A high-fidelity 24-bit/192 kHz DAC HAT for the Argon ONE V3 that eliminates audio hum and noise at the source with a built-in ground loop isolator and Texas Instruments PCM5122 codec.
The Argon BLSTR DAC with Ground Loop Isolator (SKU: ARG-BLSTR-DAC) is a Digital-to-Analogue Converter HAT designed as a dedicated add-on for the Argon ONE V3 enclosure. Powered by the Texas Instruments PCM5122 digital audio codec, it converts digital audio signals from your Raspberry Pi into clean analogue output at up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, delivered at 0–2V RMS via a 3.5 mm jack. By integrating the ground loop isolator directly into the DAC board, the BLSTR eliminates the need for an external inline isolator — keeping your build tidy and your audio clean.
This board is aimed at makers, audiophiles, and home media enthusiasts who want noticeably better audio quality from their Raspberry Pi without complex external hardware. Whether you are running a music streaming server, a retro gaming station, or a home theatre PC, the BLSTR DAC provides a dedicated audio path that bypasses the Raspberry Pi's onboard audio circuitry — which is known to introduce interference — and replaces it with a purpose-built, isolated analogue output stage. Argon 40 markets the board as plug-and-play, and both a 3.5 mm AUX cable and a 3.5 mm AUX-to-RCA adapter cable are included in the box.
The BLSTR DAC is part of Argon 40's Nanosound / BLSTR audio accessory range and carries both CE (EMC) and RoHS certifications, confirming it meets European electromagnetic compatibility and environmental standards.
📝 Note: This product is designed and optimised for the Argon ONE V3 enclosure only. Physical fitment, connector alignment (including the 8-pin and 4-pin power connectors that mate with the Argon ONE power board), and audio routing are specific to that enclosure. Using this board outside the Argon ONE V3 is not officially supported. See Compatible Devices for details.
📝 Note: The instruction manual PDF (BLSTR_DAC_INSTRUCTION_MANUAL_79mmx65mm_20240712_a.pdf) could not be fully verified at the time this page was written. The contents above are confirmed from the Argon 40 product page and catalog. Always verify against the physical packaging before discarding any materials. [TODO: Confirm whether mounting screws, standoffs, or a printed quick-start card are included — check physical packaging or instruction manual]
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Argon BLSTR DAC with Ground Loop Isolator |
| SKU | ARG-BLSTR-DAC |
| Model Number | A23-018 AR-BLSTR-DAC-ARV3 |
| UPC / EAN | 860011360070 |
| Product Type | DAC HAT with built-in ground loop isolator |
| Form Factor | Raspberry Pi HAT (add-on for Argon ONE V3) |
| Dimensions | 8.8 × 8 × 4.7 cm |
| Weight | [TODO: Not documented — confirm from packaging or product team] |
| Primary Function | Digital-to-Analogue audio conversion with ground loop isolation |
| DAC Chip | Texas Instruments PCM5122 digital audio codec |
| Audio Output Connector | 3.5 mm stereo jack |
| Audio Output Specification | 24-bit, 192 kHz; 0–2V RMS |
| Audio Interface Protocol | [TODO: Confirm — I²S or other; verify from datasheet or product team] |
| Supported Sample Rates | Up to 192 kHz |
| Supported Bit Depths | Up to 24-bit |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) | [TODO: Not documented — confirm from datasheet or product team] |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | [TODO: Not documented — confirm from datasheet or product team] |
| Frequency Response | [TODO: Not documented — confirm from datasheet or product team] |
| Ground Loop Isolator | Built-in (no external isolator required) |
| Isolator Impedance / Frequency Response | [TODO: Not documented — confirm from datasheet or product team] |
| Power Connectors | 8-pin and 4-pin connectors; powered by Argon ONE power board |
| Power Consumption | [TODO: Not documented — confirm from product team] |
| GPIO Header | 40-pin Raspberry Pi standard HAT interface |
| LED / Status Indicators | [TODO: Confirm presence and function — check instruction manual or board silkscreen] |
| Included Cables | 3.5 mm AUX cable; 3.5 mm AUX to RCA cable |
| Installation | Plug and play |
| Certifications | CE (EMC), RoHS |
| EMC Standards | EN 55032:2015+A1:2020, EN IEC 61000-3-2:2019+A1:2021, EN 61000-3-3:2013+A2:2021, EN 55035:2017+A11:2020 |
| EMC Directive | 2014/30/EU |
| CE Test Report Number | BTF240704E00201 |
| CE Testing Laboratory | BTF Testing Lab (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Bao'an District, Shenzhen, China |
| CE Certificate Issue Date | 2024-07-18 |
| EMC Test Dates | 2024-07-04 to 2024-07-09 |
| EMC Test Result | Pass |
| Manufacturer | Argon 40 Technologies Limited, RM C 20/F Lucky Plaza, 315–321 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong |
| HTS Code | 8471.70.5095 |
| Compatible Enclosure | Argon ONE V3 |
| Compatible Platform | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B; Raspberry Pi 5 (see Compatible Devices) |
| Product Family | Nanosound / BLSTR audio accessory range |
⚠️ Warning: The BLSTR DAC connects to the Argon ONE V3 via dedicated 8-pin and 4-pin power connectors that mate with the Argon ONE V3 power board. These connectors are specific to the Argon ONE V3 ecosystem. The board is not officially supported outside this enclosure, regardless of GPIO header compatibility.
| Board | Officially Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | No | Explicitly listed in product catalog |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | Yes | Featured in argon40.com marketing; see caveat |
📝 Note — Raspberry Pi 5 Compatibility: The Argon 40 product page at argon40.com prominently markets the BLSTR DAC in the context of Raspberry Pi 5 use and Argon One V3 case.
Raspberry Pi 5
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the fifth-generation flagship single-board computer from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, featuring a significantly faster quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor, a dedicated PCIe connector, an onboard real-time clock, and a hardware power button.
Board specifications sourced from raspberrypi.com.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | Broadcom BCM2712, quad-core Cortex-A76 (ARMv8) 64-bit SoC @ 2.4 GHz |
| GPU | VideoCore VII; OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2 |
| RAM | 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM |
| Storage | MicroSD (UHS-I); PCIe 2.0 ×1 connector (M.2 HAT optional) |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 / BLE |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB | 2 × USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), 2 × USB 2.0 |
| HDMI | 2 × micro-HDMI; dual 4Kp60 simultaneous output; MIPI DSI and CSI connectors |
| GPIO | 40-pin standard Raspberry Pi GPIO header |
| Power Input | USB-C Power Delivery |
| Recommended PSU | 5 V, 5 A / 27 W (minimum: 5 V, 3 A / 15 W) |
| Real-Time Clock | Yes — onboard RTC with battery connector |
| Power Button | Yes — onboard |
| OS Support | Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit recommended), Ubuntu, and others |
| Dimensions | 85 mm × 56 mm |
📝 Note: The primary instruction manual (BLSTR_DAC_INSTRUCTION_MANUAL_79mmx65mm_20240712_a.pdf) could not be read at the time this page was written. The steps below are derived from the Argon 40 product page and general HAT installation best practice. Always refer to the printed instruction sheet included in the box as the authoritative guide.
⚠️ Warning: Always power off and disconnect your Raspberry Pi from mains power before installing or removing any HAT. Inserting or removing a board while powered can permanently damage the GPIO header, the HAT, or both.
⚠️ Warning: The BLSTR DAC is designed to be installed inside the Argon ONE V3 enclosure and is powered by the Argon ONE V3's internal power board via dedicated 8-pin and 4-pin connectors. Do not attempt to power the board from a generic 40-pin GPIO connection alone without confirming the power requirements are met.
Power off your Raspberry Pi completely. Shut down the operating system gracefully, then disconnect the power cable from the Argon ONE V3 enclosure.
Open the Argon ONE V3 enclosure following the instructions supplied with that enclosure. Set the cover aside on a clean, static-safe surface.
Locate the BLSTR DAC installation position inside the Argon ONE V3. The board is designed to fit the specific layout of this enclosure — align it with the dedicated mounting points.
Connect the 8-pin and 4-pin power connectors from the Argon ONE V3 power board to the corresponding connectors on the BLSTR DAC board. These connectors supply power to the DAC; ensure they are fully seated.
Seat the BLSTR DAC onto the Raspberry Pi's 40-pin GPIO header. Align the header carefully and press down evenly — do not force the connector. All 40 pins must be fully engaged.
Secure the board using any mounting hardware provided. [TODO: Confirm whether screws or standoffs are included — verify from instruction manual or physical packaging]
Reassemble the Argon ONE V3 enclosure.
Connect your audio cable. Plug one end of the included 3.5 mm AUX cable into the BLSTR DAC's 3.5 mm output jack. Connect the other end to your amplifier, speaker, or audio receiver. If your receiver uses RCA inputs, use the included 3.5 mm AUX to RCA cable instead.
Reconnect power and boot your Raspberry Pi. Proceed to the Software & Configuration section to confirm audio output.
📝 Note: The BLSTR DAC is marketed by Argon 40 as a plug-and-play board. Detailed software configuration steps are not documented in any currently available source for this product. The guidance below reflects general Raspberry Pi DAC HAT setup practice using the PCM5122 codec. Confirm the exact procedure with Argon 40 support or the instruction manual.
[TODO: Confirm with Argon 40 product team: (1) whether any device tree overlay, kernel module, or config.txt entry is required; (2
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Revision: 2 · Published: 2026-09-24 10:00 UTC
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