World's second Best DIY Dac and Streamer Detailed Build

[@tommusikauswahl1066]

I am Impressed by all that Layers of Shielding and - of Course - by the very nice Woodwork, which lifts it up on another Level! Im building a own DAC atm based on 2x TDA 1540 D/A Converters :)

[@Gabster1]

Thank you appreciate it. Glad to hear you are building a a Dac always a rewarding experience. You may want to Try the TD, based on the TDA1541A after

[@trendyloca2330]

What you did is absolutely insane it very great. Do it yourself and I love to watch your video.

[@Gabster1]

Thank you 🙏

[@andreimj]

Never thought that you can get so much pain and sorrow from building such a project. Maybe I may have underestimated the complexity of a streamer. People like you are really inspiring and I can say that you also motivated me to diy my setup. Congrats!!!

[@Gabster1]

Glad you got inspired 😊

[@ArthLud]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this!

[@rmzidann]

Mr. Gabster, I have enjoyed all your videos. You provide invaluable benefits to the audiophile community. Wish I lived close by your town. Would love to listen to your amazing system!

[@Gabster1]

Thank you :)

[@michelboivin4396]

A masterpiece. Bravo.

[@ilandvash6746]

Incredible to see genius people in the world. Really appreciate your knowledge and work.

[@Gabster1]

Thank you 🙏

[@ilandvash6746]

@@Gabster1Small suggestion: I think that you can start a small business and sell your dacs. I believe that there are many people who can afford and appreciate this kind of work.

[@jamestaylor9258]

Don't know whether I can afford a fully-built DAC, but I'd love one. ;)

[@robertschumacher9640]

wow, your enthusiasm is unique and contagious. One day I will also take this in hand

[@darckdalton9830]

Hello Gabster, Thank you for the detailed video. Now I will build it too. Her work is very well explained and very carefully done. Thank you very much.🙂

[@Aladinsane77]

Awesome, it's really beautiful, you're a genius

[@alap_bd]

I am following this from the beginning. Wonderful DIY venture. This will be my next project hopefully. I have already build one, with Soekris DAM1021 R2R DAC board. I also have integrated rpi with the fifo pi , connect via i2s interface of the DAC. Thank you for sharing this very detail video.

[@Gabster1]

Hard to Find a Soekris R2R board now I bet it sounds great :)

[@prabhuja7554]

Can't believe a single persona can do this much...genius..love from chennai's Zinko Pi...a small Pi Streamer Diy er

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

I salute you, what an beautiful piece of audio gear. I like diy hifi projects a lot But unfortunately this goes way beyond my skills. I made my own high end speakers and power amp based on an older audioanalyze. I made it two seperated mono amps with much better power transformers. Sounds absolutely stunning. Maybe I will build the simple DAC in the near future. First the Roon core. I just ordered everything for it to build it myself 😅 I love your channel ❤

[@klaussaabyepedersen8545]

Hi Gabby Will it be possible to build the D11 DAC as a stand alone DAC?

[@kevindeem7174]

That is a beautiful dac . Love your whole system, and it looks amazing

[@van94weightlossjourney]

I’m glad you isolated the clock from electrical/magnetic interference and mechanical vibrations. When playing loud music definitely it helps. My turntable is heavily isolated as well. When playing at loud volumes, my turntable used to skip from the bass shaking the floor.

[@dilbyjones]

Awesome. Always wanted to build but seeemed too tough for a weekend hobbyist

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Lots of Research and Development behind this D.A.C./Streamer 'And Problem Solving Skills' 😆 I agree Shielding is very important , Thanks Gabster glad your happy with The end results , thats what its all about !! Happy Holdidays

[@Gabster1]

Thank you Tee-Jay Happy Holidays 😊

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@@Gabster1 Thank you Gabster

[@tanakax25]

I burst out laughing when you showed the big transformer at 5:30 But I lost my shit when you pulled out those big honkin ultracapacitors. My girlfriend came running to see what was so funny and she just won't understand 😅 Killer work man! I was just looking at the Ian Canada UCpi and thinking it was overkill for my own application. You've given me a lot of ideas if i ever do want to go overboard myself! Bravo

[@Kamal67811]

Thankyou so much Brother, what a beautiful DAC you have made...I would love to construct one for myself. If you live in Canada and in Montreal that would be a great help.

[@philipkent5273]

Congratulations Gabby, what a triumph! I can only imagine the time and effort you spent in getting this to the level you wanted whilst making it look so nice in the process. Do you plan to build any more components, or is this the end of the journey?

[@Gabster1]

Thank you I have a tube preamp and a turntable on my bucket list

[@JC.LC.]

Looks like an amazin build.

[@jjiacobucci]

Truly Amazing !!! Kudos !!!

[@ducefichnix]

Could you please give a comment on the Z-foils compared to the handwound resistors for the transformer stage?

[@marcomeneghini323]

wonderful job! can you share a link for that display? thanks

[@Gabster1]

for 5 inch Use this one as a few others have issues Elecrow 5 inch DSI IPS Screen: shrsl.com/47kmz for 7 inch use this one shrsl.com/4a6cr or the official raspberry Pi Monitor

[@glenncornwall4331]

Best DIY deck, DAC

[@donaldnelson3999]

Great job! What's the metal chassis size??

[@Gabster1]

Main Case: www.mouser.ca/Search/Refine?Keyword=546-1444-17154 Power supply case: www.mouser.ca/Search/Refine?Keyword=546-1444-1573 Mouser have the sizes Hope that helps :)

[@marcomeneghini323]

Hi gabster. do you have some kind of schematics for you system? from the video i can’t see how you powered FifopiQ7. from what i understand you have 2 ucpure for +\- 5v on I/v board. and the other 3 are for dac right? or maybe 2 for dac and 1 for fifoq7? and…. what did you used to power on linearpi?

[@lp9290]

Hi magnificient work. I wonder if you can get a lesser quality but a still good one by avoiding supercapacitor. The whole system would be much simpler and less expensive. I think many people would feel themselves safer too by avoiding supercapacitors accepting a lesser quality result. I understand you achieved a sort of proof of concept of an ultimate dac and it is really amazing. Other things such as the extension cable and the screen may be avoided to make all the project more easy.

[@xaviergaborit5174]

Hello, All the best wishes for health and happiness as well as to your loved ones for this new year. I don't know where to start so much that I find your DAC network player extraordinary. My first question concerns the shielding you made on the Raspberry and your FifiPiQ7. Don't you fear that in the long term it will heat up a lot? My raspberry PI 4 heats up quite a bit for me... Did you find a significant musical difference between the FifoPiQ3 when you first installed it and the Q7 you have now? I have the Q3 with the same clocks as you and I already find remarkable musicality at my level... I don't bother you anymore. Congratulations again for this extraordinary job you have done. Thank you Xavier.

[@Quentininfirmier]

What could be really great, it a dedicated video on the supercap power supply used: how do they fonction, what to do and what not to do, advised cable (gauge type)....It's a topic I'm really interested in but didn"t find that much video about il in the context of power supply for audio equipment. As Ian canada is povinding quality modules, I would be really looking forward to the knowledge around those modules that might be missing in order to implement them properly. Any reply is welcome and thanks for your time and passion dedicated to sharing your view on this hobby. Best regards.

[@tango_gru]

Why is this the second best ??

[@marcomeneghini323]

hi. i’m trying to build similar project using opa861 instead of I/v transformers. Now i’m building power section and i have 2 alternatives: 1- going with ultracapacitors plus linearpi for raspberry as you did 2-going with linearpi dual with UcConditioners for opa861 and purePi for raspberry, dac and fifoQ7 second way is (i think less expensive) what do you suggest gabster? thank you so much!

[@marcomeneghini323]

Thanks for this video. Can you share link of The display? I need one that i can mount in The sa e way like yours (on wood chassis with display edges outside)

[@Gabster1]

This is the official 7 inch Display from Raspberry Pi it has a thin black bevel easy mount: amzn.to/3SNQhyN If you wand a 5 Inch (not too many work with Roon) and no outer bevel available that I know but see my Display Video desc for the one that works with Roon and also IPS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJDZlX6enrqshrssi=YCpK5re2-Hi6shg_

[@ayc3695]

which is the best?

[@PalaniAcoustic]

Hi Gaby...i have the same problem with the ess controller...did you connect the delay timer so that the ess controller part boots later or so that the raspi area has a delay? also the four 3.3 volts for the Dual Mono Dac HAT and fifo should start with a slight delay ?

[@Gabster1]

The Video is not Clear but you can see it at 55:35 The delay should be on the 5V of the FifoPi or if the FifoPi is getting its 5V from The Pi then Both I have separated the 5v on the FifoPi in my system easy way to do it is to: Use a relay with a large Capacitor in parallel of the 6 to12V Relay power taps and you supply the power to it with a very small resistor in series. The relay will trigger the UCPure on/off connector (Switch should be OFF) I attached a sketch for you drive.google.com/file/d/1PWYSS0saqiCux17cyMrqr5Z5CRNr1DaT/view?usp=drive_link Hope that helps I wonder if the Monitor pro does not have that problem.

[@ahlbergmagnus]

This build is truly inspiring! I have two questions though about something you brought up but never explained further: 1. How was the the test results for this DAC? Did it show good linearity? Low distortion? It would be nice to se a separate video with measurements. 2. What resistors did you end up using with the Ivan I/V?

[@Gabster1]

Great linearity a tiny 1 db loss in base below 30hz normal with Transformers very low distortion. not much time for a video specially that I will be upgrading some parts soon 2) 100ohms in my system on the input none on the output

[@ahlbergmagnus]

@@Gabster1 Thanks for the response!

[@mikkell.7828]

Great Build @Gabster1. Did you end up using the Vishay metal foil resistors? Have you used Dale resistors in any comparison? I am considering the upgrade on my Lundahl transformer output stage for my next Ian Canada build. Regards Mikkel

[@Gabster1]

@@mikkell.7828 Yes, I used this one did not compare it to Dale but I liked them better then Ivan's own resistors but that is to my ears and system. www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/Vishay-Precision-Group-Foil-Resistors/Y0785100R000T9L?qs=HtoBOv42S6KMksJHS%2FF3bw%3D%3D

[@mikkell.7828]

Thanks for The link @Gabster1🙂 I my self I trying to figure out where to place my 8.8” HDMI screen in my new GB2023 build. Both physically and power wise. I like you copper shielding around yours btw🙂 Did you power you DSI screen in between your linearPi and the UcConditioner? Was that to only have the pi using the conditioned power?

[@HerrM618]

Hello Gabi, I like to thank you for the videos. You inspired me to build my own DAC. As i want to start with the electronics first i bought the FiFo Q7, Dual Mono Dac HAT, MonitorPi, ESS controller, I/V transformer output board. If all works i will build a fancy power supply and case too. As i want better clocks i bought one Accusilicon 98MHz to compare the standard clock with the Accusilicon. Now here is my issue. With the standard clocks from the Q7 FiFo i can see in the MonitorPi both frequencies from the clocks and it's working. Now if i put the new Accusilicon in the socket i can't see the frequence in the MonitorPi and the Q7 is not working. In the manual i read that i need to bend pin 1 of the clock because of a strong pullup. I did this but with the same result. I also tried to solder a 1k resistor from EO to ground but no luck. I can mix the Accusilicon with the standard clock and i can see the frequences in the MonitorPi from the standard clock but not from the Accusilicon. I can swap the sockets but with the same result. So i assume the Q7 is fine but the new Accusilicon clock is somehow not working. I have a 20MHz Oscilloscope only, so i can't see any real output from the clock. Now i have no idea why it's not working with the new better clock from Accusilicon. Is the new Accusilicon dead? Is the Q7 somehow damaged? Do you have any idea what i can try to solve this issue? Thank you for your ideas.

[@Gabster1]

sent you a e-mail back hope you solved the issue

[@kamkow15]

Hello Gabster. Do you think there will be a big difference in sound quality with Ian Dual Mono Dac powered by one 3.3V ucpure and three independent ucpure for dac?

[@Gabster1]

Probably not a lot I could not tell But you only need 2 as the middle one is for the clock if you sync with the fifo you do not need it

[@bludlivijkot]

Hi Gabi, you mentioned that you're using pure silver hook up wires. What brand is it and what awg are you using?

[@elcarlissimo]

Great job Gabster! What's the total cost associated with the project? Debating on building one... Thank you for making your wonderful videos!!

[@bernhardmichaelfux308]

SO! At last, I did it! I just built my humble Raspberry Touchscreen streamer for KZbin music! Yes, I know, KZbin music isn't the most audiophile source out there, but: I DON´T CARE! I am just happy, that it works...lol. It was a long way from my PC over "audiophile Smartphone" to this raspy Volumio Device, but now it works! And I am happy! OMG... And it happened really fast the last few days. As soon as I found some of some Hans Beekhuizen videos by Coincidence, my mind was set- and I purchased the touchscreen first, then the Housing, then some cables! SO: at the beginning, I built the Raspberry Pi3B+ with a Touchscreen. And the Touchscreen was without UI and void; darkness was upon the face of the screen. And my Spirit moved upon the Touchscreen to find some Ideas. And I said, Let there be light: and there was light!

[@Gabster1]

Congratulations the journey is as fun as the results. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@bernhardmichaelfux308]

@@Gabster1 Thank you Gabster, That said, i have built a small HiFi system with the Raspi-streamer and a pair of M - Audio BX8 Studio Monitors, and have to mention, that I am astounded by how nice it sounds. It is truly satisfying, how just a little money combined with a little DIY effort can create a real satisfying Listening system, although it´s only KZbin Music.

[@marcomeneghini323]

hi…. can you share a link for that two metal boxes used to shield the station pi? thanks!

[@Gabster1]

They are Hammond Boxes picked it from a local store but here is a mouser link 120x95x56mm not counting the lid height Have fun :) www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/Hammond-Manufacturing/26908PSLA?qs=amGC7iS6iy9KUZQl8bCM5Q%3D%3D

[@jrhammond95003]

do you have a link for the super capacitor balancing/protection board that you used?

[@rickrodell]

Why did you choose a passive IV versus an active one (like Burson V5/V6) Great project, just mapping out my starting point. I currently have a Naim ND5 and Mark Levinson 526 (DAC/Pre), just want to play and see.

[@Gabster1]

from my experience A good Quality passive will outperform most active also less ultra caps to power them but may try a active option may be will try the Burson opamps

[@StefanFischer-tm3fm]

Hi Gabster, I have seen, that you also have a Denafrips Terminator DAC. Did you compare those two DACs using the same Streamer? Would you mind sharing your thoughts and impressions about this?

[@Gabster1]

They are very close I did a blind A B test with a few people and it was a 50/50 mixed review But that is a good thing I now use my Dac as a reference also room for improvement in the future.

[@chrisd1405]

Gangster, have you tested Ian Canada’sI/V stage based on the OPA861? I’m very interested to know how you think it compares to the transformer I/V stage (which I think you’ve been very happy with).

[@CarlosOrozco-q7p]

Wouldn't it be better to use 2, 12v batteries that work interchangeably instead of capacitors? Saludos

[@Gabster1]

Ultra capacitors are the purist form of power with very low impedance

[@stephanehoareau4325]

That's quite impressive to say the least!! I'll follow that, because based on a rasp', if that cound become both a great sounding dac and a streamer/roon ready, for me it would be a game changer (yes roon is for me important). The cost is not on the cheap side, but based on your project, this thing is meant to be competitive against quite not cheap dac anway:)

[@jamestaylor9258]

How about a less expensive alternative for beginner DIYers? :)

[@Gabster1]

there is a plan for just that

[@Fane182005]

@@Gabster1 waiting for that! Could you structure next video in levels ? Exemple: level 1 just a streamer level 2 streamer and dac level 3 streamer /dac running on batteries Level 4 streamer/dac/batteries with next this addon a reclocker for ex Level x adding this Level x+ adding this on top and so forth Also could you detail a bit on how the wiring goes…like for a verry first time diy-er, how the power suplies and the capacitors go together… PS: the three toroidal transformes i did not understand at all! Do you need that also or can you plug the streamer dac into the wall socket and add the power suply after? PPS: does it really need a power supply if the streamer/dac runs on the ultracapacitor? It is clean power …why does it matter how it gets inside de ultracapacitor or the bateries?

[@paulsaha2522]

I have a couple of questions if you can answer? I assume after you built this unit you are no longer using the streamer you built. Is that streamer available for sale? Also is it possible to add an optical network connection to this dac/streamer? Thanks, Paul

[@Gabster1]

Hi Paul Yes I could sell the prototype Streamer as you mentioned not using it now since my Dac build Send me a email, my info is in the about section of my Chanel. and yes it is possible to add a optical not sure if you want a output or Input.

[@michel8166]

Wow! very nicely made. Can you tell me roughly what all this cost?

[@Gabster1]

aprox 3K

[@ericschulze5641]

Cmon I didn't expect you to be promoting dac's,

[@pierrejeanes]

Sir what are those capacitors for? Sorry you didn't explain actually what each part or components are for

[@Gabster1]

These are ultra capacitors you can find more info if you watch part 1 and 2 of this 5 video series

[@soeren72]

It would be fun to do a hearing test at the doctor, it's a known fact it gets worse with age, esp high freq. so the hunt for "super sound" is more of a placebo effect

[@chrisd1405]

Gabster, have you compared Ian Canada’s OPA861 I/V stage to the transformer-based I/V stage?

[@Gabster1]

It is on my to do list, as it looks very promising I may do that once I get some time

[@WelkySchullin]

Hi Gabi thanks for this video I enjoyed it very much. Which Acusillicon did you have 98/90? Cheers

[@Gabster1]

Yes 98/90 but now it has the Crystek CCHD 957 49/45 I am liking them better for my system more clarity and air

[@rocko6746]

Gabster, I was just wondering if you ever tested the Ian Canada Transformer I/V in your build? Do you have any comments about it?

[@Gabster1]

I have not He supplies the IV board and you can get the Transformers for it but I did try the active opamp IV board and it is not too bad sounded great to my surprise.

[@rocko6746]

@@Gabster1 Thank you for the reply, the opamp version looks interesting, I was thinking of his OPA861 Fully Balanced Zero Feedback I/V Stage (November 2022). It may have been released after you were well on your way with your build. Nice build by the way. Are you going to sell your Terminator or have you sold it? What is next? A couple of point to point tube mono blocks?

[@zaprodk]

Very pretty build! - You didn't encounter any noise issues with the unshielded DSI-cable for the display? That is the thing i would expect to generate a lot of noise.

[@Gabster1]

Not too bad but it is nois, it is galvanically isolated Via the Fifo pi that helps a lot

[@zaprodk]

@@Gabster1 how is the DSI galvanically isolated? It's from the flat flex connector directly on the Pi.

[@Gabster1]

@@zaprodk you are correct connected to the PI but the Fifo Pi isolates it from the Dac also the FifoPi has a second isolated 40PIN GPIO for the ESS controller with my noise sniffer the ESS controller is way noisier. the FifoPI is a Key component without it it is very bad.

[@coolandmellow]

Are you selling this ?

[@andreaminguzzi2896]

Hi Gabby, thank you very much for your videos. They are extremely well done and you manage to transmit your enthusiasm for this hobby of ours. I am seriously considering to try and build a dac/streamer myself based on what you did. In my case I need to use the dac also to convert the signal coming from my CD transport via an AES/EBU cable. Is it possible within the configuration of what you built? Which board would allow to do this? Thanks in advance Aming

[@Gabster1]

Hi Aming yes you can just add a receiver PI like the: github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/blob/master/ReceiverPi/ReceiverProII/ReceiverPiProIIManual.pdf also Ian is just releasing a Receiver Pi DDC I believe it does the same as well not sure www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/asynchronous-i2s-fifo-project-an-ultimate-weapon-to-fight-the-jitter.192465/post-7487348 Hope that helps Gaby

[@James_Hunt77]

@Gabster I am building my own streamer based on Ian's designs. Is your aluminum chassis custom or is it an off the shelf piece from Hammond? I am trying to locate one and yours would be near my requirements.

[@Gabster1]

It is from Mouser here is the link www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/Hammond-Manufacturing/1444-17154?qs=XJfXErqHgA5%252B%252BK8hsJVg4A%3D%3D :)

[@Gabster1]

It is very basic not the best looking, it would need a front decorative piece at least

[@James_Hunt77]

@@Gabster1 Thank you. I will definitely take a look at those chassis. Congratulations on a successful project. They sound phenomenal for the cost.

[@tommynilsson3284]

Very impressed of your build,one question.You have both 5v and 3,3 to fifopi,what do you use 5v for?

[@Gabster1]

The 5v runs the main board like processor and ess controller gpio and the 3.3 run the clocks mainly and the clean side gpio (40 pin connector) nice to separate

[@tommynilsson3284]

@@Gabster1 Ok,I asked because i can read Pi optinal power on that connection in manual for Q7.

[@mariuszs9263]

I wonder if you can make streamer only using the best parts and how much its going to cost Best Regards Mariusz

[@andreimj]

He build the streamer using only best parts(for him). I mean he used hand rolled resistors... 😅

[@Gabster1]

See my streamer build in my older videos still looking about a couple thousand $

[@treemed67]

Gabby, would you build to sell any of your units? I would be interested.

[@Gabster1]

Thank you, no plans to sell yet.

[@bukitdream]

​@@Gabster1when you do have plans, please let me know too. And please consider, that selling a few can allow us to stand out and impress our peers, you could also make good use of the new funds for other projects or even charitable causes.

[@MrGiannibuttarazzi]

My only question is the raspberry pi enclosure and all the elements around will not suffer from heat ? Everything there generate heat ! Are you not having issue with heat?

[@Gabster1]

The enclosure does not have a tight seal a bit of space around the network plug on the right and around the power and video cable on the left I am using a 3B+ and not overheating at all The enclosure temperature is only couple degrees above ambiant

[@MrGiannibuttarazzi]

@@Gabster1 amazing thank you for your answer!! Well done … great project …

[@dray716]

How can i get one of these streamers from you ?

[@Gabster1]

I wish have the time to build for others You will have to build one 😊

[@ctpirn]

Recall from Maxwell for PN BCAP0325 P270 S17, has a plating fail. The date codes that are affected by this recall is 2239 and 2149.

[@hemantdhillo]

Which OS you are using on PI ?

[@Gabster1]

Roon / RopieeeXL

[@hemantdhillo]

@@Gabster1 I'm not able to find any endpoint OS for pi,? Can you please give me the link

[@yttean98]

UltraCapacitors 3V 3000 uf ---> should be 3V 3400F Not uF a huge difference.

[@melaniezette886]

Lol

[@labourdoo6130]

too many electronic components. Just use HRT music streamer, change opamp to MUSES02, add proper RCA connectors, power streamer with separate 5V battery PSU and with less than a 300 $ that combination beat this RPi garbage

[@semihguzelel9966]

Cry another place please 🙏🏻

[@labourdoo6130]

@@semihguzelel9966 People constantly try to invent snake oil....