Configuring Linux 4.x or higher


Configuring Linux 4.x or higher

While the drivers for the HiFiBerry boards are already included in the Raspberry Pi Linux kernel. However, to activate them, additional configurations called device tree overlays are needed. You might also need to disable the onboard sound and add an ALSA configuration as some applications will require it.

Remove the driver for the onboard sound

Remove the line


from /boot/config.txt if it exists.

Configure device tree overlay file


DAC for Raspberry Pi 1/DAC+ Light/DAC Zero/MiniAmp/Beocreate/DAC+ DSP/DAC+ RTC


DAC+ Standard/Pro/Amp2










Digi+ Pro


Amp+ (not Amp2!)



Configure ALSA (optional)

Create /etc/asound.conf with the following content:

pcm.!default {
  type hw card 0
ctl.!default {
  type hw card 0


Test it


pi@raspberrypi ~ $ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices **** card 0: sndrpihifiberry [snd_rpi_hifiberry_dac], device 0: HifiBerry DAC HiFi pcm5102a-hifi-0 []
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

This should work as root but also with the default “pi” user of Raspbian. If you created another user, make sure it is part of the “audio” group, otherwise it won’t be able to access the sound card and aplay won’t list it.


sudo apt-get install mplayer



Device not recognised?



to your config.txt. Have a look at the output of


and the output of

sudo vcdbg log msg