How to Make a $250 DIY HiFi DAC with amazing sound (Gabster Mini I/P)

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Got it assembled smooth sound , just waiting for insulation to install EMI shii

[@didididi768]

Hi Gabby, thanks a lot for these amazing videos, always enjoy watching them. Just a quick question: How would you rate the setup with the Protodac sound wise compared to Ian's 9038 Dual Mono DAC hat with his new transformer based output stage? (Everything else the same, meaning FIFO Q7 and proper power supplies) Thanks a lot!

[@Thoughtflux]

What's his website? I want to check it out.

[@nadeembrossard8687]

Love your Videos makes a complex project look so easy and it encourage us to try something like this. keep up the great videos

[@New-England-HiFi-Guy]

I am not getting any audio from the Protodac for some reason. Just built it. For now only the Protodac on a RPI. IVE I STALLED Moore Audio as I do t seem to find drivers etc dtiveay for Dietpi. Using instructions on Moodr setup I’m not getting any sound. H Any idea?

[@DIYaudio88]

Sound comparison please! If you have the time, compare it to Ian's Dac and also to your Denafrips Terminator. Would be super helpful in understanding the benefits of DIY.

[@Roger-lz9ro]

What a cool DIY Project that anyone can put together I will order some parts soon

[@larsfrigastlarsen5137]

Hi Gabby, thank you very much for the super informative videos. If I had the skills I would build the Gabster D11. However, I need to start with a less complex project. You have on Streamer and a DAC using the Iancanada parts - was wondering if you made a project with a Streamer and a DAC in one project besides your famous Gabster D11 project?

[@Michael-mai]

Verry good work,thank for your share.

[@SunnySue-q6q]

Very nice and easy build. Love the creative shielding

[@bakkerem1967]

Very 'fruitful' video ! Thanks for posting !

[@bjcwolters]

Hello Gabster! Thanks for info the settings are ok . Geht only noise ? Have a rip 4 with fifopi q3 and a purepi

[@thinkIndependent2024]

What I2S for (Also they sell pack of L shaped standoffs with U don’t need to line up)

[@MrJbipes]

I'm interested in a hardware kit for this. I have a RPi. Interested in the ProtoDAC

[@Gabster1]

You can contact Mark from the link below then go to the Project Thread he may have some kits or you can build your own kit all info is in the link.

[@jasonschilling9816]

Hi Gabby! I love you videos. I have a couple questions. I ordered a ProtoDac and Pi. To supply power, this is what I was thinking: I have a bunch of old laptop PS. Use one of those, cut off cord after filter then run that thru a lm317/lm337. 1) don’t see any issues with the PS? 2) any issues using a lm317/337 combo board vs a single lm317? 3) I also order a power purifier hat. I am thinking output to the power purifier hat that sits between pi and ProtoDac. Would 5v direct to ProtoDac be best and then separate PS for the Pi? Thoughts?

[@Gabster1]

Thanks Jason 1) that is fine 2) No issues 3)separate power to the protodac is better for that put a gpio extender cut pin 2 and 4 then feed the protodac separately

[@ClassifiedBrief]

Another thing gabby - can you do more of these tests with your big dac streamer. I'm curious the noise levels with the clean side of the pi and if we really shouldn't actually be stacking anything ontop (like the fifopi / dual mono dac / i/v board ect)

[@edmundzed9870]

Interesting stuff you have. Question, what and where is the input signal? I like to add a toslink option to my pre amp, in fact I like to have a couple of them.

[@Gabster1]

There is no input just rca out for a preamp/Amp You can add a input board see Ian’s website for details This system streams directly from the RPI. The less conversions the better.

[@edmundzed9870]

@@Gabster1 I suppose RPI = Raspberry Pi but I need optical in. AFAIK the dac does the conversion not a optical connection. Where is Ian's website?

[@stuwee9]

Thank you Gabster!! I built the ProtoDac and experiencing different options right now. A question if you interested. Can we also put and HdmiPi pro under the Protodac? I was planning to built a i2s out streamer with Q7 and PurePi. Adding a dac would be cool for using time-to-time.

[@Gabster1]

I can not see why not but I never tried it

[@markverheijden3016]

Hi Gabby, thnx for your informative video's. I have a question about the streamers and dacs you are building. Will they play high resolution files or dsd? I understood that using spdif will go up to 192kHz and dsd will be converted to pcm, so there can be some losses. So the second question is, is het possible to build a high end usb streamer that covers all of this? Greetings Mark

[@Gabster1]

Hi Mark sorry I was away for a month Try Ian’s new receiver DDC coming out soon www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/asynchronous-i2s-fifo-project-an-ultimate-weapon-to-fight-the-jitter.192465/post-7488536

[@radomirlilic2472]

I have always wondered how your DAC projects compared to Lampucera DAC DIY project from the creator of Lampizator DAC's soundwise. Any comments or thoughts on this?

[@Gabster1]

Never had one so can not compare

[@radomirlilic2472]

@@Gabster1 That is a nice project you may tackle... building Lampucera DAC!

[@bjcwolters]

hello Gabby, is it correct that your tda1387 is running on 3,3 volt from pin 2,4 thanks Bart

[@Gabster1]

The Builder guide on Moode site has all the info github.com/moode-player/protodac/blob/main/docs/protodac_tda1387_x8.md It runs on 5v taken from pin 2,4 of the RPI If you want to use a external power supply for the tda Use a Gio extension and bend pin 2,4 so it is not connected to the RPI

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Gabster Thanks for the shielding hack!!! 1.what is the advantage of 3.3 volt over 5 volt on the Fifo! 2. I2S hat setting or just generic? Volumio

[@Gabster1]

In a simple explanation The Fifo needs 2 power supplies a 5v for the main core functions and dirty side it gets it from the Pi here and a 3.3v for the clean side and clocks coming from the linear psu more info in Ian’s PDF from the GitHub site

[@thinkIndependent2024]

@@Gabster1 Got it my mistake the older board was showing on my first search, the new board is only 3.3 volt... Thanks got it

[@dansacred6738]

Have these parts coming for almost the same thing, I've just also got the coax/opt input board going in, would you power that off the pi side or the clock side or even by itself?

[@Gabster1]

You can power via GPIO or independently. According to the ReceiverPi Pro PDF if you have the non pro version check the corresponding PDF Optional independent DC power input If don’t want to take power from GPIO, you can connect a 5V DC / 100mA (minimum) power supply to this 2-pin 5.0mm terminal J3. MAINTAINING CORRECT POLARITY!!! Low noise linear 5V power supply will be good for ReceiverPi Pro. Direct-connected 3.3V ultra capacitor / LifePO4 battery power supply can also be used. J3 was not installed by default. L1 (at bottom side of the PCB) needs to be removed if you don’t want new DC power being connected to GPIO. No need to remove L1 if ReceiverPi Pro works independently without plugged into GPIO.

[@bjcwolters]

Hello Gabster, can you tell me the settings on ropieee and roon to use this hat . ? I only geht nose thanks Bart

[@Gabster1]

I have a video coming in 3 weeks about that in a few words use generic 12s dac in Ropieee and in roon enable the snd rpi

[@AlanOrme]

Hi Gabby, Love the vid, could we please have a parts list I am up for this great project

[@Gabster1]

Hi Alan check the description and on Moode site under ProtoDac

[@killebrewje]

I don't understand where to get the PCB board for the protodac. Or the other parts. These links aren't helping.

[@Gabster1]

If you follow the Project Thread you can get a good Idea also can order a full Kit he has a email on that thread moodeaudio.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=5531&pid=46367#pid46367

[@Gabster1]

you can also send the gerber files to JLPCB or PCBWAY and order the pcbs the rest are simple parts could get from Mouser

[@ayaayaka2544]

Bonjour de Suisse Gabi! Merci pour vos vidéos très intéressantes et instructives. Je voulais savoir si il y avait moyen de partager le FifoPi Q7 entre le streamer et le DAC 🤔. Vu le prix, ça serait intéressant. Merci.

[@Gabster1]

Vous pouvez ajouter le Dac sur le dessus de la carte de streaming et l'utiliser à la fois comme un streamer et un dac, mais pour être honnête, j'ai essayé le streamer avec certains dacs comme le Pontus 2 chez un ami, cela n'a pas fait une énorme différence par rapport à un streamer générique.car certains Dac reclock le signal . Cependant, avec le dac double mono et les petits transformateurs d'Ivan ou l'Opa 861, le son était meilleur même en partageant la même alimentation de 3,3 V provenant du Pure Pi. Mieux encore, suprime la carte de streaming comme le HDMI pro ou l'AES, économisez de l'argent et achetez le dac double mono et l'Opa 861 (notez qu'une nouvelle version du dac double mono Ver 2 est prévue très bientôt).

[@MichaelGiles-j5y]

Good morning! Quick question. I have ordered the FifoMa but have doubts from the documentation that it will work with the ProtoDAC. Something about a legit linux driver. Have you any experience with this unit.? I have not been able to get an answer from the diyaudio GB page. Thanks

[@Gabster1]

As far as I know the driver Ian is referring to is to run your player software like Volumio Moode or Ropieee and you would do that for any Dac hat or output hat. And is not to deal with the Dac or ProtoDac in this case Just have to select the driver from the options 7. In the player software setups, select the standard PCM5122 I2S device, such as Hifiberry DAC+ pro, as the Linux driver. Make other configurations as needed to enable your Raspberry Pi player to operate.

[@MichaelGiles-j5y]

@@Gabster1 Thanks!

[@7bookem]

@@MichaelGiles-j5yHaving just watched this vid I immediately had the same question - can i use the FifoPiMa instead of the FifoPi Q7 as it’s much more affordable. Did you have any luck with your build by using the Ma rather than the Q7?

[@bobsherman6790]

What frequency crystals are you using the DAC and what do you recommend ? TIA

[@Gabster1]

My favorite so far are the CCHD 957 in 45/49 Also affordable

[@roundabout2112]

Where do you get the daughter board (8 chip board) for the protoDAC

[@Gabster1]

Either AliExpress or Amazon got a link for Amazon in the description check out the ProtoDac video

[@phillipmorris9847]

your awsome thank you

[@Brighamdoc]

What software do you use for the raspberry Pi? I'm guessing the moode?

[@Gabster1]

Moode is a very good one can also use any of them I have lifetime Roon subscription so I use Roon/ Ropieee

[@MM-jj3wk]

Hi Gabby, currently building this in combination with your other project wich shielding and separate power supply. Big question/request: While I like listening to my vinyls and my ripped CDs, I’m also for convenience reasons an Apple Music user… I managed to revive an AirPort Express which (should) deliver lossless quality via Airplay 1. it is working and I receive a digital optical signal from that device. Because it is not so easy to get lossless from Apple Music to a DAC Now it would be great to have some kind of open or „steampunk“ device where I put optical in and on the other side analog out. Basically: AirPort Express -> optical to I2S -> ProtoDAC (for example) But of course in a decent quality!! Can you make that? 😄

[@Gabster1]

The receiver pi / pro by Ian can do that But never tested it with the ProtoDac but it may work

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thanks Gabster ' the can man lol Yeah shielding means alot glad you get this not just with componetes but with Cables as Well ' love how well shielded my Sansui Au 717 everything is isolated even the rear input/ouput panel ' where input switching is done also love the pure discrete Circuit ' (Fets) I need to build a streamer with digital output only and MQA no folding ! My TV will not output Tidal MQA its all 48khz 😥 but i like watching music videos Espically Layne Staley as i listen to his amazing Vocals ! MTV Unplugged 1996 doesn't get any better 😆 Alice N Chains' give layne a try today Gabster Dude imho is King of The settle grunge Scene !!

[@Gabster1]

Thank you Tj yes shielding is key, loving your new videos keep on rocking. Got to get a Sansui Au 717 😊

[@michaelmajchrzak3476]

Hey Gabi, in one of your rols you have some modificaction of Gabster mini DAC where I think you have used 2 x 8 tda 1387. Am I rigt? Can you show it in detal? (Btw. I find it little unfair that you call it Gabster mini dac, it's Proto DAC)

[@Gabster1]

That one with dual tfa 1387 is experimental nothing final This one uses a important Ian Canada part Fifo and 3d party linear supply some of my shielding and funky esthetics these are fun names to differentiate various designs but did call it I/P

[@Alexus38106]

this will be my first projekt. Is it possible to ad the little control monitor?

[@Gabster1]

It just plugs in the second gpio of the FifoPi Please see the note in the description this design has been revised. I am also revising it again so wait a couple weeks got a new video coming. I would use a fifopi Q7 not ma as it has isolation Or just build it on raspberry pi with no FifoPi (recommended to start) The sound is almost as good Careful to verify 3.3v on the eBay psu board

[@Alexus38106]

Thanks Gabby, I will wait for the new Monitor@@Gabster1

[@olobiksnagol2178]

I really appreciate what your doing with your channel. I'm very interested in this build, do you have to order the FifoPi Q7 (1D) Or FifoPi MA (1C) from the UK?

[@Gabster1]

The FIFO Pi Ma is more then enough for this project but if you plan on building something more elaborate and do not mind the extra cost the Q7 would be a good upgrade

[@sundayHysteresis]

There is FIFOPI Q7 II available now. Is it possible upgrade or is it better to stick to MA / Q7 I version?

[@jcisn]

Is there an easier way to order the Incanada Fifopi? Not sure how to use the spreadsheet order form.

[@Gabster1]

Try emailing Ian tell him you don’t use xl Or you can order from audiophonics but costs more I you have Microsoft xl not that hard.

[@jcisn]

Thanks for the reply. I tried e-mailing InCanada but received no reply as yet. I use Linux and it defaults to LiberOffice and it wants to use the Thunderbird email program. So it was down the rabbit hole.@@Gabster1

[@StealthParrot]

Cool

[@igorkrajnc5915]

please make some more music suggestion videos.

[@Gabster1]

Will do 😊

[@SPYDPOOLS]

que lo ponga a sonar, para saber que tal queda

[@viktor1845]

How to make it with headphone output?

[@skippack]

I have now built 2 ProtoDacs and and am very happy with them, just with an RPi 4B. Your projects seem very promising. It would look like a good configuration to consider would be the combination you highlighed in your "Flagship HiFi" videos -- PurePi + FifoPi Q3 particularly, with the vertical spacing and shielding in this video. And the ProtoDac, of course. Does this make sense to you, or do you think that the configuration shown here (with the FifoPi Q3) will work as well? Thanks!

[@skippack]

FifoPi Q7 not Q3

[@Thoughtflux]

What's ian's website? I'm just getting started with Rpi..

[@jcisn]

How critical are the two z-foil resistors?

[@Gabster1]

Very critical

[@jcisn]

Pure unobtainium at any price from what I can see online. Thanks for the reply. Regards Jose @@Gabster1

[@robertmartin5679]

BURR BROWN DAC

[@alanhuth7568]

How does this compare to your Terminator?

[@Gabster1]

Close but not as good but that is 250$ vs 6000$ There is a update for that video that actually improves it a bit kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2GtlmeJos6BsNksi=Erjs2l-23PPTmjeI

[@bryancox5192]

Hi Gabster, I still cannot contact Mark to get a PCB kit, has anyone else had this problem that you know of?

[@Gabster1]

As far as I know [e-mail] is the way to contact Mark I would try it again it should work

[@killebrewje]

What kind of rca cable is that?

[@Gabster1]

Acoustic Research Master series these are old Vintage from the 90's they are ok not expensive

[@RetroGCo.]

I stay with my SMSL SU-1 ;)

[@guyboisvert66]

Here is a way better solution for about the same price: Raspberry hooked to SMSL D-6s or Topping E50 via async USB. Or even better if you're a competent computer hobbyist: Replace the raspberry by a BMAX B2 Pro Mini PC (8G RAM / 256G SSD) for 87$ on Aliexpress (i run straight MPD on Rocky Linux 8 + RompR docker/podman container + Home Assistant VM on this!)

[@spoonblender797]

LOL not sure how you arrived at the sum of $250 for this. The MA alone is $200 delivered to Europe with import tax. The iFi power units are $80 each too and then the Protodac costs are on top of that. More like $500 total and there are much better sounding DIY options for that sort of money, or even a fully finished ChiFi DAC with DSD and USB input. Then, you start talking about putting expensive clocks in there too! Also, are you 'grounding' your Altoids tin to a block of wood?

[@maxb8047]

Bonjour de Versailles @Gabster1. Merci pour tous vos partages. Je vous suis avec grand intérêt non seulement pour la qualité de vos recommandations mais également pour l'enthousiasme avec lequel vous les présentez. C'est avec un joie immense que j'ai reçu cette nouvelle vidéo. Ma question est celle d'un profane : j'ai acheté un module (ProtoDAC TDA1387 X8 NOS DAC HAT for Raspberry Pi complete parts kit DIY) d'un vendeur Ebay américain que je vais bientôt recevoir afin de réaliser le DAC que vous présentez ici. Ce DAC es-t-il également un streamer ou bien dois-je lui en ajouter un en amont ? Ma confusion vient du fait de la présence d'un RPI sur lequel vous proposez d'installer Volumio pour autant, vous ne dites pas que c'est un DAC / streamer. Je vous remercie pour l'intérêt que vous porterez à ma question ainsi que pour la réponse que, je l'espère, vous pourrez me donner. Cordialement Max B

[@Gabster1]

Merci Max C'est un système de streaming audio basé sur un Raspberry Pi utilise un DAC (Protodac) pour convertir le signal numérique en audio analogique de haute qualité. Les logiciels comme Moode, Volumio ou Ropieee sont installés sur le Raspberry Pi pour gérer la lecture et la diffusion audio à partir de diverses sources. Le Raspberry Pi est connecté au DAC, qui à son tour est relié a LAmpli et aux haut-parleurs . Jespere que c'est un peut plus claire

[@maxb8047]

Merci pour votre réponse aussi rapide et très claire @@Gabster1 . C'est vraiment chouette de votre part. Je peux donc en déduire que mon streamer Wiim Pro ne sera plus nécessaire pour diffuser la musique depuis mon abonnement Qobuz et que ce système remplira ce rôle. Je présume également que je vais gagner en qualité. Je vous fais un retour dès que j'aurai fini le montage et testé. Petit à petit, j'essayerai d'approcher votre flagship DAC/streamer présenté il y a 2 mois et qui donne vraiment envie ;) Des gens comme vous donnent foi en l'humanité.

[@HowIsThat69]

I love that shielding:) absolutely worthless. I bet you can’t measure any difference :) phenomenally funny this video :)

[@HeLrAiSiNg1]

honestly that aint a real shielding at all should use a ferrite tape or something XD but because most cpus might have a ultra small amount of radioactivity it can interfere with sound chips i used to do some projects and did one casual volume booster for small speakers with an lm chip dont remember the number but before putting it in altoid can it has interference even from a phone passing nearby after it sounded way better problem is if you gonna build anything better put something no matter how insignificant it will be it will be better than nothing lol