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Post by MartinT on Nov 1, 2014 21:47:28 GMT
Great, I'll get it installed. Means I have to install Radio Paradise internet station again, but having Spotify is a big deal for discovering new music.
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Post by chukka on Nov 1, 2014 23:18:03 GMT
yep, for me to but I'll have to wait for the cubox i2 version which is slated to come out in the next couple of days.. happy listening :-)
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Post by stanleyb on Nov 3, 2014 16:08:17 GMT
So who are the good Pi programmers here? I got a few I2C routines that need a coder. It's to access a host of additional functions on the Caiman MKII DAC.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 3, 2014 19:18:47 GMT
Volumio v1.5
I downloaded Volumio v1.5 today and imaged it to the SD card to see how it would perform. Despite it still being based on Linux 'Wheezy' ('Jessie' is not formally released yet, remember they're Toy Story characters) a lot of changes have gone on under the bonnet. Here's the changelog from v1.41:
- Full Spotify Integration - Reworked Library TAB - Update System Introduced - OhMedia UPNP Support - AirPlay issues fixed - Selectable Player Name - System services selector - WebRadios can be added from WebUi - Clear Whole queue from WebUi - Social Sharing - Direct DSD Playback - Full I2S B+ DACs compatibility - Better i2s DACs management - Networking Page Reworked - Song title in Browser Tab - Startup Sound - Shell shock bug fixed - MPD 19.1
For me, it sounds a whole step up in quality from v1.41 and I put that down to the later version MPD and better I2S handling with the HiFiBerry Digi+ board. However, the killer app for me is Spotify which works really well. Fantastic!
I also gave my RPi B+ / Digi+ a new case:
Playing FLAC files has now surpassed the SQ of my Blu-ray player playing the same files from a USB drive. There is a little more life and drive to the music. Really very good indeed.
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Post by John on Nov 3, 2014 19:36:36 GMT
Thanks for the update sounds like time for me to start on this journey
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 3, 2014 19:39:44 GMT
Yep, me too. Once I get the G99 finished, this will be my next project.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 3, 2014 20:22:33 GMT
It's worth it, chaps, and great fun in the process. You know when you have reached that point where you can wind the wick up and it doesn't hurt? I got that just now playing The Doors Riders on the Storm from Spotify, just to see how it sounds. Very good indeed is the answer. Local mp3 and FLAC files sound good, too. Radio Paradise remains excellent, but there is more air and space and quite a lot more dynamic clout than there was before. The Caiman-II DAC just raises its game as the input quality improves. I now firmly stick with optical as the best input.
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Post by Sovereign on Nov 3, 2014 22:01:59 GMT
Thanks for the update sounds like time for me to start on this journey Yes me too but I have so much else I want to explore as well
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Post by MartinT on Nov 4, 2014 7:14:37 GMT
So who are the good Pi programmers here? I got a few I2C routines that need a coder. It's to access a host of additional functions on the Caiman MKII DAC. Sorry Stan, I never was much of a programmer (a little C and PostScript is as far as I ever went). You might try the main Raspberry Pi forums for a good coder.
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Post by John on Nov 13, 2014 14:46:24 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Nov 13, 2014 16:14:04 GMT
Hi John The B+, Digi+ and HFB case are what I use. Optical sounds better than co-ax to my ears, so you could get the cheaper Digi+ if you like. There are lots of phone extender batteries around, but for testing you can use the USB outlet of the Ankaka battery, which works fine.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 13, 2014 16:15:37 GMT
Reading your post, make sure you order the Digi+ for RPi B+, not the older one.
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Post by John on Nov 13, 2014 16:47:56 GMT
Reading the details the HiFI Berry Transformer version is for RPi B+ and means no need for USB conversion as connects direct to the CPU Thanks I think the Optical probably sounds better as Stan tweaked the Caiman and managed to get a bit more out from the Optical input
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Post by MartinT on Nov 14, 2014 6:46:58 GMT
Reading the details the HiFI Berry Transformer version is for RPi B+ and means no need for USB conversion as connects direct to the CPU I'm not with you there, John. The transformer only provides isolation for the S/PDIF co-ax connection in the case that you need to keep the earths separate. It should have no bearing on USB? If you intend using optical only, you don't need it at all.
We're looking at this, right?
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Post by John on Nov 14, 2014 10:31:09 GMT
Was looking at this version www.hifiberry.com/product/hifiberry-digi-transformer-version/ Copied and pasted from the site Output transformer The output transformer provides a full galvanic isolation between the Raspberry Pi and your DAC on the electrical output. Usual consumer-grade SPDIF outputs do not use output transformers. Usually this works without problems. However, many audio enthusiast like to use this option. If you’re not sure, the standard version is most likely ok for you. The output transformer does not have any effect on the optical output. Therefore if you plan to use only the optical output, the standard version will do the job. Also copied from site HiFiBerry Digi is a high-quality S/PDIF output for the Raspberry Pi. It uses the I2S sound port that connects directly to the CPU without the need for an additional USB conversion. So I thought this be the best way to go but open to using without the transformer I was planning to try different outputs so thought this might be the better route?
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Post by MartinT on Nov 14, 2014 12:24:21 GMT
It uses the I2S sound port that connects directly to the CPU without the need for an additional USB conversion That comms link is used by all the Digi versions, they are all driven from I 2S directly without USB intervention. It has nothing to do with the S/PDIF output transformer.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 15, 2014 13:58:12 GMT
Further Listening
Further listening to the RPi using Volumio 1.5 reveals that it's capable of very good sound indeed. In fact, it easily shows up a poor stream or file versus a good one. Hi-res files sound very good indeed and WAV, FLAC or a good 320k mp3 rip can all sound almost as good. Spotify streams are highly variable: two examples from recent playing are David Essex Rock On which sounds flat and lifeless from Spotify and is far removed from the CD, and Lo-Fang's You're the One that I Want which sounds excellent from Spotify with good deep and punchy bass and a proper soundstage.
I've played with the settings in Volumio and shut down everything unnecessary such as DNLA and auto library update. I've also given the RPi a nice case and weighed it down with a HFN Flux Dumper to prevent rattles and vibration. Finally, I've compared using a mains 5V adapter (not good); the USB output of the Ankaka battery (better) and my phone extender battery (best).
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Post by MartinT on Nov 25, 2014 13:35:05 GMT
For anyone who wants to run their RPi streamer for a serious length of time on battery power, the RAVpower 14000mAH battery pack looks perfect. It will apparently run a B+ for over 30 hours.
Review here.
£22.99 from Amazon!
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Post by John on Nov 25, 2014 17:51:36 GMT
Cheers that looks good
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 25, 2014 18:31:02 GMT
That looks like a winner!
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