Relocating iqaudio pi-dac+ RCA jacks

Audio Gear DACs
1

I’m a happy IQAudio pi-dac+ user since a week. Would like to build a case around my Pi + Dac which means I’ll need to replace the current RCA jacks with panel-mount types. I have some soldering experience but am definitely not an expert.

Anything I need to know before starting this? How difficult is it to remove the current jacks and replace them with some short wires to new ones?

2

Options I’d suggest are:

  1. get some phono to phono cable - cut off one end and solder this cut end to the panel mount phono jacks - use the other end to plug into the Pi-DAC+ phono sockets (no need to desolder the Pi-DAC+ phono connector)

  2. solder cables to your panel mount phono connectors and take these leads to the 2x4 pin header provided on the Pi-DAC+ (no need to desolder the Pi-DAC+ phono connector)

  3. Go to maplin / radio shack etc. and buy a heated solder removal tool - makes the removal of components MUCH easier.

  4. Buy a Pi-CASE+ :slight_smile:

Best regards,

Gordon

3

Are the other components sensitive to heat? need any special equipment or would regular soldering iron and desoldering tool ?

ives:
Did you find any nice case?
I thinking about this or something clean
emko.cz/produkty/it-skrine/r … lver-h3564

4

Thanks for the suggestions!

I still have this case lying around which I had already ordered for another project: modmypi.com/shop/modmypi-mo … case-black Thing is that it doesn’t have sufficient height to keep the existing connector on the pi-dac+. Otherwise I’d just use a cut phono-to-phono cable like you suggested.

BTW: is there any documentation about the pin layout on that 2x4 header? And since I’m asking: what is that little switch on the board for?

@jonas18z That looks like a nice case. Does it have any mount points for the pi inside? And looking at the height you’ll probably have the same issue with the connector.

5

Let me answer all these questions in one go…

  1. components sensitive to heat
  • yes, don’t keep the soldering iron on things for any longer than needed.
  1. any special equipment or would regular soldering iron and desoldering tool
  • we just use the same tools you can buy from Maplin etc.
  1. documentation about the pin layout on that 2x4 header
  • The PCB’s silk screen should show…
    pin1 (closest to RED Phono socket) is Right Signal,
    pin2 Right ground
    pin3 Left Signal
    pin4 Left ground
    pin5/6 No connect
    pin7 GPIO27
    pin8 GPIO22 / Headphone mute (goes low / high depending on headphone jack’s status)
  1. switch on board is to enable write on the HAT EEPROM. Nothing to see here, move along :slight_smile:

Please post pictures if you make any modifications. It’ll be nice to see cases etc.

Best regards,

gordon@iqaudio.com

6

Someone did this but it´s not the + model and the DAC sems smaller. So I wonder if the raspb plus case and iqaudio pi-dac+ will fit if you remove the RCA:

960×717 90.2 KB

7

Since I was planning on desoldering the jacks, I first had a go at them with a dremel. Turned out that I could grind them down low enough so they could fit in the case. I did have to be creative with the screws and spacers to make everything fit though. See the pictures below.

8

Nice work ives :slight_smile: