USB to PI2AES

[theSven]

While testing out streaming through a windows computer with Roon Bridge tonight I was trying to find some information on the Soekris 2541 IR location and stumbled on a forum that was discussing the 2541. I noticed many posters stating the path of the stream was Roon --> PI2AES --> AES --> DAC --> Amp, etc. A google later I stumble on the PI2AES 2.0 and find myself fascinated with the possibilities of this little device... I found one mention of this in the forum that Exocer mentions he is using with his NatalieP's. I would definitely like to explore using one of these and see if I can notice a difference between this and USB with Roon. On the other hand this would be extremely helpful to have for streaming to not require a laptop for Roon Bridge at the moment and I could also use this in the Den to have a high def stream instead of using a Chromecast to the Calliopes.

Anyone else on the forum ever try one of these PI2AES?

https://www.pi2design.com/pi2aes-980244.html

[JonMarsh]

Do you have a review anywhere with test data on the clock quality?

How about a basic system map for the goes-into and goes-outa- how would one use this in an audio system, compared to, say, a Little Green Computer running Roon, output on local network feeding a network render box like a Signature Rendu or Micro-Rendu, in turn driving USB into say, a compatible DAC or a Alpha USB into a DAC with AES/EBU inputs?

Obviously, this all depends on signal sources and your desired/intended results. The info on the web site link is not very clear about the functionality of this board- does it actually run Roon, or is Roon run on a PI micro plugged into this? No system map I could find on the web site.

Obviously, there are all kinds of levels of networked audio and networked audio expectations... how would this fit into YOUR system configuration? And is this mainly focused on streaming sources, or a local library? And if a local library, how does it connect into this?

A system map using this like my old one with the Sonore stuff would be helpful for us aging wires and sparks guys...

[theSven]

Do you have a review anywhere with test data on the clock quality?

How about a basic system map for the goes-into and goes-outa- how would one use this in an audio system, compared to, say, a Little Green Computer running Roon, output on local network feeding a network render box like a Signature Rendu or Micro-Rendu, in turn driving USB into say, a compatible DAC or a Alpha USB into a DAC with AES/EBU inputs?

Obviously, this all depends on signal sources and your desired/intended results. The info on the web site link is not very clear about the functionality of this board- does it actually run Roon, or is Roon run on a PI micro plugged into this? No system map I could find on the web site.

Obviously, there are all kinds of levels of networked audio and networked audio expectations... how would this fit into YOUR system configuration? And is this mainly focused on streaming sources, or a local library? And if a local library, how does it connect into this?

A system map using this like my old one with the Sonore stuff would be helpful for us aging wires and sparks guys...

Here is a topology of how I would deploy this in my network:



The change in what I have been doing is going to all wired and AES instead of wireless/USB. The Raspberry PI connects using CAT 6 to the switch and the PI2AES card provides AES that connects to the Mutec or DAC. Raspberry Pi also runs Roon Bridge and that would be enabled in audio settings of the Roon app.

You can find some measurements here on AES, BNC, etc, and a power supply mod that will violate warrenty: https://goldensound.audio/2021/07/22...-instructions/

The attached PDF has info on the clocks used for this.


A build thread link: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...laptop.8878%2F


A setup link for me to remember: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...treamer.13279/

What kind of tests could I run to give us some numbers? I'm gonna have to trade in the painter title to junior tester 😂

[JonMarsh]

What kind of tests could I run to give us some numbers? I'm gonna have to trade in the painter title to junior tester 😂

Well, first you would have to get your "junior" Audio Precision tester with digital sources...

In the configuration you've mapped, you would likely swamp out any issues with clock behavior in the proposed module via the Mutec MC3+USB.

Review Stereophile digital testing for a quick overview on some of the things you'd want to look at- a lot of focus is on the spreading width of the primary signal while doing a spectral analysis of the test output.