07-16-2023, 07:10 AM
(07-12-2023, 11:42 AM)Tim Curtis Wrote: Porting to x86 could prolly be done if someone volunteers to do the work AND commits to providing long term support and troubleshooting. The most important part is the commitment to troubleshooting and support.
Couple other points:
1. I2S Master mode (reclocking) DAC's and dedicated I2S reclockers have long since solved the issue of Raspberry Pi native I2S signal clocking.
2. Support for M.2 storage is provided by CM4 + I-O board https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-QSQ24_8LY
3 Official supply chain update https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/supply-...good-news/
Regarding the supply chain update, keep in mind that it's a prediction not a certainty. I'm seeing prices and availability of Pi's gradually improve but things like automobiles are going in the other direction.
-> 1
But that's another module. So the Raspberry Pi itself, then the reclocker, the DAC, then the solution for mass storage. Other troubles, however, are the limitations of the available reclockers. There are no problems with the DAC connected via USB, and we also bypass some driver limitations in the kernel. We can easily purchase a reasonable denic USB DAC with a decent built-in USB interface -> DAC chip. We have both very "mobile" options called USB amplifiers and stationary ones.
-> 2
Yes, the I/O board for CM4 allows you to connect an M2 NVMe SSD. But unfortunately, we either plug the disk module into the slot, which with the typical size of 2280 gives an absurdly standing module exposed to mechanical damage, or we use a riser on which we securely fasten the single disk, the riser itself does not have a secure mechanical fastening. Unfortunately, these are only ad hoc solutions that do not meet the requirements of a durable and reliable device. For me, this solution is unfortunately unacceptable.
There is another I/O board for CM4, TOFU. The concept is much better when it comes to mounting the disc. However, the limit is the size of the module that can be attached to it. However, the most popular M2 SSDs are size 2280, which is not supported by this board. I saw some adapter somewhere, but as with the base I/O board, the CM4 is unfortunately again an impractical solution in terms of mechanical design.
M2 disk module fitted to the AEON case, OK, just those bridges on the outside blocking the USB port.
To sum up, there is no decent solution for connecting the M2 disk to the Raspberry Pi, a solution with a well-thought-out mechanical design, compact and durable, and not significantly increasing the size of this computer.
-> 3
Shopping in stores that are "exotic" in relation to my place of residence is a problem. There is no support for local convenient and flexible delivery solutions (parcel lockers are not always optimal or numerous collection points located in grocery stores). I can't sit for more than 10 hours and wait for the courier company. Their headquarters are located far outside the cities, without access to them by public transport. In addition, payments are also important, there will be no most convenient forms of payment from a bank account, excluding transfers, PayPal and similar services. Convenient generation of a one-time code for payment. One click and instant payment is made. As long as the selling company is in the area that is called IBAN, payment by international transfer is easy and free of additional costs. A traditional foreign transfer is the intermediation of other banks charging very high commissions, time-consuming, describing in detail what you are buying and why, otherwise the transaction may be rejected but the commission charged.
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I know, I'm whining. However, it expects a mechanically compact solution. Consider the Raspberry Pi and USB DAC variant. Two devices come next, like something that will be a disk resource, and if it's a NAS, we also have a switch, plus three power supplies, which just generates a tangle of cables. In the case of the described PC, it will be only two devices and one power supply.
The next issue is the housing. Such a sofa with up to 4 extensions is unfortunately lacking a housing. Aesthetics are also important. Appropriately aesthetic and well-thought-out housings are unfortunately only for the Raspberry Pi itself. Of course, there is also the cost of everything in the set.
The last argument is the performance of the data mains. Unfortunately, in Rapberry Pi all USB ports plus Ethernet use one I/O channel, which is a bottleneck for a system where realtime class work is required. The PC mentioned in my first post does not have these limitations.
