Description
SHIM is an old Yorkshire term meaning 'Shove Hardware In Middle' - we use it for Raspberry Pi add-ons that are designed to be sandwiched between your Pi and a HAT or mini HAT. This one has a clever friction fit header that slips handily over your GPIO pins, doesn't need soldering*, and is easily removable.
The MAX98357A combined DAC / amplifier chip takes high-quality digital audio from your Pi and amplifies it so it can be used with an unpowered speaker. The push-fit connectors make it straightforward to connect up your speaker, whether it's a bookshelf or floor-standing speaker, the speaker in an old radio, or any other speaker you might have laying around.
Because Audio Amp SHIM adds no extra bulk to your Pi it's perfect for building into a compact enclosure - you could use it to make a tiny MP3 player to play local files or stream from services like Spotify, give a vintage radio the ability to play digital radio streams or incorporate bleepy noises into your very own retro handheld. It's also a handy way to add audio output to your Pi Zero or Pi 400!
Please note: Raspberry Pi and speakers are not included with this board.
Features
- MAX98357A DAC / amplifier chip
- Mono 3W audio out
- Push-fit speaker terminals
- SHIM-format board with friction-fit connectors
- 2x mounting holes (M2.5) for if you want to secure everything together with bolts
- Fully-assembled
- No soldering required (*unless you're using a Pi that comes without a header)
- Compatible with all 40-pin header Raspberry Pi models
Software
The easiest way to get everything set up is to use Pimoroni's Pirate Audio software and installer which configures I2S audio, as well as installing Mopidy and our custom Pirate Audio plugins which will let you stream Spotify and play local files.
Here's how to get started:
- Set an SD card up with the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS.
- Connect to Wi-Fi or a wired network.
- Open a terminal and type the following:
git clone https://github.com/pimoroni/pirate-audio
cd pirate-audio/mopidy
sudo ./install.sh
- Reboot your Pi
Downloads
