What is the Preamp mode introduced in 5.3??

[ken300]

Hi,

I've been using Moode for a while now but have skipped a few releases - on the release notes for 5.3 it says:

This release includes a new Preamp mode for Audiophonics 9028/9038 DAC and HiFiberry DAC+ADC

Does this 'Preamp mode' enable the on-chip volume control on the Audiophonics 9028/9038 so that the volume control in Moode operates without resorting to the usual software volume control and therefore you don't need a preamp?

Does it only work with the Audiophonics 9028/9038 boards or will it work with other boards that use those Sabre DAC chips??

Thanks!

Ken

[TheOldPresbyope]

Hi,

I've been using Moode for a while now but have skipped a few releases - on the release notes for 5.3 it says:

This release includes a new Preamp mode for Audiophonics 9028/9038 DAC and HiFiberry DAC+ADC

Does this 'Preamp mode' enable the on-chip volume control on the Audiophonics 9028/9038 so that the volume control in Moode operates without resorting to the usual software volume control and therefore you don't need a preamp?

Does it only work with the Audiophonics 9028/9038 boards or will it work with other boards that use those Sabre DAC chips??

Thanks!

Ken

Hi, Ken.

I thought the new mode exercises the S/PDIF input on these two boards. Don't know what other boards offer this feature.

Regards,
Kent

[Tim Curtis]

Hi Ken,

Preamp mode provides a Volume control for the inputs on the Hifiberry DAC+ADC and the 9028/9038 DAC. This allows moOde to act as a Preamp when playing sources connected to these inputs.

Hardware volume control was enabled for the 9028/9038 DAC board in moOde as a result of Audiophonics getting their device driver accepted into the Linux kernel. Prior to this a custom compiled kernel was required. moOde only uses stock Raspberry Pi Linux kernels.

The only other ESS Sabre based DAC that I know of that also has a driver in the Raspberry Pi Linux kernel is the Allo Katana which also supports Hardware volume.

-Tim