IQaudIO Pi-DACPRO User manual

IQaudIO
Product Guide
This document covers the installation, software configuration and
usage of IQaudIO audio accessories with the Raspberry Pi.
If you would like to see additional information within this document please email us at
[email protected]
v32$
IQaudIO$Limited,$Company$No:$09461908$
For those who simply need the /boot/config.txt
details —> Just jump to section 3
For ROON LABS setup —-> Just jump to section 21

IQaudIO user instructions
Contents
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1. Getting Started
Thank you for choosing an IQaudIO sound card. Next you need to play music, but first you may need
to configure the Raspberry Pi’s and software package you want to use.
The IQaudIO product family.
The IQaudIO sound cards are all designed to work with the current Raspberry Pi and those that have
a 40way male GPIO pin header. This includes the Pi4, Pi3B+, Pi3A+, Pi3, Pi-Zero etc. Some of our
products are full size (HAT) boards for the full size Raspberry Pi, and others are more suited to the
Pi-Zero form factor. We also have accessory boards that either act as accessories to our sound cards
or can be used standalone (such as the CosmicController).
High Definition Audio Playback
Pi-DAC$PRO
Pi-DAC+
Pi-DigiAMP+
Phono$(RCA),$Balanced$and$
headphone$output
Phono$(RCA)$and$$headphone$
output
Passive$Speaker$output,$19v$input
Pi-Codec+
Pi-CodecZero
Pi-DACZero+
Built$in$Mic,$Stereo$Aux$In$/$Out,$
Mono$speaker,$built$in$MEMS$mic$
and$Mono$ext$mic$support
Built$in$Mic,$Mono$speaker,$built$
in$MEMS$mic,$2xLED,$1x$Button$
and$Mono$ext$mic$support
Phono$(RCA)$output,$supports$
optional$Pi-DACZeroHeadphones$
daughter$card.
Pi-DAC'PRO
Pi-DAC+
Pi-DigiAMP+
Pi-Codec+
Pi-CodecZero
Pi-DACZero
24bit$Depth
Hi-Def$Audio$
(96kHz)
Full$HD$Audio$
(192kHz)
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2. Which IQaudIO board is best for me?
Each IQaudIO sound cards has a specific purpose and has been designed to integrate with your
existing HiFi / audio or Raspberry Pi equipment. BEST audio playback is from our Pi-DAC PRO, Pi-
DAC+ and Pi-DigiAMP+ boards. All supporting 24bit depth and 192kHz (Full HD Audio).
Line Out: A double Phono/RCA connector - Normally Red / White in colour. This output is a variable
analogue signal (0..2vRMS) and connect to your existing HiFi (pre-amp or amplifier) or can be used
to drive Active speakers (with their own amplifier built in).
Balanced Out: An XLR connector - Normally a 3 pin male connector, this is used in Studio and some
hi-end hifi systems. It can also be used to drive ACTIVE “monitor” speakers as used at discos or on
stage.
STEREO Speakers: Screw terminals - These are normal HiFi speakers (from bookshelf to floor
standing), normally with 2 or 3 drive units, where the signal is filtered to each drive unit by an internal
cross over within the speaker cabinet. These are known as PASSIVE speakers.
MONO Speaker: Screw terminal - Single drive unit speaker, as found in a transistor radio or similar.
Headphones: 3.5mm jack socket. Normally a tip/ring/ground (3pin headphone) delivering stereo
audio to a set of normal headphones. Our headphone amplifiers on the IQaudIO DAC boards can
drive up to 80/90ohm impedance headphones. The headphone output of the Codec+ is also aux out.
Aux In: A double Phono/RCA connector or 3.5mm socket. Accepts analogue audio up to 1vRMS
input. Can be used to record audio from a variable analogue source such as phone / tape recorder or
similar.
Aux Out: A double Phono/RCA connector or 3.5mm socket. Delivers analogue audio up to 1vRMS
output. Can be used to feed audio into an amplifier (but at a reduced volume compared to Line Out)
Mic In: a 3.5mm socket for use with an external ELECTRET microphone. Some of our boards have a
built in MEMS microphone that is disabled when the external microphone jack is inserted into the
3.5mm socket.!
Line'Out'
(RCA)
Balanced'
(XLR)'
STEREO'
Speakers'
(2x35w)
MONO'
Speaker'
(1.2w)
Head-'
phones
Aux'In'
1vRMS
Aux'Out'
1vRMS
Ext'
Mic
Built'
in'Mic
Pi-DAC$PRO
Pi-DAC+
Pi-DigiAMP+
Pi-Codec+
Pi-CodecZero
Pi-DACZero
(Electret)
(MONO)
(No Fit)
(with HP board)
(Electret)
(MONO)
(XLR board)
(No Fit)
(3.5mm)
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3. Configuring Linux for the IQaudIO sound card
You will find several audio applications with pre-configured Raspberry Pi SD Card images on
www.iqaudio.com/downloads - we also include a quickest images which will help you check that you
have the IQaudIO sound card installed correctly on your Raspberry Pi.
By default all our latest full size audio boards include a pre-programmed EEPROM. This allows the
Raspberry Pi operating system to auto detect and auto configure itself allowing the IQaudIO boards
to be plug and play.
If however you are using an older version of our board, or a Pi-Zero type board that does not auto-
configure then you may have to edit the Raspberry Pi operating system configuration yourself. This is
done by editing the Pi’s boot configuration file (found at /boot/config.txt) and ensuring the correct
settings for your IQaudIO is included. The onboard audio of the Pi is also disabled through the same
config.txt file.
We’ve included below the entries needed for the IQaudIO boards and also the quickest image that
can be downloaded from our website.
The following will help you check your sound card is working and it’s configured correctly.
Disabling the standard Raspberry Pi On-Board Audio
To make your IQaudIO sound card the primary audio device in Raspbian you will need to disable the
Raspberry Pi’s on-board “low quality” audio card. This is done simply by commenting out the
dtparam=audio=on device tree parameter on your sd card’s /boot/config.txt file by placing a #at the
start of the line, saving the file and rebooting your Pi.
/boot/config.txt should have the following entry to disable the Pi’s on-board sound card.
$#dtparam=audio=on$
IQaudIO'Card
/boot/config.txt
Quicktest'img
Pi-DAC+
dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus
0_quicktest_buster..zip
Pi-DAC$PRO
dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus
0_quicktest_buster..zip
Pi-DigiAMP+
dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus,unmute_amp$$
or$
dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus,auto_mute_amp
0_quicktest_buster..zip
Pi-Codec+
dtoverlay=iqaudio-codec
0_quicktest_buster..zip
Pi-CodecZero
dtoverlay=iqaudio-codec
0_quicktest_buster..zip
Pi-DACZero
dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus
old/IQ_Pi3_quicktestDAC_20180530.zip
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4. Headless software
Many of the software packages used with the Raspberry Pi simply turn the Pi into a “Headless” end-
point. That is to say that it doesn't need, or expect, a screen/display to be physically attached to the
Raspberry Pi’s HDMI socket. It is not something to be scared of towards the end of October.
So if there’s no screen how do you control it?
Well in some cases you don’t need to do anything with the Pi at all. Take the RoonLabs images, that
turns the Pi into a Roon Certified end-point. The Pi is then controlled form the RoonLabs PC/Mac
application which connects to and plays music through the IQaudIO sound card on your Raspberry
Pi. No screen needs to be attached to the Pi itself.
Other “headless” applications install a web server onto the Pi, so to control it you simply open a
browser window on your PC / Mac / Tablet or similar and interact with the Pi based application
through a web page. Applications such as Max2Play, MoodeAudio, Volumio and RuneAudio work this
way.
Max2Play - visit their getting started page here: Max2Play
Volumio:
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5. How do I install software on the Pi?
The Raspberry Pi normally loads its software from the micro-SD card. Most audio applications
assume they are the only thing running on the Pi so most require a dedicated SD card. The
applications are normally distributed as a compressed .img file (likely a .zip or .gz file) and this .img
file will need to be written to the Pi’s SD card to allow the Pi to boot.
Can’t I just copy the .img file over to the Pi?
Err, no. Doing this will just store the .img file on the SD card. The Pi needs the SD card to be
formatted in a particular way to allow it to boot / start up and run. Don’t worry, there are several ways
to do this and some are VERY simple.
Got a Mac? Get ApplePi-Baker - https://www.tweaking4all.com/
Use Windows? Use Win32DiskImager - https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
Top Tip: Buy a few extra micro SD cards, you’ll find it much easier to try things. Also, once you have a
working Pi SD card, back it up to your PC/Mac. It’s easier to re-write the SD card if things go wrong.
Some newer Raspberry Pi allow the Pi to boot from USB sticks or even over Ethernet. !
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6. The Pi-DAC PRO
The Pi-DAC PRO is a HAT compliant add-on accessory for the Raspberry Pi.
The Pi-DAC PRO users the Texas Instruments PCM5242 to deliver outstanding Signal to Noise
Ration and supports Balanced / Differential out in parallel to Phono / RCA line level output. It also
includes a dedicated headphone amplifier.
The Pi-DAC PRO can be connected to the Raspberry Pi A+/B+/RPi2/RPi3 or PRi4’s 40way pin
header without any additional soldering. The Pi-DAC PRO is powered by the Raspberry Pi.
Component selection and track layout have been in the forefront of our design to ensure noise
immunity and best possible audio playback with the Pi-DAC PRO.
Power LED Raspberry Pi GPIO Header HAT EEPROM Write Enable
Headphone socket
XLR / Differential out (LEFT and RIGHT) Phono (RCA) Output
The Pi-DAC PRO exposes two 3 pin headers (P7/P9) used by the optional XLR board to provide
Differential / Balanced output exposed by XLR sockets above the Pi’s USB/Ethernet ports.
P1: Analogue out (0..2VRMS), carries GPIO27, MUTE signal (headphone detect), Left and Right
Audio and Left and Right Ground.
P6: Headphone socket signals (pin1: LEFT, 2:GROUND, 3: RIGHT, 4:GROUND, 5:DETECT)
P7/9: Differential (0..4VRMS) output (P7:LEFT, P9: RIGHT)
P10: Alternative 5v input, powering the Pi in parallel!
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7. The Pi-DAC+
The Pi-DAC+ is a HAT compliant add-on accessory for the Raspberry Pi A+/B+/RPi2/RPi3 or PRi4.
The Pi-DAC+ uses the Texas Instruments PCM5122 DAC to deliver analogue audio to the Pi-DAC+’s
Phono connectors. The PI-DAC+ also supports a dedicated headphone amplifier.
The Pi-DAC+ can be connected to the Raspberry Pi’s 40way pin header without any additional
soldering. The Pi-DAC+ is powered by the Raspberry Pi.
Raspberry Pi GPIO header HAT EEPROM Write Enable Headphone Socket
Power LED
Phono (RCA) Output
P1: Analogue out (0..2VRMS), carries GPIO27, MUTE signal (headphone detect), Left and Right
Audio and Left and Right Ground.
P6: Headphone socket signals (pin1: LEFT, 2:GROUND, 3: RIGHT, 4:GROUND, 5:DETECT)
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8. The Pi-DigiAMP+
The Pi-DigiAMP+ is a HAT compliant add-on accessory for the Raspberry Pi.
The Pi-DigiAMP+ uses theTexas Instruments TAS5756M PowerDAC to deliver direct connection to
PASSIVE stereo speakers at up to 2x35wpc with variable output. Ideal for a Pi based HiFi.
The Pi-DigiAMP+ can be connected to the Raspberry Pi A+/B+/RPi2/RPi3 or RPi4's 40way pin
header without any additional soldering.
The DigiAMP+ must be powered from an external supply and requires a 12 to 24DC power source to
operate. The Pi-DigiAMP+’s barrel connector is 5.5mmx2.5mm. The Pi-DigiAMP+ has been designed
to provide power to the Raspberry Pi and Pi-DigiAMP+ combination in parallel, delivering 5.1v @
2.5Amp to the Pi.
DO NOT APPLY POWER TO THE RASPBERRY PI’s OWN POWER INPUT WHEN USING THE Pi-
DIGIAMP+.
The amplifier is by default muted at power on (mute LED lit). The mute state / LED is under software
control (Raspberry Pi GPIO22).
Power LED Mute LED Raspberry Pi GPIO Header HAT EEPROM Write Enable
Power In (12-24v) Speaker Terminals
P5: Alternative power input for hard wired installations. POLARITY MUST BE OBSERVED!
P8: TAS5756m Internal GPIO1/2/3!
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9. The Pi-Codec+
The Pi-Codec+ is a HAT compliant add-on accessory for the Raspberry Pi and can be connected to
the Raspberry Pi A+/B+/RPi2/RPi3 or RPi4's 40way pin header without any additional soldering.
The Pi-Codec+ delivers bi-directional digital audio signals (I2S) between the Raspberry Pi and
onboard Dialog Semiconductor DA7212 codec. Supporting a range of input and output devices from
built in MEMS microphone, AUX IN, dual mono Electret microphones to Stereo AUX OUT, or mono
speaker (1.2W / 8Ω)
Stereo AUX IN Power LED Mono Speaker OUT
MEMS Microphone Ext Mic LEFT Ext Mic RIGHT Headphone /
(Mic2) (Mic2) (Mic1 - NO FIT) Stereo AUX OUT
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10. The Pi-CodecZero
The Pi-CodecZero is a Raspberry Pi Zero sized board but it also includes the HAT’s EEPROM
allowing for auto configuration of the Linux environment if needed.
The Pi-CodecZero delivers bi-directional digital audio signals (I2S) between the Raspberry Pi and
onboard Dialog Semiconductor DA7212. Supporting a range of input and output devices from built in
MEMS microphone, mono Electret microphone or mono speaker (1.2W / 8Ω).
It also has GREEN (GPIO23) and RED (GPIO24) LEDs, that can be used for status and a tactile
button (GPIO27) that can be used to start an event.
The Pi-CodecZero makes a great starting point for a walkie talkie / intelligent doorbell, vintage radio
hack or Smart type speaker.
Stereo AUX IN Power LED Mono Speaker Stereo AUX OUT
GREEN LED
(GPIO23)
MEMS Mic2 Mono Mic1 (Electret) Button (GPIO27) RED LED (GPIO24)
P1 and P2 will support external PHONO / RCA sockets if needed. P1: AUX IN, P2: AUX OUT.
Pin 1 is square:
1: Left
2: Ground
3: Right
4: Ground
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11. The Pi-DACZero / DACZero Headphone
The Pi-DACZero is a smaller version of the IQaudIO Pi-DAC+ which is designed to be used with the
Raspberry Pi-Zero.
The Pi-DACZero delivers audio Line Out and uses the same Linux drivers as the Pi-DAC+.
There is an optional Headphone daughter card for the Pi-DACZero which can be mounted above the
DACZero to give an amplified headphone output in parallel. The Pi-DACZero and Pi-
DACZeroHeadphone boards are powered from the Raspberry Pi-Zero itself.
Rotary Encoder Header (P3)
Pin1:GPIO23, Pin2:GROUND, Pin3:GPIO24
Daughter card header (P1)
Power LED Phono (RCA) Output
DACZero Headphone
Power LED
3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack!
Signals passed through by Pi-DACZero (P1)
Pin#
NAME
NAME
Pin#
1
RIGHT OUT
☐
¤
(GROUND) 0v
2
3
LEFT OUT
¤
¤
(GROUND) 0v
4
5
3v3 (DC Power)
¤
¤
(DC Power) 5v
6
7
GPIO27
¤
¤
GPIO22
8
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12. CosmicController
The CosmicController delivers additional functionality to the Raspberry Pi delivering 3x momentary
buttons, 3x Super bright White LEDs, 1x Rotary Encoder with push button, optional IR sensor and
optional I2C based OLED display. The CosmicController is supported by Bob Rathbone’s radio
software, and sample usage code is also available on out GitHub page (www.github.com/iqaudio)
Button1 (GPIO 4) Button2 (GPIO 5) Button3 (GPIO 6) Rotary Encoder (GPIO 23/24)
LED1 (GPIO 14) LED2 (GPIO 15) LED3 (GPIO 16) Encoder Switch (GPIO 27)
OPTIONAL IR SENSOR (GPIO25)
The CosmicController also supports the optional OLED display from OLIMEX. The OLED is
connected to the CosmicController via a 10way ribbon connector. The orientation of this cable must
be observed. If should ONLY be connected as shows below:
PIN1 (MARKED RED)
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13. IQaudIO KITS
Many of the IQaudIO boards are available in KIT form. These allow users to use alternative GPIO pin
headers, hard wire cables to replace Phono/RCA sockets etc. Other kits (Cosmic Controller / XLR kit)
add additional functionality to the Pi or IQaudIO sound cards.
!
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14. Adding the IQaudIO sound card to your Raspberry Pi
WARNING: PLEASE ENSURE ALL POWER CABLES ARE DISCONNECTED FROM THE
RASPBERRY PI BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS PROCEDURE.
The IQaudIO range of sound cards attach to the Raspberry Pi’s 2x20 way pin header (GPIO header).
They are designed to be supported on the Pi using the supplied PCB standoffs and screws. In
general no soldering is required to the IQaudIO boards for normal operation.
The IQaudIO range of boards are normally supplied with the necessary mounting hardware (PCB
spacers and screws), these are for our latest low profile boards 4x 9mm PCB spacers and 8x M2.5
screws. If additional parts (such as 2piece speaker connectors) are required these are normally
provided too.
The remaining screws are then screwed into the spacers from above.
The PCB spacers should be screwed (finger tight only) to the Raspberry Pi before adding the
IQaudIO board.!
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If you are using the Pi-CASE+ replace the 4x screws beneath the Pi with the 4x 5mm PCB standoffs
provided with the Pi-CASE+, the 4 screws are then used to secure the bottom of the case to the short
PCB spacers beneath the Pi.
Other IQaudIO boards
Building the smaller Pi-Zero sized boards to the Raspberry Pi-Zero follows the same process, as
does adding the optional Pi-DAC Zero Headphone or Pi-DAC PRO XLR daughter cards. Daughter
cards are normally supplied with male / female pcbs spacers to replace the top most screws and
stack the PCBs correctly.
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15. Building the IQaudIO acrylic case
There are a number of project cases available for the Raspberry Pi, the addition of accessory boards,
such as the IQaudIO sound cards, requires a specific case. We have the following cases available in
a range of colours and finishes:
Pi3-CASE
• Supplied with a range of sides to suite our boards.
• For the Raspberry Pi3 and latest Pi-DAC+ / Pi-DAC PRO / Pi-DigiAMP+
Pi3-XLR CASE
• For the Raspberry Pi3, Pi-DAC PRO and XLR board
Pi-DACZERO CASE
• For the Raspberry Pi Zero and Pi-DAC Zero / Pi-DAC Zero Headphone daughter card
Pi “A” CASE
• ONLY suitable for the Raspberry Pi 3A+
• Supports our latest Pi-DAC+ / Pi-DAC PRO and Pi-DigiAMP+ boards
GENERAL BUILD INSTRUCTIONS
The following may prove helpful when building your Raspberry Pi and IQaudIO sounds card into the
appropriate Pi-CASE+.
All acrylic CASE+ installations follow the same process:
•If there is a protective film applied to either side of your acrylic, remove it before assembly.If
you build the CASE+ whilst retaining the protective film you may find that the finished look is
spoilt or for transparent cases, the result may be opaque.
•Bolt the PCBs together before attempting to install the bundle in the case. Make sure the small
5mm female/male spacers are fitted to the bottom of the Raspberry Pi
•Build the case sides around the PCB first (tip: use tape on each corner during the build
process)
•Add the bottom and top
•Add the bolts and small rubber bumper stickers
And just so we don’t get more emails telling us our manufacturing process is wrong, that we’ve cut
the material mirrored or the look and finish is spoilt with the text “perspex”…. :-)
•If there is a protective film applied to either side of your acrylic, remove it before assembly!
NOTE: Access to the Raspberry Pi micro SD card can be tricky due to the width of the Perspex. We
suggest the use of tweezers.
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IQaudIO Case parts / Assembly
Each case is supplied cut out and includes:
- 4x Long bolts
- 4x Large nuts
- 4x 5mm male / female PCB spacers
- 1x Top Plate
- 1x Bottom Plate
- Several sides (There are normally 3 sides which are used for all IQaudIO boards and a set of sides
specific to the IQaudIO board being used.)
A. Lay out the CASE+ sides corresponding to the Raspberry Pi & the specific IQaudIO board
B. Then, build the sides up around the Raspberry Pi. Use sticky tape at each corner to make things
simpler to assemble.
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C. Add the base (with text outwards) and screw the case to the Raspberry Pi
D. Pi-CASE+ top in place
Now add the 4 nuts and bolts – Do not over tighten, finger tight is OK
E. Completed Pi-CASE+ with Raspberry Pi and Pi-DAC+ inside
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