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Standalone USB -> S/PDIF converters

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Standalone USB -> S/PDIF converters

25 giugno 2013
08:43

gjm

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Has anyone any experience of using a standalone converter? I'm thinking in terms of something like the M2Tech HiFace, Audiophilleo kit, Sonicweld Diverter (expensive!), KingRex or similar.

I have a zillion questions… Well, several, anyway, but I'll try to find appropriate places to ask them. Confused Smile

Thanks,
Graham

25 giugno 2013
17:49

admin

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Yes, and they work. HiFace 2 for sure. This project is meant to be used with hi-quality DACS and transport…

You can find a comprehensive list of reported devices that work:
http://www.raspyfi.com/raspber…..rted-dacs/
You'll see that some of them are pretty expensive gear…
But theoretically, every USB sound card or DAC should work straight out of the box with RaspyFi, except the HiFace1 …

28 giugno 2013
04:04

Derek

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If it was my money, Graham, I'd seriously consider this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/XMOS-1…..1204617%26

28 giugno 2013
18:03

Gyp

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Not sure how well it works, Derek, but it sure looks the part!

Anyway, right at the moment my raspyfi is working, on the Beta release including using the HiFace 2 into my Rega DAC over Chord Prodac coaxial cable.

I've only tried music ripped from CD at 44.1KHz. As yet and not tried any higher bit rate music.

I've been told I'm not allowed to go for a beer unless it's working so I'm not going to experiment any more until I get back from my beer.

29 giugno 2013
00:33

Derek

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Ha! What an incentive a pub is…. Good to hear you're up and running. Try the HD files and see what gives (hopefully nothing). Let us know.

The board I mentioned above is actually the SPDIF version of Michelangelo's I2S XMOS board elsewhere on RaspyFi so I suspect it'll hold it's own – it sure has all the right stuff. But I haven't heard it personally so who knows…. And yes, if 'twere me the gold case would go…..

29 giugno 2013
02:10

Gyp

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I'm at an age where a proper real ale pub can motivate me…

I'm currently struggling to get mpad to give me something as simple as a directory listing that I can explore and play from. I'm sure I've done it before.

Regards the S/PDIF, I'm getting somewhat worried that my ears are getting old and my hearing is going as I listened hard to get a DAC that sounds at least as good as my CD player (it sounds the same) and then worked to improve it with the HiFace 2 (it sounds the same) then optimised it with the Chord interconnect (it sounds the same)…

I have a raspyfi that sounds just as good using a £2 USB cable between the pi and DAC as it does with £250 of S/PDIF hardware and cables between pi and DAC. Perhaps trying the higher bit-rate files will make a difference. Having read this (http://xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo…..young.html), I'm not so sure.

29 giugno 2013
21:50

Derek

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It's not your ears, it's probably either lack of real ale when listening before stepping out to the pub or else too much ale when listening after you get back from the pub!

But trust your ears. If the cables/SPDIF don't seem to make a difference it's likely that something else is masking the difference. Start with the Raspi power supply. Build your own – it's really not that difficult, even if you've never done it before. A good way to get your feet wet with DIY. And it's nearly cheap-as-chips to build a decent PS for the Raspi. I live where it's not easy to get parts and mine cost about US$10 to build. Price of two pints…..

Most noticeable difference in sound quality I heard was when I powered the Raspi with a linear PS as well as powering an USB-powered DAC with another linear 5V PS.

30 giugno 2013
23:12

Gyp

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Definitely need more real ale…

I do like the idea of building a specialist power supply, but there are enough jobs keeping me busy at the moment that I'm going to delight in having a working Raspyfi and maybe leave that job for the winter.

Now where's my cup of tea..?

1 luglio 2013
02:57

gjm

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Derek – I confess to having a vested interest in whether a Sonicweld will work… Wink That said, I am always open to other ideas and always happy to try other kit.

The PS is something I perhaps should get involved in. I have a bought-in PS that my father used to use that I'll check out, too… It looks a bit industrial but would fit with a more DIY theme. Laugh

2 luglio 2013
21:36

Gyp

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gjm – just to confirm that now I've managed to work out where my files were stored, I'm playing the 24 bit/48-96 kHz FLAC files from the Raspyfi through the Hiface 2 into the Rega DAC without problem.

2 luglio 2013
22:01

Gyp

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Typical…

I check everything is playing ok.

I come upstairs to post.

I go back downstairs and it's "paused"

Back upstairs and check dmesg…

[ 0.000000] On node 0 totalpages: 126976

[ 23.670174] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): eth0: link becomes ready
[359569.956367] ERROR::handle_hc_chhltd_intr_dma:2537: handle_hc_chhltd_intr_dma: Channel 2, DMA Mode -- ChHltd set, but reason for halting is unknown, hcint 0x00000002, intsts 0x04600001
[359569.956367]
[359570.947156] uac_clock_source_is_valid(): cannot get clock validity for id 41
[359570.956458] 4:1:1: clock source 41 is not valid, cannot use
[359575.960143] 4:1:1: usb_set_interface failed (-71)

Hmmm.

2 luglio 2013
22:47

admin

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May I say lol?
Same PSU?

2 luglio 2013
23:38

Gyp

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Thought it might be network loading, but not conclusive as have stopped the busy PC that was streaming video and the problem remains.

It's not entirely consistent – but typically I'm getting crackling and the audio breaking up when data rates get over 2.7Mb/s or so. The DAC seems more resilient when I'm connecting directly via USB rather than via the Hiface & coax.

I can (soon, not tonight) try connecting the pi to its own dedicated Devolo access point, but if that doesn't help I might have to think about a dedicated power supply for the Hiface.

All the 500-1500 Kb/s audio is playing lovely though :-)

2 luglio 2013
23:43

Gyp

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admin said

May I say lol?
Same PSU?

No you can't say lol! Frown

And yes it is.

OK, time to change the PSU…

2 luglio 2013
23:53

Gyp

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Not a regulated PSU optimised for hifi, but this should at least provide enough power

https://www.modmypi.com/raspberry-pi-accessories/5v-2A-modmypi-raspberry-pi-power-supply.

4 luglio 2013
23:17

Gyp

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5.25V 2A PSUs have arrived
Heavy duty "power" USB has arrived
5V injector cable for the Hiface has arrived
The USB to DC jack for the injector cable hasn't

With the RS 5V 1.2A swapped out and the modmipi 5.15V 2A PSU installed, first results are that it's better but not cured and gets a lot worse when the network is loaded. It's not crashed yet which is encouraging; I've left it running on repeat overnight and will check in the morning

I'm hoping that the USB to DC will turn up tomorrow (it has been posted) and I can independently power the hiface from the 2nd 2A PSU. If that still doesn't fix it, I will curse you Michelangeloz for blaming my RS PSU and go looking to improve the network connectivity from the NAS to the pi.

8 agosto 2013
11:39

inder123

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It is the part our board if some of the time USP pin is not work properly this is reason to take time.

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