X6000K

Features of X6000K 7.1CH

For Use With	Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+/ 2 Model B / 3 Model B
Operating System	- OSMC - 2.0 stereo audio / 5.1 channel surround sound / 7.1 channel surround sound - Openelec - 2.0 stereo audio / 5.1 channel surround sound / 7.1 channel surround sound - Moode Audio Player - 2.0 stereo audio outputs - Raspbian Jessie - 2.0 stereo audio outputs - Rune audio - 2.0 stereo audio outputs - Pi Core Player - To be tested
Key Features	- Ultra-compact chassis - Ideal for Home Theater Systems - Ideal for 7.1 channel surround audio systems - Used four ESS Tech Sabre premier stereo DACs ES9023 - ES9023 delivers jitter-free studio quality audio with 112dB DNR - Each DAC has independent ultra-low-jitter clock generator - Used the Texas Instruments ultra-low-noise voltage regulator - Supports up to 1TB 2.5-inch SATA hard drives - High quality video performance - Supports SPDIF Optical Digital Audio - Supports HDMI high-bit-rate (HBR) audio - 4 analog stereo 3.5mm jack outputs - Selected high quality components (Solid Capacitors, Murata MLCC etc) - Allows you to split the audio stream from a HDMI signal - No HDMI output connection is required to receive audio at the analog and optical outputs - Connects directly to the Raspberry Pi - no additional cables needed - Powers the Raspberry Pi - no additional power supply - Lighted power switch - Raspberry Pi status LEDs still visible - Access to Raspberry Pi GPIO - Easy to change the Raspberry Pi OS SD card - No need to open the case - Easy DIY with Raspberry Pi
Power Supply Unit (Optional Accessories)	- AC 100 - 240V input ~50 / 60Hz, 5Vdc 4A output - With 2 snap-in plugs for North America (US) and Europe (EU)
Specification	- Power supply: +5Vdc +/-5% - Input Ports: 1 x HDMI - Output Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x Optical, 4 x 3.5mm Phone Jack - Analog audio output level: 2V RMS - Optical S/PDIF Audio Sampling Rate: Up to 192 kHz - HDMI Audio Format: LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital 2~5.1CH, DTS 2~5.1CH, Dolby Digital Plus Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio - Optical Audio Format: LPCM 2CH, Dolby Digital 2~5.1CH, and DTS 2~5.1CH - Size 122mm x 90mm x 90mm
Notes	- For use with original power supply unit only - WARNING: DO NOT APPLY POWER TO YOUR RASPBERRY PI VIA THE PI's MICRO USB SOCKET. - Approx 3 seconds delay to turn on Raspberry Pi after the power button is pressed (The powerful HDMI audio processing chipset needs time to bootup)
Packing List	- X6000 Metal Case x 1 - X6000-7.1CH Expansion Board Kit x 1 - X800K HDD Expansion Board Kit x 1 - Accessories kit x 1 - Tool kit x 1

Features of X6000K 8.0CH

For Use With	Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+/ 2 Model B / 3 Model B
Operating System	- OSMC - 8-channel L/R audio outputs - Moode Audio Player - 8-channel L/R audio outputs - Raspbian Jessie - 8-channel L/R audio outputs - Openelec - To be tested - Volumio - To be tested - Rune audio - To be tested - Pi Core Player - To be tested
Key Features	- Ultra-compact chassis - Ideal for car audio entertainment Ideal for stage audio systems - Ideal for multi-channel audio systems - 8-channel stereo audio outputs at the same time even if playing 2-channel audio - Used four ESS Tech Sabre premier stereo DACs ES9023 - ES9023 delivers jitter-free studio quality audio with 112dB DNR - Each DAC has independent ultra-low-jitter clock generator - Used the Texas Instruments ultra-low-noise voltage regulator - Supports up to 1TB 2.5-inch SATA hard drives - High quality video performance - Supports SPDIF Optical Digital Audio - Supports HDMI high-bit-rate (HBR) audio - 4 analog stereo 3.5mm jack outputs - Selected high quality components (Solid Capacitors, Murata MLCC etc) - Allows you to split the audio stream from a HDMI signal - No HDMI output connection is required to receive audio at the analog and optical outputs - Connects directly to the Raspberry Pi - no additional cables needed - Powers the Raspberry Pi - no additional power supply - Lighted power switch - Raspberry Pi status LEDs still visible - Access to Raspberry Pi GPIO - Easy to change the Raspberry Pi OS SD card - No need to open the case - Easy DIY with Raspberry Pi
Power Supply Unit (Optional Accessories)	- AC 100 - 240V input ~50 / 60Hz, 5Vdc 4A output - With 2 snap-in plugs for North America (US) and Europe (EU)
Specification	- Power supply: +5Vdc +/-5% - Input Ports: 1 x HDMI - Output Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x Optical, 4 x 3.5mm Phone Jack - Analog audio output level: 2V RMS - Optical S/PDIF Audio Sampling Rate: Up to 192 kHz - HDMI Audio Format: LPCM 8.0CH - Optical Audio Format: LPCM 2CH, Dolby Digital 2~5.1CH, and DTS 2~5.1CH - Size 122mm x 90mm x 90mm
Notes	- For use with original power supply unit only - WARNING: DO NOT APPLY POWER TO YOUR RASPBERRY PI VIA THE PI's MICRO USB SOCKET. - Approx 3 seconds delay to turn on Raspberry Pi after the power button is pressed (The powerful HDMI audio processing chipset needs time to bootup)
Packing List	- X6000 Metal Case x 1 - X6000-8.0CH Expansion Board Kit x 1 - X800K HDD Expansion Board Kit x 1 - Accessories kit x 1 - Tool kit x 1

Hardware installation

For X6000K-7.1CH DIY Kits, please refer to here: Hardware installation

For X6000K-8.0CH DIY Kits , please refer to here: Hardware Installation

Software Configuration

For X6000K-7.1CH DIY Kits, please refer to here: Software Configuration

For X6000K-8.0CH DIY Kits , please refer to here: Software Configuration

More details please refer to more detail

FAQ

Q1. What do you need to use Raspberry Pi X6000-7.1CH Expansion Board?

(1) A Raspberry Pi board

(2) A DC 5V 4A Power Supply, please refer to 5V 4A Power Supply

(3) A case for X6000(optional)

Q2. Why there is just output 1 on the board have sound?

(1) This board is 7.1 channel surround sound output, so the sound output is depended by your audio file. Because output 1 is for left/right channel (please refer to the below picture). And most music file just have left/right channel. So if your audio file is MP3 file, there just output 1 have sound.

(2) This board is ideal for Home Theater Systems, if you play the video or watch the movies, other channel will work. You could download a mkv file to have a test. Please refer to the Software Configuration to download the test file.

(3) If you still have doubt about this problem, please contact us.

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Anonymous user #8

63 months ago

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Does HMDI-CEC stil work when using this with a Raspberry Pi?

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Anonymous user #7

74 months ago

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Testing your X6000 with your blu-ray player. More tests. As I mentioned in the earlier post, your blu-ray player must have hdmi audio set to "PCM" (or "LPCM") NOT "bitstream" if you want to have 7.1 channel audio from the 3.5mm analogue output.

As I mentioned the X6000 sounds better than the CLUX-11SA or the A3080. It really sounds more crystal clear. And truly less noisy.

Equipment needed: (a) blu-ray player with multi-channel LPCM, (b) X6000 and (c) an amplifier that can play 8 channels.

(a) Blu-ray player with multi-channel LPCM. In this situation I used the Pioneer BDP-150 which enables multi-channel LPCM decoding of all Dolby and DTS formats. In order to find out whether your player plays multi-channel LPCM, check the manual. There should be a chart showing what happens when you set the hdmi audio to (i) bitstream, (ii) LPCM or (iii)DTS-Reencode or (iv) auto. If you Set to (ii) LPCM (or PCM), ensure that Dolby 5.1 (whether lossy or lossless or Dolby 7.1 (lossless or DTS 5.1 (lossy or lossless) or DTS 7.1 (lossless) produces either 5.1 LPCM an 7.1LPCM. If for example players such as the LG BP125, BP325, BP240, BP420, BP450 etc convert 5.1 and 7.1 to 2 channel LPCM audio, you will not benefit of the X6000's LPCM decoding capability.

(c) An amplifier with 8 channels. Many amplifiers with hdmi made after 2016 will decode not only the HD and MA channels, but also Atmos and X. In this situation set your player to Bitstream and use the X6000's hdmi. If so, STOP here, you don't need to use LPCM.

However, if your 8 channel amplifier does not have hdmi input then proceed to connect the 3.5mm analogue outputs to the inputs of the amplifier. You may need adapters such as 3.5mm to Stereo RCA in case (a) the inputs to the amplifier are RCA OR (b) the inputs may need to be reversed. The reason is not to input the incorrect L/R signals and especially the Centre/LFE channel signals going to the incorrect inputs.

Testing signals: Purchase blu-rays of the following:

• Dolby test disk with channel checks AND demonstration playback tracks with music and movie previews.
• DTS test disk with channel checks AND demonstration playback tracks with music and movie previews.
• Optional, Walt Disney's "World Of Wonder" calibration blu-ray. Hard to get, and its price is too high. But when a batch is released on the market, price comes down. Output is in DTS.

What about demonstration tracks on available on YouTube? Yes there are demonstration tracks as those on the Dolby and DTS demo blu-rays, but audio tracks of YouTube's videos are are downmixed stereo. I have never used websites with the demonstration tracks because I don't know the copyright status.

Testing your X6000. Once your player, X6000, amplifier and TV are set up, play the demonstration disk. The channel checker tracks ensure that your speakers are wired in the same direction. The DTS disk continues the channel testing with phase testing. Even though your speaker position is correct, if the wiring is reversed, some cancellation of the audio information may occur. So the DTS test disk is great to ensure that your X6000 is used to its maximum capability.

Once the channel check is performed, you will want to test for music and movie clips. I have a CLUX-11SA equivalent, the A3080, and the audio demonstration is not as crystal clear as the X6000.

I hope that helps those who want to set up the X6000 for playback with a blu-ray player and an 8 channel amplifier that does not have hdmi input and does not decode multi-channel Dolby and DTS.

Thank you

Anthony of Sydney

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Anonymous user #6

74 months ago

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I have received the X6000, and tested it. I will give a summary then details. Even though I gave a detailed description of the X6000's EP91A6S processor, the datasheet for the EP91A6S there was not enough information about the HDR signals at the IIS buses about whether the audio processor in the EP91A6S converts the HBR signals such as Dolby-HD and DTS-MA to PCM. That is because the ES9023 DACs require a PCM input.

Summary: The X6000 can be used with a non-Raspberry Pi. That is one can connect a blu-ray player's hdmi output to the input of the X6000 and the hdmi output of the X6000 to the hdmi input of the TV. The power was sourced from a 5V(dc) 5A power supply.

Issue: will the X6000 play 7.1 multi-channel sound through the 3.5mm analogue connections. The answer is yes and no. If you want to play multichannel sound from the blu-ray player to the X6000's analogue outputs, YOU MUST SET THE BLU-RAY's HDMI AUDIO TO PCM.

It follows that if you want to hear Dolby-HD and DTS-MA through the analogue 3.5mm sockets, your blu-ray player must convert the Dolby-HD and DTS-MA signals to PCM. DO NOT SET YOUR PLAYER's HDMI AUDIO OUTPUT TO bitstream.

When the description says supports Dolby-HD and DTS-MA, it refers to the X6000 passing it out through the X6000's hdmi output. In this situation, the audio from the X6000's hdmi should go to an amplifier that will decode Dolby-HD and DTS-MA. In this situation you set the blu-ray player's hdmi audio output to bistream.

BUT if you want to have multichannel analogue sound from the X6000, the blu-ray's hdmi audio must be set to PCM. If you set the player's hdmi audio to bitsream, you will hear noise.

Will all blu-ray players support multi-channel conversion of Dolby-HD and DTS-MA to multi-channel PCM? NO. Some LG players downmix such as the LG BP125, BP325, BP420, BP450 only have 2-channel PCM conversion of Dolby-HD and DTS-MA. So these LG models won't let you take advantage of the X6000's 7.1 channel PCM decoding.

It follows that to get 7.1 multi-channel sound from the 3.5mm analogue outputs, YOU MUST SET YOUR BLU-RAY PLAYER TO PCM provided that your blu-ray player can convert Dolby-HD and DTS-MA to PCM.

What happens if I set my player's hdmi audio to bitstream and what happens at the 3.5mm analogue output? Noise and buzzing. This is regardless of sampling frequency of 48kHz, 96kHz or 192kHz.

Two other issues, 5.1 channels from the SPDIF and the Raspberry Pi.

5.1 channels from the SPDIF is not the same as Dolby-HD and DTS-MA even if the HD and MA signals are 5.1 channels. Audio from the SPDIF has 5.1 maximum channels and is lossy audio compared to HD and MA being lossless.

What about the Raspberry Pi ('RPi'): I did not buy the X6000 to be used with the RPi. Suffice to say there is so much confusion as to whether the RPi's hdmi audio output decoding of HD and MA signals are converted to PCM inside the RPi and outputted as PCM through the RPi's hdmi or bitstreamed at a sample frequency of 48kHz.

From my experience of using the device, it is likely that the RPi decodes all multi-channel formats to LPCM on the RPi then sends this LPCM stream over the hdmi.

In a similar vein, another person at https://yabb...pic=115052.0 bragged about using his PC using a JRiver media-centre. Though the writer boasted about connecting "....it to HDMI and it will provide you LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital 5.1CH, DTS 5.1CH, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio all up to 24/192" the author did not specify whether the HDMI of the X6000 was the input or output and whether the author's amplifier decoded the audio.

SUMMARY:

• The X6000 can be used with a blu-ray player as input via the X6000's hdmi input.

• To listen to the audio at the 3.5mm analogue output, the hdmi input signal must be LPCM. This is because the X6000 does not decode the Dolby-HD and DTS-MA (whether 5.1 ch or 7.1ch).

• Therefore you must set your blu-ray player's hdmi audio to PCM and let the player decode the HD and MA signal to PCM.

• If the player's HDMI is set to bitstream, you will hear buzzing on the 3.5mm analogue. HOWEVER, if you don't want to hear through the analogue 3.5mm output, you can set the player to bitstream, the bitstream will go through the X6000's hdmi output which can be decoded by an amplifier with hdmi decoding Dolby-HD and DTS-MA.

Also, as I said in a previous post, if you shop around for the X6000, this is the best HDMI LPCM audio extractor on the market, much lower in cost than the CLUX-11SA and its equivalent A3080 and better quality sound.

Thank you,

Anthony of Sydney

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Anonymous user #5

75 months ago

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I actually purchased the X6000 and look forward to using it. I will exercise caution here on describing the capabilities because I have not received it yet and have not done experiments with it. I will give my summary first and my reasoning.

Summary: At worst, the analogue outputs from the four 3.5mm analogue outputs are decoded LPCM rather than Dolby-HD and DTS-MA signals. This is because the ES9023 DACs input (see datasheet) decodes PCM. So if you are using the RPi's HDMI or feeding a signal from your blu-ray player into the X6000's blu-ray, either the RPi or blu-ray player must convert Dolby-HD or DTS-MA into LPCM. I will discuss the signal from the EP91A6SX's audio processor later.

Nevertheless, if using the X6000's analogue outputs, it outperforms other audio extractors such as the Cypress CLUX-11SA with the X6000's SNR at 112dB using the as against 105dB for the CLUX-11SA which the CS4344 DAC. Even the SNR on the X6000's DAC is superior at 94dB (0.002% typical) than 90dB for the CS4344.

In addition, if you are looking for an 8-channel LPCM audio extractor for 8 channel LPCM decoding, provided you shop around, the X6000 may well be lower in price compared to the CLUX-11SA and its equivalent clones including the A3080. IN FACT, the X6000 is lower in cost to other devices utilising the EP91A6SX HDMI input/output audio extractor.

This provided that the output of your RPi or blu-ray player is set to LPCM. The latter may be a problem since not all blu-ray players output 8 channel LPCM. For example the LG BP420 will only output 2 channel LPCM.

Nevertheless, the X6000 should be the best value for money and quality if used as an 8 channel LPCM audio extractor.

Now, the issue is whether the X6000 will reproduce bitstream signals of the type 8 channel lossless formats such as Dolby-HD, DTS-MA. There are 5.1 channel blu-ray discs in Dolby-HD and DTS-MA. This is not the same as the 5.1 channel Dolby and DTS signals at the SPDIF LED (above the hdmi output connector) which is lossy.

Since the information says "No HDMI output connection is required to receive audio at the analog and optical outputs", we focus on whether the analogue outputs at the four 3.5mm sockets are decoded from the Dolby-HD or DTS-MA bitstreams.

Given that the X6000's ES9023 DACs require a PCM input signal (reference datasheet block diagram), then the question is whether the X6000's EP91A6SX processor process bitstream signals and convert them to LPCM ready to be converted to analogue by the four ES9023 DACs?

To simplify the operation, the EP91A6SX receives a signal from an HDMI (section 2.1 page 5 block diagram). After determining whether the signal comes from an HDCP-compliant source such as a blu-ray player, the hdmi signal is sent to two paths; the video/audio packet processor and the audio processor. The former is 'processed' and sent to the HDMI output, while the latter processes the audio signal to a form for processing by the "IIS/SPDIF/DSD/HBR" section. After the "IIS/SPDIF/DSD/HBR" section the system follows two paths, one for the SPDIF. The other path consists of a master clock and IIS signals to be sent to the four DACs.

Recall that the signals to the DACs must be in LPCM form and the datasheet is rather vague on whether the EP91A6SX converts the bitstream Dolby-HD and DTS-MA into PCM ready for digital-to-analogue conversion.

Referring to the block diagram and the "IIS/SPDIF/DSD/HBR" section, the relevant signals are the IIS_SD signals. These refer to the IIS_SD0, IIS_SD1, IIS_SD2 and IIS_SD3 (table 2-4, p8). Now the Dolby-HD and the DTS-MA signals HBR – High bit rate audio Output Format (figure 2.6 page 16), coming from the IIS pins IIS_SD0 to IIS_SD3 can carry the HD audio like Dolby-HD, DTS-MA and even Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, (datasheet figure 2.6 page 16. The figure shows the timing diagram for each IIS_SDx, comprising of 16-bits per half cycle of the IIS_WS clock signal (table 2-4,9).

The IIS_SDx (x=0to3) goto the X6000's to pin 3 of each ES9023 DAC. HOWEVER, there is little information of whether those 16-bits per half cycle of the IIS_WS clock are a form of PCM.

That is there is little information on whether the LPCM signals leaving the IIS_SDx is LPCM from the HDMI only OR it is the Dolby-HD or DTS-MA signals converted to a form of LPCM.

If the X6000's EP91A6SX IC does convert the Dolby-HD and DTS-MA to PCM, then this is a bonus. Otherwise you have a high-quality multi-channel LPCM decoder.

Overall summary: If the X6000 provides ONLY for decoded LPCM sourced from the HDMI with multi-channel LPCM at the analogue 3.5mm output, then this is the best audio extractor for audio quality and value for money.

In this situation, the RPi and blu-ray player must be have its audio set for multichannel LPCM. Here the RPi and blu-ray convert the Dolby-HD and DTS-MA into LPCM before being fed into the RPI's or blu-ray player's HDMI output. But not all blu-ray players such as LG's BP420 only have 2 channel LPCM.

However, what is unknown is if the RPi and blu-ray HDMI audio output when set for bitstream of Dolby-HD and DTS-MA the issue becomes whether the X6000's EP91A6SX processor will convert the audio to a form of LPCM ready for conversion to analogue to the 3.5mm audio connections by the X6000's ES9023 DACs.

This will answer the question of whether Dolby-HD and DTS-MA "No HDMI output connection is required to receive audio at the analog ....outputs"

Otherwise, as an HDMI repeater and LPCM extractor, this is the best value for quality and if you shop around, for money.

Thank you

Anthony of Sydney

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Anonymous user #4

75 months ago

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I am very close to purchasing the board from a vendor.

I have researched further on the EP91A6S IC with particular attention to the block diagram. Once the HDMI input signal is handled and 'passed' by the EP91A6S, it goes to two paths, the HDMI output and the IIS/SPDIF/DSD/HBR Processor. I shall concentrate on the latter the IIS/SPDIF/DSD/HBR processor.

From the block diagram, audio signals specified by the EP91A6S including for example LPCM, Dolby-HD and DTS-MA are processed. From the processor, there are two paths, a four channel I2S bus consisting of ILS_SD0 to ILS_SD3 and the SPDIF. In the X6000 the ILS_SDx (x = 0 to 3) signals are I2S signals sent to four DACs, the ES9023 x 4.

First, as specified by the X6000, the ES9023 is a stereo DAC with I2S inputs. Each DAC converts the I2S signals from the EP91A6S processor to stereo signals. In this case there is a DAC for each: L&R front, L&R side, L&R rear, Centre/LFE.

Second, the HBR's SPDIF signal drives the LED signal located above the X6000's hdmi output. Note that the SPDIF standard will only give you a maximum of 5.1 channels of lossy audio. You will never get 7.1 channel audio from SPDIF. That's the standard.

Nevertheless, as understood, the high-definition audio such as 7.1 channel Dolby-HD and DTS-MA analog outputs are available from the X6000's 3.5mm audio connectors.

Since the X6000 uses more current than the RPi, you will need to supply 5Vdc, 4A to the X6000 which supplies power to the RPi via the GPIO.

As far as I understand the only signals used from the RPi's GPIO are the 5V (pin1) and GND (pin2). I stand corrected on this, and I thank the answerer to my question Cindy the representative, the X6000 can run independently of the RPi.

In conclusion, if you have an HDCP-compliant blu-ray player and an amplifier that does not have decoding for high definition audio, it may well be that X6000 can well be used as a high definition audio decoder whose signals can be fed into an 8-channel amplifier from the X6000's 3.5mm analogue outputs.

If you follow the power up sequence of (1) turn on the TV, (2) turn on the X6000 and (3) turn on the blu-ray player.

I stand corrected on this and if I am wrong, please correct what I said.

Thank you and regards from

Anthony of Sydney

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Anonymous user #3

75 months ago

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Dear Cindy or other authorised person, Thank you for your previous answer. Goint back to the RPi's GPIO ports. Does the X6000 use any of the GPIO ports (1-40) to control the X6000?

Note I am not talking about the +5V and gnd (pins 1,3).

Thank you,

Anthony of Sydney Australia

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Anonymous user #2

75 months ago

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I had a look at the EP91A6S IC used in the X6000 board at http://www.e...d.php?pk=151.

According to the datasheet, it supports HD Audio.

Instead of using the hdmi from the RPi to the hdmi input of the X6000, can I instead connect the hdmi output of a blu-ray player into the hdmi input of the X6000.

If so, can I use the blu-ray player's bitstream of Dolby HD 7.1, DTS 7.1 MA and use the analog outputs of the X6000?

Thank you,

Anthony of Sydney Australia

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Admin

75 months ago

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Hello friend, Thanks for your questions, we ask for some feedback, it is possible to use the blu-ray player with this X6000-7.1ch expansion board, but please note the Power-on sequence must be: 1. Television 2.X6000-7.1ch, 3. Blue-ray player. Please notice that actually we do not do a test for this, hope to get your understanding! Best regards,

Cindy

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Anonymous user #1

75 months ago

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How does one use a USB blu-ray drive connected to the RPi in order to play blu-ray movies on the RPi utilizing the X6000.

Thank you,

Anthony of Sydney Australia

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