RJ 45 and provide break out wires. Or this:

https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-Screw...ocphy=9002208&hvtargid=pla-306997686455&psc=1

Cheers,
Michael

 

Nice, thanks!

 

Are use a common RJ-45 to DB nine adapter female and just plug the pins directly into our header like so:

https://www.amazon.com/Exuun-Connector-Shielded-Adapter-Modular/dp/B06W2L6FDG

Cheers,
Michael

 

Any word on pre-order shipments? Ordered mine last week.