Raspberry Pi audio jukebox and similar...
Discussion
Nomme de Plum said:
Set a budget.
Building an NUC is not cheap but also functions as a mini computer if you want. Mine is hardwired to router then wi fi to Kef LSx (due for replacement) and KC62.
Roon also has some DSP functionality.
I migrated from Meridian system which ran Soolos which was the forerunner to Roon. I love the way Tidal integrates and creates suggested playlists and can also play continuously doing similar tracks but from different artists.
Hence using a second hand thin client, you can get enough power to do this for £50 odd. You will need some storage though. Plus some older NUC's can be found second hand for sensible prices and you don't need vast amounts of power to serve audio.Building an NUC is not cheap but also functions as a mini computer if you want. Mine is hardwired to router then wi fi to Kef LSx (due for replacement) and KC62.
Roon also has some DSP functionality.
I migrated from Meridian system which ran Soolos which was the forerunner to Roon. I love the way Tidal integrates and creates suggested playlists and can also play continuously doing similar tracks but from different artists.
HowardB said:
have you looked at the Brennan B2 - I have one and love it - basically a PI and SSD in a nice box with a great web interface
I've not seen a B2 in the flesh.I quite like the concept.
Somebody I used to work with has/had a JB7, which was a nice bit of kit in its day, but at that time I thought 'I can buy a PC and and CD player for the same money'. Now they turn up not working on ebay. I like that sort of 'one box' approach, switch it on and press play, ticks a lot of boxes.
To get multi-room seems to imply Sonos kit, or will it speak to other families?
Out of interest, do people find they use their multiroom capabilities much once the novelty has worn off? It's one of those things that sounds great in theory, walking around the house with the same music everywhere.
I've got multiroom (well, two room) A/V whereby the receiver in the cinema room drives the TV in the kitchen too. The thinking was that I could put on a movie or sporting event and not miss out if I got up to grab something out of the kitchen but the reality is I've never used it. It's easier to just hit pause.
The only use case for multiroom audio that applies to me is cleaning/tidying, where I might be moving around the house a lot. However, Mrs D doesn't want to listen to my s
te and I don't want to listen to hers so we often end up wearing headphones in that situation anyway.
Is there some killer use that I'm missing out on? Is this rey just a sad indictment about the decline of my social life that I no longer have parties requiring the use of several rooms at once?
Or have I just misunderstood and we're talking about zoned audio (i.e. playing different stuff in different places). If that, then I can recommend a Free as / TrueNAS running Plex server, and then anything that you can cast to in the relevant areas. An Nvidia Shield in your main viewing/listening area too.
I've got multiroom (well, two room) A/V whereby the receiver in the cinema room drives the TV in the kitchen too. The thinking was that I could put on a movie or sporting event and not miss out if I got up to grab something out of the kitchen but the reality is I've never used it. It's easier to just hit pause.
The only use case for multiroom audio that applies to me is cleaning/tidying, where I might be moving around the house a lot. However, Mrs D doesn't want to listen to my s
te and I don't want to listen to hers so we often end up wearing headphones in that situation anyway. Is there some killer use that I'm missing out on? Is this rey just a sad indictment about the decline of my social life that I no longer have parties requiring the use of several rooms at once?
Or have I just misunderstood and we're talking about zoned audio (i.e. playing different stuff in different places). If that, then I can recommend a Free as / TrueNAS running Plex server, and then anything that you can cast to in the relevant areas. An Nvidia Shield in your main viewing/listening area too.
Generally if we are both home I have music or radio playing in the office, kitchen and living room. Sometimes it will extend to the bedroom or Her craft room. I use chromecast audios plugged into vintage valve radios in the office and Living room. And google speakers in the other rooms. Neither of us are hi-fi buffs so don't really miss stereo or have a need for expensive speakers.
donkmeister said:
Out of interest, do people find they use their multiroom capabilities much once the novelty has worn off? It's one of those things that sounds great in theory, walking around the house with the same music everywhere.
I've got multiroom (well, two room) A/V whereby the receiver in the cinema room drives the TV in the kitchen too. The thinking was that I could put on a movie or sporting event and not miss out if I got up to grab something out of the kitchen but the reality is I've never used it. It's easier to just hit pause.
The only use case for multiroom audio that applies to me is cleaning/tidying, where I might be moving around the house a lot. However, Mrs D doesn't want to listen to my ste and I don't want to listen to hers so we often end up wearing headphones in that situation anyway.
Is there some killer use that I'm missing out on? Is this rey just a sad indictment about the decline of my social life that I no longer have parties requiring the use of several rooms at once?
Or have I just misunderstood and we're talking about zoned audio (i.e. playing different stuff in different places). If that, then I can recommend a Free as / TrueNAS running Plex server, and then anything that you can cast to in the relevant areas. An Nvidia Shield in your main viewing/listening area too.
We don't have any interest in multi-room video.I've got multiroom (well, two room) A/V whereby the receiver in the cinema room drives the TV in the kitchen too. The thinking was that I could put on a movie or sporting event and not miss out if I got up to grab something out of the kitchen but the reality is I've never used it. It's easier to just hit pause.
The only use case for multiroom audio that applies to me is cleaning/tidying, where I might be moving around the house a lot. However, Mrs D doesn't want to listen to my s
te and I don't want to listen to hers so we often end up wearing headphones in that situation anyway. Is there some killer use that I'm missing out on? Is this rey just a sad indictment about the decline of my social life that I no longer have parties requiring the use of several rooms at once?
Or have I just misunderstood and we're talking about zoned audio (i.e. playing different stuff in different places). If that, then I can recommend a Free as / TrueNAS running Plex server, and then anything that you can cast to in the relevant areas. An Nvidia Shield in your main viewing/listening area too.
The lounge and kitchen speakers are used together a lot.
There are times when my office plus kitchen would be good.
Also her office plus kitchen.
The rest of it, I agree it's mostly about accessing a library of music and not having to maintain several copies of the library, so yes, server functionality would cover that.
How about something like https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266165418399 as the server.
Low power consumption.
Install NAS operating system to provide file sharing and DLNA access to your music.
You might have to install a larger hard disk
Then https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09QCVVLN8 in each room. These can sync music between rooms.
Low power consumption.
Install NAS operating system to provide file sharing and DLNA access to your music.
You might have to install a larger hard disk
Then https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09QCVVLN8 in each room. These can sync music between rooms.
nyt said:
How about something like https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266165418399 as the server.
Low power consumption.
Install NAS operating system to provide file sharing and DLNA access to your music.
You might have to install a larger hard disk
Then https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09QCVVLN8 in each room. These can sync music between rooms.
That's an option.Low power consumption.
Install NAS operating system to provide file sharing and DLNA access to your music.
You might have to install a larger hard disk
Then https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09QCVVLN8 in each room. These can sync music between rooms.
The things which put me off:
Need to use your phone to use it.
Need to run a NAS all the time, which racks up an electricity bill, more so if you need to up your wifi game to service it.
Will Wiim be around in 5 years time? There have been a lot of these gadgets come and go, it would be nice to have tech that doesn't turn over every few years.
It's neat little unit, but won't look so neat with power and audio wiring.
It's 90quid a room, but if you're into audio, you're supposed to want the £145 'pro' version. What's the difference? Kind of implies the 'am' version's audio isn't as good as it could be.... I've not yet found any serious reviews.
There is some attraction in using R-Pi, it would allow other functionality, like turning off the audio amp when idle and maybe some monitoring of things like temperature. It's shame that R-Pi has imploded in its ability to actually sell the products people want to buy.
OutInTheShed said:
That's an option.
The things which put me off:
Need to use your phone to use it.
Need to run a NAS all the time, which racks up an electricity bill, more so if you need to up your wifi game to service it.
Will Wiim be around in 5 years time? There have been a lot of these gadgets come and go, it would be nice to have tech that doesn't turn over every few years.
It's neat little unit, but won't look so neat with power and audio wiring.
It's 90quid a room, but if you're into audio, you're supposed to want the £145 'pro' version. What's the difference? Kind of implies the 'am' version's audio isn't as good as it could be.... I've not yet found any serious reviews.
There is some attraction in using R-Pi, it would allow other functionality, like turning off the audio amp when idle and maybe some monitoring of things like temperature. It's shame that R-Pi has imploded in its ability to actually sell the products people want to buy.
All good points.The things which put me off:
Need to use your phone to use it.
Need to run a NAS all the time, which racks up an electricity bill, more so if you need to up your wifi game to service it.
Will Wiim be around in 5 years time? There have been a lot of these gadgets come and go, it would be nice to have tech that doesn't turn over every few years.
It's neat little unit, but won't look so neat with power and audio wiring.
It's 90quid a room, but if you're into audio, you're supposed to want the £145 'pro' version. What's the difference? Kind of implies the 'am' version's audio isn't as good as it could be.... I've not yet found any serious reviews.
There is some attraction in using R-Pi, it would allow other functionality, like turning off the audio amp when idle and maybe some monitoring of things like temperature. It's shame that R-Pi has imploded in its ability to actually sell the products people want to buy.
I suggested that PC because it uses very little electricity.
Longevity: Who knows. But I think that the Wiim is standalone so it'll carry on working even if the makers go titsup. But there's always a risk
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3GPZNpxcNw Seems to say that the 'pro' is much the same as the cheaper version soundwide, but with extra inputs and a network port.
If you do go RPi to play the music then you'll need to add a DAC. I use a USB DAC from Richer sounds. Sounds ok for £50. The audio out sound awful from a Pi (imho), You also need to add a case, power supply, Memory card. It all adds up.
The Wiim comes down to £76 once or twice a week.
I use a smart plug to turn off my amp/pi/CD when I'm not using them. No sense wasting power. Probably not the best way to treat a nice amplifier though.
There is a remote on the way:https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Remote-Streamer-Preset-Buttons/dp/B0BVVDCQ2V. (Not UK yet)
I'll probably buy a Wiim in the near future. I'll post how I get on.
nyt said:
All good points.
I suggested that PC because it uses very little electricity.
Longevity: Who knows. But I think that the Wiim is standalone so it'll carry on working even if the makers go titsup. But there's always a risk
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3GPZNpxcNw Seems to say that the 'pro' is much the same as the cheaper version soundwide, but with extra inputs and a network port.
If you do go RPi to play the music then you'll need to add a DAC. I use a USB DAC from Richer sounds. Sounds ok for £50. The audio out sound awful from a Pi (imho), You also need to add a case, power supply, Memory card. It all adds up.
The Wiim comes down to £76 once or twice a week.
I use a smart plug to turn off my amp/pi/CD when I'm not using them. No sense wasting power. Probably not the best way to treat a nice amplifier though.
There is a remote on the way:https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Remote-Streamer-Preset-Buttons/dp/B0BVVDCQ2V. (Not UK yet)
I'll probably buy a Wiim in the near future. I'll post how I get on.
All good points.I suggested that PC because it uses very little electricity.
Longevity: Who knows. But I think that the Wiim is standalone so it'll carry on working even if the makers go titsup. But there's always a risk
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3GPZNpxcNw Seems to say that the 'pro' is much the same as the cheaper version soundwide, but with extra inputs and a network port.
If you do go RPi to play the music then you'll need to add a DAC. I use a USB DAC from Richer sounds. Sounds ok for £50. The audio out sound awful from a Pi (imho), You also need to add a case, power supply, Memory card. It all adds up.
The Wiim comes down to £76 once or twice a week.
I use a smart plug to turn off my amp/pi/CD when I'm not using them. No sense wasting power. Probably not the best way to treat a nice amplifier though.
There is a remote on the way:https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Remote-Streamer-Preset-Buttons/dp/B0BVVDCQ2V. (Not UK yet)
I'll probably buy a Wiim in the near future. I'll post how I get on.
Firstly I'm looking to play with the Pi's as a bit of a hobby, so that's pushing me that way.
Case wise, there's plenty of space in the amplifier cases to accommodate a Pi.
Most of the amps I have are not so precious, a couple of mid range Cambridge.
Alternatively the case of an old CD player might serve.
Yes you need to add a DAC to a pi, but a pretty good DAC IC is next to no money. You can get one on a little 'breakout PCB' for about £6 to experiment.
When Pi Zero's were actually available new for a tenner, that put the whole 'node' on the table for say £25 with enough SD card to store some tracks locally. For another fiver, you can add a display. Buttons can be added. Etc.
There are other cheap DIY processors than Pi, like the Wemos and ESP stuff, but I suspect that needs more competence to make it work!
The B2 has a variety of outputs, wireless, wired and optical.
I have wired on mine and the volume is enough to fill the house so no multi room requirements.
I had a jb7 it died, the B2 is much better and the newer ones are SSD
I still have all my CDs and class AA amps for when I want to sit and listen to music.
I have wired on mine and the volume is enough to fill the house so no multi room requirements.
I had a jb7 it died, the B2 is much better and the newer ones are SSD
I still have all my CDs and class AA amps for when I want to sit and listen to music.
This I think is a winner:
https://www.cocoacrumbs.com/blog/2020-09-01-airpla...
That is DIY polymath stuff. Hardware, software, 3d printed mechanics and a shiny wooden box.
https://www.cocoacrumbs.com/blog/2020-09-01-airpla...
That is DIY polymath stuff. Hardware, software, 3d printed mechanics and a shiny wooden box.
I've happily multi-roomed with Pi's plus hifi berrys controlled by volumio for my own ripped CD collection.
Then when I wanted to merge streaming in I added Roon (relatively expensive) and qobuz. It works brilliantly.
Roon have now added Roon Arc to do all that streaming on a mobile phone and it has apps for apple and Google car.
Net result is listening to my music anywhere pretty much. Even at 35,000 feet on my travels to Asia and back. Roon Arc also provides offline download access to your ripped collection (not streamed stuff obviously).
This all started with a pi, a DAC kit, soldering iron and a Linux manual quite a few years ago. Now I build the analogue bits. Amps and speakers. The streamer end is done well now really, no DIY to do.
Lots of potential projects with building active speakers utilising DSP and valve amps to try. Also a mini boominator to build and some Rogers BBC monitor replicas to build. Anyone got any spare time they could donate to my week please? I'd like an extra couple of hobby days in my week
Bert
Then when I wanted to merge streaming in I added Roon (relatively expensive) and qobuz. It works brilliantly.
Roon have now added Roon Arc to do all that streaming on a mobile phone and it has apps for apple and Google car.
Net result is listening to my music anywhere pretty much. Even at 35,000 feet on my travels to Asia and back. Roon Arc also provides offline download access to your ripped collection (not streamed stuff obviously).
This all started with a pi, a DAC kit, soldering iron and a Linux manual quite a few years ago. Now I build the analogue bits. Amps and speakers. The streamer end is done well now really, no DIY to do.
Lots of potential projects with building active speakers utilising DSP and valve amps to try. Also a mini boominator to build and some Rogers BBC monitor replicas to build. Anyone got any spare time they could donate to my week please? I'd like an extra couple of hobby days in my week
Bert
I'd like a go at making some active speakers too.
Today has been a classic. Some strange goings on with my webhost and/or ISP, or it might be because the Openreach bit is full of rain, but I've had to reset my router/modem about 6 times, so I'm pleased that the music hasn't depended on that!
Today has been a classic. Some strange goings on with my webhost and/or ISP, or it might be because the Openreach bit is full of rain, but I've had to reset my router/modem about 6 times, so I'm pleased that the music hasn't depended on that!
Rummaging about on ebay and elsewhere, it seems there is quite a choice of hardware out there.
A mate found an 'A900 Wifi audio receiver' which was about £20 15 years ago, but seems to have a tidy Wolfson DAC in it.
Found these on ebay which I wasn't aware of:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203074827397
£23 and it's British, or at least Welsh?
https://www.steljesaudio.co.uk/docs/range_intros/M...
Or I could get some more wire and a few switches :-)
Time was, plugging my phone's earphone socket to the aux in actually did the job and I looked at the web for gigs to go to and CDs to buy,
A mate found an 'A900 Wifi audio receiver' which was about £20 15 years ago, but seems to have a tidy Wolfson DAC in it.
Found these on ebay which I wasn't aware of:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203074827397
£23 and it's British, or at least Welsh?
https://www.steljesaudio.co.uk/docs/range_intros/M...
Or I could get some more wire and a few switches :-)
Time was, plugging my phone's earphone socket to the aux in actually did the job and I looked at the web for gigs to go to and CDs to buy,
OutInTheShed said:
<snip>
Found these on ebay which I wasn't aware of:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203074827397
£23 and it's British, or at least Welsh?
https://www.steljesaudio.co.uk/docs/range_intros/M...
Or I could get some more wire and a few switches :-)
Time was, plugging my phone's earphone socket to the aux in actually did the job and I looked at the web for gigs to go to and CDs to buy,
Cheap but one minor issue... "****WORKS WITH SPOTIFY PREMIUM ONLY****"Found these on ebay which I wasn't aware of:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203074827397
£23 and it's British, or at least Welsh?
https://www.steljesaudio.co.uk/docs/range_intros/M...
Or I could get some more wire and a few switches :-)
Time was, plugging my phone's earphone socket to the aux in actually did the job and I looked at the web for gigs to go to and CDs to buy,
Ok then...
EDIT Oddly though, at the bottom of the listing is stated:
WiFi, DLNA, Internet Radio, Spotify
Optical Digital Output
3.5mm Stereo Analogue Output.
Supports High Resolution Audio
A quick glance around various forums suggests that the optical output only supports 48kHz which (technically) is not HD at all.
Edited by TonyRPH on Saturday 18th March 09:09
I’ve built a couple of RPi based endpoints which I use with Roon, but the last one I also use to stream Tidal. I went with DAC Amp hat and had a box modified slightly to fit it in. I was incredibly surprised how good it sounded given the cost and size. Drives a small pair of B&W CM1 quite nicely in our kitchen.
TonyRPH said:
If multi room is important to you, I don't think any of the Pi solutions will do what you require.
My solution to multi room was a separate mini pc (Intel NUC / Gigabyte Brix) in each of the two rooms I want music in.
These run a generic Linux installation with MPD (Media Player Daemon) and the lounge one has a USB infrared remote control to stop / pause / skip tracks.
Both machines stream music from my central storage (NAS) a server running Linux.
It's all connected by Ethernet, I have bit perfect sound quality with no drop outs or other issues.
I also have several internet radio streams that I can choose from.
Obviously all of this requires some Linux knowledge.
Pi's can do multi room - I have a LMS setup and also a Roon setup and both work perfectly multiroomMy solution to multi room was a separate mini pc (Intel NUC / Gigabyte Brix) in each of the two rooms I want music in.
These run a generic Linux installation with MPD (Media Player Daemon) and the lounge one has a USB infrared remote control to stop / pause / skip tracks.
Both machines stream music from my central storage (NAS) a server running Linux.
It's all connected by Ethernet, I have bit perfect sound quality with no drop outs or other issues.
I also have several internet radio streams that I can choose from.
Obviously all of this requires some Linux knowledge.
also Pi's don't need linux knowledge - there are prebuilt images from the likes of HiFiberry, Ropiee, piCorePlayer etc that do the job very nicely without needing to be a programmer. None of which stops you if you want to play with the SW
Edited by Roundm on Saturday 1st April 00:21
upgrade your wifi with a mesh network. use a hardwired backline between each point. there's no excuse for crap wifi nowadays.
set up some kind of NAS to host your files.
decide upon a casting system for your different rooms, and then cast the files to each room when you want to play them.
if you want a physical hardware/display interface for one of the rooms then look at manufactuers that build amps/streamers with this as a starting point and then stick with their system for your other endpoints. however, i doubt you will beat the usability and updatability of a phone or tablet for control purposes.
you say you want to save power by not having a NAS on, but you also don't want to have to boot a device up. These sound like conflicting demands.
set up some kind of NAS to host your files.
decide upon a casting system for your different rooms, and then cast the files to each room when you want to play them.
if you want a physical hardware/display interface for one of the rooms then look at manufactuers that build amps/streamers with this as a starting point and then stick with their system for your other endpoints. however, i doubt you will beat the usability and updatability of a phone or tablet for control purposes.
you say you want to save power by not having a NAS on, but you also don't want to have to boot a device up. These sound like conflicting demands.
ben_eunos said:
upgrade your wifi with a mesh network. use a hardwired backline between each point. there's no excuse for crap wifi nowadays.
set up some kind of NAS to host your files.
decide upon a casting system for your different rooms, and then cast the files to each room when you want to play them.
if you want a physical hardware/display interface for one of the rooms then look at manufactuers that build amps/streamers with this as a starting point and then stick with their system for your other endpoints. however, i doubt you will beat the usability and updatability of a phone or tablet for control purposes.
you say you want to save power by not having a NAS on, but you also don't want to have to boot a device up. These sound like conflicting demands.
You're not wrong, there are some conflicts in the wish list.set up some kind of NAS to host your files.
decide upon a casting system for your different rooms, and then cast the files to each room when you want to play them.
if you want a physical hardware/display interface for one of the rooms then look at manufactuers that build amps/streamers with this as a starting point and then stick with their system for your other endpoints. however, i doubt you will beat the usability and updatability of a phone or tablet for control purposes.
you say you want to save power by not having a NAS on, but you also don't want to have to boot a device up. These sound like conflicting demands.
I don't live alone!
Trying to be clear about what 'we' want from it is not trivial.
Reminds me of some big projects when I had a career...
Cue, cartoon of tree/rope swing etc.....
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff