UA-1G as a standalone DAC/DSP?

[dr0ss]

I have a handful of Roland/Cakewalk/Edirol UA-1G audio interfaces that need some purpose in life, and I would like to see if I can press one into DAC service in our vacation house in the AV chain. This interface uses the AK4114/AK4556 combination, and the sound to my ears is pleasing, I don't know how it measures. It doesn't seem to be able to be used without being connected to a computer.

I also have a an old Raspberry Pi 1 Model B, and I know that the two can talk to one another because many years ago I tried it running volumio on the Pi. What I'd like to do is take optical input from an hdmi extractor on the video source (a firestick), run it through the optical input on the UA-1G (yes, it has one!), possibly do some DSP processing (using one of the various Pi-based DSP projects), and feed our vintage stereo receiver. The question is whether I can do this without too much audio lag, and what software would be best? Or is this combination simply too old and slow?

 

[Redacted]

Are you just trying to watch TV with the sound going to an amp & speakers?

The lag is only a potential issue for lip-synch.

 

[dr0ss]

Are you just trying to watch TV with the sound going to an amp & speakers?

The lag is only a potential issue for lip-synch.

Well, not 'just', but a major use will be getting TV sound into my stereo, using the optical input into the DAC. That's why I'm concerned with the lag. I know I can just buy a new standalone DAC, but I already have these. I also like the idea of eventually using the ethernet on the Pi to add some functionality.

 

[Redacted]

It's good to repurpose kit - I'd keep it simple and cheap though. I'm not sure about the need for an old Pi etc.

If you use the ARC output on the TV, you can feed optical your DAC I think, with something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic-Professional-Extractor-Optical-Soundbar/dp/B0DQD1592R/

 

[dr0ss]

It's good to repurpose kit - I'd keep it simple and cheap though. I'm not sure about the need for an old Pi etc.

If you use the ARC output on the TV, you can feed optical your DAC I think, with something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic-Professional-Extractor-Optical-Soundbar/dp/B0DQD1592R/

The UA-1G needs to be plugged into a PC to operate, like most audio interfaces. That what the Pi is for.

The TV (actually, a projector) doesn't have ARC output (or *any* output, I will be intercepting the video source [a firestick] with an hdmi>spdif extractor).

 

[Extreme_Boky]

The UA-1G needs to be plugged into a PC to operate, like most audio interfaces.

FYI, the UA-1G works 100% okay when plugged into Samsung's One Connect Box (any USB port). An optical S/PDIF cable between the One Connect Box and the UA-1G, and RCA cables between the UA-1G and the analog-only integrated amplifier. Works really well, sounds absolutely great and no latency issues. I know this bit of info does not help your particular case (projector)... but I thought it might be useful nonetheless.

 

[dr0ss]

FYI, the UA-1G works 100% okay when plugged into Samsung's One Connect Box (any USB port). An optical S/PDIF cable between the One Connect Box and the UA-1G, and RCA cables between the UA-1G and the analog-only integrated amplifier. Works really well, sounds absolutely great and no latency issues. I know this bit of info does not help your particular case (projector)... but I thought it might be useful nonetheless.

This is really interesting. Does the one connect box have any processing power? I've tried plugging the usb cable into a power supply and testing optical in to analogue out, didn't have any success, so I've been assuming some external processing was necessary.

 

[Extreme_Boky]

I think the processing (the Tizen OS) runs on the TV. One Connect Box is just hardware.

I shortened the UA-1G USB cable and inserted a toggle switch in line with the USB +5V Vbus feed. The UA-1G is placed (Blu Tack) on top of the One Connect Box; the USB cable connecting the two is now only 100-150 mm long. I turn on the toggle switch when I want to use the UA-1G. Works really well - no issues.

 

[dr0ss]

I think the processing (the Tizen OS) runs on the TV. One Connect Box is just hardware.

The Samsung processor is probably a lot more powerful than a 1st generation Pi. Still, gives me hope. I'm fond of these little interfaces.

 

[john61ct]

One Connect Box is just hardware.

Is its USB Audio output in "Host mode" and UAC2 compliant?

If so, should work as a DDC into just about any gadget device!

Pretty pricey compared to an RPi, but built boxen are required fo us non-DIY folk...

 

[Extreme_Boky]

The Samsung One Connect Box USB sockets work in host mode (for mass storage drives to connect), but they are not UAC (1/2) compliant.

The UA-1G has an Advanced Mode switch that toggles between:
- ON: UAC (1/2) compliance is required (in which case the 24/96 and low-latency mode ASIO driver can be used, if an appropriate Roland driver is installed)... or
- OFF: it allows standard OS level devices to work with UA-1G (but without 24/96kHz capability and no low-latency support). i.e. you get basic 16/44.1 sound

I keep the switch in OFF mode with the Samsung TV.

If I switch it to ON, then I have to plug the UA-1G into a Windows PC that has Roland drivers installed for the ASIO option to become available. The little thing sounds really nice when fed 24/96kHz from JRiver, using the ASIO driver.

I used the interface to digitise all my cassette tapes (standard analog in via RCAs) some 20 years ago - it did a fantastic job. I think it came with Sonar 6 LE, which was more than enough to control UA-1G ADC basics and produce16/44.1 *.wav file recordings.

 

[Redacted]

The UA-1G needs to be plugged into a PC to operate, like most audio interfaces. That what the Pi is for.

The TV (actually, a projector) doesn't have ARC output (or *any* output, I will be intercepting the video source [a firestick] with an hdmi>spdif extractor).

I don't know much about these devices and not read all the replies yet. I assumed you can just power up the device using any USB power source and then feed a signal to it via the optical port, but you are saying this can't be done

 

[dr0ss]

I used the interface to digitise all my cassette tapes

I bought mine for the same reason, for vinyl. Then I started using it for making videos for my students, with a Behringer XM8500 microphone. Then Covid happened, I started using it for zoom, decided I needed another for the office, ended up with 6.

 

[dr0ss]

but you are saying this can be done

Can't, at least as far as I can tell.

 

[Redacted]

Can't, at least as far as I can tell.

Typo of mine, now corrected!

 

[Extreme_Boky]

I bought mine for the same reason, for vinyl. Then I started using it for making videos for my students, with a Behringer XM8500 microphone. Then Covid happened, I started using it for zoom, decided I needed another for the office, ended up with 6.

I know, right. I bought 2 more on eBay second-hand for next to nothing. My kids used them as a desktop (laptop) DAC/headphone amp for many years (before the streaming services exploded in popularity). I also taught them the basics of analog-to-digital conversion, showed them what digital clipping sounds like (ha!). They digitised some vinyls and then burnt a few CDs. That kept them happy... for a week or so, and then back to Spotify again.