AES end point Quality / sounds / advices

@Marian : lets close it… easier :wink:

@j_a_m_i_e THANKS. very very useful infos :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

very clear . very accurate .
thanks to everyone . let’s start building a good AES end point :slight_smile:

lets go that route with a Pi2AES hat… if anybody has one to sell pm me :slight_smile:
can’t wait to have it running :slight_smile:

Not sure where you are based but this AES/EBU HAT is available in France / Europe.

You’ll need to select the HiFiBerry Dig+ driver in Ropieee. General details on building a Roon endpoint with Ropieee here. Seems to work best with a RPi4 with the RPi powering the HAT (first jumper settings here).

If you’re looking for commercial options (or alternative HATs) there’s lots of informed discussion over at ASR. Ranging from dedicated Roon Ready steamers with AES outputs like the MiniDSP Studio through to people simply using a passive converter cable with a S/PDIF output/streamer. The search function is pretty good over there too, so I would make use of that first if you still have questions.

But given your DAC has both USB and S/PDIF inputs I’m not sure I understand why you don’t use either of those? Both of which are well supported by basic, low-cost Roon Endpoints, a WiiM Pro in the case of S/PDIF or a vanilla RPi4 (maybe in a metal FILRC case) running Ropieee for USB.

Feels like you’re jumping through hoops to use AES/EBU when it offers no real advantage to you, other than nice XLR connectors.

Anyway, that’s the limit of my advice, good luck with it!

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@j_a_m_i_e

in fact I have a AES switcher that allow me to switch between 4 different outputs / then send to my Bricasti .
3 output are coming for my DAW. I am doing mixing … and switch between different song / source is part of the job… then a input 4 …I d like Roon to be connect to that switch . with aes . and without neededing a “big” computer to to a bridge with an audio card (I mean the RPI4 is all that but. you get my point ) would like to use this end point . Based in France :slight_smile: .hope my setup is a bit clearer ?

That makes more sense then re. why you want AES/EBU output.

In that case try the Audiophonics HAT given they are based in France as well.

I am not sure where is best to source a Raspberry Pi in France or what case / enclosure will best fit the HAT + RPi but I expect Audiophonics can advise you on that.

You should just need a Raspberry Pi 4B+ (the 2GB is fine), the standard RPi power supply (it’s just a computer, no analog here) and a micro SD card (and maybe an adaptor to allow you to flash the micro SD card on your desktop computer). Might just be easiest to buy a bundle/kit. I wouldn’t use a RPi5 yet as they are not yet well supported.

@j_a_m_i_e thanks !
Will check … and first get a Rasperry :slight_smile:

The other simple option is to use a Roon supported WiiM Pro with a S/PDIF (COAX) to AES/EBU converter.

With either:

1) An active converter

2) A simple adaptor cable

Depending on how fussy your DAC and switch is, you may even be able to get away with using a basic passive adaptor cable over a short run.

If you already have a device with an S/PDIF output you could cheaply test out whether such a passive cable would work with your existing DAC and AES switch. It will either work or it won’t and you’ll get very obvious drop outs, pops and glitches. It won’t affect the sound in subtle ways.

Audiophonics ships worldwide, and I’m happy with the gear I’ve bought from them. Packages arrive a bit battered but inner packaging is fine.