|
|
Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 1, 2016 9:24:03 GMT -5
I think that I’m the only one here that is running this system outside Emotiva:
Volumio
RPI3
HiFiBerry Digi +
Sound quality is better than digital out from J River on the HTPC I also have.
You can build this system DIY.
If someone is close to me, Portland ME, I would be happy to loan mine to you for appraisal!
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 1, 2016 9:32:03 GMT -5
Just an FYI..... The BNC input on most digital devices (including our DC-1) is just another Coax S/PDIF input with a different connector on it. You can use it as another RCA Coax input by simply putting a $2 BNC-to-RCA adapter on it. A few companies also make neat little cables with a BNC connector on one end and an RCA connector on the other. You can find a bunch of them here: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&N=0&Ntt=bnc+to+rcaAny cables or adapters rated for "video" will generally work, and 75 ohms is the correct impedance for both. In general, try to keep the cable as short as possible, avoid really long ones, and try to keep the number of intervening adapters to a minimum. I haven't seen any interface boards for the Raspberry Pi that provide an AES output... although note that any external device that connects to a USB audio output, and converts it to AES/EBU, should work. (I suspect that, since the whole point of the Raspberry Pi is a small convenient device that can be located anywhere, and the main benefit of an AES connection is being able to use long wires, which is most useful when your equipment is far apart and isn't convenient to relocate, there simply hasn't been much demand to combine the two of them. AES/EBU tends to be more of a "pro thing". ) The pi probably can't do it but it would be so nice if it has....AN AES output. So we can actually use all the AES inputs on the emo dacs. Or a BNC output. I already use the coax to BNC adapter. Works great! Keith...for the longest time I've been trying to figure out a way to get AES in to my DC-1. Here's my thing I don't want to go USB. If I did, I'd just use the usb input. What I am looking for is an AES output that is 1. For a PC (preferrably) 2. CHEAP (I.e. Not over say $300 - $400) 3. Not hideous. Right now all I've found for AES output are professional cards like RME. But all there stuff have hideous breakout cables with like 8 to 16 other breakout cables coming out. I'm looking for something simple - preferrably ONE aes output, cheap, and for a PC - like a PCI card or something for home use - 2 channels. Know anything like that? I can't believe dedicated transport cards are rare for the PC. The only one I found was this Musiland digital tiimes card which had BNC out www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA36T19U0786 |
|
harsh
Minor Hero
Posts: 40 
|
Post by harsh on Sept 1, 2016 10:33:20 GMT -5
I haven't seen any interface boards for the Raspberry Pi that provide an AES output... There is a nice board from Pi2Design which is about to be released : the Pi2Media 503SPD2 www.pi2design.com/coming-soon.html |
|
KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,274
|
Post by KeithL on Sept 1, 2016 10:37:39 GMT -5
The short answer to your question is that, yes, dedicated output cards for a home PC are pretty rare. Some PCs, including a lot of Dell desktops, seem to come with a Toslink output already included (they don't mention it much). There used to be at least a few expensive "home PC sound cards" with Coax outputs - I recall one by Turtle Beach in the $300 to $400 range (but that was a long time ago). If the price wasn't so high, you could make a custom cable with a single connector for a card like the RME (just don't use the messy breakout squid thingy). I think the simple fact is that the only demand for AES/EBU is in the world of serious studio level (and price) pro audio. (And, since pros tend to want multiple channels and such, that's why most of the professional ones have lots of channels, and cost lots of $$$). I've got to ask..... WHY do you specifically want an AES/EBU output for a piece of home equipment? Toslink and Coax can be used up to twenty feet or so, and there are USB solutions (like the Corning "powered optical cables") that can be used for VERY long runs. The other thing that I would note about Coax and Toslink connections is that, UNLIKE an asynch USB connection, S/PDIF is clocked by the source. This means that the signal quality of what the source puts out can actually matter... and I wouldn't bet that the output of a computer sound card would be especially low in jitter. (The DC-1 won't mind if you leave the ASRC enabled - because that removes jitter from the incoming signal; however, with the ASRC disabled, you may notice a degradation in sound quality with a poor quality S/PDIF source, or with a long cable that degrades the jitter performance.) This is one of the reasons why asynch USB is considered to give you better performance. Just an FYI..... The BNC input on most digital devices (including our DC-1) is just another Coax S/PDIF input with a different connector on it. You can use it as another RCA Coax input by simply putting a $2 BNC-to-RCA adapter on it. A few companies also make neat little cables with a BNC connector on one end and an RCA connector on the other. You can find a bunch of them here: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&N=0&Ntt=bnc+to+rcaAny cables or adapters rated for "video" will generally work, and 75 ohms is the correct impedance for both. In general, try to keep the cable as short as possible, avoid really long ones, and try to keep the number of intervening adapters to a minimum. I haven't seen any interface boards for the Raspberry Pi that provide an AES output... although note that any external device that connects to a USB audio output, and converts it to AES/EBU, should work. (I suspect that, since the whole point of the Raspberry Pi is a small convenient device that can be located anywhere, and the main benefit of an AES connection is being able to use long wires, which is most useful when your equipment is far apart and isn't convenient to relocate, there simply hasn't been much demand to combine the two of them. AES/EBU tends to be more of a "pro thing". ) I already use the coax to BNC adapter. Works great! Keith...for the longest time I've been trying to figure out a way to get AES in to my DC-1. Here's my thing I don't want to go USB. If I did, I'd just use the usb input. What I am looking for is an AES output that is 1. For a PC (preferrably) 2. CHEAP (I.e. Not over say $300 - $400) 3. Not hideous. Right now all I've found for AES output are professional cards like RME. But all there stuff have hideous breakout cables with like 8 to 16 other breakout cables coming out. I'm looking for something simple - preferrably ONE aes output, cheap, and for a PC - like a PCI card or something for home use - 2 channels. Know anything like that? I can't believe dedicated transport cards are rare for the PC. The only one I found was this Musiland digital tiimes card which had BNC out www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA36T19U0786 |
|
KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,274
|
Post by KeithL on Sept 1, 2016 10:45:39 GMT -5
I've just switched over to a Raspberry Pi and Volumio for serving audio. However, I tend to serve my audio locally from a USB hard drive. And I have the USB output of my Pi connected directly to the USB input on my XMC-1. So far, it's worked FLAWLESSLY, and minus the occasional glitches I used to experience when using a laptop computer and Windows. Note that, when running Volumio, you can connect the Raspberry Pi directly to the USB input on a DC-1 or XMC-1 (with no extra drivers required). I think that I’m the only one here that is running this system outside Emotiva: Volumio RPI3 HiFiBerry Digi + Sound quality is better than digital out from J River on the HTPC I also have. You can build this system DIY. If someone is close to me, Portland ME, I would be happy to loan mine to you for appraisal! |
|
KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,274
|
Post by KeithL on Sept 1, 2016 10:49:00 GMT -5
Most interesting...... and, considering the "Pi ecosystem", it probably won't cost an arm and a leg. I haven't seen any interface boards for the Raspberry Pi that provide an AES output... There is a nice board from Pi2Design which is about to be released : the Pi2Media 503SPD2 www.pi2design.com/coming-soon.html |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 1, 2016 10:53:32 GMT -5
The short answer to your question is that, yes, dedicated output cards for a home PC are pretty rare. Some PCs, including a lot of Dell desktops, seem to come with a Toslink output already included (they don't mention it much). There used to be at least a few expensive "home PC sound cards" with Coax outputs - I recall one by Turtle Beach in the $300 to $400 range (but that was a long time ago). If the price wasn't so high, you could make a custom cable with a single connector for a card like the RME (just don't use the messy breakout squid thingy). I think the simple fact is that the only demand for AES/EBU is in the world of serious studio level (and price) pro audio. (And, since pros tend to want multiple channels and such, that's why most of the professional ones have lots of channels, and cost lots of $$$). I've got to ask..... WHY do you specifically want an AES/EBU output for a piece of home equipment? Toslink and Coax can be used up to twenty feet or so, and there are USB solutions (like the Corning "powered optical cables") that can be used for VERY long runs. The other thing that I would note about Coax and Toslink connections is that, UNLIKE an asynch USB connection, S/PDIF is clocked by the source. This means that the signal quality of what the source puts out can actually matter... and I wouldn't bet that the output of a computer sound card would be especially low in jitter. (The DC-1 won't mind if you leave the ASRC enabled - because that removes jitter from the incoming signal; however, with the ASRC disabled, you may notice a degradation in sound quality with a poor quality S/PDIF source, or with a long cable that degrades the jitter performance.) This is one of the reasons why asynch USB is considered to give you better performance. I already use the coax to BNC adapter. Works great! Keith...for the longest time I've been trying to figure out a way to get AES in to my DC-1. Here's my thing I don't want to go USB. If I did, I'd just use the usb input. What I am looking for is an AES output that is 1. For a PC (preferrably) 2. CHEAP (I.e. Not over say $300 - $400) 3. Not hideous. Right now all I've found for AES output are professional cards like RME. But all there stuff have hideous breakout cables with like 8 to 16 other breakout cables coming out. I'm looking for something simple - preferrably ONE aes output, cheap, and for a PC - like a PCI card or something for home use - 2 channels. Know anything like that? I can't believe dedicated transport cards are rare for the PC. The only one I found was this Musiland digital tiimes card which had BNC out www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA36T19U0786Well I think it's more a matter of the idea than possibly real gains.  Why I want it. My DC-1 and XDA-1 both have it. I run fully balanced. So I like the idea of a balanced chain or at least a bunch of XLR cables. I also would like a more purist solution. For instance, I would prefer a sound card that just does digital audio. Basicxall something specialized. But not specialized as in 32 channels of digital audio ya know?! I'm talking two channels. And I figure AES would be a good connection. The main reason is that I found that my Asus Xonar Essence though it sounds great....sounds different/slightly inferior to my blu ray players digital output. I think it's because it doesn't just output it directly. It goes through a sotware layer which can add eq, volume control, dsp, and stuff. So it takes a similar route as the soundcard's dac. While what I want is a more direct short route which is hopefully XLR. (But I'll take BNC as well though.) |
|
|
|
Post by indyscammer on Sept 1, 2016 12:56:13 GMT -5
Have avoided a DYI just due to time, travel, and I don't really get enjoyment from the doing. Would seriously look at a turnkey solution with the Emotiva value proposition in place!
|
|
|
|
Post by brubacca on Sept 1, 2016 14:08:48 GMT -5
Personally I am looking forward to the poll looking for feature suggestions. I have many opinions on this product since I have been begging for it for years.
Unfotunately (for emotiva, although I doubt they are worried about my 1 or 2 units) I have just found my product that stirs the drink (audio wise). I may give the EMoStream a try for another zone, but it depends on how the design shakes out.
|
|
|
|
Post by cburbs on Sept 1, 2016 14:42:07 GMT -5
I haven't seen any interface boards for the Raspberry Pi that provide an AES output... There is a nice board from Pi2Design which is about to be released : the Pi2Media 503SPD2 www.pi2design.com/coming-soon.htmlThat looks cool thanks for the heads up! |
|
harsh
Minor Hero
Posts: 40
|
Post by harsh on Sept 1, 2016 14:47:44 GMT -5
|
|
KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,274
|
Post by KeithL on Sept 1, 2016 15:28:23 GMT -5
Not at all unreasonable.... just bear in mind that, for a digital connection, the idea of a "balanced connection" has rather a different significance than for an analog connection. While a balanced digital connection has the benefits of any balanced connection, it is not actually "continuing the balanced signal chain"... because there is a conversion between it and the balanced audio part of the signal chain. I'm inclined to agree with what you said about "preferring a more purist solution". However, arguably, it is USB that is the "more pure solution" - because, with USB, and a DAC with an asynchronous USB input, the change-over from the computer's clock to the DAC's clock occurs at the input of the DAC. If your goal is to have "the minimum possible functionality in the sound card", then a USB DAC wins hands down.... because, with a USB DAC, the DAC completely replaces the sound card (you can use a USB DAC with a computer that doesn't even have a sound card installed in it). The short answer to your question is that, yes, dedicated output cards for a home PC are pretty rare. Some PCs, including a lot of Dell desktops, seem to come with a Toslink output already included (they don't mention it much). There used to be at least a few expensive "home PC sound cards" with Coax outputs - I recall one by Turtle Beach in the $300 to $400 range (but that was a long time ago). If the price wasn't so high, you could make a custom cable with a single connector for a card like the RME (just don't use the messy breakout squid thingy). I think the simple fact is that the only demand for AES/EBU is in the world of serious studio level (and price) pro audio. (And, since pros tend to want multiple channels and such, that's why most of the professional ones have lots of channels, and cost lots of $$$). I've got to ask..... WHY do you specifically want an AES/EBU output for a piece of home equipment? Toslink and Coax can be used up to twenty feet or so, and there are USB solutions (like the Corning "powered optical cables") that can be used for VERY long runs. The other thing that I would note about Coax and Toslink connections is that, UNLIKE an asynch USB connection, S/PDIF is clocked by the source. This means that the signal quality of what the source puts out can actually matter... and I wouldn't bet that the output of a computer sound card would be especially low in jitter. (The DC-1 won't mind if you leave the ASRC enabled - because that removes jitter from the incoming signal; however, with the ASRC disabled, you may notice a degradation in sound quality with a poor quality S/PDIF source, or with a long cable that degrades the jitter performance.) This is one of the reasons why asynch USB is considered to give you better performance. Well I think it's more a matter of the idea than possibly real gains. Why I want it. My DC-1 and XDA-1 both have it. I run fully balanced. So I like the idea of a balanced chain or at least a bunch of XLR cables. I also would like a more purist solution. For instance, I would prefer a sound card that just does digital audio. Basicxall something specialized. But not specialized as in 32 channels of digital audio ya know?! I'm talking two channels. And I figure AES would be a good connection. The main reason is that I found that my Asus Xonar Essence though it sounds great....sounds different/slightly inferior to my blu ray players digital output. I think it's because it doesn't just output it directly. It goes through a sotware layer which can add eq, volume control, dsp, and stuff. So it takes a similar route as the soundcard's dac. While what I want is a more direct short route which is hopefully XLR. (But I'll take BNC as well though.) |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 1, 2016 17:56:59 GMT -5
Not at all unreasonable.... just bear in mind that, for a digital connection, the idea of a "balanced connection" has rather a different significance than for an analog connection. While a balanced digital connection has the benefits of any balanced connection, it is not actually "continuing the balanced signal chain"... because there is a conversion between it and the balanced audio part of the signal chain. I'm inclined to agree with what you said about "preferring a more purist solution". However, arguably, it is USB that is the "more pure solution" - because, with USB, and a DAC with an asynchronous USB input, the change-over from the computer's clock to the DAC's clock occurs at the input of the DAC. If your goal is to have "the minimum possible functionality in the sound card", then a USB DAC wins hands down.... because, with a USB DAC, the DAC completely replaces the sound card (you can use a USB DAC with a computer that doesn't even have a sound card installed in it). Well I think it's more a matter of the idea than possibly real gains. Why I want it. My DC-1 and XDA-1 both have it. I run fully balanced. So I like the idea of a balanced chain or at least a bunch of XLR cables. I also would like a more purist solution. For instance, I would prefer a sound card that just does digital audio. Basicxall something specialized. But not specialized as in 32 channels of digital audio ya know?! I'm talking two channels. And I figure AES would be a good connection. The main reason is that I found that my Asus Xonar Essence though it sounds great....sounds different/slightly inferior to my blu ray players digital output. I think it's because it doesn't just output it directly. It goes through a sotware layer which can add eq, volume control, dsp, and stuff. So it takes a similar route as the soundcard's dac. While what I want is a more direct short route which is hopefully XLR. (But I'll take BNC as well though.) I was thinking along similar lines. However with USB, you are reliant on a cheap connection to a motherboard along with its power. However I did find a dedicated PCI-express USB card which seems to be more specialized. Pretty neat. Unfortunately for me, I tried USB to the DC-1 and it was the worst sounding connection. Though the difference here is subtle. After all it's still bits. I found the treble worse sounding. |
|
|
|
Post by unsound on Sept 2, 2016 6:19:47 GMT -5
Getting back to ideas for the name for a bit, I like πE or piE ( with the Emo E, of course). This keeps it small and different like the product (within the Emo lineup). If there are different lines, they could be Slice of piE and Whole piE or Big piE and small piE or Blueberry piE, Rhubarb piE etc. Different versions could be piE, piE 2 and so on. It would be cool if it could be shaped like a slice of pie  I'm really looking forward to this product |
|
|
|
Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 2, 2016 8:56:12 GMT -5
There's a new version of the Digi+ board that goes into this system. Some nice new features. Link: HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro |
|
|
|
Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 2, 2016 9:32:10 GMT -5
I've just switched over to a Raspberry Pi and Volumio for serving audio. However, I tend to serve my audio locally from a USB hard drive. And I have the USB output of my Pi connected directly to the USB input on my XMC-1. So far, it's worked FLAWLESSLY, and minus the occasional glitches I used to experience when using a laptop computer and Windows. Note that, when running Volumio, you can connect the Raspberry Pi directly to the USB input on a DC-1 or XMC-1 (with no extra drivers required). I think that I’m the only one here that is running this system outside Emotiva: Volumio RPI3 HiFiBerry Digi + Sound quality is better than digital out from J River on the HTPC I also have. You can build this system DIY. If someone is close to me, Portland ME, I would be happy to loan mine to you for appraisal! Although this does work, I have read reports that accessing your music on a USB hard drive and also using a USB DAC can choke the PI. I have also used an old Dell netbook with Volumio x86 connected to a XDA-2. This works well too! |
|
|
|
Post by solarrdadd on Sept 2, 2016 9:34:53 GMT -5
Being that Hair Nick was involved (IIRC from the Podcast) it be named in honor of him: the Hair Nick Pi . 
that sounds great, right, well, right up until some joker removes the "Nick" from the name in some online meme! 
of course, it will sell like crazy until some folks realize it's a streamer and not the kinda "Pi" they anticipated!   |
|
|
|
Post by qdtjni on Sept 3, 2016 5:47:03 GMT -5
A lot about possible names but nothing on what the Emotiva streamer can do.
Can we get some more details on this, please?
|
|
|
|
Post by brubacca on Sept 3, 2016 7:19:23 GMT -5
A lot about possible names but nothing on what the Emotiva streamer can do. Can we get some more details on this, please? The podcast said that Emotiva was going to put out a poll/thread next week about what features we were interested in. |
|
|
|
Post by sahmen on Sept 3, 2016 8:18:10 GMT -5
Is this going to provide streamer functions that are similar to those of the Sonore MicroRendu?
|
|
