Ropieee on the New Raspberry Pi 4

[Bill_Janssen (Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)]

while some consider the RPi4 USB output a sonic improvement over the RPi 3(+), others don’t.

The problem with the Pi 3 was that the USB and Ethernet used the same controller, which could lead to digital artifacts (ticks and pops) when using both at the same time. This situation is fixed with the Pi 4. So it’s better, if you are using both the USB and the Ethernet. Lots of people avoided this problem by either

1. Using WiFi instead of Ethernet, and using the Pi 3 USB out, or

2. Using an S/PDIF hat instead of USB, along with Ethernet, on the Pi 3, or

3. Using the Allo USBridge USB, along with Ethernet, on the Pi 3.

None of these workarounds are necessary with the Pi 4.

[909]

Yes – thanks for confirming this. What you say makes perfect sense to me, so I wonder why some here seem to disagree? In any case, what I learn here is that if I have a RPi 4 and a (good) DAC, I am all set. Only those who do not have a DAC still need a DAC-Hat for the RPi. And then of course, someone might want to choose to use a DAC-Hat rather than an external DAC, but that would be more a matter of taste.

[rikardo1979 (Richard Danis)]

Ropieee on the New Raspberry Pi 4

Hi @Richard_Danis So installed this into my RaspDAC Mini which has the ES9038Q2M DAC HAT. How did you manage to change to Rpi4? Change the case of the RaspDac also ? Thx

I have just cutout the back plate a bit as the ports are swapped on new RPi 4. Can take and upload photo when I get home

[Nathan_Wilkes]

I wonder why some here seem to disagree

For some DACs, users experience the same USB performance between the 3 and 4 and therefore the same sound quality. But, it is equally true that for many (including me) that the separation of Ethernet and USB made USB possible (I hated the pops). And, in my experience, using a Pi 4 case with heat sinks also results in significantly lower operating temperature. In my opinion, if you want to use USB, the Pi 4 is the way to go (1g model is sufficient for RoPieee XL).

[Rafi_Galibov]

Not sure if it’s been suggested, but I would highly recommend putting an AudioQuest Jitterbug in the rPi4 USB and then USB cable from DAC in to Jitterbug? They really do make a difference to the sound & not that I can compare rPi3 to rPi4, it made a difference on my Mac Mini when using Audirvana & I have 2 in place on my rPi4, one to a Chord Qutest & one to a Meridian Explorer2 (no HATs)
Jitterbug

[Bill_Janssen (Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)]

What you say makes perfect sense to me, so I wonder why some here seem to disagree?

Common sense is not evenly distributed over the human population.

[Bill_Janssen (Wigwam wool socks now on asymmetrical isolation feet!)]

I would highly recommend putting an AudioQuest Jitterbug in the rPi4 USB and then USB cable from DAC in to Jitterbug?

@Amir_Majidimehr tested the Jitterbug, and came to this conclusion:

Bottom line, the AudioQuest Jitterbug does one only one thing: it filters your bank account, reducing your balance by $60.

[Rafi_Galibov]

Fair enough
I personally feel that it does help with sound quality, but YMMV

[rikardo1979 (Richard Danis)]

@Eric_Malaussena

Here is photo of the RaspDAC Mini with RPi 4 fitted in. I just made one big cutout so it fits in.
Ignore the crack. That happened before.

[Eric_Malaussena]

Thanks @rikardo1979
I willl explore the upgrade of my RaspDAC LTE to RPi 4.

[rikardo1979 (Richard Danis)]

@spockfish
Just to confirm after these days the streamer still working fine. So that workaround permanently fixed my issue

[EnjoyTheMusic (Derek)]

Hi Rafi, I am glad the Jitterbug worked for you. Unfortunately for me I could not hear any difference on 3x DACs.

[rikardo1979 (Richard Danis)]

Bad news is that my original issue with sound is suddenly back without warning.
I have changed nothing in system or software.
So I guess this HAT has an issue with RPi 4
So for now giving up and its going for sale and I replacing it with some good standalone DAC

[Eric_Malaussena]

Hi @rikardo1979
Bad news… so I will stay with my Rpi3.
Only limitation is it can’t play Dsd128, but everything else is fine.
Thanks for your return

[rikardo1979 (Richard Danis)]

@Jim_F
What you talking about??? Whats faulty???
Nothing is faulty
Its just SW does not work if you put RPI 4 and this HAT together

[Jim_F]

OK (10 characters).

[MPV]

Try to power the Pi with GPIO pins(#1 and #3). That helps a lot on SQ.

What do you mean? Please explain.
Thanks

[Vynz_Vega]

I did the USB update, and the temperature is now around 41°C (instead of 46°C)…

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

Try to power the Pi with GPIO pins(#1 and #3). That helps a lot on SQ

Very BAD advice…Pin #1 is 3.3V power but pin #3 is a GPIO pin not a power pin.

You are also bypassing any power protection the USB input provides.

This is an older reference but the power pins are #2 & #4 for 5V and pin #6 for 0V or Ground. This has not changed…Pin #1 is still 3.3V

Raspberry Pi B+ GPIO Header Details And Pinout - Raspberry Pi Spy

[Kyle_Smith]

Harry, Not sure if anyone ever got back with you regarding the Pi2AES working with your software? I can confirm it does work using the Hifiberry Digi+ Pro drivers. I’m running a Pi4 (2Gb version). I’ve tested it with content ranging from 44.1/16 up to 192/24.

Side note: Thanks for putting Ropiee together. I have several Roon endpoints running your software throughout the house. Install and management couldn’t be more simple. Stability is top notch. Donation is on the way!