HiFi-Amped: The Ultimate Raspberry Pi Audio HAT for High-Quality Sound

The world of Raspberry Pi accessories continues to expand, and Sonocotta’s HiFi-Amped Audio HAT is a standout product designed to elevate your audio experience. This innovative Audio HAT is tailored for Raspberry Pi single-board computers, offering a combination of high-quality sound and power efficiency thanks to its dual PCM5100 DACs and TPA3110 Class-D amplifiers. Whether you are building a media centre or an audio streaming setup, the HiFi-Amped delivers robust performance and versatility.

Key Features of HiFi-Amped

• Dual DACs and Class-D Amplifiers: Equipped with dual PCM5100 32-bit DACs and TPA3110 Class-D amplifiers, HiFi-Amped ensures premium sound quality with minimal distortion. It offers up to 30W of output power in bridged mode, making it suitable for small and large speakers.
• Versatile Speaker Support: This HAT adapts seamlessly to your needs whether you have compact bookshelf speakers or larger, more powerful ones.
• Efficient Power Management: The external power input not only drives the speakers but can also power the Raspberry Pi itself through an onboard DC-DC converter. Additionally, GPIO-controlled amplifier shutdown minimizes noise when the system is not in use.
• Ease of Integration: Installation and setup are straightforward with a standard 40-pin GPIO header and I2S interface for audio data transmission. It’s compatible with Raspberry Pi OS and supports Volumio Linux for seamless music playback.

Technical Specifications

• Compatibility: Works with Raspberry Pi 2, 3, 4, 5, Zero, and other models with a Raspberry Pi-compatible GPIO header.
• Amplifier: Two Texas Instruments TPA3110D2 Class-D amplifiers.

Output Power:

-> 4x 10W into 8 ohms @ 13V

-> 4x 15W into 8 ohms @ 16V

-> 2x 30W into 4 ohms @ 16V (bridged mode)

• DAC: 2x PCM5100A 32-bit DACs.
• Connectivity: Standard 40-pin GPIO header and speaker terminals (left and right channels).
• Power: External power input (8-26V DC) with onboard DC-DC converter.
• Dimensions: 70 x 61 x 20mm.

Applications and Use Cases

HiFi-Amped is the perfect choice for:

• Raspberry Pi Media Centers: Create a compact yet powerful media setup for high-quality sound streaming.
• Audio Streaming Devices: Pair with Volumio or similar platforms for seamless playback of your favourite tracks.
• DIY Audio Projects: Build your custom audio system with this versatile and high-performing HAT.

Ease of Use and Software Support

HiFi-Amped is designed for plug-and-play functionality with Raspberry Pi OS, requiring only a simple driver overlay. The HAT also supports Volumio for dedicated music playback. For advanced users, the board can work with other Linux distributions, though manual configuration might be necessary. Comprehensive documentation and support are available on Sonocotta’s GitHub page.

Availability and Pricing

The HiFi-Amped Raspberry Pi Audio HAT is available for purchase at the Sonocotta Tindie store at an affordable price of $25. For users seeking higher power output, alternatives like the Innomaker Raspberry Pi Amplifier Audio HATs are available on Amazon, priced at $27.99 (25W) and $35 (80W).

Conclusion

Sonocotta’s HiFi-Amped sets a new benchmark in the world of Raspberry Pi Audio HATs. Its impressive specifications, combined with its compatibility and ease of use, make it an excellent choice for both casual users and audio enthusiasts. Whether you're upgrading your home entertainment system or embarking on a DIY project, the HiFi-Amped is a versatile and cost-effective solution to enhance your audio experience.

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