Noises with Pi Zero W + XMOS USB DAC

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1

Volumio Information

Volumio Version: 2.873-2021-02-19
Hardware: Raspberry Pi Zero W
DAC: XMOS xCORE USB Audio 2.0

I am trying to stream some high-res audio files (FLAC 192 kHz 24 bit, DSD64/128) through a Raspberry Pi Zero W with an XMOS USB DAC, using BubbleUPnP + upmpdcli. The problem is that I can hear various pops/clicks in every audio file, and with DSD the audio stutters a lot especially at the start of the song. If the files are read from a USB drive connected to the Raspberry (so no streaming involved) the situation is better, but some clicks are still there. I have tried to change the “buffer size” and the “buffer before play” settings, without success. Searching through the forum, I found that there are various posts where it is explained that the Raspberry Pi Zero W (and the Raspberry Pi 3) has some problems managing the USB communication; is it true? Is there a way to improve the reproduction? Using an I2S DAC could potentially solve the problems?

2

The conventional wisdom is ‘don’t use USB for audio on any Pi model below the 4’.
Shared interrupts and prone to noise, which sounds like your issue.
Get a normal Pi and use a a DAC HAT.

3

Your USB DAC may well be worth more than a Raspberry Pi. A new RPI4 may be a better bet. Also to consider: for very high quality audio the mid/upper market USB DACs can outperform any HAT DAC which is a little bit of a lower/mid market niche product. (That comment will produce some debate but measurements and blind audio tests bear it out!)

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4

Could you please suggest any recommended DAC HATs with DSD support?

5

I’m using an Allo Boss v1.2 and it’s been very easy to get along with and offers good sound. I have a R Pi 3B+

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