i am actually testing Volumio and i really like it, so I would like to upgrade my setup (actually using the headphone jack of the pi and some old activ speakers).
I want to use my passiv speakers (60W, 8Ω) which only have the cabel with 2 conductors (i don’t know the name, sorry - i mean these cables: https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&tbm=isch&q=lautsprecherkabel&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjD9PbErbHeAhUOCuwKHRFoDL4QBQh9KAA&biw=2560&bih=1314&dpr=1#imgrc=TGFTweMJemmHwM: )
My first thought was to buy an Hifiberry AMP2 because it seems to match with my speakers. But i was wondering if it’s possible to also connect my TV (SPDIF Optical Out) and maybe my PC (3,5mm aux) to the Speakers at the same time as they are connectet to Volumio… Can anybody tell me if thats possible and how i can do this?
Sorry for my bad english and thanks
Greetings from Germany
Greetz,
The AMP2 is an integrated DAC + amp - so it will only take the inputs from your pi. For what you want, it would be better to get an external amp, that can take multiple inputs (SPDIF, 3,5mm aux) etc.
Hi,
I think, you need some like stereo receiver (many audio inputs, dac and amplifier in one package) or separate audio components. I builded stereo receiver based on volumio, but is not easy for beginners.
I see three way how to make.
stereo receiver like Yamaha R-N301 (connected via analog or coaxial) or SMSL AD18 (connected via USB - I don’t sure) or Topping TP32EX
separate components like TOPPING D10 (this type have not analog input) with some amplifier like Topping TP60. Or some vintage hifi.
based on raspberry’s HAT. Here you will need DAC HAT with audio input. I know only two manufactures which make it. AUDIOPHONICS DAC I-Sabre ES9038Q2M with SPDIF (you will need convertor from optical to coax) and OSA Electronics DACBerry ONE+ (it have optical in). This will must connect to amplifier. Look to my build stereo-receiver-based-volumio-with-kodi-t10661.html
You need to distinguish between digital and analogue sources. The 3.5 mm AUX is analogue. Any amp can work with that.
SPDIF is a digital signal, so you need a Digital-to-Analog-Converter (DAC) for that. For the Pi, that could be a HifiBerry DAC+, which converts the digital signal from the Pi into an analogue one.
For around €50 you should be able to get a nice vintage hifi amplifier on eBay Kleinanzeige or similar. These always have multiple inputs that you can switch between. You can connect your computer via the 3.5 mm tulp and the Hifiberry DAC as well.
Most slightly more expensive, modern amplifiers take SPDIF as well for your TV signal. If you spend a bit more than €50, you might be able to find a second-hand one with SPDIF options as well. Then you can connect all three devices (PC, Pi via the HifiBerry DAC, and TV).
To build from PaulM’s reply - For 50€ ebay kleinanzeigen/ebay.de will give you some decent second hand options. For example, I picked up a nice Rotel amp with 5 RCA inputs + 1 phono input for ~70€
Another option that I use for my travelling setup - classD tpa3116/3118 based amp boards.
The Allo Volt+ amp for example has a single RCA input.
This could then be coupled with an input switcher (audioschakelaar oder Cinch-Umschalter) to connect it to any (analogue) input source
This still doesn’t solve your SPDIF/Toshlink input issue though!
Something like that is nice.
(Be aware! Never connect anything other than an oldschool turntable to the Phono input, in order not to destroy the amplifier right away!)
A DAC with USB and Toslink could solve this. But generally these are a bit more expensive than just usb. On the other hand, nowadays you can get nice DAC from China via eBay for 30-40€. Do check the chipset if they are compatible with Volumio though, if you want to use USB.
I found out that my tv supports aux as well (haven’t seen it last time, it’s well hidden :D).
Looking around for amps i found the Lepy LP-269. It’s cheap and got a descent rating on amazon. I could use aux for pc and chinch with these stackable chinch cables for the pi and the tv (with chinch to aux for the tv).
I don’t think that these little amps are made to be on 24/7… therefore its nice that it has a remote control…
At Kleinanzeigen/ebay i actually haven’t found the perfect one jet. But I’ll continue looking.
Do i get your last sentence right, it’s possible to use the usb port of the pi as an output for the sound?
If thats possible i could go for a more expensive AMP because i don’t need to buy the HifiBerry Dac anymore. (Maybe the Sabaj A3 - using the usb in for the pi, the toshlink for the tv and the aux for my pc)
Depending on how “audiophile” you want your system - I’d ditch the Bluetooth amp and get a simple no frills class D amp.
You can use a USB DAC (DA Wandler) to again convert the digital audio via usb to Analogue - but be warned, this will not result in the cleanest path - as the USB bus is shared with other noisy devices in a pi (whether you can actually hear (or care about) the different differs from person to person)
Good, if the Sabaj A3 works with the Pi via USB, then you don’t need a DAC indeed.
TV via optical, PC via the aux-input, and you can still use it with your phone via bluetooth.
It is a nice little all-in-one solution for you now. The alternative of a DAC and used amplifier via eBay Kleinanzeigen would probably result in slightly better quality audio, but there is a risk in buying second-hand if you’re new to the field.
Let us know how you like your new setup!
I’m quite interested in the topic of best finding the best value-for-money that fits the overall quality of my audio-setup; not to create a weak link, but also not to overdo on one component.
I have read this quite often about potential USB disturbances, yet I have not experienced any audible distortions with my Schiit Modi gen 1 since early Volumio - except for some cracks and pops on an old R-Pi 1b when indexing 500 Gb+ of music. Its mainly the ethernet connection that causes disturbance, since these are on one controller. Easily circumvented with wireless networking.
On the other hand, the Pi’s i2s clock is dodgy which requires a more expensive DAC breakout board. Yet then, those breakout-DACs have very limited space for a decent analogue stage.
I think the best option is a good digital breakout (like the Allo DigiOne) to an external DAC of your choice, but then the price more than doubles.
I completely agree - I rarely have time for ‘serious listening’ sessions these days - frequently it’s more atmosphere music after I come home - and for such use cases I am trying to find the sweet spot where both my ears and wallet is happy. So far it’s the combo of a <orange/nano/raspberry>pi + PCM5102 + TPA3116 + old boxes of ebay Kleinanzeigen.
Finally recieved the sabaj, and everything i’ve tested works great (couldn’t test tv via toshlink since i had to order the cable separately.)
Soundquality over USB is fine for me. But i’ve also tested hdmi (with an adapter to chinch and then chinch to aux…^^) which seems to have a little bit more details. But for me this is just noticeable when i instant switch between these two sources.
So the solution with the sabaj is near to perfect for me. (If it would go auto on/off and automatically switch the source it would be perfect )
)