Headphone Amp and Dac for Raspberry Pi

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24-02-2016, 02:11
museguy

Headphone Amp and Dac for Raspberry Pi

Hi Everyone !

New to the forum. Setting up a desktop listening system.

Thinking:
Wi-Fi > Raspberry Pi with Wi Fi >Volumio > Digi + > AK4396 Dac > Lehmann Clone

Would welcome any suggestions.

Trying to keep the costs down to less than $200 plus Raspberry Pi. Not sure if better to use Digi + and an inexpensive DAC or DAC + and a headphone amp.

One thought is Raspberry Pi > DAC + > Lehmann Clone

Also very interested in people using linear power supplies with Raspberry Pi / DAC +

Headphones:
* Sennheiser HD650
* Sony MDR-7506
* Denon D2000
* Fostex t50rp

Thank you !
24-02-2016, 09:48
roob

I would be tempted to go the Pi +IQ dac board route with the iFi iPower psu, folks are reporting good results with this combo.
I tried the Pi with Digi+ board into my dac (with the iFi iPower psu) and didn't get as good a result.
24-02-2016, 09:52
struth

A low noise psu of any type will make the pi dac sing i think.. Pleased with my linear one.
24-02-2016, 13:34
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by roob

I would be tempted to go the Pi +IQ dac board route with the iFi iPower psu, folks are reporting good results with this combo.
I tried the Pi with Digi+ board into my dac (with the iFi iPower psu) and didn't get as good a result.

Thank you roob,
Just looked at the IQ dac looks interesting, uses Texas Instruments PCM5122. The iFi iPower psu also looks good.

Are you using speakers or headphones ?

All the best,
- Mark
24-02-2016, 13:37
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by struth

A low noise psu of any type will make the pi dac sing i think.. Pleased with my linear one.

Dear struth,
Thank you, which linear power supply do you use ? All of the ones I have found are very expensive.

Found this on ebay Linear Power

All the best,
-Mark
24-02-2016, 15:50
roob

Quote:

Are you using speakers or headphones ?

I was running the Pi and Digi+ into my main system, I tried the iFi Power psu but it didn't make any difference to my set up but other users on here who use the IQ dac report a good improvement over the stock psu. The linear psu you linked to does look interesting but you will need a mini usb adaptor to plug into the Pi, maybe the seller can supply one.
24-02-2016, 21:59
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by roob

I was running the Pi and Digi+ into my main system, I tried the iFi Power psu but it didn't make any difference to my set up but other users on here who use the IQ dac report a good improvement over the stock psu. The linear psu you linked to does look interesting but you will need a mini usb adaptor to plug into the Pi, maybe the seller can supply one.

Thank you Andy,
It seems that you can solder a jumper onto the board and power the board directly:
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5C5oSs5ELk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L83EEDbAMJI

- Mark
24-02-2016, 22:03
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by roob

I would be tempted to go the Pi +IQ dac board route with the iFi iPower psu, folks are reporting good results with this combo.
I tried the Pi with Digi+ board into my dac (with the iFi iPower psu) and didn't get as good a result.

Dear roob,
Have you tried any of the other Pi DACS ?

Durio

Audiophonics

Thank you,
- Mark
24-02-2016, 22:08
struth

Ive got the audiophonics one... betters the iq imo
24-02-2016, 22:13
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by struth

Ive got the audiophonics one... betters the iq imo

Thank you !

- Mark
24-02-2016, 23:46
roob

Quote:

Have you tried any of the other Pi DACS ?

No I just had the Digi+ board into my own dac.
25-02-2016, 00:21
roob

Quote:

Originally Posted by struth

Ive got the audiophonics one... betters the iq imo

Which one Grant? there are a few on their website.
25-02-2016, 11:00
WAD62

Quote:

Originally Posted by museguy

Hi Everyone !

New to the forum. Setting up a desktop listening system.

Thinking:
Wi-Fi > Raspberry Pi with Wi Fi >Volumio > Digi + > AK4396 Dac > Lehmann Clone

Would welcome any suggestions.

Trying to keep the costs down to less than $200 plus Raspberry Pi. Not sure if better to use Digi + and an inexpensive DAC or DAC + and a headphone amp.

One thought is Raspberry Pi > DAC + > Lehmann Clone

Also very interested in people using linear power supplies with Raspberry Pi / DAC +

Headphones:
* Sennheiser HD650
* Sony MDR-7506
* Denon D2000
* Fostex t50rp

Thank you !

I'd suggest an IQaudio Pi DAC & case, into a Beresford Capella HP amp...I'm awaiting the new iFi pi PSU, so can't personally recommend that yet, but some well respected members reported good things in conjunction with an on-board I2S Dac

I also have one of the Audiophonics boards, albeit in a basic dogbone case, I have the rest of the components for the full case build...but it doesn't look as easy as I'd hoped ;)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...soldering-iron

I's very difficult to A/B test them, if there is a difference in SQ it's marginal, or one needs to be using better components than I'm using in my kitchen set up

I'd suggest either would not be a limiting factor in your desktop setup, and for the price difference you can get yourself an iFi Pi PSU...:)
25-02-2016, 11:16
WAD62

...PS

As of yesterday I've been using some new IPL M4 speakers in my kitchen setup...previously I'd been using an old pair of Mission 780SEs, which I'd had since the mid '90s.

I was forced (honest guvner!) into this, as I synchronise my living room and kitchen systems (SPTouch/piCorePlayer), and since I've recently upgraded my main speakers to IPL S5TLs the poor old Mission's were being exposed somewhat (the M4s share the same mid/tweeter drivers). Something I'd not actually considered beforehand...:eyebrows:

All I can say is the speaker upgrade has revealed just even more of the IQaudio DAC (and Mini-1) combo's capabilities...:)
25-02-2016, 12:33
Kit1cat

Hi Will, are you running both your pi combo and mini 1 amp from the Anker battery? I have my pi combo connected to a Anker battery but I am still using the PSU with a sbooster unit for the amp, not sure if 12v from the battery would get the best out of the mini 1.
25-02-2016, 12:54
WAD62

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kit1cat

Hi Will, are you running both your pi combo and mini 1 amp from the Anker battery? I have my pi combo connected to a Anker battery but I am still using the PSU with a sbooster unit for the amp, not sure if 12v from the battery would get the best out of the mini 1.

Hi Barry, we have the same configuration, I use the Mini-1 PSU (5A) in conjunction with an SBooster too, I doubt the battery has enough grunt for the Amp let alone both...
25-02-2016, 13:10
Kit1cat

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAD62

Hi Barry, we have the same configuration, I use the Mini-1 PSU (5A) in conjunction with an SBooster too, I doubt the battery has enough grunt for the Amp let alone both...

Strangely enough we also have the same case for the pi/dac combo. :)
25-02-2016, 13:14
WAD62

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kit1cat

Strangely enough we also have the same case for the pi/dac combo.

...classy and understated ;)

And more importantly as it's in the kitchen...grease proof :eyebrows:
25-02-2016, 14:10
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAD62

I'd suggest an IQaudio Pi DAC & case, into a Beresford Capella HP amp...I'm awaiting the new iFi pi PSU, so can't personally recommend that yet, but some well respected members reported good things in conjunction with an on-board I2S Dac

I also have one of the Audiophonics boards, albeit in a basic dogbone case, I have the rest of the components for the full case build...but it doesn't look as easy as I'd hoped ;)

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...soldering-iron

I's very difficult to A/B test them, if there is a difference in SQ it's marginal, or one needs to be using better components than I'm using in my kitchen set up

I'd suggest either would not be a limiting factor in your desktop setup, and for the price difference you can get yourself an iFi Pi PSU...:)

Dear Will,
Thank you for the suggestions ! Just looked at the Beresford Capella HP looks nice and at a good price. Yesterday found the new Audiophonics setup video looks interesting with a linear power supply.

https://youtu.be/o7v0J_CfpNY

All the best,
- Mark
25-02-2016, 14:27
WAD62

Quote:

Originally Posted by museguy

Dear Will,
Thank you for the suggestions ! Just looked at the Beresford Capella HP looks nice and at a good price. Yesterday found the new Audiophonics setup video looks interesting with a linear power supply.

https://youtu.be/o7v0J_CfpNY

All the best,
- Mark

Hi Mark I have to confess the Capella is the first non portable dedicated headphone amp I've had, so there will be other good options out there I'm sure, but it drives my AKG K702s very well, and they can be difficult to please...the damping and gain controls really come into their own. Oh and it matched the Caiman II it's partnered with ;)
26-02-2016, 16:24
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAD62

Hi Mark I have to confess the Capella is the first non portable dedicated headphone amp I've had, so there will be other good options out there I'm sure, but it drives my AKG K702s very well, and they can be difficult to please...the damping and gain controls really come into their own. Oh and it matched the Caiman II it's partnered with ;)

Dear Will,
Thank you for the the feedback !

- Mark
26-02-2016, 16:32
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by struth

Ive got the audiophonics one... betters the iq imo

Dear Grant,
Thank you for the assistance !

Ordered the Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023 V2 TCXO Raspberry Pi 2.0 A+ B+ / I2S, will post a review when it arrives.

All the best,
-Mark
26-02-2016, 16:39
museguy

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for the guidance.

Have ordered the Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023 V2 TCXO Raspberry Pi 2.0 A+ B+ / I2S .

Now starting to think about the headphone amp. There seems to be consensus that the B22 is one of the best headphone amps. Found an assembled board on ebay Assembled B22 mono headphone amplifier board would require two boards, heat sinks, case and power supply, seems pretty straight forward. Would combine the Raspberry Pi with Audiophonics DAC and B22 in one case.

Other Options:
Lehmann Clone

A1 clone class A

ZEROZONE JLH Class A 1969 Headphone amplifier

ZERO-ZONE Classic reproduction HD-8-A1-PRO Headphone amplifier finished board

Thinking that it would be an easy way to try out DIY, buy the board(s), case, power supply and try it and see if I like DIY.

Welcome suggestions,
-Mark
26-02-2016, 18:58
WAD62

Quote:

Originally Posted by museguy

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for the guidance.

Have ordered the Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023 V2 TCXO Raspberry Pi 2.0 A+ B+ / I2S .

Now starting to think about the headphone amp. There seems to be consensus that the B22 is one of the best headphone amps. Found an assembled board on ebay Assembled B22 mono headphone amplifier board would require two boards, heat sinks, case and power supply, seems pretty straight forward. Would combine the Raspberry Pi with Audiophonics DAC and B22 in one case.

Another Option:
Lehmann Clone

Thinking that it would be an easy way to try out DIY, buy the board(s), case, power supply and try it and see if I like DIY.

Welcome suggestions,
-Mark

In the intervening period you might want to try a simple dogbone case just to get it up and running, given regieB's DIY thread the full build looks quite complex...I need to find a version of Squeezelite that is compatible with the LCD screen before I continue with mine...:)

PS you'll need some extra spacers for the case
26-02-2016, 21:39
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAD62

In the intervening period you might want to try a simple dogbone case just to get it up and running, given regieB's DIY thread the full build looks quite complex...I need to find a version of Squeezelite that is compatible with the LCD screen before I continue with mine...:)

PS you'll need some extra spacers for the case

Thank you Will,
Will check out the dogbone case and regieB's DIY.

All the best,
- Mark
27-02-2016, 19:14
museguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by museguy

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for the guidance.

Have ordered the Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023 V2 TCXO Raspberry Pi 2.0 A+ B+ / I2S .

Now starting to think about the headphone amp. There seems to be consensus that the B22 is one of the best headphone amps. Found an assembled board on ebay Assembled B22 mono headphone amplifier board would require two boards, heat sinks, case and power supply, seems pretty straight forward. Would combine the Raspberry Pi with Audiophonics DAC and B22 in one case.

Other Options:
Lehmann Clone

A1 clone class A

ZEROZONE JLH Class A 1969 Headphone amplifier

ZERO-ZONE Classic reproduction HD-8-A1-PRO Headphone amplifier finished board

Thinking that it would be an easy way to try out DIY, buy the board(s), case, power supply and try it and see if I like DIY.

Welcome suggestions,
-Mark

Hi All,
I also posted in DIY forums. Several people warned against any of the above ebay "clones". Instead recommend the F5-HA or the Akitika for the PR-101 or the upcoming PassDIY

-Mark