IQaudio Audio DAC for Raspberry Pi
22,75 € INCL. VAT
- Give your Raspberry Pi clean hi-fi sound for an amplifier or active speakers.
- PCM5122 24-bit / 192 kHz chip, stereo RCA output and 3.5 mm headphone amplifier.
- HAT powered by the Pi, compatible with any Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO.
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- Description
Description
Raspberry Pi DAC+ IQaudio: high-resolution sound via RCA and headphones
A Raspberry Pi's built-in audio output is fine for beeps, not for music: for that, you need a Raspberry Pi DAC. The IQaudio DAC+, now produced by Raspberry Pi, is a HAT that converts the digital I2S stream into a clean analog signal at 24-bit / 192 kHz, thanks to a Texas Instruments PCM5122 chip. Two RCA jacks to your amplifier or active speakers, a dedicated headphone amplifier: your Raspberry Pi becomes a true hi-fi source.
Highlights
- Texas Instruments PCM5122 : high-resolution audio conversion up to 24-bit / 192 kHz.
- Stereo RCA output with variable line level (0 to 2 V RMS).
- Dedicated headphone amplifier on a 3.5 mm jack, for headphones up to 80/90 Ω.
- No external power supply : the DAC+ is powered by the Raspberry Pi.
- Plug and play : HAT EEPROM automatically recognized by Raspberry Pi OS.
- Pass-through GPIO connector to keep access to unused pins.
Technical specifications
| Features | Official value |
|---|---|
| Converter | Texas Instruments PCM5122 |
| Resolution | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
| Line output | Stereo RCA, 0 to 2 V RMS |
| Headphones | Dedicated amplifier, front-mounted 3.5 mm jack |
| Interface | I2S (audio), I2C (volume control) |
| Power supply | From the Raspberry Pi via the GPIO |
| Connector | Pass-through 40-pin GPIO |
| Dimensions | 58 × 65 mm |
Which one should you choose?
| Card | Chip | Outputs | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAC+ (this product) | PCM5122 | Line RCA, headphones | Connecting a Pi to a hi-fi system or active speakers |
| DAC Pro | PCM5242 | RCA, headphones, balanced | Higher signal-to-noise ratio, optional XLR output |
| DigiAMP+ | TAS5756M | 2 passive speakers up to 35 W | Passive speakers, no amplifier |
| Codec Zero | DA7212 | Mono speaker, microphone | Voice projects |
Our advice : if you have an amplifier or active speakers, the DAC+ is the simplest choice; for passive speakers, the DigiAMP+.
Compatibility and pitfalls to avoid
- Compatible with any Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO: Raspberry Pi 5, Raspberry Pi 4, Pi 3, Pi Zero 2 W and Zero W.
- Only one I2S audio HAT : GPIO 18 to 21 reserved, no stacking with another DAC.
- No power amplifier : do not connect passive speakers directly.
- Volume : hardware-adjustable in AlsaMixer ("Digital" control), shared by the RCA and headphone outputs.
- Not detected? Add dtoverlay=rpi-dacplus to config.txt, as stated in the official documentation.
What's in the box
The DAC+ board and its mounting hardware (standoffs, screws and connectors), supplied according to the official documentation for Raspberry Pi audio boards.
Recommended accessories
- The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2 GB : more than enough for a network audio player.
- The official 15.3 W USB-C power supply : a stable power supply, the key to interference-free sound.
- A SanDisk Ultra micro SD card for the system and your playback software.
Uses and projects
Audio streamer for a hi-fi system, internet radio, FLAC library player, quality headphones on a Raspberry Pi workstation: read our guide multimedia streaming system on Raspberry Pi and our 10 open source Raspberry Pi projects to try. Connected via Ethernet, a Pi fitted with the DAC+ remains a stable source for playing high-resolution files.
Frequently asked questions
What is the audio quality of the DAC+?
Up to 24-bit / 192 kHz thanks to the Texas Instruments PCM5122 chip.
Is the DAC+ compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5?
Yes, as with any Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO.
Is an external power supply required?
No, it is powered by the Raspberry Pi via the GPIO.
Can I connect headphones?
Yes, a dedicated headphone amplifier drives the 3.5 mm jack.
How does it differ from the DAC Pro?
The DAC Pro uses the PCM5242, with a better signal-to-noise ratio and an additional balanced output.
Are the IQaudIO and Raspberry Pi boards identical?
Yes, electrically: the black IQaudIO boards and the green Raspberry Pi boards differ only in the contents of their EEPROM.
Order your DAC+ IQaudio on monraspberry.com : official, tested product, stock based in France, shipping within 24/48 h after receipt of payment, free pickup point delivery on orders from €200, returns possible within 14 days with return authorization, and payment by Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
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