I am currently using Tidal, my B&K will accept Toslink and digital co-ax. (Not sure I am up on the current jargon), and I have already watched a few of Gabsters videos. I would like to "upgrade" the DAC also...the B&K Ref 30 is something like 20 plus years old now, but it still sounds better than the Node DAC, which is a nice testament to B&K...too bad they went out of business. I actually talked to someone at the company who bought B&K...I forget how I was even able to, but he told me B&K screwed them on chips and plans they were supposed to turn over in the bankruptcy or something...anyway just a side note...but I was planning on making a streamer, because in one of the videos on Ian's site he's had a link to a video by Thrift Shop News that really got me thinking about the Streamer, he mentions what a difference the TransportPi made in his system, and how it changed his mind about digital music. Any way that really got my attention. And if I like it I can sell the Node and pursue the DIY streamer and DAC.
The issue I am having is it seems I'm always throw into the water to learn to swim on my own. At this stage I don't even know what questions to ask!!! Hence my question about tutorial because a lot of what is in the videos I have watched so far, I don't even know the most basic info...like I looked up I2S this morning, I had no idea what that is, and still not sure I do...lol.
The issue I am having is it seems I'm always throw into the water to learn to swim on my own. At this stage I don't even know what questions to ask!!! Hence my question about tutorial because a lot of what is in the videos I have watched so far, I don't even know the most basic info...like I looked up I2S this morning, I had no idea what that is, and still not sure I do...lol.
@Bobfa I should just drop Ian a PM...I just hate to presume on guys like this who put so much into the DIY community! I don't mind asking questions but I don't even know where to start...good news though is I am getting excited again, and I need the distraction...but like I said, I feel like my old man tossed me out into the middle of the swimming hole and I'm 6 years old! The only difference is I'm jumping in.
@Clausen Please feel free to ask questions here too. First lets talk about DACs.
A typical DAC now has multiple inputs. So for example the Dac I am using in one of my systems is a Holo Cyan 2. IT has I2s, USB, Coax,TosLink, and AES. Each interface has different characteristics.
i2s is a special interface what was normally used inside of a CD player for example. The Comm unity has found it to be a very interesting tool for better sound quality. It is also a frustrating non-standard interface with some using HDMI and some using RJ45. There are also different flavors of wiring on the HDMI. Huge mess!
USB is an interesting mess on its own but it is simple to use.
Toslink, coax and AES typically share the same max bit rate, etc.
More in a bit....
RJF
A typical DAC now has multiple inputs. So for example the Dac I am using in one of my systems is a Holo Cyan 2. IT has I2s, USB, Coax,TosLink, and AES. Each interface has different characteristics.
i2s is a special interface what was normally used inside of a CD player for example. The Comm unity has found it to be a very interesting tool for better sound quality. It is also a frustrating non-standard interface with some using HDMI and some using RJ45. There are also different flavors of wiring on the HDMI. Huge mess!
USB is an interesting mess on its own but it is simple to use.
Toslink, coax and AES typically share the same max bit rate, etc.
More in a bit....
RJF
I appreciate that...My first speaker build I posted on here quite a bit a while back now, and I have since built the Elsinore's like I said, and I have also built 6 other speakers...and when I tell people that I always make a point of telling them, "I built them from plans speaker designers have posted"...so every one who contributes is so much appreciated.
You are currrenly using the Blusound Node, it is just a commercial streaming DAC. Give it a better power supply and it will sound better. Now you can do better but the package is pretty darn good.
With the @iancanada boards you can build one of your own. The software will be something a lot different But the function will be the same, bits to sound. There are literally dozens of ways to accomplish what you are trying to build.
RJF
With the @iancanada boards you can build one of your own. The software will be something a lot different But the function will be the same, bits to sound. There are literally dozens of ways to accomplish what you are trying to build.
RJF
Hi Bobfa
I am getting streamer from Ian IsolatorPI III + Transport Digi II + Pure PI II + monitorPI Pro,
and follow manual from Ian web but I have problem no signal ( music) out from it, I try with OPT, RCA, HDMI
hardware: Raspberry 5, software is Ropieee, DAC is Flagship RPI free multi-input es9038Q2M Dual mono DAC Kits in SYNC mode
music play is AirPlay from Apple Music on Mac
can you help me: what HAT you set Ropiee ?
and any thing need set on Ropieee and Raspberry5 ?
thank You so much
Have a Good Day
Dienson
Attachments
Did. you set the Audio HAT properly for the streamer? Does the monitor pro show the the audio stream being sent? Since your picture does not show the streamer powered up I cannot see what is on the monitorpi Pro Display.
From the Manual:
4. In the player software settings, select the standard WM8805 I2S device, such as Hifiberry Digi+ Pro, as
the Linux driver. Make other configurations as needed to enable your Raspberry Pi player to operate.
Does seem like overkill to run a Pi5 on the streamer. What are your thoughts for doing that?
@Bobfa: on player software setting, Selected HiFiberry Digi+ Pro and try on Hifiberry DiGi2
on Monitor pro show audio stream okie ( because if I select USB instead of Hifiberry Digi+ and connect USB to DAC audio stream okie)
Included 2 pics, IMG_1859 is Monitor of streamer, IMG_1862 is monitor of DAC KITs, DAC KITs alway say MUTE
thank you so much
Have a Good Day
Dienson
on Monitor pro show audio stream okie ( because if I select USB instead of Hifiberry Digi+ and connect USB to DAC audio stream okie)
Included 2 pics, IMG_1859 is Monitor of streamer, IMG_1862 is monitor of DAC KITs, DAC KITs alway say MUTE
thank you so much
Have a Good Day
Dienson
Attachments
A couple of things to try. IS there a red light at the DAC end of the toslink cable?
Do you have another DAC you can test with. Trying to isolate this.
Do you have another DAC you can test with. Trying to isolate this.
Hi.
I'm new to DIY HiFi but have been a long time viewer of this thread. Thank you all for what you are doing and the information provided!
I do have one question which I wonder if the group might be able to help me with.
I'm not an "audiophile". But I'd like decent "kit", and I'd like to try to build my own project. I'd like to look at constructing a solution built around the products discussed here.
I have recently sold off some Linn speakers and an Audio-GD amp. My listening space (and needs) have changed significantly in recent times, so "separates" no longer have a place for me.
My new target includes a pair of Genelec powered monitors (8030/8040 or 8334/8340) - like I said I'm not an audiophile, but I'm very happy with a small pair of Genelecs hooked uptown my Mac in my office
I'm holding on to my Audio-GD NOS-11 Pre/DAC at the moment as I can't seem to find a way to include Analogue-to-Digital conversion into a DDC solution. I currently have and, want to retain, 2x analogue sources (turntable+Phono Pre & FM tuner).
So do you know of a means to introduce A2D for 2x analogue sources, with source selection, that can sit alongside digital source inputs which then leverage the FifoPi and AES output stages (and include streaming capabilities)?
The Genelecs have DAC built in but I appreciate they may not be up to scratch compare to a dedicated DAC
Thanks in advance for any advice/guidance.
Roland.
I'm new to DIY HiFi but have been a long time viewer of this thread. Thank you all for what you are doing and the information provided!
I do have one question which I wonder if the group might be able to help me with.
I'm not an "audiophile". But I'd like decent "kit", and I'd like to try to build my own project. I'd like to look at constructing a solution built around the products discussed here.
I have recently sold off some Linn speakers and an Audio-GD amp. My listening space (and needs) have changed significantly in recent times, so "separates" no longer have a place for me.
My new target includes a pair of Genelec powered monitors (8030/8040 or 8334/8340) - like I said I'm not an audiophile, but I'm very happy with a small pair of Genelecs hooked uptown my Mac in my office
I'm holding on to my Audio-GD NOS-11 Pre/DAC at the moment as I can't seem to find a way to include Analogue-to-Digital conversion into a DDC solution. I currently have and, want to retain, 2x analogue sources (turntable+Phono Pre & FM tuner).
So do you know of a means to introduce A2D for 2x analogue sources, with source selection, that can sit alongside digital source inputs which then leverage the FifoPi and AES output stages (and include streaming capabilities)?
The Genelecs have DAC built in but I appreciate they may not be up to scratch compare to a dedicated DAC
Thanks in advance for any advice/guidance.
Roland.
I considered doing the same thing, but ended up getting my screen very close to the screen. It looks great behind a light smoked piece of plexiglass.
I'm not quite sure why you are using two completely different platforms. For what reason? Personally, I would re-think my strategy based on what you want to do, because I think you could get to the same 'result' with a less hardware. Please diagram how you are using the 2 different PurePi II, and what your objective is. Include boards you've included on each stack. I've built 7 different streamer/DACs with Ian's hardware over the past 5 yrs - all with various combinations of his hardware kit and unique enclosures. Perhaps the use of the StationPi Pro (SPP) platform would have been another option to implement your solution. BTW, if you're using Ropieee, select the overlay that best fits the DAC you are using. Otherwise, the Raspberry Pi DAC (Generic I2S) overlay will typically work. Re-read Ian's docs on both the Transport Pi and ReceiverPi DDC RPi Hats. They are uniquely different boards. Many get them confused on usage. My .02 cents. 😉
There ist the Parks Audio Waxwing. A phono preamp that converts the phono signal to digital and then does the application of the RIAA EQ in the digital domain. Output can be analog or digital (coax or optical). This could take care of the phono preamp.
I would ditch the FM tuner and deal with radio over internet. 😉
Martin
But than you have a pretty large hole behind the knob?
I also don't like, and need, the IR sensor.
My case will have a 10mm front, so was thinking of just having a non-through hole on the inside so I can hide it.
Or, I need to find out if I can just desolder the sensor. need to look into that.
I worked on this build for months, with many hours spent prototyping and deciding on where and how to mount the MonitorPi Pro (MPP). I was working with a 4mm removeable front panel, and a 2mm steel super-structure, so it was challenging. I had FP Express mill the front panel for me. The hole is not that large, and basically covered up with a washer, and the knob. I'd like to find a very skinny knob, but used the smallest I had.
Oh, I would have expected the square base to go through much further.
Skinny knob wise, perhaps this is something you like?
It's from Audiophonics in France, but no doubt you can find it in the USA somewhere:
or
I am thinking about this one myself, personal taste wise:
It doesn't have an indicator, which is not needed with the MonitorPi Pro.
Skinny knob wise, perhaps this is something you like?
It's from Audiophonics in France, but no doubt you can find it in the USA somewhere:
I am thinking about this one myself, personal taste wise:
It doesn't have an indicator, which is not needed with the MonitorPi Pro.
Part of the milling included blind cutouts on the back, of various depths to accommodate the encoder and screen depths. I use my 3D printer to help prototype the fitting, so I have a pretty good idea what the finished product will look like. This panel came out just as I expected. I did find a skinnier knob, but it has an indicator, but otherwise looks ok.
that's a good idea, a smoked piece of plexiglass for it.
I'll see if I have any smoke glass lying around.
