Audioberry - an Open-Source audio engineering company based in the UK has unveiled a new open source Audiophile amplifier called ZULA for streaming devices as well as mini PCs such as the Raspberry Pi.
Audioberry have taken the minimalist approach to design as it doesn’t offer tons of inputs and other unnecessary functions. The Zula amplifier has been designed to be the best in class, providing both exceptional value coupled with superb sound. A powerful (2 X 120W / 4 Ohm) Bang & Olufsen ICEpower ASX125 class D power amplifier module driven by a front end main board are the heart of ZULA and offered as standard in the basic version.
The exterior chassis has been built with brushed metal and an optional hand crafted Corian® case is also available, which will fit over the top of the amplifier if you want it to be white over the standard black colour.
Streaming Compatibility
You can connect any analogue device direct to the Zula amplifier, or pair up with a Raspberry Pi which can be installed and powered internally with the Zula Premium. Alternatively, it will also work with other external devices such as Chromecast Audio, smartphones/tablets, MP3 players, streaming devices etc. Zula also works beautifully with the wonderful Raspberry Pi DAC from IQAudIO. Zula includes a media bay so that in the future, you can add additional modules to increase Zula's functionality
Hardware
ZULA is an Open Source project and as such all schematic drawings are available free for download. Detailed specification available at Audioberry.com. ZULA is implemented at whole with THT (through hole technology) top quality components and is also offered as kit in a "money saving" version.
Add-ons
Several add-ons can be purchased separately and then can be easily mounted on ZULA at the offered optional metal bays.
1. The first is the Raspberry Pi minicomputer which offers four USB ports to connect your music streaming device, either smartphone, iPad, laptop, PC etc. The Raspberry Pi module can be purchased from Audioberry at a very good price.
2. The second is the necessary DAC converter board which can be purchased from IQaudio or HiFiBerry.
3. The third is a HDMI adaptor board which can convert the ZULA in a multimedia center.
To learn more about ZULA do visit their Kickstarter page and make a pledge if you are interested. £50,000 is required to take ZULA into production.
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