How to design a Sonos AMP Replacement with Raspiaudio

#1

Hello all! I was wondering how I could design a replacement for the Sonos AMP or similar. We talk around 100W/150W of power per speaker. Is that possible? Could we use a line-amplifier to make this work? Of course the goal is to control the amplification from the raspberry/esp32.

Anyone have any experience? My project is 4 speakers, hopefully I could run each channel over two parallell speakers, only they are 6 Ohm so it could be tough on the amplifier.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be happy!

#2

I guess the easiest way is to use a power amplifier and use the smart device as a preamp. Does the raspiaudio devices provide a strong enough output signal to be used as a preamp?

#3

You would propably need something like this: Suggestion for ESPMUSE: multiple analog inputs with an external amplifier

#4

The JAB5 Amp from Wondom might be perfect for that. 4*100w for 6ohm min. Speakers.
If you want to use the instaled Qualcom BT reciver, you have to use the analog input for Airplay and Squeezligt. in that case you can disable BT within ESP-Squeezeligt.
If you put the JAB5 in Slave Mode instead, you can use the i2s input and don’t need an aditional DAC on the esp32 board. But you loose the onboard BT Reciver.
Tomorow I’l have a WROVER module arrive and I can give you an Update after testing the Amp with 8 Ohm speakers…

1 Like
#5

Good suggestions, looking forward to your experiences :partying_face:

#6

Now time for some Update:
The ESP32 I got is a TTGO T8 with a WROVER-B
For testing I used both WONDOM JAB5 4 x 100 Watt and JAB 3 2 x 5 Watt .
Unfortunatly I didn’t get any music out of both amplifilers yet. Before I found out how to setup the MCLK on pin 0 ( dac_config model=I2S,bck=33,ws=25,do=32,mck=0 ) the JAB5 started to puke some binary noise. After the right setup it didn’t hapan again, but I didn’t get out Audio either.
By now I think, I must have broken the ESP32 as well while trying to conect a ST7789 Screen.
After reflashing it again to do a Factory reset, it dosn’t show up as a Hotspot.
For now I will wait if others are going to contribute on the discusion here or on Github and wait for the next ESP32’s I ordert to arive.

Do you already have some parts for your Project @sbarmen ? What are the most imortant features your sterio should have?

#7

After Redding your post again I wonder What you mean.
-One Hifi Serio with four speakers
-Multiroom audio setup with four rooms.

Do you already use LMS or where do you get your music from?
Do you consider setting up multiple Raspberrys and ESP32s?
Do you already have some home Automation or NAS?

#8

GOOD NEWS

After resting my mind for some days and corecting a falls Pin Conection I made, I Got it to work this time:

Parts:

Pinout:

JAB5________ESP32
1-LRCLK____25
2-BCLK_____33
3-DATA1___32
4-GND_____GND
5-+5V______3V3 or 5V ( JAB5 Pin actualy is at 3,5V; VIN Pin on T8 not posible )
6-MCLK____0

dac_config: model=I2S,bck=33,ws=25,do=32,mck=0

Post on Github

I would find it great to hear from the progres of your project.
Do you have other questions?
Greatings

#9

Hello! Thanks for sharing!

I have 4 in-cealing speakers (passive) in my kitchen. The plan was to buy a Sonos AMP to drive these. After the new Music Assistant in HA and the option to run a smart-device in-line with a Power Amplifier I got interested in maybe building a DIY setup speaker. My requirement is just to get a output signal from a DAC that is strong enough to trigger a power-amp.

My original plan was to parallel cable two speakers for each channel. But that would bring the impedance down to 3 ohm. I think maybe I will run a cable directly to each speaker and use a power-amp for 4/6/8ohm with 4 connections for speakers. Your setup seems to be more or less just what I need.

What is the sound quality experienced? Is it production grade for a home stereo setup?