RaspTouch I-Sabre ES9038Q2M
Streamer with Touchscreen 32bit 384kHz DSD128
The Concept
With the RaspTouch, Audiophonics offers a simple and efficient hardware solution combining both network player and DAC. The device offers outstanding audio quality thanks to a high level digital to analog conversion based on a ES9038Q2M DAC.
The RaspTouch allows you to enjoy your favorite music while controlling playback from its 7" touch screen, your smartphone or even your computer. The dedicated audio playback circuit works with a Raspberry Pi 4 SBC (Single Board Computer). This circuit is the reference in the field making the RaspTouch a completely Open Source solution.
With its large screen and wide audio connectivity, the RaspTouch combines ergonomics and fine sound reproduction for enhanced musical enjoyment.
The DAC
For this version of the RaspTouch, Audiophonics integrates the excellent ES9038Q2M converter supporting sample rates up to 32bit 384kHz. This integrates a 100MHz precision clock, low noise LDO regulation, an ultra-low noise (9µV) regulator for the ESS chip reference voltage and an Altera processor.
This DAC uses 32bit HyperStream technology offering a wide dynamic range while drastically reducing jitter. Thanks to this design, the ES9038Q2M has a dynamic range of 129dB and a THD+N of -120dB to offer you new musical horizons.
The 32bit Attenuation technology allows a volume adjustment without loss of quality, making it possible to do without a preamplifier. This hardware volume control can be controlled from the Raspberry Pi thanks to the dedicated driver available in our Volumio image or under DietPi.
Thanks to the built-in microprocessor, the DAC is able to automatically detect the source's sample rate format and adapt to it automatically. It thus detects whether the source is 16, 24 or 32bit while remaining bit perfect. This PLCD chip control maintains high stability while preventing decoding problems and the appearance of listening artifacts.
Combined with the Raspberry Pi it is compatible with formats up to 32bit 384jHz in PCM and up to DSD128 in DoP. It includes two NJM 2114 bipolar operational amplifiers powered in 9V for the current/voltage conversion section, which allows a high quality analog output. A last NJM 2214 AOP used in buffer finalizes the analog output stage and ensures an optimal restitution.
Connectivity
The RaspTouch offers a complete set of connectors that will allow you to enjoy your audio system with ease. The Raspberry Pi 4 has 2 USB-A 2.0 ports, 2 USB-A 3.0 ports, a Micro SD slot, an Ethernet RJ45 port and a remote HDMI output. It is possible to connect all kinds of compatible peripherals to the USB ports:
- Hard disk or USB flash drive
- WiFi USB dongle
- External USB DAC
- Keyboard / Mouse
- ...
The DAC offers an analog output on stereo RCA. Power is supplied by a 5.5/2.1mm DC jack plug connected to an integrated linear power supply for good stability. The optimal input voltage is 7 to 9VDC.
The ignition button not only turns off the power, but also starts the system to shut down beforehand. It can also be switched off via the Volumio interface.
Despite the Raspberry Pi 4 's native WiFi connectivity, the latter was sacrificed to install the reader in a disturbance-isolated aluminum enclosure. The WiFi connection therefore requires an external software adapter to USB (WiFi Dongle).
The Software
Advertising itself as a free system, the RaspTouch comes without an operating system. This choice depends on your hardware, the ambition of your project, and the expected functionalities.
The unit is ready for use electronically, so all that remains to be done is to choose an operating system and mount it on the supplied Micro SD card. Many software solutions exist, in order to meet all your expectations: piCorePlayer, Volumio, Max2Play, OpenElec...
Depending on the solution you choose, you will be able to access the following features:
- Unlimited Full Multiroom Support
- Remote playback of audio files stored on a Network Attached Media Server (NAS)
- Remote playback from an UpNP source
- Playback from USB source (hard disk, USB flash drive)
- DLNA protocol
- Support for Qobuz, Spotify...
- AirPlay Support
The unit is delivered with a Micro SD card suitable for the installation of the operating system.
Technical characteristics
Specifications |
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Product type | Streamer |
Inputs | 4x USB-A 2.0 1x Ethernet RJ45 1x Micro SD slot |
Outputs | 1x Stereo RCA 1x HDMI |
DAC | I-Sabre ES9038Q2M |
Supported sampling rates | PCM up to 32bit 384kHz DSD DoP up to DSD128 |
Dynamic range | 129dB |
THD+N | -120dB |
Screen | 7" capacitive touchscreen, 800 x 400px |
Raspberry Pi 4 |
---|
Chipset | Broadcom BCM2711 |
CPU | Quad Core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64bit SoC @ 1.5GHz |
LAN | Only with USB dongle |
Bluetooth version | 5.0 |
Dual-core Videocore IV Multimedia Coprocessor | - |
Memory | 2Gb LPDDR4 |
General |
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Housing material | Aluminium |
Dimensions | 200 x 95 x 230mm |
Weight | 1490g |
power supply | Jack DC 5.5/2.1mm 7.5V 2.9A (included) |
Color | Black |
Package | 1x RaspTouch I-Sabre ES9038Q2M 1x Micro SD card 8GB 1x Alimentation |