IQaudIO.com Pi-AMP+ for the Raspberry Pi / Pi-DAC+

Audiophile Bazaar Merchant's Corner
1

Pi-AMP+ add on for the popular IQaudIO.com Pi-DAC+

The first Full-HD audio quality amplifier for the Raspberry Pi B+, designed and made by audio experts.

The IQaudIO Pi-AMP+ is an add on board for the IQaudIO Pi-DAC+ HAT Audio card for the Raspberry Pi. It delivers outstanding sonic performance and full-HD (24/192) audio capability.

NO SOLDERING REQUIRED, simply “FIT AND ENJOY.” If you have a recent Pi-DAC+ then just plug on top, fit the supplied spacers and attach speakers to benefit from great sounding room filling music. For those with older Pi-DAC+, you’ll need to fit the 2x5 pin header to the Pi-DAC+ (a 5minute job) before being able to enjoy this experience.

Designed to deliver the best audio performance from the Raspberry Pi B+, fit within the B+'s form factor.

The Pi-AMP+ will mute if the Pi-DAC’s headphone socket is used and benefits from standard screw terminals for easy speaker cable connection.

The Pi-AMP+’s mounting holes are aligned to those of the Pi-DAC+ and of the Raspberry Pi B+'s, delivers a rock solid pairing with no concern of the audio cards becoming disconnected from the Raspberry Pi during long term use.

Please note that The Pi-DAC+ uses GPIO22 as amp-mute and when powered on is in mute state. The mute functionality can be bypassed using a simple 2pin header jumper and in this state NO Linux software changes are required, any software which works with the Pi-DAC+ will work with the Pi-AMP+.

NOTE: The Pi-AMP must be powered from an external supply. We recommend the XP Power VEH60US15 (15v, 4amp), we can supply this too - XP Power VEH60US15

The IQaudIO Pi-AMP+ Features

Full-HD audio – up to 24-bit/192kHz playback
2x20w of crystal clear amplification (at 15v input, 18v 2x25w)
No soldering required to your Raspberry Pi
Powers the Raspberry Pi and Pi-DAC+ from the Pi-AMP power input
Supplied with necessary 12mm PCB standoffs
No Software / linux drivers / software changes needed
AMP can be enabled / disabled via Raspberry Pi’s GPIO22
AMP auto mutes if the P-DAC+’s headphone socket it used
Advanced ESD protection
Fully built and tested Raspberry Pi accessory
Designed and manufactured in the UK

The IQaudIO Pi-AMP+ is only suitable for use with the Pi-DAC+

Can be purchased via Tindie.com (https://www.tindie.com/stores/IQaudIO/)

2

Dear,

this AMP and the associated DAC seems to be great products.

Can you tell us if volume is managed thru Volumio (soft volume) ?

But , sorry there’s always a but, let’s do the math :

IQAudio :
DAC+ 42$
AMP+ 71$
Crystal Box 24$
Power 40$
S&H: 15$
Total: 187$

Advantage: small sized integrated solution, and only one power supply for everything, little more power available for speakers…
Drawback: price, specific to RPi B+ or B version, not re usable.

External USB AMP + DAC :

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/2017539301.html

Description

[code]

  • Build in Op amp for headphone liner boost, easy to drive any headphone in 16 Ohm~200 Ohm impedance loading,the speaker cut off automatic when the earphone jack plug in.
  • Totally 3000*2=6000uF super large capacity with ELNA Audiophile Grade Cap, very low ESR and
  • high speed response sounds much clearly in detail and huge in deep bass.
  • High grade component in use, there are Dale resistor, ELNA Caps,Nichicon,ALPS volume control, gold coat PCB,pure copper RCA socket with gold coat…!!

Features and specifications Indicators:

  • Input: USB or Stereo RCA
  • USB Controller by Burr-Brown PCM2704:(plug and play, Windows2000 or Higher)
  • Full speed transciever (REAL AUDIO 1.1),32KHz~48KHz/16BIT DELTA-SIGMA STEREO.
  • The pre-baffle plate is 8mm thick aluminum sheet which use the CNC machining
  • High quality Golden RCA and domestic output block.
  • Power AMP: Class-T Tripath TA 2024 ( Golden pins) BTL Configuration (For 4-Ω to 8-Ω Speaker)
  • Opamp: Burr-Brown OP-2134
  • Size:Case only 10.5cm x 4.5cm x 20.5cm (width x high x deep)
  • Weight: Main unit only 720g
  • Package 1.5kg (Include Power supply)
  • Power: We offer a High quality DC Power Supply Input: AC 100-240V 50/60Hz, Output: DC 12V 5A Regulator.
  • We offer four type of power plugs for buyer choose: USA,EU,AU,BS
  • Output: 3.5mm Headphone output socket, a Stereo Speaker Output.
  • Fit for Headphone Impedance: 16 ohm—200 ohm.
  • THD Distortion: 0.04%THD+N @5W/8Ω 1Khz,
  • Power Output for Speaker: 15W * 2-ch(4Ω,THD 0.03%)
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 90dB
  • Dynamic Range: 90dB

Specification of power amp section:

  • T-Amp IC Tripath TA2024
  • Output Power 2 x 15W @ 4ohm, 2 x 10W @ 8ohm
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) 98dB
  • Dynamic Range 98dB
  • IHF-IM Distortion 0.1% @ 1W, 4ohm
    THD Distortion
    0.03% @ 9W, 4ohm
    0.1% @ 11W 4ohm
    0.1% @ 6W 8ohm
    10% @ 15W 4ohm
    10% @ 10W 8ohm
  • Power Efficiency 81% @ 15W, 4ohm, 90% @ 10W, 8ohm
  • Input Sensitivity 200mV
  • Audio IN RCA (Left/Right) x 1
  • Power socket (5.5mm/2.1mm) x 1
    Output
  • Speaker OUT (Left) x 1 pair (+ / -)
  • Speaker OUT (Right) x 1 pair (+ / -)
  • Power Indicator (Blue LED) x 2

Package List:

  • 1 * Topping TP30 USB DAC Headphone T-AMP TA2024 Amplifier
  • 1 * 100V~240VAC/12V5A Power Adapter
  • 1 * 1.5M USB cable[/code]

Power for the RPi : 5$
Box for the RPi : 5$

Total: 108$

Advantage: price, re-usable for other application,
Drawback : need two power source (RPi and USB DAC+AMP), little less availabe power for speakers.

IQaudio solution is 73% more expensive, which is a lot. Can you please give us some arguments about your products to help me/us to choose between those two options please.

3

Well by now you may have seen the IQaudIO Pi-DigiAMP+ and that it was reviewed in this months Raspberry Pi magazine and featured in the Raspberry Pi web site blog too.

This is a combined DAC and AMP (PowerDAC in TI terms) capable of up to 2x30w stereo at Full-HD 192/24.

It’s also cheaper and fits on a HAT board too.

Also, for a limited time we have a 10% discount on products at www.iqaudio.com for all our customers. Select the Summer2015 voucher at the checkout.

Win/Win

Gordon@iqaudio.com