“allo-katana-dac-audio.dtbo” available now in DietPi V6.10

so, 😉
the “allo-katana-dac-audio.dtbo” is now available in DietPi V6.10; means u can select “”allo-katana-dac-audio” in DietPi->DietPi-config->Audio..
i´ve tested it here with a “Blue” ES9038Q2M->no success/sound..
(i use the “i-sabre-k2m”.dtbo in DietPi->works very well with the ES9038Q2M here.)

was to be expected because (as earlier posted) the .dtbo adresses the mcu on the katana-board and apparently not on our cheap and lovely chinese 9038Q2M-boards..
else nothing particular new, except i really want to test some “OPA627” (the “Bugatti Veyron” under the OP-AMPs) and want to buy some new, green ES9038Q2M V1.07 ..
greets from here !! 😉

SRCs TI 4192 + AK4137 / Volumio-update / foo_out_asio foobar2000-component

so, 😉
as said, “we” have to improve the input-quality (to an ES9038Q2M par example) jitter+dynamic-range/SNR-wise->”Dynamic range: 144 dB (-60dBFS input, BW = 20Hz to FS/2, A weight),THD + N: -140dB (0dBFS relative input, BW = 20Hz to FS/2) (excerpt datasheet Ti SRC4392) over I2S (directly to the ESS-chips) from spdif or USB..
Markw4” at my praised diyaudio.com-forum (Link), has posted some beautiful pictures about it (hope i can use them here too, if not please e-mail)..
(he posted also that is very important to have a short, in best case shielded, SRC-I2C connection(-cable))..


so u use it before the I2S-input on the sabre-boards..
The Ti 4192 supports only sample-rates up to 212khz, the AKM AK4137EQ “Flagship”-SRC 😉 reaches per datasheet 768khz (PCM) + 12.288 MHz DSD and DR: 186dB !!THD+N: -150dB ->Link

(the first picture is with an AK4137-assembled board (80$)->Aliexpress-Link )

Markw4” also said that it (the AK4137) sounds maybe “slightly better”..

some Ti SRC4392 is here (25$):-> LINK  

(u can get it also assembled+USB-port/connection (60$) -> LINK (as also posted earlier))

have to think about it 😉 ..

okay, next thing is that Volumio is now at 2.411 ->https://volumio.org/get-started/

and another funny/interesting fact is that as i´ve installed a new Win10, i didnt got foobar2000 configured with foo_out_asio although i thought i had all “components” (foo-input-sacd, asio-proxyinstall etc..) correct “applied”, but i didnt have the “foo_out_asio” selection (or asio at all)..

searched for the foo_out_asio_plugin but didnt find it (the right one)..

found it back in “our” Topping DX4-driver pack->its here again foo-out-asio 2.1.2 (foobar2000 component)->http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/pics/foo_out_asio.fb2k-component

greets for now 😉

ESP32S: combined ES9038Q2M web-/BT control / filter+source-settings + HW-volume

so, 😉
in reading my (this) own blog, its really lately almost the same/repeating 😉 ..
but anyway, its a “blog” and so today an update of this ES9038Q2M web-/BT-control..
i included now the complete “Bluetooth-control/block” in the ESP32s-sketch..
by that i´ve included a NTP-time server function in the sketch/on the GUI..

i´ll post the sketch also in the forum->LINK, and i´ve learned a lot about the ESP32S, the usable (and which) GPIOs, setup different hardware.serials and so on..
its still a little bit difficult to get some really useful information/sketches for the ESP32S, so i post the sketch there too and maybe someone will find something useful information in it..(+general thoughts/hints)
the web-control GUI itself is now with the HW (Digi-Poti MCP4131)-control in max/min, 10,4 and 1 steps..(max/min,+10/-10,+4/-4,+1/-1)..(the “slider”(HW-volume)-function is in progress 😉 )
also the filter control is still working..

(the layout/fonts on the Mega2560 based 3.5″ display is btw. absolutely horrible and really shitty, cause i must use the “normal” Adadruit.gfx-library with a super shitty command-set..before (with the other 2.8″ display i could use the “UTFT“-library->much much better/absolutely more comfortable+better looking)
greets for now and more to come 😉

OP-Amps: finally the AD797s arrived / a lot of room / fine-tune / laid-back sound / not such a “revelation”..

so 😉 ,
today my long awaited AD797s arrived..


first impressions:
a lot of “room”, almost “a laid-back”-sound, misses a bit the “liveliness” from OPA2134, the “contur” from the LME49710s and the “harmonics” from the Muses8920 😉 .. (not so “spectacular”)
but again a bit less distorted and with more dynamics-(range)-THD..
in this case (at this level) i think its also very important in which different “devices” u use the different-OP-Amps; voltage-wise and so on..
i´ve tested all the OP-AmPs on an ES9028Q2M (and some on the ES9038Q2M) with Volumio (on a pi) at full volume (no software-mixer)+ some with a Skysong-USB-bridge..(Win)
i think these needs more “burn-in/play-in”-time than the other..very “fine/high-resolution”-tone..
(i will then maybe post an update..)..
Conclusion (for now): not such a “revelation” as the other (Muses8920, LME49710, OPA2134) but very fine, room, laid back sound..
if i had to choose between these 3 OP-Amps (Muses8920, LME49710 ,AD797) it would be really a very very difficult “task”, because they are really very “close/tight” to each other with different advantages/disadvantages..
hmm..
the best for u would be, you order all the 3 (4) 😉 and get this “different-OP-Amp”-experience too..really..it was such a fun to “hear-out” the differences, where others say that they even wouldn´t exist ..
fabulous, so much fun 😉 ..
so, i guess i would stick with my “allround” Muses8920; guess its the best for now on this “cheap-manufactored” chinese-boards..on more high-end equipment the AD797+LME49710s could be the better choice..
(but as also said,very very difficult to choose, maybe i´ll swap then again 😉 )..

so, another “building-lot” is my combined ESP32S Bluetooth/Webcontrol now with the 4-port-relay for the filter settings + the MCP4131 (Digi-Poti) for the stepless HW-volume-control..
I´ve attached today my Mega2560 with an 3.5″ display via hardwareserial to it (rx,tx)(because i havent got the right libraries+pins+connections to set it also up on the ESP32s..)


i will have just to work out the right display/layout/font-settings (a lot of work anyway)..maybe i will also display some track-information on it->like Artist,Title, fileformat , length and so on..in Moode by example u can use a python script to send out some metadata-info…
a lot of possibilities and by the way, i don´t want to miss my HW-volume-control via Digi-Poti since some days anymore..
u have, as said, again a more finer/better option to adjust the overall volume..absolutely fine with these HW-volume control on the ES9038Q2M..


more to come, many greets and stay “tuned” 😉

ES9038Q2M: HW-Volume Control MCP4131+Arduino Uno (sketch)..

so, 😉
at waiting for my 2 AD797s i just finished my long planned “ES9038Q2M-HW-volume control” via some MCP4131+ an Arduino..
i originally wanted it to “combine/implement” it with my “ES9038Q2M-filter-web-control” on an ESP32S but there i have to first find out the right SPI-software/libraries and the pinouts; so not at present..
i took an Arduino Uno, one BT-Modul (HC-06), a 1602LCD and as said this MCP4131-digi-poti (1$ Ebay/Aliexpress)..

first post about it is here->http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/2018/02/es9038q2m-project-2-building-a-bt-controlled-hw-volume-control-digital-pot-10kohm-mcp4131/ and i used this very helpful article about controlling the MCP4131 via SPI from here:->http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/MCP4131-digital-potentiometer-circuit.php





this mcp4131 has 128 steps and the usable “range” on this ES9038Q2M is about 64-128; as also posted by someone else before, only after 50% you can hear any difference..
the sketch (via BT as said now) is “full-up” (+128), “full-down” (+85), and in 4 point steps (+4 and -4) example: 124,120 and so on and in 1 point steps(+1,-1)..
the “main”-point in the sketch is this:

int digitalPotWrite(int value)
{
digitalWrite(CS, LOW);
SPI.transfer(address);
SPI.transfer(value);
digitalWrite(CS, HIGH);
}

(its after the loop and u call the function simply with: “digitalPotWrite(i);”; where “i” is the value (from 0-128))

Link (sketch) here + at the forum;

works here all very well and so u have another choice to adjust the volume (i use Volumio here without any software-mixer and therefore on 100% volume) than only via your amplifier and so u have some “finer” adjustments..
nice thing (but as said, i will try to “pair” it with my ESP32S-web-filter-control in future..),
many greets for now 😉

Op-Amps: LME49710 vs. Muses8920/LME49720/OPA2134 ->more “contur”

so, 😉
got finally today my Dual-Dip 8 converter (1,45€ Ebay) LINK->

that i can use my bought, nice “LME49710”-s (they are single)->

first impressions:
a lot of “contur”; more than the Muses8920; but no so “lively” as an OPA2134 for example (or the Muses.)
i guess its absolutely because of the lower distortion; also a little bit “cold” (all only my impressions; some would feel maybe different about it)..
but its also a “high-class”-duo/OP-AMP ; see this table again->

(and curiously absolutely exact my impressions about them; in only hearing them “out” here..)

Conclusion (Ranking Op-Amps at present(for me)):
1. still the Muses8920, but really tight behind-> ((update 2hrs later: i don´t get it; everytime i plug the Muses back-in again, i´ve got everytime the feel:”thats really hifi !”; such warmth+musicality..so “harmonic” (must have something to do with the 2nd and 3th grade harmonics and so on))
2. LME49710; about 4-10% (IMO 😉 (more “clinical”+”contur”; has also its advantages))
3. OPA2134 (because of its “lively/airy attitude”)->10-15% back (to the LME49710)
4. LME49720 (for me a little bit to thin; but also very good in the “highs”) ->2%-5%

and very interesting would be how the AD797 were “performing”; i had an AD1988 as soundchip and as i hardly remember they were absolutely “sweet” in the highs; never had such a fine resolution (mainly in the middle/highs)..
+ the “Bugatti Veyron”(->Link) of the OP-Amps, the OPA627 😉 ..
so, at present i will stuck with my “Muses8920” although the LME49710s are absolutely close to them (maybe better in some “scope”)
greets for now 😉 (and thats all only my impressions; they are all very close and it depends really on your personal taste !!)

Moode/Volumio on a raspberry pi vs. Samsung Bluray-player (spdif-coax) Impressions..+SRC4392 (+beta “Project 2”)

hi there, 😉
long time not seen..its a little bit silent here lately but absolutely no worry/problem..
okay,
i´have here some Samsung Bluray-Player (BD-H5500); not the worst; only with some spdif-coax output..
some days ago i thought the only, true,real good sound is via some very good CD-transporter/drive/device + directly via spdif into the ES9038Q2M and go 😉 ..
but as i heard today again the ES9038Q2M with the raspberry pi (Model 3B) and some flacs i felt its really a class of its own !!
1-2 level (soundwise) higher !!
(at present btw. i think Volumio (hated it a long time) has a very good sound/tune; a bit better than Moode 4.1 (then picoreplayer and so on)..DietPi (V6.8 now) is still “in the lead” (IMO) but usability-wise Volumio is great..)
so, back to topic: i really don´t know why the flacs on a pi (and via I2S) had a such great sound/tune in comparison to some “normal” CD-spdif-combos (IMO)..absolutely don´t know why; but it is (and this is said by really a lot of people in the “Hifi-world” ;-)..(maybe its because of this delta-sigma-conversion and the “required preliminaries”)..
by that i think meanwhile the spdif-“conversion” on the ES9038Q2M could be a problem; its not soo high-class/hi-fi as expected..(spdif-receiver-side)
in my praised DIY-audio-forum->http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/314935-es9038q2m-board-129.html, they are looking lately for some “SBC 4392” asynchron frequency decoder boards for spdif/usb decoding with 144 db !! thd and ultra-low jitter too..

Link (60$-90$)
think absolutely the same here and because only of “hearing” out the “distortion/jitter” via the spdif-receive-unit/decoding on the ES9038Q2M..
(so to see u must use such a SRC4392 before your ES9038Q2M and then via I2S in it, bypassing the onboard-spdif..)..
so, by that i definitively want to try out some AD797 in future (have now some Muses8920 in it) and i also want to buy definitively a new, “Green” ES9038Q2M V1.07 because i still think the “Blue”-ones (have one here) sound really not so hi-fi as they could/expected (we discussed it here a few weeks ago)..

by that i revive my “Project 2” a little bit; means BT/Web-control for the different-filter+HW-Volume settings on an ES9038Q2M (u can meanwhile buy it as “set/package” with display and rotary encoder/apple-remote but nevertheless)
this time i used some “Geekcreit ESP32S Devkit-V1“-board (links/first thoughts about also at the forum-> link-FORUM ) (first post)

(ESP32S connected to a PCF8754 via some 5-3.3V logic-level-converter, controlling a 4-port relay and then to the 4 jumper on the ES9038Q2M..HW-volume via some MCP4131 will come hopefully later..)

but as said earlier, i hear almost no differences between the filter settings on these ES9038Q2M, but when, i would prefer JP3+JP6=”linear phase fast roll-off

(as said, here now listening to it with this filter-setting on a pi with Moode 4.1; and so “dry“; absolutely low latencies, perfect (but as said, Volumio/DietPi sound a little bit better (IMO))
many greets for now 😉

 

Alsamixer-/control I-Sabre-K2M (-Q2M)=”Game-changer” + Audiophonics ES9038Q2M Kali-Edition..

so, !! 😉
don´t understand/got it at first, but as “Terry” sent us a link to the new Audiophonics-ES9038Q2M KALI-edition->
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/diy-dac/audiophonics-dac-i-sabre-es9038q2m-kali-edition-raspberry-pi-i2s-spdif-pcm-dsd-p-12811.html, (Link-forum here)
i´ve looked through the description (after a few times visiting) and saw
“DietPi-compatible” and this picture:

then i looked through some other audiophonics-documentation and there it says:(Link-Audiophonics-topic->LINK)
“..Audiophonics I-Sabre K2M DAC Board ALSA Driver !!”->”.. SatoruKawase/I-Sabre-K2M” !!
and this is exactly the same repository “SatoruKawase/I-Sabre-K2M”which “Kennyliveforever” mentioned and from, i guess, DietPi download the binaries for the changed “I-Sabre-K2M”.dts-overlay !
so, thats really a “game-changer” !!
it´s so possible now to change the ESS-HW-control+FIR-selektion+Sources “on the fly”, means via an “alsamixer-terminal” !!

millions of new possibilities” 😉 (display and usability-wise)
(just tried here right now to change the filter-settings via an alsamixer-terminal->no success..same with input-selection+HW-volume-control..guess its audiophonics/mcu-specific; but nevertheless a great improvement !!)
+
I´ve just seen at audiophonics too that it is possible to upload some driver (in this case audiophonics-ES9028Q2M) via the plugin-upload option in Volumio !! (maybe we´ll get there some new/updated “generic” ES9038Q2M-driver too !!)(LINK)

thats all wonderful, greets for now !! 😉

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