Mercury V3 is now Mercury V3 DAC! Now Includes Built-In Hi-Res Audio DAC!

Support update 1/7/25 - Mercury V3 DAC units shipped prior to 1/7/25 had an incorrect resistor populated. This created a low voltage on the SPDIF output that might prevent a reliable connection with some DAC's.. For units shipped prior to this date the best solution is to use a BNC to RCA adapter (see here) on the AES (BNC) output instead. Contact us for more detail.

​Mercury V3 DAC FAQ

​​Q: Do all Mercury V3 DAC outputs work simultaneously?
A: Yes, all digital and analog audio outputs deliver the same audio data at the same time. This includes the RJ45 I2S and I2S over HDMI.

Q: Why does the SPDIF (RCA) output not work with my DAC?
A: Units shipped prior to 1/7/25 had an incorrect resistor populated. This created a low voltage on the SPDIF output. For units shipped prior to this date the best solution is to use a BNC to RCA adapter (see here) on the AES (BNC) output instead. Contact us for more detail.

Q: What power supply comes with Mercury V3 DAC?
A: Mercury V3 DAC is designed to operate with a nominal input voltage 12V (+/- 10%). We provide a High Quality Meanwell switching power supply.

Q: But aren't switching supplies bad ?
A: Mercury V3 DAC is designed with a highly effective noise filter on the 12V input. This circuit reduces the input supply noise by a factor of 100!

Q: What size is the power jack on Mercury V3 DAC?
A: Mercury V3 DAC has a 2.5MM x 5.5MM DC Jack. The Meanwell supply uses 2.1mm. A 2.1mm to 2.5mm Adapter is included and is located in the power supply box.

​Q: What pinout is supported by the I2S over HDMI?
A: Mercury V3 DAC supports the PS Audio and GD-Audio pinouts. The SWAP switch on the back of the unit selects between these two options.

Q: What Operating Systems does Mercury V3 DAC support?
A: Mercury V3 DAC is offered with one of three OS options: Volumio, Moode Audio and Ropieee. See the descriptions below along with the links to download pre-configured images for Mercury V3 DAC. Other OS's may be available upon request. Note that any Raspberry Pi OS will run on Mercury V3 DAC, but may require configuration to run properly. Contact us if you have questions.

Q: Where is the WiFi/Bluetooth antenna?
A: The front panel of Mercury V3 DAC is made of black, matte finish acrylic. This material easily passes the RF signals from the internal Raspberry Pi 4 PCB antenna. For greater range an external USB dongle can be used.

Q: What is the performance of the DAC ?
A: The 24-Bit ES9033Q DAC with built in Line Level (2.1V) drivers offers THD+N of -106dB (20hz - 20Khz) typical and -104dB worst case, SNR is -118dB.

Preconfigured images for Mercury V3 DAC

Important Note - These images have been configured for the Mercury V3. In most cases, no additional configuration is needed other than WiFi. Do not update from within the OS as this may break the LED and Power Switch functionality. Contact us if you feel you need to go to a different version.

Moode and Volumio will create a WiFi access point that can be used to connect via phone, tablet or PC to setup the final WiFi configuration. Ropieee requires a wired Ethernet connection first.
​
Download Moode 9.3.3
Moode Start Guide

​Download Volumio 3.816
Volumio Start Guide

​Download Ropieee 2025.4.0
Ropieee Start Guide

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APX555 Jitter Plots

Mercury V3 DAC Features

The Mercury V3 DAC, designed and manufactured by PI 2 Design, is a Raspberry Pi 4 based device designed for Professional, Studio Grade, Digital Audio Streaming.  The Mercury Streamer converts the Raspberry Pi 4 I2S Interface to High Definition Professional Digital Audio Coax, OPTO and Balanced XLR. These multiple, simultaneously active digital audio outputs allow the Mercury Streamer to optimally interface with virtually any High Performance DAC on the market.
 
The major features of the Mercury Streamer are as follows:
  • Raspberry Pi 4 - This Single Board Computer provides 4 High Performance ARM Cores, 4K HDMI Output, USB3 x2, USB2 x 2, Gigabit Ethernet, 4GB DRAM.
  • GIGABIT ETHERNET - A standard RJ45 provides the interface to the Pi GIGe
  • DUAL EXTERNAL USB2.0 - This connector provides two USB2.0 Host Ports.
  • DUAL EXTERNAL USB3 - This connector provides two USB3 Host Ports.
  • EXTERNAL HDMI - 4K HDMI Connector provide access to the Pi HDMI 0
  • AES TRANSMITTER – The industry standard WM8804 converts the Pi I2S stream to AES3/SPDIF formatted data at 24-Bit up to 192Khz Frame Rate
  • AES COAX OUTPUT – A 1:1 Isolation Transformer provides Bit Perfect Impedance Controlled Digital Audio Data @ 2V p-p AES Standard Level.
  • AES BALANCED OUTPUT – An RS-485 Transmitter with a 1:1 Isolation Transformer provides balanced audio data @ 3.4V p-p via the Professional XLR Connector
  • TOSLINK OPTICAL OUTPUT – Isolated Optical Transmitter
  • SPDIF COAX OUTPUT - A 1:1 Isolation Transformer provides Bit Perfect Impedance Controlled Digital Audio Data @ 1V p-p Consumer Standard Level.
  • DIFFERENTIAL I2S OUTPUT – An LVDS Differential Transmitter drives the I2S Bus over an HDMI Connector. Pinout support most I2S DAC's.
  • PARALLEL I2S OUTPUT - The I2S Signals are buffered and accessible via an RJ45. Pinout conforms to the Metrun series of DAC's.
  • HIGH RESOLUTION CLOCKS – A pair of Ultra-Low Noise NDK NZ2520SDA oscillators drive the WM8804 in non-PLL mode for the lowest possible noise.
  • ULTRA-LOW NOISE LDO’s – Two Ultra-Low Noise, High PSRR devices are used to separately power the WM8804 and the NDK Clock’s.
  • LINEAR PRE_REGULATOR - LT2941CT Low Noise 5V pre-regulator allows the critical Clock/AES power chain to be 100% linear when an external linear PSU is used.
  • INPUT PSU FILTER - This circuit reduces input switch noise by 100:1 allowing the use of external switching supply with results similar to Linear.
  • LOW NOISE PCB LAYOUT – 4-layer Split Ground PCB with noise reduction techniques refined from years of High-Speed Mixed-Signal Design work.
  • EXTRUDED ALUMINUM ENCLOSURE – Rugged, Aircraft Grade Aluminum, Anodized for Scratch Resistance
  • PRE-PROGRAMMED 32GB SD CARD - Mercury V3 comes with a 32GB SD Card loaded with Volumio 3.x (other OS's TBD)
  • 24-BIT STEREO ANALOG OUTPUT– A Dual RCA Connector provides the Analog Output from the ES9033Q I2S DAC. -106dB THD+N Typical, -104dB max. 

MERCURY V3 DAC BLOCK DIAGRAM
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    Pi 2 Design Streamer Questions

Available Products

Mercury V3 DAC

$599.00 $549.00

Raspberry Pi 4 based Digital and Analog Network Audio Streamer. 4GB DRAM, 2.4g/5g WiFi, Bluetooth. Chosen OS pre-installed on 16GB SD-Card, Meanwell GST40A12-P1J PSU included. Power Cord included for US shipments only.


Typical Leadtime is less than one week after receipt of order.
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PI2AES 2.0 - PRO AUDIO SHIELD

$249.00

PI2AES 2.0, Professional Studio Grade Audio I/O Shield. Includes Clear Acrylic Case

​

FEATURES


  • FORM FACTOR – Raspberry Pi ® Shield Size w/40-Pin mating connector.
  • AES TRANSMITTER – The industry standard WM8804 converts the RPi I2S stream to AES3/SPDIF formatted data at 24-Bit up to 192Khz Frame Rate
  • COAX OUTPUT – A 1:1 Isolation Transformer provides Bit Perfect Impedance Controlled Coaxial Transmission of the Digital Audio Data
  • SPDIF OPTICAL OUTPUT – Isolated Optical Transmitter Drives Consumer Level DAC and AVR
  • BALANCED OUTPUT – An RS-422 Transmitter coupled with a 1:1 Isolation Transformer allows the transmission of balanced audio data via the Professional Audio Standard XLR Connector
  • DIFFERENTIAL I2S OUTPUT – A DS2063 Differential Transmitters is used to drive the I2S Bus over a standard HDMI Connector. The Pinout is Selectable Between the PS Audio and Gustard Standards.
  • HIGH RESOLUTION CLOCKS – A pair of Ultra-Low Noise NDK NZ2520SDA oscillators allow the WM8804 to operate in non-PLL mode for the lowest possible noise.
  • ULTRA-LOW NOISE LDO’s – Ultra-Low Noise LT3045 LDO (0.9uV noise and 80dB PSRR) is used to power the WM8804 AES Transmitter, while a 2nd LT3045 LDO powers the NDK Clocks.
  • LOW NOISE PCB LAYOUT – Constructed with 4-layer Split Ground PCB with noise reduction techniques refined from years of High-Speed Mixed-Signal Design work



PI2AES 2.0 includes a PI3 and 4 compatible clear acrylic case.



Raspberry Pi Not included


Typical Leadtime is less than one week after receipt of order.
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PI2AES-LITE, PRO Audio HAT

$249.00 $149.00

Sold out

The PI2AES-LITE, designed and manufactured by PI 2 Design, is a professional I/O

Shield designed to bring Professional Studio Grade Audio to the Raspberry PI ® 3, 3+

and 4 series of Single Board Computers. This HAT compatible board converts the

Raspberry Pi ® I2S Interface to High Definition AES Coax, S/PDIF and Toslink Digital

Audio Outputs.



PI2AES-LITE includes a PI3 and 4 compatible clear acrylic case.


Typical Leadtime is less than one week after receipt of order.
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Clear PI2AES 7" LCD Acrylic Case

$35.00
Acrylic case designed specifically for our PI2AES Pro Audio Shield and Raspberry Pi 3, 3+ and 4. Includes all necessary hardware for assembly.

​Does not include LCD or LCD cables.
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Replacement PSU for Mercury V2/V3, [email protected], 90V-260VACin

$30.00

Mean well - GST40A12-P1J. AC-DC Industrial desktop adapter; Output 12Vdc at 3.3A; 3 pole AC inlet IEC320-C14. Ships with 2.1mm Female to 2.5mm Male DC Adapter.


Note - Country Specific Power Cord Not Included
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More Information

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