'Analog Dinosaur' succumbs to the joys of FBA : enter Raspberry Pi 2/IQ-Audio DAC+!!

[guyb]

OK, so I have the Pi-DAC+ now.

So far so good but more on that later.

One thing that I have noticed though is that the output level of DSD is a lot lower than other audio types. It also seems that the quality of DSD playback is not a good as my DAC however this is perhaps just because the level is lower and I have to adjust the volume before trying to compare to non-DSD audio.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Guy

[The Black Adder]

A quick question.

Can the Pi/Dac+ output a AES signal? I've recently bought a PPM unit that has (as well as audio inputs) XLR AES inputs, just wondering if it can be done, and the best way of going about it?

There are converters but anyone know which is best? In-line or powered types.

[Stratmangler]

A quick question.

Can the Pi/Dac+ output a AES signal? I've recently bought a PPM unit that has (as well as audio inputs) XLR AES inputs, just wondering if it can be done, and how?

What on earth is a PPM unit?

[The Black Adder]

What on earth is a PPM unit?

...lol PPM (Peak Program Meter) - It's a box wid sum VU meters. Basically to measure peak volume.

I've actually found a unit to convert SPDIF to AES using XLR (RS422). All I need to know now is can the Pi/Dac+ output SPDIF?

Are any of you using it with an external DAC? lol... I suppose that would negate the DAC+ card.

So can the PI/DAC+ co-exist producing both analogue (via the DAC+) and digital out (via the RPi)? If so, I'm guessing that it uses a USB port, do I need to switch a port on?

[Stratmangler]

...lol PPM (Peak Program Meter) - It's a box wid sum VU meters. Basically to measure peak volume.

I've actually found a unit to convert SPDIF to AES using XLR (RS422). All I need to know now is can the Pi/Dac+ output SPDIF?

Are any of you using it with an external DAC? lol... I suppose that would negate the DAC+ card.

So can the PI/DAC+ co-exist producing both analogue (via the DAC+) and digital out (via the RPi)? If so, I'm guessing that it uses a USB port, do I need to switch a port on?

The Pi does not have a SPDIF connection.
It requires a daughterboard to be fitted which will allow SPDIF output.
The SPDIF daughterboard fits in the same place the IQAudio DAC+ does, so there's no provision to switch quickly between SPDIF and DAC+ quickly.
You'd have to shut the Pi down and power off to replace the modules during a switch.

What have you got in mind with the peak program meter?
What are you looking to accomplish?

[Canetoad]

Instead of the Dac+ board you can buy a HiFiBerry Digi+ board, which outputs either toslink or coax spdif. I use one with a Caiman II DAC and it sounds better than the HiFiBerry DAC+, the equivalent of the DAC+ board from IQaudio.

I have just received an IQaudio DAC+ board and am about to compare it to both the Digi+/Caiman II and Dac+ I already have. Whichever sounds best will be staying in my system.

[The Black Adder]

Thanks chaps.

What I was thinking of doing was instead of using audio outputs, using SPDIF out for the source signal in to a mixer (but that's later) then the PPM and then in to a Reel to Reel.

[Ali Tait]

I get very good results plugging my DAC output directly into the R to R. Lots of good live stuff on Sky Arts. Some great recordings you can't get any other way.

[Stratmangler]

Thanks chaps.

What I was thinking of doing was instead of using audio outputs, using SPDIF out for the source signal in to a mixer (but that's later) then the PPM and then in to a Reel to Reel.

Where in the chain is the DAC?
The SPDIF on its own into a mixer is about as useful as a one legged man in an arse kicking competition.
Is there a company out there making a mixer with an integral DAC?

[Stratmangler]

I get very good results plugging my DAC output directly into the R to R. Lots of good live stuff on Sky Arts. Some great recordings you can't get any other way.

I have an EMU0404 USB ADC/DAC and sometimes I'll take the Toslink connection from my TV and connect it to the EMU.
I get very good results keeping it all in the digital domain.