IQaudio DAC Pro

by IQaudIO

The super audiophile DAC for the Raspberry Pi. This latest revision of the Pi-DAC PRO is pre-programmed for auto detection and exposes the full Raspberry Pi GPIO header providing easy access for buttons, sensors, screens etc.

The Pi-DAC PRO plugs directly on the Raspberry Pi A+/B+/2/3/3B+/4, there’s no need to solder or modify your Raspberry Pi and you can be enjoying Full HD audio in minutes.

Uses the Texas Instruments PCM5242 DAC, the big brother of the pcm5122. Featuring balanced output, better Signal to Noise Ratio and THD. With the Linux drivers built in to Raspberry Pi OS no kernel recompilation is needed and the DAC PRO is supported by all the regular audio software, just like the Pi-DAC+.

The Pi-DAC PRO also includes the Pi-DAC headphone amplifier delivering an all in one Full HD audio experience for those who listen through headphones, volume is again hardware based under software control and shared with Line Out.

With Differential / Balanced output it allows connection to studio equipment or powered speakers over long cable runs. Now you can run your disco, radio station or home studio from a Raspberry Pi!

  • Raspberry Pi HAT (A+/B+/2/3/3B+/4) compliant accessory
  • Pre-programmed EEPROM for auto configuration
  • Full-HD audio – up to 24-bit/192kHz playback
  • Integrated hardware volume control (via ALSA)
  • Built in High quality audio headphone amplifier (TI TPA6133A)
  • Class leading audio; 114db SNR, and -94db THD
  • Audiophile TI Burr Brown 32-bit/384kHz DAC (TI PCM5242)
  • Advanced ESD protection
  • Digital I2S audio signals
  • Raspberry Pi powered, no external power requirements
  • Industry standard audio quality Phono/RCA connectors
  • Balanced output exposed on PCB
  • Built in mini DSP
  • Full GPIO access with no soldering required
  • Fully built and tested Raspberry Pi accessory
  • Designed and manufactured in the UK

Documentation

You can download the IQAudIO user guide here and some useful tools here.

Notes

  • The Balanced output is exposed via two 3pin no fit headers. You will have to provide these yourself.
  • Uses the same IQaudIO Pi-DAC+ Linux drivers so no new software configurations needed.
  • You can find the IQAudIO user guide here

27 customer reviews

a year ago
I am using Raspberry Pi 5. When installing it, careful consideration is needed, such as using a Booster Header and Extended M2.5 Standoffs because I am using an Active Cooler. This is my first time using Raspberry Pi, but I was very impressed when sound came out from the DAC!
by Takayoshi about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
a year ago
I wanted to add sound to my Raspberry Pi 5 as I am creating a multimedia center and preferred not to use external DACs. I'm not disappointed. The sound is clear (though I haven't tested it in detail yet), it has all the outputs I need, and the installation was straightforward. Just plug it in, and it worked like a charm.
by Mario about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
2 years ago
This by far the best thing i've added to a Pi that brings the most joy! The sound is crystal clear and was so easy to setup and get working, it plugged straight onto the GPIO header, everything lined up perfectly and was easy to assemble, and it was less than half the cost of competitor HATs. I chose the Pro board because it had all the outputs i needed for both RCA and XLR (via 6-pin header) to connect it to my audio mixer and I'll definitely recommend the IQaudio boards to anyone else. Delivery was very quick and arrived in adequate packaging to keep it safe during transit (no excessive bubble-wrap or miles of brown paper as padding). Will absolutely be shopping at Pimoroni again!
by Anonymous about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Great new product, giving both Hifiberry and JustBoom runs for their money! Hatted on a Pi3A (which is exactly the same size) I now have a very compact bedside wi-fi-attached headphone-driving unit. It behaves as a funky Squeezebox by using Logitech Media Server feeding PiCorePlayer software. The DAC driver for this is already built-in to PiCorePlayer and called "IQaudIO DAC+". Works perfectly out of the box, driving some expensive Sennheiser headphones as well as, if not better than, any audiophile DAC. I'm going to case it in a small wooden pirate chest - see picture. Well, why wouldn't you?! A+++++!!
by Martin about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
This is a Hi end audio quality HAT that is literally plug and play onto (my Pi4 4mb) Pi of choice. Coupled with the Volumio front end and download, this will make for a superb DAC streamer that competes easily with off the shelf commercial units at £500 plus. Remember to use a good quality 3A plus power supply: a known MUST. I use this setup on a Quad 405 twin monobloc setup, coupled with pre amp. Use Spotify, Tidal or other audiophile services. Alternatively, rip your CD's to FLAC format onto a hard drive or USB, and play from the Pi into Volumio. The headphone 3.5mm jack is useful, but I tend not to use headphones very often.
by Brady about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Not had a proper chance to test it's output yet. Should be Plug and Play, but o/s did not recognise it, had to edit boot/config.txt in order for it to be found by Pi o/s
by Anonymous about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Sehr guter Service. Das Produkt übertrifft meine Erwartungen
by Hans-Peter about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
After initially replacing the PHAT DAC which has served me well I thought I would give the PI-DAC PRO a go but for the I couldn’t get VOLUMIO to work with this new Dac with the IQ Audio driver,so had to upgrade to the latest release by formatting sd card and installing latest release before everything started to work again.The PI-DAC PRO does not appear as a choice of dac in the drop down box when configuring VOLUMIO so I just chose IQaudiO plus which seems to work OK.I’ve no idea whether there’s any improvement in sound quality as my setup is Naim amplification and B&W Nataulis stand mount speakers.To be fair I have to say I only use this r pi setup for listening to internet radio of which my musical taste is jazz and that there’s no REVELATORY difference in sound reproduction between the PI-DAC PRO and the PHAT DAC which says a great deal about the PHAT DAC given the price difference. Montague.
by Montague about IQaudio DAC Pro via REVIEWS.io

2 user photos