Ropiee / pi2AES / RaspPi 4 setup

[kray]

Just got my pi2AES HAT today after a 2 weeks wait. Had the RaspPi 4 board ready along with ropieee installed and ready to go.

I currently have a Lumin U1 Mini and wanted to compare since the pi2AES gets rave reviews. I’ll also get to try out i2s HDMI output since my dac supports i2s.

the build was a piece of cake, and setup a breeze. Ropieee is great for a Roon endpoint.

 

[kray]

Update: I'm using i2s/hdmi to my DAC for pi2AES, and can't tell enough difference between it and my Lumin to justify the added costs..

So I sold my Lumin. I will miss the build quality and beauty of it sitting in the rack, but I'm putting the extra $1200 elsewhere

 

[Don Ivey]

My PS Audio DSJr. dac has i2s input, and I'm thinking about going the pi2aes route. Does anyone know if the i2s connection between these two products will work? Is a special hdmi cable req;uired?
Thanks.

 

[MikeyFresh]

My PS Audio DSJr. dac has i2s input, and I'm thinking about going the pi2aes route. Does anyone know if the i2s connection between these two products will work? Is a special hdmi cable req;uired?
Thanks.

You would really need to confirm directly with Pi2 Design as to whether their LVDS implementation is compatible with the PS Audio specification.

Their web page FAQ seems to indicate that it is compatible with the following caveat:

Q: What pinout is supported by the I2S over HDMI?
A: The pinout conforms to the Gustard DAC pinout. PS Audio support is possible, but the left and right channels will be swapped.

If it is truly compatible then any HDMI cable should work, shorter is probably better there.

This document made by Sonore should aid them in understanding the PS Audio implementation if they aren't completely familiar with it, the pinout described there needs to match, and the DAC needs to be the master clock with DSJr. if I'm not mistaken.

I'd say go for it if you don't mind the L/R channel swap, or if you do, then swap it right back via the DAC's analog output cables, though that would then swap the L/R channels of the DAC's other inputs if using more than one.

 

[kray]

I can confirm PS audio setting is default for hdmi and worked with my Audio Mirror dac which has a PSA i2s based input.

the full pin details can be seen is his manual

https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/pi2aes_hw_ref_manual_p3_1.pdf

Michael of pi2AES is very responsive via email and posts frequently on SBAF forum.

with that said using the pi2AES, I prefer AES into my dac vs i2s (using DH Labs HDMI cable)

and after a couple weeks with pi2AES I believe it is a tremendous value, but feel the Lumin U1 Mini’s sound is a step up.