Step-by-Step Guide to Building a FifoPi-Based Re-Clock DDC/Streamer Project with PurePi Power Supply

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a FifoPi-Based Re-Clock DDC/Streamer Project with PurePi Power Supply

* All standoffs are M2.5 unless otherwise specified

STEP1: Install and Validate the Software

One important rule is to never mix up software issues with hardware. Therefore, if your system includes a Raspberry Pi, the first step is to install and validate the software. (If you are building a pure DDC without a Raspberry Pi, please proceed directly to Step 3.)

Performing this step is quite simple: just install a #49B MonitorPi Pro (or a #49A MonitorPi) into the GPIO connector of your Raspberry Pi. Be very careful not to reverse the orientation or shift the GPIO pin positions. Flash the software image onto an SD card and insert it into the Raspberry Pi. If you are not familiar with other player software, I recommend starting with Volumio. Power the Raspberry Pi as usual via its USB-C port, run the software, then enable and select 'Generic I2S' as the output device as long as there will be a FifoPi in system. Enable DoP for DSD music. Keep both up-sampling and software volume control disabled. Play some music and verify that the music format is displayed correctly on the MonitorPi/Pro OLED screen (The MonitorPi Pro screen displays the actual physical output signals transmitted over GPIO, captured by a hardware signal analyzer through GPIO monitoring circuit). 

If you have any problems with installing or running the software, please ask the AI or software manufacturer for help. Please do not install any other hardware or proceed to the next step until the software has been fully validated and confirmed to be running properly.

STEP2: Install the RaspberrPi (or with a ReceiverPiDDC) onto the PurePi Power Supply

As shown in the picture, install four standoffs onto the PurePi. Use the supplied 7mm standoffs for all Raspberry Pi versions except the Pi 5. For the Raspberry Pi 5, due to its shorter pins, you must change to 6mm standoffs (#12D, sold separately).

Mount the Raspberry Pi on top of the PurePi via the standoffs. Ensure that on the bottom side of the Raspberry Pi, the five spring contacts are properly connected to the GPIO pins and pressed securely at the center.

Then install four standoffs to secure the Raspberry Pi in place. Use 11mm standoffs if only a FifoPi will be added on top as a pure streamer, then proceed to Step 4. Otherwise, to build a DDC streamer, you will need four 17mm standoffs instead of the 11mm ones on to the RPi and then install a ReceiverPi DDC on top. If you have an additional Amanero USB interface to install, mount it to the connector on top of the ReceiverPi DDC and then fix the USB board at the position using one 12mm standoff. Finally, for this configuration, use four 13mm standoffs and a GPIO spacer (#50B) to provide sufficient space between the ReceiverPi DDC and the FifoPi. Don't forget to break the two washers from the GPIO spacer PCB and install them onto the two standoffs on the other side. Before proceed to Step 4, make sure install another four 13mm standoffs over current configuration.

STEP 3: Install the ReceiverPi DDC onto the PurePi to build a pure DDC without a Raspberry Pi

As shown in the picture, install four default 7mm standoffs onto the PurePi. Then, install the four supplied 17mm standoffs over those 7mm standoffs to extend the total height to 24mm. Also, install the supplied 2x20 pin GPIO DIP socket into the GPIO input connector J3 on the ReceiverPi DDC to extend the GPIO pins. Ensure they are connected properly without any shifted or misaligned pins.

If you have an additional Amanero USB interface to install, mount it to the Amanero connector on the back side of the ReceiverPi DDC, and then secure the USB board in place using one 12mm standoffMount the ReceiverPi DDC on top of the PurePi via the extended standoffs. Ensure that on the bottom side of the ReceiverPi DDC, the five spring contacts are properly connected to the extended GPIO pins and pressed securely against the center of the pins. Then install four 13mm standoffs on top to secure the ReceiverPi DDC in place before proceeding to Step 4.

STEP 4: Validate the PurePi Power Supply

  1. Install batteries – Insert two 3.2V 18650 LiFePO₄ battery cells into the PurePi. Other types of batteries cannot be used. Be very careful never to reverse the polarity.

  2. Set the switch – Ensure the ON/OFF switch S2 is in the OFF position.

  3. Connect power – Connect the PurePi to a USB power adapter using a USB-C cable. A high-quality adapter (e.g., Anker 65W) and a short cable (never use an extension cable) are recommended. A high-quality USB-A to USB-C cable is also preferred, as it may provide more stable and slightly higher actual current than USB-C to USB-C cable.

  4. Check input power – LED D11 will light up shortly after, indicating that 5V power input is received properly.

  5. Charge batteries and ultracapacitors – Wait until both UC FULL LED D10 and Battery FULL LED D4 are lit. This may take a couple of hours if the batteries are fully empty.

  6. Turn on the unit – After both LEDs are lit, turn switch S2 to the ON position. The POWER ON LED D1, UC enable LED D13, and PURE battery LED D8 should all light up.

  7. Verify Raspberry Pi operation – If you have an RPi in the system, confirm that it runs fully functioning using Wi-Fi or wired network and the web UI.

  8. Verify ReceiverPi DDC operation – If you have a ReceiverPi DDC in the system, make sure its power LED D3 is also lit.

  9. Confirm before proceeding – Do not proceed to any further steps until all working conditions are confirmed.

⚠️ Important Safety Note:
Batteries and ultracapacitors can store energy once installed or charged. A short circuit can damage the PCB even if the power switch is off or no power input is connected. Be very careful to avoid short circuits in any case or during installation — especially with metal tools. Non-conductive tools are highly recommended for installation.

STEP5: Install the FifoPi and Setup the Configurations

  1. Mount the FifoPi – Install the FifoPi on top of the four 13mm standoffs. Ensure the GPIO socket connects properly to the GPIO connector on the PCB below.

  2. Install the MonitorPi Pro – Insert a MonitorPi Pro into J2 of the FifoPi. Double‑confirm that the GPIO pin positions are correct, with no shifted or misaligned pins.

  3. Connect 3.3V power supply to FifoPi – Connect the two power wires from J2 of the PurePi to J5 of the FifoPi to supply the clean 3.3V power.

  4. Connect control cable (if applicable) – If you have a ReceiverPi DDC installed in the system, connect the control cable from J6 of the MonitorPi Pro to J7 of the ReceiverPi DDC.

  5. Power up the system – Connect the USB‑C power cable to the PurePi again. Turn the power supply on by setting switch S2 to the ON position.

  6. Verify display and LEDs – The MonitorPi Pro OLED screen will turn on, and the FifoPi clock frequencies will be displayed on the screen. Corresponding LEDs will light up on the FifoPi.

  7. Open the setting page – Double‑click the knob to open the MonitorPi setting page. Navigate to the FifoPi setting page and configure the following settings:

    • FifoPi DoP: Enable

    • FifoPi 16 to 32: Enable

    • FifoPi ContCLK: Enable

  8. Enable DDC control (if applicable) – If you have a ReceiverPi DDC in the system, enable DDC in the setting page under DDC Ctrl.

  9. Play music and verify operation – Play music using the RPi software. (If you have the ReceiverPi DDC in the system, also turn the knob to select RPi as the music source.) The FifoPi Lock LED D1 will light up.he corresponding music format will be displayed on the OLED screen. The corresponding music format will be displayed on the OLED screen.

    • Confirm before proceeding – Ensure everything is correct and all settings are finalized before moving to the next step.

    STEP 6: Finalize and Get Your Re-Clock DDC Streamer Up and Running

    1. Install standoffs – Install four 13mm standoffs on top of the FifoPi.

    2. Install the digital output board – Mount a digital output board such as the #20C TransportPi AES or #17B HdmiPiPro onto the above standoffs. Ensure the GPIO socket is properly connected to the FifoPi GPIO connector J7.

    3. Connect the MCLK cable – The final and most important step is to connect the U.FL MCLK cable from J6 of the FifoPi to the MCLK input of the output board.

    4. Assembly complete – Your re-clock DDC streamer is now fully finished.

    5. Power on and play – Turn on the power switch S2, play music, and if you have a ReceiverPi DDC, select the corresponding music source by turning the knob.

    6. Connect to your DAC – Your DAC should sound excellent when connected via coaxial, HDMI, AES, or optical cable.

    7. Additional resources – For more detailed information, please visit this link:
      https://iancanada.ca/blogs/news/tips-of-diy-digital-audio-projects

    8. Enjoy – Enjoy your music and your newly built re-clock DDC streamer project!

    Some Additional Installations

     

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