Raspberry Pi fans have something new to be excited about as the company recently launched an audio card. The Element 14 Wolfson Audio Card, created with the help of Wolfson Audio, delivers high-res audio up to 24-bit/192KHz via the tiny PC's P5 pins.
As you may already know, the Raspberry Pi has audio capabilities via HDMI but even still, many have turned to USB peripheral cards for added features. The Wolfson Audio solution eliminates the need for a USB device as it includes the following connections:
- 3.5mm jack for microphone input
- 3.5mm jack (4-pole) for headset/boom mic combination for gaming or VoIP applications
- On-board MEMS microphone, a 3.5 mm jack stereo line input for connection to devices such as digital audio players (iPod etc.) or mobile phones
- 3.5 mm jack stereo line output for connection to devices such as external stereo amplifiers or powered speakers
- S/PDIF input and outputs
Elsewhere, the board contains a class D power amplifier for external speakers with a connection to an external power source if needed and a small pin header for extra functions if they are low cost, already on-chip and don't require any further components.
The card retails for $33 which is actually a bit more than the $25 computer itself. Do note, however, it requires a revision 2 or later Raspberry Pi for connectivity purposes. Cards are available as of writing although Element 14's website says fewer than 3,600 are in stock.