The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi

Pubblicato il 4 giugno 2013 da admin — 69 Commenti ↓

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Do you need a USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi? Something to use with RaspyFi? And maybe you don’t know where to start?
Well, this is for you. Got many questions regarding the best setup for a RaspyFi powered music server, and so decided to give few hints.
The main goal of RaspyFi is to achieve excellent sonic performances with a low-cost approach. So, no snake oil, no esoteric devices. Just pure bang for the buck pleasure. You should consider, by the way, that you’re relying on a 40 dollar Pi to please your ears. So it doesn’t make much sense to me to have a 1000 euros USB DAC for your raspberry Pi (even if with RaspyFi they are not an overkill at all). So here are few options for you. With prons and cons and buying links. I have personally listened many of them, and the one I didn’t listen, some really trusted friends did. So you won’t get copy and paste reviews.

So, these ones could be the right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi

Budget Conscious

Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC 2

This is a dac closely resembling Nwavguy’s ODAC. You should however not expect the same build quality and attention to details. But this has an advantage over it’s famous competitor: it can eventually be fed with an external psu (external PSU will improve dramatically audio quality, not relying on Pi’s polluted DC, and releaving you from buying a good psu for the pi itself). Furthermore it can output Spdif signal via coax, you can use it as a cheap transport. My friends at Tforum report that it’s capable of driving low-impedance headphones, altough a custom headphones amp is commonly suggested.

PROS:
-Cheap NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON EBAY
-Can directly drive headphones
-Spdif Out

Bang for the buck

Schiit Modi DAC

This is the latest dac from the guys from Schiit. For less than 100 bucks you get an async usb receiver (the highly regarded CM6331A) paired with the legendary AK 4396. For sure a really hard to beat combo for that price. This DAC sounds really really good, and it’s design just increases its appeal. RaspyFi is being developed while listening to this dac. Is this enough for you?

PROS:
-Async Receiver
-Features one of audiophile’s favourite DAC
-Excellent performance/price ratio
-Elegant design Get it on Schiit’s Store

I also reccommend to read the (italian) review by stereo-head.it , is well worth it!

NwAvGuy’s ODAC

Take it as a statement. This DAC set lots of controversies since the beginning of it’s development by the heretical designer NwAvGuy. The ODAC was designed to prove that engineering a really transparent musical device required a careful trial and error approach, debunking some audiophiles myths. It was built to have outstanding measurable specs. I bought it as soon as it came out, fascinated by the phylosofical meaning it had. You know, I’m quite pragmatic and I don’t like the “esoteric” fuzz most designer use to develop their produtcts. This DAC, when it came out, outperformed most highly regarded dac as of S/N ratio, db range and so on. Just math, only objective evaluations (that’s where the name comes, O stands for objective). Well, I love it. But honesltly I have to admit that nowadays you can have something better in that price range, especially with Diy. I dropped it in favour of my Diy XMOS2 + Sabre Dac

PROS:

-It’s engineering is carefully documented
-Sounds really neutral and detailed Get it on Epiphany Acoustics or HeadnHifi

If you’re in headphones mood, then you should definetely consider also the Nwavguy’s combo of ODAC + H2. Again, this device came trough a pedissequal engineering process, aiming to obtain verifiable transparent performances. If you wish to know more about this, well here are your answers. I did not listened to it, but if I should put on an headphone system, this will be my device of choice.

PROS:

-It’s engineering is carefully documented
-A complete USB to Headphone device Get it on Epiphany Acoustics
-The combo will sound theoretically better than separate devices

XMOS ES9023 Asynchronous DAC Decoder USB to Optical Coaxial 384K 32Bit Weiliang

This device seems really interesting, and not only thanks to the longest name ever seen on Ebay. What you get here is a boxed unit featuring the ESS 9023 DAC (my favourite so far, until I’ll listen to 9018), paired with an XMOS2 receiver. You also get otpical and coaxial S/PDIF out. I cannot imagine something more flexible out there. So, on paper this seems really promising. Please don’t take this as a blind endorsement, I didn’t listen to it so cannot pronounce about it’s sonic qualities. Just saying we have a potential bang for the buck champion.

GET IT ON EBAY

PROS:
-XMOS2 async receiver
-Features one of audiophile’s favourite DAC
-Already boxed and finished
-Analog JACK, SPDIF out (optical and coaxial)
-Really flexible device
-Can be fed with an external PSU (definetely suggested)

Usb to Spdif

Hiface Two

If you need to get Spdif out out of Raspberry Pi, or any other device relying on USB just buy it. There’s not much to say on the Hiface Two. It’s a status symbol, the guys at M2Tech did an excellent job. This features an XMOS receiver that will go as high as 24/192. It’ compatible out of the box with RaspyFi and all other Linux distros. Of course it works as well with Pcs and Mac.

PROS:
-Async USB Transport
-Compatible with RaspyFi out of the box Get it on ebay or amazon

XMOS 192kHz high-quality USB to SPDIF

This could be a solid and cheaper alternative to the Hiface II, the module is exactly the same found on my XMOS2 to i2s receiver, which I strongly recommend. With this you get spdif out, in a nice box… Maybe gold could not be your favourite colour, but I mean… This is definetely worth!

PROS:
-Async USB Transport
-Compatible with RaspyFi out of the box Get it on

EBAY

-Boxed and ready to play
-Cheaper than an Hiface Two

Diy

DAC SABRE 9023 + XMOS2

I may be biased. But guys, this is definetely the best combo you can have for the 100 euros pricetag. This DAC is well known, and its sound is recognized to be one of the best nowadays. This guys makes excellent products and this DAC is a masterpiece. It’s so tiny but it features a ultra low noise regulator and the semiconductors are carefully selected. In few words, it sounds amazingly good. I DEFINETELY suggest you to visit it’s store, if you’re a diyer looking for hi quality stuff, this is the place
I paired with an USB XMOS2 receiver. This features a full thesycon windows driver, and it’s compatible of course with Linux (RaspyFi as well). This can go as high as 384khrz!!! If you wish to feed it with a custom PSU, instead of USB’s DC, you can. You can also change some resistor to match your dac’s impedance… What do you want more? I sugest also to visit it’s store…

I’ll cover the building of this DAC, you can find my preliminary thoughts here

PROS:
-Sounds amazing, for less than 100 euros
-Highly customizable
-GET IT!
Buy on ebay:

XMOS 384kHz high-quality USB to I2S

DAC-24192 SABRE 24/192 DAC

UPDATE

As an alternative, you can also try this DAC

24Bit/192KHz ES9023 DAC

I received mine few days ago, so haven’t tried it yet. So I cannot say anything on this DAC, only that is compatible with the i2s transport listed above

DAC Mini AK4396

If you want to try a diy AK4396, which is an highly regarded piece of silicon, just go with this DAC. It has an high reputation on DiyAudio and amongst other audiophiles circles. Furthermore, you can decide where to push its performance. A respected user of Tforum and DiyAudio published a BOM that will raise its performance a lot. You can find all info here.
If you wish, you can also connect it directly via i2s to the XMOS2 USB TO I2S following this guide .

PROS:

-A custom solution, in every aspect Get it on ebay

UPDATE :

I’m currently building another step up of my Reference DAC. It sits on a completely different level from the ones you have seen before on RaspyFi, in terms of performance, build complexity and pricetag. But on paper, it seems that I’m gonna end up with something truly impressive. It will feature :

The top end ESS SABRE 9018, in a 7.1 configuration (yeah, I really meant 7.1)
XMOS2 USB Input via i2s
Optical and coaxial input
Both balanced and unbalanced analog out
Separate and improved clock

The Recipe is :

A custom 4x8vac 1A PSU custom built from Audiophonics.fr

So, on paper, this DAC could be an ending point for every audiophile around. But its building is something really challenging, so please start this adventure only if you are an experienced DIYer. I’m going to document the building of this DAC in a future article, since it really deserves a careful and comprehensive explanation. I looked out for months to find the best recipe for me, this is what I ended up with. So again, if you want something really over the top this is what you’re looking for, mind that it’s gonna need quite some time and expertise to be built.

Medium Price DACS

(Please note: I don’t own any of these DACS, but if I would spend some more to have one, I’ll have one of these)

Audioquest DragonFly

This is one of the most interesting DAC available today, an async USB DAC as compact and as good sounding is difficult to find, you’ll read about the only contender later on…
I suggest you to read this article by John Atkinson, which can describe this DAC way more better I could ever do.

PROS:
-Confortable with it’s tiny dimensions
-Excellent measurable performances
-Can directly drive Headphones

Get it on ebay or Amazon

Musical Fidelity V-DAC II

I’ve dreamt a lot about owning this DAC. If you need to be flexible, for example using a cd player with coax output, a blu ray with a optical output and RaspyFi with USB input, this could be your DAC. The USB receiver is not the best one available (Ok let’s say that people is not so enthusiast about it), but you can always use a Hiface Two to improve USB performance.
So, if you need lot of flexibility and a good sounding DAC. This is your choice.

PROS:
-Features lot of connections (USB, Coax Spdif, Optical Spdif)
-Regarded as very natural and relaxed
Get it on ebay or Amazon

Micromega MyDac

A respected diyer regards this DAC as the best you can get under 1000 euros. I must confess that I desire it a lot, and if everything goes well I’ll buy this in few time (birthday…) . This DAC has all the flexibility you can have with the V-DAC II, but it features an async usb receiver (XMOS) . So you can reasonably espect an higher quality out of it if USB is your source of choice. Plese note that the price tag of the MyDac is higher than the one of the VDAC II. But if you can go that extra mile, go with this. All I know of this DAC comes through reviews, and my friends spoke to me about the MyDac with enthusiastic words. The implementation seems very good on paper. Please note that Micromega has built its reputation through the years with excellent products, especially with cd players. So you should go confortable with this firm.
I want it.

PROS:
-Features lot of connections (USB, Coax Spdif, Optical Spdif)
-XMOS async receiver
-Enthusiastic reviews on web Get it on ebay or Amazon

Hiface DAC

The guys at M2Tech just released this DAC. I consider this as a contender for the Dragonfly DAC. Because of it’s tiny dimentions. On paper this little device has excellent capabilities: 384kHz/32bit, async transfer (based on XMOS as Hiface Two) and can drive medium to high impedance headphones. I don’t know which DAC chip it relies on, but sure we’ll find out when a friend of mine will end his review.
The only concern is that it needs at least 500 mA at 5v to work properly, so no direct connection with the Raspberry Pi. But we can always use an additional psu. See later to find out.

Check also this excellent review (in Italian)

PROS:

-Tiny Dimentions
-XMOS async receiver
-Can directly drive headphones
Get it on ebay or Amazon

SOMETHING TO IMPROVE YOUR USB DAC

I found a pretty valid comment from Klinkt Beter (one of the best contributors here on RaspyFi) stating that he could improve his system overall performance connecting his dac to the iFI iUSB psu:

Here’s what he said:

tried many things:

1. soundlogic XT 5600mAh battery pack with micro usb cable to pi
2. Tentlabs tube heater supply calibrated to 5V direct on the 5V GPIO headers (which claims to have very low noise and is powered by a lineair supply using a real transformer)
3. usb power output of the iFI iUSB power supply using a cheap 1 euro micro usb cable to the pi.

The iFi wins on all levels as it also directly powers your usb dac and ignores the usb power from the pi on the USB outputs, only passes the signal through.

The iUSB has a second USB output which can be used to power the pi, or to use iFI’s special cable that combines two USB host connectors and on the other end one printer style USB connector to have even more power to your dac.

The Tentlabs heater supply has slightly better transients and more bass, but sounds more aggressive to my ears. The iFI is lighter and more spacier, which is what I prefer.

Wiring scheme:

Power output of iFI iUSB -> PI micro usb input
USB output of Pi -> USB input of iFI iUSB
iFI iUSB usb+power output -> dac

Basically, what this device does is replace the crappy usb dc with a stabilized one, they report their psu to achieve a 0,1 uV noise factor, that is (if verified) pretty remarkable. You can find out more at http://www.ifi-audio.com/en/iUSB.html

I want to test it out, I’ll report my results as well.

Any suggestions?

You can also give a look at RaspyFi’s DAC compatbility list

Taggato con: async, hiface, power supply, raspberry pi, review, usb dac, xmos
Pubblicato in reviews

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Paul Wilson

I have a second-hand Schiit Modi DAC which is not recognised by my Raspberry Pi 2. The DAC’s LED shines but that’s all; I cannot see it in the Audio Device settings, or in output of “aplay -l” . Any thoughts/hints?
http://www.essaybulldogs.com/ essay writing site

There might be some other people who are interested or seeking to buy this kind of product that will going to help them with their raspberry pi which is actually a good tool to be use for learning.
Bernard Kerckenaere

I just encountered this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251550998749

What do you think, could this be half decent?
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Akrapovic58

Does the Raspberry Pi mate with the Arcam irDAC?
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Joey Caisse

I’m searching for someone who has gotten the ELE USB HAC EL-D01 to work. Picked it up on EBay after I read a few good reviews. I should have also checked here for compatibility -
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marc

Just tested volume with some nubert nuPro Loudspeakers. (http://www.nubert.de/nupro-serie-neu/420/ ) They have a DAC (TI BurrBrown) inside and can be connected directly via USB. They work perfect and are recognized by volumio. The sad thing is, when I switch off the loudspeakers (and the DAC) and turn it on again, the DAC can not be used further. mpd.log just contains: ALSA lib pcm_hw.c:1401:(_snd_pcm_hw_open) Invalid value for card

Dec 31 15:28 : output: Failed to open “Output” [alsa]: Failed to open ALSA devic

e “hw:0,0″: No such file or directory

ALSA lib pcm_hw.c:1401:(_snd_pcm_hw_open) Invalid value for card

Dec 31 15:28 : output: Failed to open “Output” [alsa]: Failed to open ALSA devic

e “hw:0,0″: No such file or directory
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TioFrancotirador

I tried my old Sound Blaster 24bit Live USB (works as USB -> SPDIF converter) and cheap and nice Fiio D03k DAC (Cirrus Logic inside). Works Great!!!
BlueGene

Tested with Stoner Acoustic’s UD110, work out of box with Raspyfi, very nice option for USD49.

http://stoneracoustics.blogspot.sg/2013/09/ud110-dac.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626632/tiny-dac-big-sound-evolved-impression-of-stoner-acoustics-ud100-ud110
disqus_LsGHrJ0vbZ

This list is not bad, however i must give my opinion :
For the usb to spdif/i2s, the best solution now is the WaveIO board, wich is also base on a xmos chip and is known to be very good. I don’t trust chinese thing with no-name brand, espacially what you find on ebay.
For the choice of a dac, their is 2 kind of dac, nos and with upsampling. Some think upsampling sound great, but in my opinion it’s not a good thing to add filter and digital shit to the signal, it’s best to keep it the most natural.
Sabre dac are built-in chip, you cannot mod them to avoid digital filter, so it’s not interessant for me. Also, some audiophile don’t like the sound of the sabre chips. Not much dac builder have nos design, the last nuforce dac are nos (dac-100, udh-100 that i own, etc…) and sound great.
A really great choice is also audio-gd dac, especially all versions with pcm1704uk inside, this is probably the best dac chip. It’s the best multi-bit dac chip, now all dac (sabre and all other modern dac chip) are delta-sigma and seems to sound more digital. Also audio-gd are know to be extremly well made.
If you are not afraid of diy, the dddac 1794 nos seems good to, or even better (but expansive), a jundac two kit with waveio board and good low jitter clock (like an audio-gd jz-1).
Giaarwerk

DIYINHK has new 32Bit L2S & DAC on offer now, both for ~65euro including shipping to Netherlands (in my case). Based on CM6631A chip. Check it out!
Oliver

Hi Mikelangeloz,
would you like to add two entry price, but nice ES9023 based USB DACs to your compatibility list? HiRes USB DAC 24/96 (with SA9023 as USB IF) has already been confirmed to be working with Raspyfi from a customer. And Tiny USB DAC 16/48 (with TI PCM2706 USB IF) should also work, right?

We are distributing HiFimeDIYs USB DACs from Germany including invoice and VAT, so that customers don’t have to worry and shipping times will be quite fast.

Webshop: muc89.com

or on ebay: if you search for Raspyfi on ebay.de or ebay.it, I believe
Keep up with this good work!
Oliver
- Stephen
  
  I couldn’t get the HIFiMeDIY USB DAC with SA9023 to work at all with RaspyFi, piCorePlayer or Squeezeplug Squeezelite. No one anywhere had any solution and some others had the same issues. IMHO, it is a non starter. I’ve had super cheapo £1.90 USB DAC work but not this.
  - Oliver
    
    Hi Stephen,
    
    thanks to some very helpful guy (thank you, mp!!) – we just got SA9023 to work.
    
    How does it go?
    
    Ok, first of all, the oversampling ES9023 together with USB IF chip SA9023 requires for a bit more power, than the usual 100mA on USB, which a cheapo 1.90 USB DAC might be ok with it. No wonder, as the ES9023 has got a bit more of processing to do, to get the sound quality right.
    
    In fact, the SABRE USB DAC as a USB device asks for 250mA.
    
    If someone now tries to use it on a Raspberry Pi Device A, he will not be able to use it out of the box, as there are two Polyfuses for USB preventing a USB device to work, if it needs more than 100mA.
    
    There are some ways around it for Device A, described here:
    
    http://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/340/how-much-power-can-be-provided-through-usb
    
    Or you can connect an active USB hub on Device A – this will do as well…
    
    On Raspberry Pi Device B, there is only one Polyfuse left (the other two have been removed) – this one Polyfuse now limits the total System Power (including all USB devices) to 1.1 Amps.
    
    For Device B you should be ok to connect USB WIFI, USB DAC, USB Memory Stick and passive 2-port hub to the Raspberry – just verify, your power supply delivers a bit more than 1A on stabilized 5V.
    
    Now for RaspyFi B to detect the USB DAC with SA9023/ES9023, make sure the DAC is connected to the (passive) USB Hub and NOT to the USB socket directly on the Raspberry.
    
    And voila – booting it up – autodetection of RaspyFi works and immediately you’ll get crystal clear sound out of this tiny little USB DAC.
    
    By the way – Mixer Type “hardware” in MPD settigs is supported by this DAC as well – and will pump up the volume.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    If there are any questions, feel free to contact me here:
    
    http://www.muc89.com/muc89_de/contacts
Gitaarwerk

Perhaps a uDac(2) would be nice? Dac and headphone amp. Have no experience with them, but they do seem interesting for the price
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Hannes Werner

Did you consider pupDAC? Isn’t it worth a comparison?
- mikelangeloz
  
  Didn’t know it.. I’ll give it a look!
  
  Subject: Re: New comment posted on The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi
  - Hannes Werner
    
    it would be nice to read your opinioun about pupDAC. I think it is quite promising
    - mikelangeloz
      
      I looked at the pupDAC. It is really interesting indeed, the only thing is that you have to solder SMD components… Which is out of the range of 99% people here.. Me as well
vittorio

Please do not provide false info…. schiit modi does not work. At all. I bought it ignoring the warning on the uk site which says “not suitable for linux”. I wasted my money, because the reseller was right. Works on windows, not on linux.
- mikelangeloz
  
  Hi Vittorio, we put it in the supported DAC list because we had feedbacks that reported it working. The only thing I can tell you is that we know that sometimes is just a firmware issue, since manufacturers usually change the inner software of the DAC. It could be that yours has a different firmware on…Can you connect it and paste the output of sudo aplay -l
  Let’s see if we can sort this out
  Subject: Re: New comment posted on The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi
  - vittorio
    
    I did it already. no luck,
    
    aplay: device_list:252: no soundcards found…
    
    and on windows works like a charm. without drivers.
    - mikelangeloz
      
      Which versione are you using? Strange that thè internal raspberry dac isole not being recognized…
      — Messaggio originale —
      
      Da: “Disqus”
      Inviata: 04 settembre 2013 22:27
      A: [email protected]
      Oggetto: Re: New comment posted on The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi
      
      vittorio wrote, in response to mikelangeloz:
      
      I did it already. no luck,
      
      aplay: device_list:252: no soundcards found…
      
      and on windows works like a charm. without drivers.
      
      IP address: 94.12.62.77
      Link to comment: http://redirect.disqus.com/url?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raspyfi.com%2Fthe-right-usb-dac-for-your-raspberry-pi%2F%23comment-1030031580%3AzANbUqcTfMokyRmhCWyEx832UGI&impression=5c0548b6-15a0-11e3-9388-003048df93b0&type=notification.post.moderator&event=email&behavior=click
      - vittorio
        
        Last
        version. Just downloaded from SourceForge…
        Not a clue on The firmware..
      - KJBweb
        
        I hate seeing project creators/leaders getting crap from users of their work of which are less knowledgeable
        
        If the device failed to work out of the box and you weren’t experienced enough to troubleshoot it yourself, return it and move on; don’t go ranting as though he was somehow falsely advertising a product or something, dick move or what.
      - thommy
        
        Any UA2 device will work with linux. You may need to run the modprobe command to get it to appear in aplay -l but there is nothing wrong with the Schiit DAC.
      - Stu
        
        I know it’s 10 days late but here’s a quote from the Modi owner’s manual.
        ‘Modi requires no drivers for Windows, Mac, or Linux computers—as soon
        as you plug in, it’s recognized and ready to play. You may have to select it as the preferred output device in
        Windows, however.’
      - mikelangeloz
        
        Yeah, furthermore we’ve got other feedbacks of people using MODI. Working at first shot… See the comments on 1.0 release post
      - vittorio
        
        Last version of raspyfi, downloaded 2 days ago.
        Bought the modi last week
      - mikelangeloz
        
        So, try with the latest beta. And check in order this:
        1-Download and reflash the image 2-Check the PSU (must output at least 1 A, and measure from 4,75 to 5,25)3-Disconnect any other device connected to the PI (wireless adaptor etc) 4-If you didn’t try the 1.0 beta I’m absolutely sure it works, one of the dev of RaspyFi uses the Modi…
        Subject: Re: New comment posted on The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi
      - vittorio
        
        Mike,
        just to make sure: I downloaded rc2 and made everything right. nothing. is rc2 what you had in mind. I need to understand if I can make it work, otherwise I have 3 more days before I can return the modi
      - mikelangeloz
        
        Download the 1.0 beta, you find it here:http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/giveaways-news-thoughts-from-raspyfi/raspyfi-1-0-in-beta-test/ Flash it, connect ONLY the DACwait for it to boot (try to change PSU or PSU cable)type sudo aplay -l
        and let me know! If we don’t solve, better to send it back… but I’m sure it works…
        Subject: Re: New comment posted on The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi
      - vittorio
        
        it works only with the standard headphone connector. not with the usb dac. odd enough I simply flashed and ran. the standard behavior is playing on the standard device, not on usb.
      - mikelangeloz
        
        So its clearly not working for you. I thought of inadequate PSU… Really strange… As I told you, one mate is using it with raspyfi… You better send it back then… Or ask schiit how to update the firmware (but it will void the warranty i guess, so no return…)
        Subject: Re: New comment posted on The right USB DAC for your Raspberry Pi
      - Vittorio
        
        I am not sure why my comment was not listed here… so I post it again: I spoke with the co-founder of Schiit. He confirmed that no firmware update was ever made since the launch of the Modi. So the Modi never changed. Is not a firmware issue.
        So I rest my case: whichever device your mate claims he used, that is not Modi, because I did use modi and it does not work.
        It is not a PSU issue either: I used 1 and 2 Amp with right voltage. Also it works perfectly on windows.
        So please take Modi out of the compatibility list before other people waste their money trusting a wrong information.
      - mikelangeloz
        
        FACT: Your device on your configuration doesn’t work.
        FACT: ACX’s MODI on his configuration works.
        
        So, before taking your situation as universal, and blaming us to spread wrong informations, take a bit of humilty pills and try to sort it out without accusing. In the end I offered help to you… Got it?
        
        You’re the only one complaining about MODI, I guess several people buyed this following this guide, and yours is the first not working feedback.
      - vittorio
        
        fact: my device is the same device you claim working. I had confirmation from the maker.
        fact: my configuration is the one you suggested. not mine, yours.
        
        and for the records, I do not see other claims of modi working.just here. re-sellers too warning about linux not working. so, with all due respect, I am not the not humble one here
        and “guessing” is not enough. if you are sticking on facts you are not allowed to “guess”.
      - vittorio
        
        with a standard raspberry distro I got from aplay -l
        
        **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
        
        card 0: ALSA [bcm2835 ALSA], device 0: bcm2835 ALSA [bcm2835 ALSA]
        
        Subdevices: 8/8
        
        Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
        
        Subdevice #1: subdevice #1
        
        Subdevice #2: subdevice #2
        
        Subdevice #3: subdevice #3
        
        Subdevice #4: subdevice #4
        
        Subdevice #5: subdevice #5
        
        Subdevice #6: subdevice #6
        
        Subdevice #7: subdevice #7
  - vittorio
    
    I replied the last thread in this conversation already. the point is: the reseller itself in the uk does say that it is not suitable for linux. I made the mistake not to trust him and to trust the developers here… remarkably on the producer site it says “compatible with SOME linux distro”, but of course many of them do not run on raspberry…
- ACX
  
  I’m using Schiit MODI with RaspyFi for 2 months and it works like a charm, and it was absolutely “plug and play”.
  
  Quoting from the Schiit MODI FAQ (http://schiit.com/products/modi):
  
  - So, you’re saying you plug this in and you’re ready to go?
  - Yes. Any Windows or Mac computer instantly recognizes Modi and
  requires no drivers, and many Linux distros that support USB Audio
  Standard 2.0 work just fine as well. It doesn’t even need a power
  supply—it’s USB powered. And, of course, you’ll need an amp. Magni
  matches Modi very well.
- mssic
  
  shiit modi works fine for me….
David

I want only one thing, a cheap USB to S/PDIF convertor that is BIT PERFECT for the Raspberry Pi.

I don’t know about linux audio drivers, but I need my Benchmark DAC1 to get FLAC audio via S/PDIF without the data being changed in anyway, re-sampled, volume adjusted or any other horror.

On the PC we have ASIO for that. Can I buy a Pi and get bit perfect audio today? Someone please direct me to a USB to S/PDIF convertor/DAC that has been tested BIT PERFECT and I will be very happy I don’t care about anything other than the S/PDIF output. CHEERS! Thanks for your great blog!

PS I have worked as a mastering engineer for 10 years. If you want high quality audio see what is sold to well known mastering engineers! There is SO much bullshit in the world of audiophiles. Mastering engineers get paid for their results and have to know what they are talking about to get any success. If you want a quality DAC check out Benchmark / MyTek / Lavry and steer clear of homebrew audiophile gear
- mikelangeloz
  
  Hi David,
  
  nice to see you here… Well, if I should suggest a solution that fits your needs I’d say the
  
  XMOS 192kHz high-quality USB to SPDIF .
  
  Or the Hiface Two (but I prefer the solution above).
  
  As for the other things you say, I do perfectly agree with you. But I must say, that building your gear is something really funny, and you learn so much doing that.
  I should not say it, but if you have to buy the Raspberry just for playing music, don’t buy now… We are about to release something better, for a better platform… A small clue… Let me know…
  - David
    
    Thanks for the ultra quick feedback! I will look into that XMOS, seems amazing spec.
    
    Check out my Learn Digital Audio blog! It’s mainly for audio professionals like mix engineers, but there is plenty of other stuff like rants about not using mp3 and when to normalize audio:
    
    http://www.learndigitalaudio.com/blog/
    - mikelangeloz
      
      Wow!!! That is interesting!!! I’ll read with lot of pleasure, you definetely know what you’re talking about!
      So, again, David, is a pleasure to have you here. Hope we stay in touch!
  - Peter Wilkinson
    
    I found this site whilst researching the Pi as for a music server and am about to purchase … can you tell me any more about why I shouldn’t get a Pi right now? Do you have a timeline on your release?
  - Kirill
    
    We are about to release something better, for a better platform…
    
    interesting… What is the better platform?
    i’m looking for something that can handle DSD and [email protected]
good_mood

Hi,

Thanks for making raspyfi, which I enjoy much!

I’m a bit confused as concerns DACs and PSUs, I think I may have missed a point. You state that PSU is a critical part of the system, and at the same time you say that for instance the Schiit Modi is a very good DAC. If I’m not mistaken, it can only be powered from USB. Does this mean its internal components can filter the bad quality USB power from the PI to a point where it does not significantly degrade the sound?
Erik

Does anybody know if the Arcam rpac will work?
- mikelangeloz
  
  Yes, is based on xmos
plgsekip

Hi there!
Mine is FiiO e10 and you can check the spec here –> http://fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?ID=100000028262517
abacus

I had the chance this weekend to compare my raspyfi setup (odac + raspberry pi + powered usb hub) to the cambridge zur 651c http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/azur-651c-cd-player. We (3 guys) listened via nubert nuline 284 http://www.nubert.de/nuline-284/p1114/?category=82

We couldn’t here any difference between the cd player and the odac – for two of us it was a blind test. It was easy to switch from the the cd player to the odac via the cambridge stereo amp.

I think the internal filter of the odac is more than enough – I don’t need a linear power supply for my odac. But i will test it in the near future if there is a difference with a linear power supply…

It would be great if someone could compare it on headphones…

The sabre 9023 is well integrated in the odac, I don’t know if the other 9023 dacs out there are as good integrated as the odac – would be great to compare them on a high end system.

In the medium price dac list I’m missing the hrt streamer II and hrt streamer II+

It there any small linear power supply which doesn’t cost as much as the odac?
Rahul

I have a Nuforce UDAC-2 usb dac connected to the Pi but there is no audio from the speakers even though the Pi detects the dac. Have tried all possible tricks but to no avail. Any solutions ?
- mikelangeloz
  
  Which version are you using?
  
  Try this fix, to unmute the dac:
  
  http://slopjong.de/2011/08/20/unmute-the-sound-card-using-the-alsa-utils/
  
  Or eventually try a usb powered hub… Let me know!
  - Rahul
    
    Thanks Mike ! I have checked the volume setting and the dac is at full volume (oo) so I guess will have to buy a powered usb hub. But if it is being detected then will a powered hub make any difference ?
    - mikelangeloz
      
      How can you say it is detected?
      Please paste the command
      sudo aplay -l
      - Rahul
        
        Here you go :
        
        [email protected]:~$ sudo aplay -l
        
        **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
        
        card 0: N2 [NuForce µDAC 2], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
        
        Subdevices: 1/1
        
        Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
        
        card 0: N2 [NuForce µDAC 2], device 1: USB Audio [USB Audio #1]
        
        Subdevices: 1/1
        
        Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
      - mikelangeloz
        
        Try to set as output device 0:1 in mpd.conf
      - Rahul
        
        mpd.conf is blank ! What to do now ?
      - mikelangeloz
        
        what???? so that’s why… but wait: do that:
        sudo nano /etc/mpd.conf
        is this blank?
      - Rahul
        
        Yes. It was’nt blank earlier but now it’s showing blank !
      - mikelangeloz
        
        Here you are… so reflash raspyfi! Use 1.0 beta!
      - Rahul
        
        Sorry, n00b question…how do I flash on mac ? Any tutorial ?
      - Rahul
        
        Getting the following error while installing MPD : Failed to fetch http://archive.raspbian.org/raspbian/pool/main/libx/libxtst/libxtst6_1.2.1-1_armhf.deb 404 Not Found [IP: 89.16.177.90 80]
      - mikelangeloz
        
        http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/raspyfi-install-and-troubleshooting/rathul-help-topic/#p364
Lucas

Very helpful article!
mikelangeloz

I don’t know this Dac. But I was pretty pleased with this TE7022 based Dac & transport. It costs slightly more but guess is worth the extra bucks… I suggest to give it a proper external psu and it will do pretty good for the money it costs…
cinowell

Do you recommend ultra cheap PCM2704 DAC for using only SPDIF output?
- mikelangeloz
  
  I don’t know this Dac. But I was pretty pleased with this TE7022 based Dac & transport. It costs slightly more but guess is worth the extra bucks… I suggest to give it a proper external psu and it will do pretty good for the money it costs…
- Alienbob
  
  Hi,
  
  I bought this DAC http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120940457164?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 as a test to check that the PCM2704 was compatible with the Pi (running Openelec – if that makes any odds) and it worked just fine.
  
  You can get it a little cheaper on AliExpress, just search for “PCM2704 USB to S/PDIF Sound Card”.
  
  I now use it for listening to music at work, mostly .ogg at 320+kbps rips and some .flac, and find that over the inbuilt sound card on the laptop it add’s clarity and greater separation and for the money am really happy with it!