All Things Digital Audio

The Audiophile Foundation is considering hosting a virtual Diretta DIY assembly event. Here's a preliminary announcement. If they go forward with this event, I'll be involved in running it for them.

DIY Diretta Build Workshop

The Audiophile Foundation is also considering hosting a DIY Diretta Build Workshop for members and non-members, and wants to gauge interest in participating. This hands-on workshop will allow attendees to learn new skills, work on a Raspberry Pi project, connect with fellow DIY enthusiasts, and complete a working Diretta build of their own.

The cost for the required parts and the AudioLinux license would be $281.09 ($212.09 for basic parts plus $69 for the AudioLinux license), in addition to the workshop fee. This "basic system" provides a fully functional Diretta transport for Roon that is limited to 44.1 kHz PCM playback. The transport supports wired Ethernet for input and USB output.

At the conclusion of the project, attendees will have the option to purchase an unlimited, high-resolution license directly from Diretta (Japan) for an additional €100, which unlocks all sample rates, including DSD.

We're still in the planning process, but we wanted to reach out early to see if this is something our readers would be interested in joining. If you'd like to participate, please let us know by emailing Contact@audiophilefoundation.org with "Diretta Build" as the Subject.

We'll send additional information about dates, project options, and registration once we've determined there is enough interest to proceed with this event.

Here's an itemized list of parts David recommends for this event:

• Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB): $55.00
• Flirc Pi 4 Case: $16.95
• Raspberry Pi 5 (2GB): $49.95
• Flirc Pi 5 Case: $16.95
• microSD Card (x2): $25.90
• 27W USB-C Power Supply (x2): $25.90
• USB to Ethernet Adapter: $19.95
• CAT6 Ethernet Cable: $6.49
• Total Hardware: $212.09

Adding the AudioLinux license:

• Hardware: $212.09
• AudioLinux for RPi License: $69.00 (covers both computers)
• Total Basic System Cost: $281.09

Hello everyone,

Since publishing my guide on building a Diretta endpoint for Roon, I've built nearly two dozen Diretta Host + Target pairs for friends and fellow club members. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive regarding the impact on sound quality in a Roon setup.

For those interested, here is the link to my complete written guide: https://github.com/dsnyder0pc/rpi-for-roon/blob/main/Diretta.md

To make the project more accessible, especially for visual learners, I've also created a YouTube playlist that walks through the entire process: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMl09rJ6zKCk13V-IH_kRKW7FP8Q0_Fw0

I hope the videos make the 59-page document less intimidating for anyone considering this project. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions. I'm happy to help you achieve the amazing sound I've been enjoying these past few months.

-- David