Hqplayer NAA 5

Deric_Chan · April 28, 2025, 11:50pm

Nope, nothing needs to be done. This is the easiest way how you would set it up (there are probably a number of different ways to do it)

Download the NAA image from hqplayer website to a computer (its under NAA/Images folder) sorry roon will not allow me to post link here.
unzip the .7z file so now you have an .img image file
Use an image writing program and a SD card writer - I know for windows you would use balen etcher. Flash the .img image file onto a mini sd card
insert the mini sd card now with the image into your raspbery pi 4
connect your raspberry pi 4 usb out to your dac
power up your raspberry pi 4

Hqplayer will now see your NAA under “output” “Choose Network adapter IPV6”

ENjoy

Deric

Bruce_Orr · April 29, 2025, 12:39am

Thx Deric

I understand the HQPlayer output window where it sees the NAA. I have the adapter to connect the micro Sd card to the Mac. And I’ve got the image writing software to burn/flash the NAA to the micro Sd card.

I’ve got the Usb cable to connect the Pi with the DAC. And I now understand the Pi’s USB port does not need to be reconfigured in anyway.

Just don’t understand where the Pi gets the power to power up? Do I need to use the Charging USB port on the DAC200? Or where is it getting it?

Thanks for the patience.

Bruce

Deric_Chan · April 29, 2025, 1:11am

You need to purchase a 5v power supply that connects to the usb c port if the raspberry pi.

Bruce_Orr · April 29, 2025, 1:43am

I already have that usb power cord, but since that port (the only USB port on the Pi) is being used to connect to the DAC, it’s unavailable, right?

Bruce_Orr · April 29, 2025, 1:55am

Wait!! Just realized there are plenty of usb ports.

Thought they were hdmi

Deric_Chan · April 29, 2025, 7:06am

Yes there are 2 usb 2.0 and 2 usb 3.0 ports at the back and also a Ethernet port

Bruce_Orr · April 30, 2025, 1:19pm

Hi Deric- you’ve been a great help. My set up is headless, so I understand I need to load the Pi software onto a SD card from my iMac, stick it in the Motherboard and install using Terminal before doing anything with the NAA, right?

Deric_Chan · April 30, 2025, 1:36pm

There is nothing to install. Insert the sd card and turn on the pi

Bruce_Orr · April 30, 2025, 2:02pm

Great news! Since I already installed the Pi software, but it got hung up, should I clear all pi files from my iMac using Terminal? And clear the P4 somehow?

I butchered this pretty badly

Deric_Chan · April 30, 2025, 3:16pm

There is nothing to be installed. Insert the sd card into the rpi4, turn it on and it will work.

Don’t forget to plug in ethernet cable to the rpi4

Bruce_Orr · May 1, 2025, 1:16am

Hello, Deric - BINGO! (and Thank You). The Raspberry pi P4 (without its operating system) is now the proud host of @jussi_laako ‘s NAA 5. It means the HQPD on my iMac and NAA are now both in the “5 family”. Previously, I had used the Innuos Zenith as the NAA bridge, but they had quit updating after the 4.1 NAA.

I had been a listening a lot to DSD256 with correction, and by my ears there was a nice little bump in SQ. Didn’t really know what to expect, but I was curious, and now happy!

Deric_Chan · May 1, 2025, 1:41am

Great, now a JDS synapse or an intona usb isolator could be the next upgrade.

Bruce_Orr · May 1, 2025, 3:48am

I don’t currently have an audible noise problem, but sounds like you think these two will improve SQ. The intona looks to be the device that has more potential to affect SQ and it’s higher price v. JDS reflects that. From readings, most seem to think it’s worth it. Agree?

Currently, my chain is:
pi/NAA > SoTM tx-USBultra > DAC200

Which side of the SoTM would be intona’s slot?

Deric_Chan · May 1, 2025, 5:56am

I have no experience with the sotm unit but it seems to be a usb isolator so you may not need an intona

dabassgoesboomboom · May 1, 2025, 12:54pm

This TEAC looks interesting. How does it measure? Can you share some squiggly lines

jussi_laako · May 2, 2025, 10:24pm

To ensure proper power source, I recommend using USB hub powered from 12V PSU. The one I use is this one:

This way the hub provides power to RPi4 instead of the source device. Especially since devices like iPhone or iPad have limited output current capacity and drain the battery faster.

Another option are USB Type-C docks capable of also charging the source device.