Andriy Malyshenko, known as Sonocotta and the creator behind Esparagus “Media Center”, HiFi-Amped, Louder Raspberry Pi, and Louder Raspberry Hat Plus, has introduced the Esparagus Audio Brick on Crowd Supply. This compact Hi-Fi Class-D amplifier, powered by ESP32 or ESP32-S3, supports Home Assistant and offers integration with Music Assistant, Snapcast, and Logitech Media Server (LMS), allowing for comprehensive home audio setups, modernized vintage speakers, or specialized configurations like subwoofers or bi-amp systems.
The device features an ESP32 or ESP32-S3 dual-core microcontroller with 16 MB flash and 8 MB PSRAM, Wi-Fi, optional W5500 SPI Ethernet, and audio processing through a Texas Instruments TAS5825M stereo I²S DAC with an integrated 65 W Class-D amplifier. Additional functionalities include a DSP with a 15-band equalizer and flash management, a USB Type-C port for firmware updates, RGB LED for status, an optional OLED display, DIN-rail mountable enclosure, snap-in connectors for power and speakers, and OTA firmware capabilities.
Esparagus Audio Brick specifications:
- SoC options – Espressif ESP32-WROVER-N8R8 or ESP32-S3-WROOM-N8R8 dual-core processor
- Display – Optional 128×64 OLED display via headers (SSD1306 or SH1106)
- Connectivity
- 10/100Mbps Ethernet via W5500 SPI controller
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi & Bluetooth (native to ESP32/ESP32-S3)
- Audio Hardware
- Interface – 4-pin snap-in speaker connector
- DAC/Amp – 1x (Stereo) or 2x (2.1-channel configuration) via Texas Instruments TAS5825M I2S DAC with integrated Class-D amplifier
- Output Power
- 2x 10 W @ 12 V, 4 Ω (THD+N 1%, efficiency mode)
- 1x 20 W @ 12 V, 3 Ω (THD+N 1%, efficiency mode)
- 2x 30 W @ 24 V, 8 Ω (THD+N 1%, power mode)
- 1x 65 W @ 24 V, 4 Ω (THD+N 1%, power mode)
- DSP
- Digital volume/gain control
- 15-band parametric EQ per channel
- 128-tap FIR filter
- 3-band Dynamic Range Compression (DRC)
- Automatic Gain Limiter (AGL)
- Smart Excursion, Smart Thermal, Smart Bass, and SmartEQ
- Up to 90% efficiency (>80% typical)
- Protection features
- Over-temperature protection
- Over-current protection
- Over-voltage and under-voltage protection
- Misc – RGB status LED
- Power Supply – 5V to 26V DC via 4-pin snap-in connector (rated up to 10