Hi Just if it can help. It is not easy for me this project . Still not running but I have advance thanks to Géminis IA up loading pdf with what David published here. Main problems with router changing IP and accced with my mac to both Host and Target
Regards
Thanks for hanging in there. I’m here to help (responded to a couple of your PMs already).
quick update:
Second RPi5 (for Diretta-Host) arrived few days ago - immediate but relatively small improvement over RPi4 Host.
I have tried following Diretta settings - default, David’s optimised settings for standard MTU and then for MTU9000. They yield very nice results regarding sound quality. I’m using CPU isolation similar to what David suggested, however Diretta is not following my config to assign specific threads to cores , so i’m still using my scripts with taskset/chrt for that. Still need to investigate why Diretta is using only packets around 3500 Bytes instead of closer to 9000 (i think i saw post from Diretta somewhere saying Pi5 can safely do only something over 3000B , but here I’m running bi-directional iperf with MTU 9000 without single packet being lost so maybe this limitation was only for older kernels/firmware?).
Then I installed better* ethernet cable for direct connection between RPis (AQ Vodka). The “better” is relative, Vodka does have shield connected on both sides (previously used AQ Pearl only on one side) so I was expecting more noise / worse SQ , however was surprised to get even cleaner sound using Vodka - i still want to try to test passive isolator (to cut shield on one side).
Then I have upgraded Host and Target with latest Diretta 148. Surprisingly, when I hit play (song which played previously on older Diretta versions continued playing) , huge soundstage was thrown at me, sound get more open and cleaner again, better separation, less boomy bass and in contrary to all my previous Diretta tests, now there is more clarity and punch - getting really close to my overkill setup of switch-chain for audio.
As this is fresh (last change done just half an hour ago) i still need to listen more , it will probably take some time to find ideal settings, but clearly the Diretta configuration and overall setup is important to get best sound and apparently it can compete with audio switches with optical isolation, good clocks, low noise etc.
From the all the things i still do not know about Diretta, one is why i’m still missing the MS mode 3 ?
./find_arm64k16
fe80::2ecf:67ff:fecd:3e44%3 [eth0] [] MTU 9000 DDS(raw)
t1:Target : 0x78756e696c647541 [fe80::da3a:ddff:feba:6b3%3] TargetApp(limited)
Version : 148_0
Sink : 1 fe80::da3a:ddff:feba:6b3%3, 19644 X-SPDIF 2
Synchro : can DDS(Diretta Direct Stream) units:0 hash: 3 ch: map:0
Support : PCM: bit8-32 speed44100-768000 ch1-2
Support : DSD: bit1-1 speed2822400-24576000 ch1-2
MTUsink : min=1500 req=9000 max=9014 size=65535
MS mode : mode1 mode2
c1:Status (Treminate): X-SPDIF 2 Control
(PLAY PCM 44100Hz 2ch)
target debug connect target (tX) / stastu control connect (cX) / mtu test (mX) / refresh (r) / exit (other) ?m1
Active MTU=9000
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Check your diretta settings files on both host/target regarding MTU 9000. See David’s appendix 9 for the detail
It’s not clear to me what this script does. I had a look at the logs for my Diretta ALSA Target service, and I don’t see any references to “mode 3”, but I do see a reference to dds (Diretta Direct Stream), so perhaps that’s good enough.
[audiolinux@diretta-target ~]$ journalctl -b -u diretta_alsa_target | grep -Eie '(mode|dds)'
Jan 07 11:31:49 diretta-target bash[408]: Diretta App activate mode
Jan 07 11:31:52 diretta-target bash[408]: regisr dds 1
Thanks for sharing your subjective impressions. For folks who enjoy tweaking, Diretta can be a hobby all by itself. For folks who enjoy great sound, there are many paths to success.
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thanks for the suggestion - yup, i have ExtEtherMTU=9014 and EtherMTU=9000 in Host config file and then CycleTime=1000 and InfoCycle=100000 at the Target config file. I still have to check Diretta logs on both sides..
it is actually binary coming with some release of Diretta Host i think - it looks it does the same thing as running syncAlsa binary with find as parameter, e.g. syncAlsa find
I’ve spent the day adapting my Diretta Host/Target build process to the new AudioLinux V5 (base image 501) on Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, and I wanted to share some notes for anyone else making the jump.
The biggest shift in V5 is how Core Isolation is handled. The old cset (cpuset) Python method is gone, replaced by a more modern approach using kernel parameters (nohz_full) and systemd slice configuration. This required a complete rethink of how we keep RoonBridge and Diretta from stepping on each other’s toes.
Key Findings:
- Isolation Strategy: I’m now successfully pinning RoonBridge to Cores 0-1 (System) and Diretta to Cores 2-3 (Audio).
- Priorities: Manual manipulation of realtime priority (trying to force
70viartapp) is no longer necessary. The default priority of80works perfectly because the strict core isolation prevents resource contention anyway. - Network:
systemd-networkdis still handling the specialized network config beautifully (100 Mbps and Jumbo frames) on Linux kernel 6.12.59; however, 6.18.7 shows network instability on RPi5 hardware.
I updated the QA scripts to validate all of this (checking PIDs, affinities, and network negotiation). If you run the scripts on an older image, you will see some failures until you update.
I’m pleased with the sound so far from Diretta version 148_0. If you’re hesitating on V5 because of the complexity, it’s definitely doable—and, I think, worth it.
Reference: Diretta.md
2 Likes
@David_Snyder
Would it be possible to also test GentooPlayer instead of AudioLinux? A lot of Diretta-users are namely running on GentooPlayer.
If you don’t want to start with GentooPlayer, I also understand that. It is yust a question.
Kind regads, Frank.
There are many ways to implement Diretta. I shared the link below which lists a half-dozen or so:
There’s also the SOtM sMS-200 integration we’ve discussed in this thread and a few other commercial solutions available, hopefully with more to come.
I’ve put in the work to develop and share a comprehensive procedure for implementing Diretta on AudioLinux. I welcome others to do the same for other implementations so that we can discuss.
I chose AudioLinux because Piero’s licensing policy is more friendly to tinkerers than GentooPlayer. A single license covers as many installations as you wish to run as long as they are in the same location. In contrast, GentooPlayer requires a hardware-locked license for each computer.
If you have reasons for preferring GentooPlayer over AudioLinux, go for it and share your results.
1 Like
Hi,
wanted to mention that I did the diretta setup and I am amazed.
It is working very positive for me. Not subtle.
David made this possible for me, thank you for all the work you spend into
this project and then sharing the results and even supporting further.
I can not explain to myself in a technical sense how this could change the sound in a positive way. I am kind of agnostic and so I wanted to try it by building a diretta setup myself and listen.
After listening for some weeks now, the diretta setup alá David Snyder is part of our family now.
All the best to everyone
6 Likes
Try a blind listening test. That might explain it quite well.
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I must admit Diretta has breathed a new lease of life into all the DAC’s I have. Qutest, D90SE, LAiv uDAC, Gusted X26 III and a humble SMSL SU-1. The most impressive is the D90SE. I never new it could be so detailed. It still has that hard edge to it though. The Gustard is probably the best. The R2R DAC doesn’t produce that super detail the others do.
4 Likes
After having a look into Diretta This is a software solution. The software takes control at a very low level. I.E. Nut’s and Bolts level. So the Diretta software has taken over control completely. Same with the twisted pair connection to the target. Controlled at the OSI Data Link Layer (Layer 2) that’s one up from the Physical Layer (Cables etc) and five down from the top Application layer where I would normally be.
So how many members are using Diretta? How do you find it?
I’m not really interested in reverse engineering it to be honest. Same as I wouldn’t be with any of the physical DAC’s
I have to evaluate it with my poor old ears and brain cells. But quite frankly it’s been quite a revelation for me. I’m well impressed. Not really so good on headphones as the tunes play in the middle of your head so your missing a lot of imagery. But on the PMC’s it’s a delight. Not bad at all for the outlay:
Diretta build RPi5. CPC Farnell for everything bar the Micro SD card’s which are Amazon. Bit of a no brainer really for 460 GBP. You can add a Linear power supply and esoteric cables later. CAT 6 cable is fully screaned including the RJ45 connectors. USB lead of your choice. Hope this helps.
Argon ONE v3 Case for Raspberry Pi 5, Black qty: 2 each: £28.28 tot: £56.56
Lexar Silver Plus 64GB Micro SD Card qty: 2 each: £15.99 tot: £31.98
Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Board - RPI5-4GB-SINGLE qty: 2 each: £64.13 tot: £128.26
RASPBERRY-PI SC1730 45W, 5.1V, 5A Raspberry Pi USB-C Power Supply, UK White
qty: 2 each: £14.17 tot: £28.34
CONNECTIX CABLING SYSTEMS 003-010-005-09C RJ45 Male to Male Cat6a SFTP Ethernet Patch Lead, 0.5m Black
qty: 2 each: £2.77 tot: £5.54
Diretta License - Diretta Target USB Bridge for APP
qty: 1 each: £90.38 tot: £90.38
Audiolinux license - audiolinuxunlimited Unlimited time subscriptions: Audiolinux Raspberry unlimited time support
qty: 1 each: £122.66 tot: £122.66
TOT: £463.72
Cheers.
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I’ve been using Diretta since October. Sotm 200 as Host and Sotm 200 Ultra as target. I’m currently running software V6.2 and I understand Sotm are about to release V6.3 which incorporates the latest Diretta build.
Lenovo P3 i7/1400 as server with Roon + HQPlayer, DSD512 to my Lampizator dac.
Never has my music sounded so good.
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If you’ve been putting off this dual Raspberry Pi Diretta build, or even if you built yours months ago, now is a great time to revisit the project. Diretta version 148 is a stable release that sounds better than ever. I’ve enhanced my instructions for AudioLinux V5 and Diretta v148 to make the setup a bit smoother. To keep costs low, I’ve also found that the less expensive 1 GB Raspberry Pi 5 works perfectly for both the Host and Target with no performance penalties.
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Uh oh, someone’s been naughty! I just saw this review of the Schitt Magni Mesh DAC at ASR:
Given the poor noise-over-USB management, this might be a good example DAC for Diretta to do some verification of objective improvements!
I’ve tried Diretta a few times now with 2x GentooPlayer (host & target), but it’s unstable for me. It plays for a few minutes and then stops. The host is a mini PC with 2 Ethernet ports. I’d really like to get it running stably so I can test it for a longer period. Does anyone have any ideas?
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That has to be frustrating. Especially since the GentooPlayer licenses are locked to those two computers. Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with GentooPlayer.
If you’re willing to start over with a pair of $45 Raspberry Pi 5 boards and a $20 USB to Ethernet adapter, please let me know. I’d be glad to help.
I have also a licence for Audiolinux. Is it easy to make this run as a host for Diretta? I think mini pc with 2 ehternet port works in that case the same as a Raspberry pi.