As is usually the case, a few bugs crept into the v2 release. So, here is v2.01: TFT_HiFiDuino_v2.xx (37783 downloads ) (Note: As always, the code on this page may not be the current one, i.e. there may be a newer version available. The latest version is always up at the project’s official page.)
Also, here is a video of the code in action:
It’s official: Version 2 of the TFT HiFiDuino controller is complete!
There is a number of changes, thus the new version:
The code is (and will remain) compatible with my current shield. (Hint: shield v2 is also coming up!)
New requirements:
Plus the good old UTFT library.
I am including the necessary fonts and bitmaps in the ZIP. The fonts should go into your UTFT & UTFT_DLB directories, usually found in the Windows user’s Documents folders (for example, here: c:\Users\<user name>\Documents\Arduino\libraries\UTFT_DLB\).
The bitmaps should go into your sketch’s folder.
I have included in several places in the code SerialUSB output for debugging purposes. It is commented out in this release for performance purposes. However, it is very easy to re-enable for either debugging or viewing of the IR codes sent to the Arduino. You may use these IR codes to customize the code to support your remote by changing the relevant #define statements in the Remote control definitions section.
Due to code size and performance requirements I’m afraid that from v2 onwards TFT HiFiDuino will only be compatible with the Arduino Due. Sorry, it’s the price to pay for nice graphics. Thankfully, it’s a pretty low price. 😛
You may download it here: TFT_HiFiDuino_v2.xx (37783 downloads ) (Note: As always, the code on this page may not be the current one, i.e. there may be a newer version available. The latest version is always up at the project’s official page.)
I will soon update the code’s official page to v2.
Tis the season to be jolly!
Deep in House Vol. 6 (December 2014) by Dimitris Dimitrakoudis on Mixcloud
Tracklist:
1. Dabeull - TR-707
2. Kavinsky - Nightcall (Ardency Remix)
3. Chris Madem - Siren Calling (Original Mix)
4. Pammin-You To Me (Original Mix)
5. Majestique - Must Get There (Dubka Remix)
6. Jazmine Sullivan - Don't Make Me Wait (Deep House Remix)
7. Cristian Poow, Javier Penna - Number One (Original Mix)
8. Flight Facilities feat Jess - Foreign language (Will Saul and Tam Cooper Remix)
9. Bruno Be, Kasual, Ashibah, L.O.O.P - All We Got (Bruno Be Remix)
10. WASABI, Rob Made, Sugar Hill - She Know's (Original Mix)
11. Baby Bash - Suga Suga (Jerry Folk Remix)
12. Psychodelico - Sex On The Phone (Original Mix)
13. Redford & Kyrill feat. Ted Dade - Green & Colors Like It (Original Mix)
14. Claptone, Jaw - Amour Tjs (Original Mix)
15. Eli - Feel The Fire (Original Mix)
16. Matt Meler feat Erin Marshall - I Went Down (Extended Mix)
17. Mousse T, Chew Fu, Steve Clisby - Purple Rain (Mousse T's Home A Lone Mix)
18. Gabe, Volkoder Feat. Ester Azeredo - Sex U (Original Mix)
19. Ashibah, Vintage Culture, Earstrip feat. Ashibah - Sure Thing (Original Mix)
20. Croatia Squad - Milking (Original Mix)
21. Natema - Everybody Does (Original Mix)
A couple of weeks back I wrote that I was working on the next version of the TFT HiFiDuino code and that I was struggling with its new aesthetic.
I was considering something resembling this: 
But, I did warn you that the final version would probably look nothing like this. I was right.
Two weeks have passed since then and I am very close to a v2 release. The aesthetics are 99% complete and I am just ironing out a few bugs.
This is the final look: 
Stay tuned.. v2 will be out before the end of 2014!
Back in 2011 I built a 3 channel power amplifier based on Hypex UcD400HG modules and their matching SMPS400 power supplies. It has been my favorite amplifier ever since.
Now it has its own page on my blog, filled with construction details and photos. I have also included the schematic and PCB for the custom AUX power supply that I designed for the UcD400’s input opamp.
..especially if you have almost no technical constraints in what you can implement. It’s only pixels, after all.
Yes, I am talking about a new version of the TFT HiFiDuino code with a new look and feel.
This of course is very very preliminary, and chances are the final version will look almost nothing like it, but still it will give you an idea as to where I’m going with the design.
The new version will have a minimal main display and only show the good stuff when an adjustment is to be made. The underlying code is nearly complete, but I’m struggling with the aesthetics of the thing.
But in any case, it won’t be long now. 🙂
There are currently four ways to get audio out of the RPi:
According to several sources on the Net, this is the pin out:
You will probably notice that the RPi does not support MCLK output. This means in practice that your DAC will need to have its own on-board clock (or internal PLL / oscillator or whatever). We can live with that.
Luckily, my Buffalo III has its own clock (of course it does!) and thus can be connected quite easily. Let’s try that:
Now we have to configure the software for I2S output. For my distribution of choice, Archphile, it’s a piece of cake: http://archphile.org/howto/i2s-dacs-and-the-raspberry-pi/
Audio playback works just fine!
Well, almost fine..
You see, in theory the RPi has a bit of a problem with its I2S output. Since the only clock onboard the RPi is a 19.2MHz crystal, it should have trouble generating proper clocks for its I2S output. For example, for 44.1KHz audio, the LR Clock must be running at precisely 44.1KHz. That is not possible, since the frequency is not a multiple of 19.2MHz. Thus, the frequency can be either 19.200.000 / 435 = 44.138KHz or 19.200.000 / 436 = 44.0366KHz. This is a limitation of the Broadcom BCM2835 in conjunction with the 19.2MHz crystal and there is nothing that can be done.
In order to confirm the theory, I decided to run a few tests. I hooked up my logic analyzer to my RPi, set it up for I2S output, and fed it some 44.1KHz music.
I took 1 sec worth of samples with my logic analyzer, configuring it for I2S signal. I got this:
The PCM Clock is already appearing a little dodgy. Let’s zoom in:
As you can see, the pulses do not have the same duration. They appear to alternate between two values. So it is obvious that the signal has jitter. A lot of jitter. Since we’re here, let’s have a look at the LR Clock signal as well:
The duration of the pulses appears to alternate between 11.33μS and 11.38μS, giving respectively 44.12KHz and 44.04KHz, values very close to the ones I calculated previously.
So, the theory is sound and the RPi’s clock is not up to snuff by strict standards. What this means is that the RPi’s I2S output is not capable of “Hi End” audio transmission. It is essentially not bit perfect (edit: this is not correct, strictly speaking. It is in fact bit perfect, it is just not “proper”.).
In the real world, chances are that this problematic clocking will not be particularly audible under normal circumstances, say with a normal-specc’ed sound system. But an audiophile should definitely steer clear of the RPi’s I2S output, instead opting for a USB to I2S interface.
Enter the Raspberry Pi B+:
It features:
Somehow they have managed to cram all that in an almost credit-card sized PCB.
And it costs less than 40€.
It runs Linux (of course..). There is a large number of general-purpose distributions available, as well as a few custom built ones. One of them is Openelec (an XBMC Media Center distro), another one is Volumio (an audiophile music player), a third one is SqueezePlug (it emulates a number of Media Servers, like Logitech Media Server, MediaTomb, MiniDLNA, etc. It also works as a Squeezebox (client)), etc.
So far, my favorite distribution is Archphile, an audiophile linux distribution. It may not have the polished look of Volumio or play 1080p video like Openelec, but is plays music wonderfully through a USB port (or through I2S if you are more of a DIYer).
So, what am I doing with it? I wanted to put a music streamer in my kitchen. I already have two Squeezeboxes in other rooms, so for the kitchen I thought I would try something more interesting.
But along the way, I discovered that it is a lot more useful than that. A very useful (and very rare) feature it has is the ability to bitstream DSD audio (a.k.a. SACDs):
Raspberry Pi B+ outputting DSD to my Buffalo DAC
So now I’m considering adding an RPi network music transport to my main system.
First, a little background info.
Synology makes great NAS products. They are user friendly, fast, and multimedia oriented.
A little known feature of said products is that they support direct connection to USB enabled DACs. All you have to do is connect your DAC to your NAS with a USB cable, fire up Audio Station and tick the box for USB Speakers:
Now you have a new output device, called USB Speakers:
You just select that and now your Synology plays through your USB DAC. It’s that simple.
Now, this feature has been available for quite some time, so why am I making such a fuss about it now? It’s simple: Synology just started supporting my favorite USB-to-I2S interfacing board, the Amanero.
So, if you have an Amanero and a Synology NAS, just upgrade your DSM to 5.1 and enjoy full compatibility!
Though it may be autumn, the weather is still fine, so here is another uplifting mix. Enjoy!
Deep in House Vol. 5 (October 2014) by Dimitris Dimitrakoudis on Mixcloud
Tracklist:
1. Feder feat. Lyse - Goodbye (Original Mix)
2. Disciples - They Don't Know (Original Mix)
3. Hodgson - Babylon System (Original Mix)
4. Grades - Owe It To Yourself
5. Kadebostany - Castle In The Snow (Hector Extended Remix)
6. Matvey Emerson Ft. Leusin - Fall For Your Type (Original Mix)
7. Paul Richmond - Commitment (Original Mix)
8. Touch & Go - Opposites Attract (Original Mix)
9. Giom feat. Apple Rochez - Dr Zapp (Original Mix)
10. Matvey Emerson - Run Away (Original mix)
11. Edu Imbernon, Los Suruba, Daniel Wilde - Leopard (Boy Next Door Remix)
12. Eli And Fur - You're So High (Original Mix)
13. Mahmut Orhan, Deeperise - It's Time Tonight (Tosel & Hale Remix)
14. Patrick Podage - Take Me There (Original Mix)
15. Emma Hewitt - Crucify (Bentley Grey Nu Disco Remix)
16. Tosel - Miles Away (Mark Lower Remix)
17. Artem Rubtsov, JetLoud feat. Cotry - All I See Is You (Aerobatics Remix)