Sparkfun MP3 Player Shield (DEV-12660)- Power Options- is 3.3v OK?

Sensors Sound & Audio
1

This is probably a rookie question, but I’d like to use the Sparkfun MP3 Player Shield in an ESP32 project.

Question viewtopic.php?f=112&t=57374 suggests that this is OK, but I’d like confirmation before I purchase a shield.

The ESP32 has logic levels of 3.3v and Arduino boards 5v. The VS1053 operates with logic levels of 3.3v, so a logic level shifter is needed for the VS1053 to run at Arduino board logic levels.

I’ve had a look at the product schematic https://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Dev … ld_v15.pdf which shows a 74HC4050 Logic Level Converter with inputs prefixed “5V”.

I’ve then looked at a datasheet for a 74HC4050 https://assets.nexperia.com/documents/d … HC4050.pdf which suggests (to me, at least) that a minimum high input voltage of 1.5v is adequate to drive the level shifter so, despite the the Sparkfun schematic indicating 5v inputs to the level shifter, 3.3v will be adequate.

The above is all based on very little knowledge, so could it be confirmed that the shield can be driven by an ESP32 with logic levels for the VS1053B chip running at 3.3v?

Thank you, and my apologies for any lack of technical knowledge in the question.

2

It might work, though I’d guess that the minimum of 1.5v listed for the 74HC4050 is to drive/operate at a lower voltage…I would generally recommend switching to a 5v board, though if you try @ 3.3v with positive results post here!