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HiFiBerry MiniAmp + Raspberry Zero WH

Daniel Tiefenauer

April 11, 2020 16:06

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Hi there

I am trying to use a HifiBerry Miniamp with my Raspberry Pi Zero WH. I followed the instructions from the guide (https://www.hifiberry.com/docs/software/configuring-linux-3-18-x/). I hear no sound. The device seems to be detected properly, though, because I am getting the expected output (as described in the guide) when entering "aplay -l".

According to a Post (https://support.hifiberry.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115002262125-Connecting-speakers-to-Miniamp)  the speaker connection  is +--+. According to the Datasheet (https://www.hifiberry.com/docs/data-sheets/datasheet-miniamp/) the + and - are different. I tried both, still no sound.

I am not sure whether I installed the Miniamp correctly on the Raspberry Zero. Since both devices are the same size, I stacked them on top. However, since the 2x20 pins are symmetric, it would also be possible to rotate one device by 180° (meaning the Miniamp would stand off from the Raspberry Zero). I haven't tried it out so far, because I am afraid it will brick my Raspberry or Miniam due to a short circuit or something.

I bought the Raspberry with pre-soldered headers, so didn't have to do any soldering. I connected the following speakers with some speaker cable to the amp:

https://secure.reichelt.com/ch/en/ch/de/fullrange-system-65-mm-10-w-vis-2015-p204622.html?GROUPID=3579&START=0&OFFSET=16&SID=92XasNxawQAT8AAA8mNPo60e2e24d9e857acf7ad46241a01170ee&&r=1

As you might have guessed, I am very new to both Raspberry and also Miniamp. I have no clue what's wrong.Can you give me some advice?

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5 comments

• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team April 12, 2020 07:33

  Could be a hardware of configuration issue. I would recommend to try HiFiBerryOS (https://hifiberry.com/hifiberryos) as here we know that the configuration will be fine.

• 0
  
  Daniel Tiefenauer April 13, 2020 09:30

  Hi. I installed HiFiBerryOS to check. I set it up to use WiFi as described and then connected my phone over Bluetooth. I streamed some music, still no sound.

  As stated in the original question: I am still not sure what the polarity of the speakers is. The datasheet says -++-. In an answer to a question in the forum you say it's +--+. Which one is correct? I tried them both, but without success... I hear some cracking noise when connecting the speakers, but no sound.

  For the sake of full disclosure: I connected only one speaker (I doubt this will make a difference) and I tried it on both R and L.

  UPDATE: I installed HiFiBerryOS for Raspberry Pi 4 and tried the Miniamp with my Raspberry Pi 4. No sound. Here is how I attached the Miniamp to the Raspberry:

  

  Is this the correct way of doing this? I googled everywhere but I can't find a Pinout for the Miniamp...

  Edited by Daniel Tiefenauer April 13, 2020 11:07
• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team April 14, 2020 06:51

  The polarity doesn't really matter as long as you use the same on both left and right. If you can't get any sound output on HiFiBerryOS on different Pi's, there might be a hardware problem with the MiniAmp. Did you buy it directly from us?

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  Daniel Tiefenauer April 14, 2020 07:01

  Unfortunately not, I bought it from Reichelt (German Retailer). Returning the item proves difficult with the current Corona situation. I will buy directly from you so for sure next time since I will need more of them and I live in Switzerland anyway (I didn't know HiFiBerry was Switzerland based) :)

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  HiFiBerry team April 14, 2020 07:03

  If you're based in Switzerland, you can send it to us for a check.