How To Set Up An IQaudIO DAC+ With Volumio and Raspberry Pi OS

Flawless high-quality audio output on a Raspberry Pi Single Board Computer! All is achieved by the IQaudio DAC+ HAT.

Related Information

This dedicated DAC lets you enjoy high-quality, distortion-free, artifact-free, low noise, and high-bitrate audio playback from your Raspberry Pi single-board computer. A DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) is a device that takes digital audio (like an MP3 or WAV files) and converts it into an analog audio signal that can be readily understood by headphones or external speakers. A HAT is an anagram for Hardware Attached on Top, it refers to boards that easily plug directly on top of and improve the capabilities of the target board. A Stock Raspberry Pi Single Board Computer has Audio Output that comes out through the Headphone Auxiliary Port or through any of the HDMI Ports (which are visual and audio interfaces). This is perfectly fine for everyday use. However, if you are building a slim device that can deliver immersive media to high-quality speakers or headphones then these two default audio outputs are not up to scratch. That is where the IQaudio DAC+ HAT swoops in for the rescue. The IQaudio DAC boards (there's more than one type!) are the simplest and Raspberry Pi Foundation Officially Supported way to add crispy, refined, honey-dripped audio to any Pi project. In combination with Volumio, an open-source Audiophile Media Player OS, you can be up and running with a high-quality music playback system really quickly. Volumio officially supports the Official 7 Inch Raspberry Pi Screen, providing a great UI. It also provides remote control through the WIFI and Volumio Phone Application. Long live Zyzz. If you just want to use Raspberry Pi OS with your IQaudio DAC HAT the configuration will be explored here too.

Core Electronics is located in the heart of Newcastle, Australia. We're powered by makers, for makers. Drop by if you are looking for:

0:00 Intro
0:18 DAC and Video Overview
0:55 Why a DAC?
1:13 Details of Audio Outputs
1:43 What You Need
2:34 Assembly of Hardware
3:10 Raspberry Pi OS Settings for DAC
5:28 Success and Audio from DAC!
5:59 Volumio Streaming Hub
6:47 Volumio Set Up
9:02 Volumio Touch Screen Set Up
10:27 Where to Now
10:50 DAC VS Default Audio Output
11.27 Outro

[youmhz]

I tried this --- it's 100% guarantee to work -- and produce better audio then what the PI outputs by itself ...
:)

[dderdeppvomdenst]

I'm using the IQAudio DigiAmp on a RPI5. This works perfectly fine!
Thank you so much!

[adsensedd]

I just ordered this DAC and a Pi from you guys then just realised while watching this video I forgot the Mini HDMI cable lol. My $3500+ speakers arrive tomorrow so I'll have to see if I can install Volumio without an interface to guide me.

[eldoctorre]

Great tipp of you to shut all other audio ports off, this works smooth once your pi is registred by the system. To do this for some reason the command line dtoverlay=iqaudio-dacplus needs to be changed to dtoverlay=hifiberry-dacplus. After that change my board was registred as well

[Zimbob]

Thanks, I'll start getting the rest of what I need to set this up. I see those 3d printers in the background and Makerverse sign so I subscribed and will check out other videos. You're video was complete how to, not just saying it can be done which is most videos out there.

[StitchesLovesRats]

0:20 - you ever see that episode of Eureka with "the flashy thing that shields you from the mind" or something? Yes, he said "invisibling" 😂🤣😂🤣

[freewheelandive]

Thank you for this clear and informative explanation. I'm looking to make a ROON PI endpoint so will follow the ROON linux software rather than the Volumio install process. However thank you very much for explaining the HDMI override and config TXT. Essential info. Brilliant. Did you have a favorite case for this arrangement? Heat reduction required? Some DACs run hot I've heard.

[guyboisvert]

I use the USB interface in ASYNC mode, it's free and works flawlessly. My DAC is a Topping D70 Pro Sabre that plays marvelous: I wanted to have 12V trigger but a cheaper DAC like an SMSL D-6s would have played as nice. I used to have a Raspberry Pi 4 but i replaced it with an HP ProDesk 600 G5 DM: It is always on, runs straight MPD (Music Player Daemon, that's what's under the hood in Volumio!), RompR in a podman/docker container as MPD client (web interface). I run a couple of other VMs / Containers too, like Home Assistant.

[tomslover]

First off, many thanks for all your excellent videos. They have always been very information packed, presented is a most straightforward manner and really useful to me. The setup you have presented in this video has worked perfectly, I could not have done it by myself. However, I have this system (RPI 3B+ and IqaudiO DAC+ with the music on an external hdd) and want to put it in my motorhome to be used without any internet connection. I live in the southwestern US where it's mostly mountains and deserts and I often camp remotely. Is a network-free solution possible? If not with this specific equipment and software, is there another way to do it. Many thanks, Tom Slover, Las Vegas, Nevada USA

[Handmadesystem]

which display is best WAVESHARE DSI or HDMi . 4.3 inch. need eny driver ? plz rplay sir. thankyou

[AverageNiceGuy]

Thank you. I like your teaching style. I am pursuing to build a very high quality audio streamer.

[AndrewGalan]

Excellent video, this got me up and running with good audio on my pi4 with no issues.

I do have questions though:

Which stand-offs are you using between the screen board and pi?
(I am guessing the ones that come with the screen)

Which stand offs between the pi and dac?
(I have been trying to work out if they are one of the options sold at Core Electronics)

[rachnaram]

Thanks for the excellent suggestion. IQuad10 worked like a breeze

[lokz]

Great video, very helpful. Two questions:
1) can I connect my TV to rpi and control volumio with a remote? Which remote is reccommend ( not mobile phone)
2. Is it possible to stream from mobioe phone to RPI bluetooth as well (so volumio can be used as bluetooth receiver)?

[samudralasharing]

Great work. I want to know how to record audio from raspberry pi4 with wireless microphones at least 5 meter distance
. Is there any inputs

[martinabancens]

How would you go around not having an audio in? Could you set up an extra usb sound card dongle just for audio in disabling audio out? Cheers! Awesome video!

[-someone-.]

How much of a difference is there between the + and pro models? They’re only about $9 apart, I can’t understand why there’s an option... anyone spending $30, ain’t gonna mortgage the house for another $10🤦‍♂️
Keep up the vids, love ‘em👊

[StitchesLovesRats]

So could I just sit a 3.5" screen on top of that with the pins? Will both DAC and screen use specific pins or will there be some kind of conflict. The DAC pin setup suggests the former. Is that correct? 🤔

[dimitrism]

Hello, excellent video but I cannot get it to work.Can you tell me pls if iqaudio dac+ uses any of the gpio pins of pi?..I want to hook an lcd on gpio pins.Thanks a lot.

[tonatiuhmendoza]

Great instruction video! thanks a lot. One question. After editing the config.txt file and once you put a new sd card with the volumio I guess all the config is completely gone with the previous sd card and volumio is now making all the necessary changes in the config.txt right?