---
title: "Sonocotta HiFi-ESP32 + W5500: Wired Audio Streaming IoT Gateway"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/irina/projects/sonocotta-hifi-esp32-w5500-wired-audio-streaming-iot-gateway/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/irina/projects/sonocotta-hifi-esp32-w5500-wired-audio-streaming-iot-gateway/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "sonocotta"
author_url: "https://www.tindie.com/products/sonocotta/hifi-esp32/"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "sonocotta"
original_url: "https://www.tindie.com/products/sonocotta/hifi-esp32/"
published: "2025-10-28"
language: "en"
hardware: ["WIZnet W5500"]
likes: 0
views: 1345
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---

# Sonocotta HiFi-ESP32 + W5500: Wired Audio Streaming IoT Gateway

> ESP32 HiFi audio board with W5500 Ethernet for stable wired streaming, smart-home alerts, and multi-room IoT audio applications.

Original author: sonocotta (source: https://www.tindie.com/products/sonocotta/hifi-esp32/)

## Components

- **WIZnet W5500** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500))

WIZnet parts: W5500 ([Datasheet](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/datasheet?utm_source=maker&utm_medium=project&utm_campaign=w5500), [product hub](https://maker.wiznet.io/products/w5500/))

## Article

### Author (Sonocotta)

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761751964%2Epng)

---

### Turning the HiFi-ESP32 board into a reliable network audio player with WIZnet W5500 Ethernet

---

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761751773%2Epng)

## 🧩 COMPONENTS

| Type | Component | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MCU | **Sonocotta HiFi-ESP32 (ESP32-WROVER/S3)** | 8 MB PSRAM, integrated 32-bit PCM5100A DAC |
| Ethernet | **W5500 Module (SPI Interface)** | 10/100 Mbps hardware TCP/IP Ethernet controller |
| Power | USB-C 5 V input with analog LDO regulator | Noise-isolated power for DAC section |
| Software | ESPHome / Squeezelite-ESP32 / Arduino | Supports both Wi-Fi and Ethernet streaming |
| Accessories | 3D-printed case, RJ-45 connector, line-out cables | Case needs a small cutout for Ethernet port |

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761820699%2Epng)

---

## 🎯 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

### 1️⃣ Overview

The **Sonocotta HiFi-ESP32** is an ESP32-based high-fidelity audio board featuring a 32-bit stereo DAC (PCM5100A).
While Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in, adding a **WIZnet W5500** via SPI transforms it into a **wired network audio gateway**.

For environments where Wi-Fi congestion causes jitter or dropouts, this combination provides exceptional reliability for streaming or multi-room setups.

---

### 2️⃣ Design Highlights

**SPI Interface:** ESP32 ↔ W5500 (MOSI / MISO / CLK / CS)

**Expansion Header:** On-board header supports direct W5500 module connection

**Power Isolation:** Separate analog/digital grounds and LDO filtering reduce DAC noise

**Buffering:** 8 MB PSRAM allows stable network-to-audio streaming buffers

**Case Consideration:** Requires custom slot for the RJ-45 connector

> ⚙️ **Engineering Tip**
> When integrating the W5500, start with SPI clock ≤ 40 MHz to avoid timing interference with the DAC’s I2S stream.

---

### 3️⃣ Firmware Example (ESPHome Configuration)

```plaintext
ethernet:
  type: W5500
  mosi_pin: GPIO23
  miso_pin: GPIO19
  clk_pin: GPIO18
  cs_pin: GPIO5
  irq_pin: GPIO35
  reset_pin: GPIO21
  manual_ip:
    static_ip: 192.168.1.50
    gateway: 192.168.1.1
    subnet: 255.255.255.0
```

Works seamlessly with **Home Assistant** through ESPHome integration

**Squeezelite-ESP32** firmware adds support for **Spotify, AirPlay, and Bluetooth playback**

---

### 4️⃣ Use Cases

| Scenario | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Smart-Home Audio** | Integrate with Home Assistant to play voice notifications or TTS via Ethernet |
| **Multi-Room Streaming** | Stable, synchronized audio playback using wired W5500 connection |
| **Audio System Upgrade** | Add HiFi-ESP32 as a network input for amplifiers or powered speakers |
| **Educational / Maker Use** | Ideal for learning Ethernet, SPI, and streaming audio implementation |

---

## 📡 NETWORK BLOCK DIAGRAM

```plaintext
[Home Assistant / LMS Server]
          │
       (Ethernet)
          │
     [W5500 Module]
          │ (SPI)
     [HiFi-ESP32 Board]
          │ (I2S)
     [PCM5100A DAC]
          │ (Line Out)
      [Amplifier / Speaker]
```

---

## 📘 Which device is right for me

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761820476%2Epng)

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761820493%2Epng)

[![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761751881%2Epng)](https://www.tindie.com/products/sonocotta/hifi-esp32/)

## 📘 Which s/w is right for me

<https://mischianti.org/esp32-ethernet-w5500-with-plain-http-and-ssl-https/?utm_source=chatgpt.com>

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761820380%2Epng)

| Feature | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Board** | Sonocotta HiFi-ESP32 |
| **Supported IDEs** | PlatformIO, Arduino, ESPHome, Home Assistant |
| **Multimedia Firmware** | Squeezelite-ESP32 (LMS / Spotify / AirPlay / Bluetooth) |
| **Network** | Wi-Fi + optional Ethernet (W5500) |
| **Flashing Options** | Web Installer, ESP Audio Dock Installer |
| **Use Cases** | Audio streaming, smart home voice alerts, multi-room playback |

**PlatformIO** allows tight integration of ESP32 I²S, SPI, and DAC driver tuning—ideal for testing audio timing, jitter, or low-noise power design.

When using the PCM5100A DAC, defining `I2S_DATA`, `I2S_LRCK`, and `I2S_BCK` pins is enough to get clean sound output immediately(**Arduino IDE)**.

---

## WEB

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761820646%2Epng)

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197925043%5F1761820657%2Epng)

Play hourly chimes or bedtime messages automatically through Home Assistant automations.(**ESPHome + Home Assistant**)

---

## 📘 REFERENCE LINKS

🔗 [Sonocotta HiFi-ESP32 on Tindie](https://www.tindie.com/products/sonocotta/hifi-esp32/)

🔗 [HiFi-ESP32 Documentation – Sonocotta Site](https://sonocotta.com/hifi-esp32-and-hifi-esp32s3/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

🔗 [Squeezelite-ESP32 GitHub](https://github.com/sle118/squeezelite-esp32)

🔗 WIZnet W5500 Product Page

🔗 [ESP32 + W5500 Tutorial – Mischianti.org](https://mischianti.org/esp32-ethernet-w5500-with-plain-http-and-ssl-https/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

---

## 💬 COMMENTS

The HiFi-ESP32’s analog section offers impressively clean line-out performance, making it a great board for **audio noise evaluation**.

When using W5500, **case modification** is required, and SPI CSn handling must be properly configured to prevent bus conflicts.

Sonocotta also supports open-source and educational projects — contact them for community discounts or sponsorship.

---

## 🏷️ TAGS

`ESP32` `W5500` `Audio` `SmartHome` `Ethernet` `IoT` `Streaming`

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Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/irina/projects/sonocotta-hifi-esp32-w5500-wired-audio-streaming-iot-gateway/