2026.07.12

Author: trip5

Hardware.md

@@ -245,6 +245,22 @@ To verify the LTK5128 board's Class mode, check pin 3.  If it is tied to Ground,
 
 ![image](images/hardware/LTK5128_pin3.jpg)
 
+### Note Regarding Amp-Speaker Pairing
+
+Speaker wattage is a **maximum handling** rating, not a minimum requirement. A 3W amp can drive 300W speakers — they'll just be quiet.
+
+What actually matters for amp compatibility is **impedance (Ω)**:
+
+| Amp | Rated Impedance | Notes |
+| --- | --------------- | ----- |
+| PAM8406 | 4Ω (3W x 2) | Works at 8Ω (~1.5W per channel). Filterless Class-D, no output capacitors needed |
+| PAM8403 | 4Ω (3W x 2) | Similar to PAM8406, lower power |
+| PAM8610 | 4–8Ω (10W x 2) | Requires 7–15V supply (not USB). Overkill for desktop use |
+| LTK5128 | 4–8Ω (3W) | Mono Class-AB. Use two for stereo |
+| MAX98357A | 4–8Ω (3W) | I2S input — no DAC needed. Filterless Class-D |
+
+For a desktop internet radio, efficient 3–10W speakers (4–8Ω) are ideal. They'll produce more volume at low power than massive high-wattage speakers whose heavy cones need serious current to move. Small bookshelf or full-range drivers work best with these amps.
+
 ### Trip5's Lazy PCM/Amp Combo
 
 If you don't care about audio or power isolation, you can solder the PCM5102A to a PAM8406 stereo amp.
@@ -311,7 +327,7 @@ for additional noise filtering.
 | PLY17BN9612R0B2B (discontinued) | 5   | Murata hybrid CM+DM choke (0.96mH CM, 47μH DM); filters common-mode and differential noise | Würth 7446122001 (1mH, 2A, best direct replacement); KEMET SC-02-10GS (1mH, 2A, toroidal); standard CM choke ≥2A, 0.5–2mH |
 | LTK5128                        | 2   | Class AB 3W audio amplifier (Left + Right)           | PAM8406 (Class D, 5W), PAM8403 (3W), MAX98357A (I2S, 3W) |
 | LD06AJSA                       | 1   | LED constant-current driver; supports LED filaments for encoder illumination | 220Ω resistor + LED (simpler), any 20mA LED driver |
-| RCH664NP-100M                  | 1   | 100μH shielded power inductor for DC-DC filtering    | Any 100μH 1A+ shielded inductor |
+| RCH664NP-100M                  | 1   | 100μH shielded power inductor for DC-DC filtering    | Any 100μH 1A+ shielded inductor; toroidal core inductor (100μH, 1A+) |
 | EI14 600:600Ω                  | 1   | 1:1 audio isolation transformer (line-level)         | Any 600:600Ω audio transformer, 10μF DC blocking caps |
 | EC11                           | 1   | Rotary encoder (15 pulse/30 detent) with push switch | KY-040, PEC11, any quadrature encoder with switch |
 | VS1838B                        | 1   | 38kHz IR receiver                                    | TSOP38238, TSOP4838, TSOP31238 |

README.md

@@ -118,6 +118,8 @@ If using a display other than English (either on the display or in the WebUI), t
 They are really there as proof-of-concept.  They were translated by machines.  Fixes or additions are always welcome.
 There are tools in the codebase to assist with translation work.
 
+<img src="images/kle7rx_ST7796_ru.jpg" width="50%">
+
 ### Serial Output
 
 When in doubt or having issues, check the serial output.  Serial output logs show a lot of useful information.
@@ -283,8 +285,7 @@ For that and other major needed changes to the codebase, there is a `code-issues
 
 | Date       | Release Notes    |
 | ---------- | ---------------- |
-| 2026.07.11 | `not a release` minor fixes to PSRAM handling, documentation |
-| 2026.07.10 | SD Offline Mode added, `Hardware.md` added, Fixes to Deep Sleep, smart start, SD index, VS1053 volume curve |
+| 2026.07.12 | SD Offline Mode added, `Hardware.md` added, Fixes to Deep Sleep, smart start, SD index, VS1053 volume curve, PSRAM |
 | 2026.07.05 | More fixes to VS1053, Wake from Deep Sleep now works on all RTC-capable pins |
 | 2026.07.01 | 🍁 Minor fixes: WebUI, Display, Locales, VS1053 patch, smart start (last station plays after OTA/flash upgrade) |
 | 2026.06.29 | Unicode 8x6 fonts with full multilingual support, `Share` added to Playlist Editor, Nextion support removed, VS1053 library updated (patch functional) |

images/IRrecorder.jpg

@@ -89,10 +89,6 @@ void Config::init() {
   #if defined(SPIB_SCK) && (SPIB_SCK != 255)
     SPIB.begin(SPIB_SCK, SPIB_MISO, SPIB_MOSI);
   #endif
-  if (store.config_set_magic != 4262 && store.config_set_magic != 1867) {
-    if (store.config_set_magic != 4262) saveValue(&store.config_set_magic, static_cast<uint16_t>(1867)); // convert the previous magic number
-    setDefaults();
-  }
   store.play_mode = store.play_mode & 0b11;
   if (store.play_mode>1) store.play_mode=PM_WEB;
   _initHW();
@@ -115,7 +111,8 @@ void Config::loadPreferences() {
   // Check config_set_magic first
   uint16_t configSetValue = 0;
   size_t configSetRead = prefs.getBytes("cfgset", &configSetValue, sizeof(configSetValue));
-  if (configSetRead != sizeof(configSetValue) || configSetValue != 4262) {
+  if (configSetRead != sizeof(configSetValue) || configSetValue != 1867) {
+    if (!netserver.isBootReady()) delay(1000); // this should only happen on FIRST boot but this delay helps catch it in serial
     if (configSetRead != sizeof(configSetValue)) {
       FUNCTIONLOG("Prefs", "NVS Sentinel absent (NVS uninitialized or corrupt), resetting to defaults...");
     } else {
@@ -460,6 +457,16 @@ void Config::defaultSettings(const char *val, uint8_t clientId) {
     netserver.requestOnChange(GETSCREEN, clientId);
     return;
   }
+  if (strcmp(val, "controls") == 0) {
+    saveValue(&store.fliptouch, (bool)TOUCH_FLIP);
+    controls.flipTS();
+    saveValue(&store.dbgtouch, (bool)TOUCH_DEBUG);
+    saveValue(&store.skipPlaylistUpDown, (bool)ONE_CLICK_SWITCH);
+    controls.setEncAcceleration(ROTARY_ACCEL);
+    controls.setIRTolerance(IR_TOLERANCE);
+    netserver.requestOnChange(GETCONTROLS, clientId);
+    return;
+  }
   if (strcmp(val, "locale") == 0) {
     saveValue(store.locale_webui, WEBUI_LOCALE);
     saveValue(store.locale_display, DSP_LOCALE);
@@ -507,19 +514,10 @@ void Config::defaultSettings(const char *val, uint8_t clientId) {
     netserver.requestOnChange(GETMQTT, clientId);
     return;
   }
-  if (strcmp(val, "controls") == 0) {
-    saveValue(&store.fliptouch, (bool)TOUCH_FLIP);
-    controls.flipTS();
-    saveValue(&store.dbgtouch, (bool)TOUCH_DEBUG);
-    saveValue(&store.skipPlaylistUpDown, (bool)ONE_CLICK_SWITCH);
-    controls.setEncAcceleration(ROTARY_ACCEL);
-    controls.setIRTolerance(IR_TOLERANCE);
-    netserver.requestOnChange(GETCONTROLS, clientId);
-    return;
-  }
   if (strcmp(val, "1") == 0 || strcmp(val, "") == 0) {
     setDefaults();
     defaultSettings("system", clientId);
+    defaultSettings("battery", clientId);
     defaultSettings("screen", clientId);
     defaultSettings("controls", clientId);
     defaultSettings("locale", clientId);