Bunch of newbies

spikey1973

Hello, well I'll start with a small introduction.. I am a new by at basically any of this.. Except the music part. But overall some what capable I general.

I ended up here due to a some what shocked post from a friend about this project. A friend with whom i've been working on our audio player systems (Lately based on ms server 2012 r2 with audio optimiser)

He is a really audiophile with what i perceive as an amazing system.. And always going for the best.. I would love to too but my wallet doesn't allow anything even near that.

He helps me with the knowledge and passion of music, i kinda help hem with the softwate and tech side.

So all this got me to build a i3 processor audio player on an old main board. (passively cooled, ssd, no videocard, no soundcard. etc) attached via usb to a Logitech z10 speaker set (for the moment), am slowly working on parts to get a dddac functional.

So I got his WhatsApp post.. About this project and kinda was slightly shocked, amazed, and awed at the same time, but also immediately recognised the potential.

Unfortunately i (we) am (are) quite unfamiliar with r-pi's as I've been only following the development from the sidelines. But now I am fully intrigued and am about to buy myself a raspberry pi 2 b and dip in this ocean. But as my wallet doesn't run deep I need to be aware of what I REALLY need before I start to see if I can afford it all. No use being stuck with 95% and unable to continue because I can't buy the last hut expensive piece. This is what I have in mind so far.

1: Of course the project download from here (free)
2: raspberry pi type 2 B (40)
3: Micro SD card class 10 (but what is the minimal (available or 20 depending on he size needed size for the OS) plus conversion card.

4: I plan on getting my music from my ssd drive I use for my player now (1 TB) via sata to usb connection. (Available)

5: Logitech z10 for now and later dddac I'm building. (Available)
6: old micro usb phone charger / battery pack for raspberry pi power supply. (Available)

But what else do I need? I reed a lot of comments about sound cards, but I don't use that now.. Straight from usb to z10 dac. Do I really need a soundcard?

Am I missing something else?

Additional.. I someone a bit more experienced would like to support me during the initial setup once I've got everything I would be highly appreciative. I'm poor, not dumb so I should be able to do must parts by myself but am still unfamiliar with linux scripts. Basically all I do is copy paste, but understand what I copy past. [emoji14]

Once I'm up and running, than I can help my friend.

Kind greatings an thanks in advance.

Matthieu.

den_hr

Hi Matthieu,

What you need:
1) Raspberry Pi
Right now, I'd recommend the "plain old" Raspberry Pi B or B+. Namely, the Pi model 2 is still rather new, and not much of the hardware/software supports it. Well, it does, but there are glitches. Or, if you can wait a month or two, and see what's available on the SW and HW side then.
Right now, your best bet is Raspberry Pi B+ (see also below for the DAC). You'll also need an SD card (4GB Class 10 is OK, you don't need anything larger.
2) DAC
I'd recommned one of the DAC boards made specifically for RasPi, based on I2S protocol, like hifiberry, etc. Check the rest of the forum for recommendations, particularly here:
http://www.runeaudio.com/forum/compatibility-list-f11.html
Reason why I recommend a DAC custom-made for RasPi is that those use I2S instead of USB. Namely, to cut the long story short (and somewhat oversimplified), USB DACs don't work too well on the Raspberry, due to some hardware design issues. SOme people claim to use their USB DACs without any problems and with fabulous sond, but those are rare

Before buying a new RasPi DAC like I recommend, you could also try to use your existing USB DAC with Raspberry and RuneAudio, and see what you get. Most people get clicking, pops and other audible interference....

Anyway, those custom RasPi DACs are priced from €25 to €35, so it's not really that expensive. Just make sure that the DAC you are buying is intended for the Raspberry Pi model which you have (those for models "B" and "B+" are not really interchangeable). Also check what kind of audio out you want - these DACs usually have RCA analog audio out, but some also offer S/PDIF coaxial (or optical - i.e. TOSLINK) output.

You'll need a good power supply - preferrably 5V/2A (although 1.5A will also work).

Anyway, a good and complete hardware setup guide for RuneAudio can be found here:
https://github.com/RuneAudio/Docs/blob/master/docs/quick-start/rpi-hardware-setup.md

But, basically, what I wrote above should be enough:
1) Raspberry Pi (B+)
2) DAC for RasPi B+ (hifibery, iqaudio, etc.)
3) Micro SD card (for RasPi B+)
4) power supply with microUSB cable (5V/1.5 - 2A)

Install the RuneAudio distro as described here:
http://www.runeaudio.com/documentation/quick-start/quick-start-guide/

And you should be all set... Connect audio out from the DAC to the amp, and enjoy

Denis

spikey1973

Thanks Denis..

This will indeed get me on the tracks.. I'll go and search.. Bu t I think u prefer to wait a couple if months till when the type 2 is unglitched. I am not in a rush so. But I'll order he rpi now just to be able to fiddle with it in he mean time (I think) I am besides short in funds also rather short in hobby time so.. I will be playing with it only in a blue moon. So see if I find it worth it. Maybe I'll just wait then. Thanks non the less! Your reply was very informative.

hondagx35

Hi Matthieu,

welcome and thank you for the nice introduction.

But I think u prefer to wait a couple if months till when the type 2 is unglitched. I am not in a rush so

I will not take months, the first image for the RP 2 seems to run without much problems.
There is a big step up in performance, for the same price.

5: Logitech z10 for now and later dddac I'm building. (Available)

#4845

Feel free to ask if you have problems.

@Denis
Thank you for this great answer, i'm sure it is very helpful to all newcomers.
As mentioned above i think it will not take months until RP2 is fully supported.

Frank

LatestOne

Hi All,
I am LatestOne. i am glad to be a part of RA.

rastus

Matthieu > High and greetings. There's a good list of DAC hats here....

[Guide] List of I2S DACs for Raspberry Pi
https://volumio.org/forum/list-i2s-dacs-for-raspberry-t1103.html

rastus

den_hr wroteRight now, I'd recommend the "plain old" Raspberry Pi B or B+. Namely, the Pi model 2 is still rather new, and not much of the hardware/software supports it. Well, it does, but there are glitches. Or, if you can wait a month or two, and see what's available on the SW and HW side then.

Right now, your best bet is Raspberry Pi B+...

That's strange, I've had my Raspberry Pi 2B for nearly a year now. Maybe I'm missing something, should "Pi model 2" read 'Pi model 3', because (I thought) the Raspberry Pi 3 is the new one. And I thought the Raspberry Pi B or B+ was somewhat older than the rest. Strange, very strange.

den_hr wrote Also check what kind of audio out you want - these DACs usually have RCA analog audio out, but some also offer S/PDIF coaxial (or optical - i.e. TOSLINK) output.

That's strange (again), I thought the DAC hats had RCA outputs and the DIGI hats had S/PDIF (coax and optical)... and I thought a DIGI hat was not a DAC (Digital to Analogue Decoder) at all, rather I thought the DIGI hat was just a transport device to send the (clean?) signal to an external DAC device, Amp, etc. Stranger again, very. Maybe I'm missing something (medication maybe?).

Come on guys, set me straight... am I...?