A beginner's guide to Raspberry Pi streaming
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Camera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko | Motion GFX: Jana Dagdagan
A beginner-friendly walkthrough on how to set up the Raspberry Pi as a network streamer and how to optimise its sound quality.
Back story:
darko.audio/2020/01/raspberry...
Darko.Audio FAQ:
darko.audio/faq/
What the bloody hell am I talking about?
• What the bloody hell a...
What's my next step?
darko.audio/2020/01/we-can-wo...
_________________________________________
Featured in this video…
Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ with ‘official’ Raspberry Pi case:
darko.audio/2017/08/a-zero-co...
darko.audio/2017/08/a-e65-roo...
Volumio:
volumio.org/
PiCorePlayer:
www.picoreplayer.org/
RoPieee:
ropieee.org/
balenaEtcher:
www.balena.io/etcher/
ALLO Boss DAC:
darko.audio/2017/11/allos-59-...
Roon:
darko.audio/2018/07/a-short-f...
OrangeSqueeze:
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
iPeng:
penguinlovesmusic.de/
AudioQuest DragonFly Black:
darko.audio/2016/04/go-anywhe...
Schiit Modi 3:
darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-f...
darko.audio/2018/11/schiit-mo...
JustBoom Digi HAT:
darko.audio/2017/08/a-better-...
Chord Mojo:
darko.audio/2016/02/chord-ele...
ALLO Digi One:
darko.audio/2017/08/allos-dig...
Bluesound Node 2i:
darko.audio/2018/10/bluesound...
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Music playlists…
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/playlist/5Rl...
Tidal:
tidal.com/browse/playlist/b2b...
Qobuz:
open.qobuz.com/playlist/2729899
_________________________________________
Darko.Audio FAQ:
darko.audio/faq/
What the bloody hell am I talking about?
• What the bloody hell a...
_________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A PODCAST?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
open.spotify.com/show/1mnKixp...
/ johnhdarko
_________________________________________
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Hey there ADVANCED RPi users! What OS are you running and for what purpose e.g. Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Roon ?
RoPieeeXL with the Allo Digione feeding a Naim Dac via BNC from Roon or Spotify. (you need the XL version to provide DLNA,Airplay and Spotify Connect)
I was previously using dietpi which gives you the ability to install a wide range of software (inc. Roonbridge and Spotify Connect) and this OS is preferable if you want to do more with the Pi than simply using it as an audio endpoint (for example, to run Pihole).
I also have a Pi with hifiberry AMP+ installed inside an old valve radio which acts as a wireless Roon/Spotify endpoint with simple internet radio streaming via a re-purposed remote control. Makes for a nice low-fi kitchen playback device.
RoPieee XL using Roon and Tidal.
As an advanced user with extensive hands on time and personal everyday use I will break down my personal favorite operating systems, also before covering any operating system details I have always use ETCHER to "Burn" the os image to micro sd.
Raspberry pi 3 B+: For movie and tv streaming (including internet archive gaming / rom's) I always use LebreElec "just enough os for KODI" once Kodi is installed there are a plethora of repo's out that will satisfy most of your audio & visual needs (My two favorite Kodi addons would be CCloud for TV and Exodus for TV and Movies on demand). LebreElec has been running on my Pi 3 B+ for about 4 months now without any issues and performs great both using Ethernet and or WiFi, I would suggest using a decent "AIR MOUSE remote" with keypad on back fir an enjoyable user experience.
Raspberry Pi Zero W: Not so great as a tv streaming device as it lacks the physical computing power of its larger brothers or sisters (Pi 2,3,4's) etc, but works well for game rom emulation using (RETRO PI Os) and plays most game consoles up to and including SNES very well (in retro pi I have found that (snes9x 2002) for snes rom emulation works best at the moment and I have not experienced any game breaking performance issues.
Octo print "os" is also a very handy os for raspberry pi if your into 3d printing and want remote control, remote video streaming of prints, and wireless upload of gcode to you 3d printer (Please cross reference your 3d printer, firmware, etc before hand for compatibility)
Audiolinux ramroot roon bridge (pi4b 4gb) in Metrum Amber.
Volumio (AirPlay, NAS, works with my Smart Home Hub [Home Assistant]). I will try another Pi with HifiBerry OS and Room Correction with the HifiBerry DAC+ DSP.
John, it is great when you explain and break down issues for those of us who are eager to learn more. Your beginner’s guide to DACs was fantastic. Please keep them coming sir. Brilliant work.
I've been watching your channel lately and I love it. A) Prices are in Euro always a plus but you're honest about everything. Sometimes a lot of audiophile channels talk down to you and you go away more confused than you come into it! Keep up the good work!
This video convinced me to put together a Raspberry Pi and Allo Digi 1. I love the sound quality it provides but I also loved the DIY/tinkering to get it up and running, way more fun than just a plug and play box. Thanks John!
Yep motivated now.. I am heading down this path
What kind of DAC are you running with this?
Dear John. Sending a HUGE thanks for this video. I was just talking to a friend the other day about his Raspberry Pi and how it could possibly used as an audio streamer. Your video is right on time and the content is clear and understandable, as always. I am a big fan of your channel and have been sharing it with others.
This was one of your best videos in my opinion. Please continue the good work sir.
I love this kind of "build your own" stuff. Would like to see more.
I have a wealth of audio experience, but Raspberry Pie baking has eluded me thus far. Thank you John, you've demystified it.
Dear John.
Thank you so much for your videos. I really enjoy your straightforward, compact and very informative talks with excellent demos, at just the right level (for me).
Thanks John. You’re the reason I began down the Pi path in Nov18 with your DigiOne Signature video. It totally changed my music listening experience and opened my eyes to the quality a Pi can bring to audio. I’ve improved my system with a quality coax cable and speaker cables.... all because of the DigiOne. I finally have an excellent reference point. I would certainly like to see more videos like this one were you expose your audience to other Pi options and ways to improve ones setup. I think it’s definitely a niche area that’s suits your particular presentation style and commentary. Thanks again.
Once again John you have come to my rescue, only this week have I been rearranging my system just to come away slightly disappointed with the final product and facing a large outlay on new and better equipment, this is to me a good way to try another setup. Thanks for the good work.
This video came just when I started to get interested in it. Thanks, John!
This is a great video - simplifies a confusing space. I'm really enjoying the content on your channel and website.
Again a well produced and informative video. Great work. Thank you!!
Glad I found this, it's been like 10 years since I've effed with a raspberry pi and I before it wasn't for music streaming but seeing what people have done with these it totally has made me think it's totally worth a look.
Thanks for this John. I've wanted to know more about the Raspberry Pi as a streamer for sometime now. And, as a beginner, I found this very informative.
One of my favorite Darko videos! Already subscribed, so looking forward to more. Scott
I learn more on your channel than any of the others.
John , thank you for the options u have outlined , u r always resourceful and great communicator , keep up your great work that u like , take care.
Good job John. I read in to these but glazed over when another language appeared. This is really helpful.
thank you for making the audiophile world easier to understand for those who are new.
Hey John! you're channel is relaxing and informative. And because of that, I subbed! More great episode man! Cheers!
Great video John, I'm curious on your opinion on using the raspberry pi to deliver digital music to a dac vs using a Chromecast audio?
Niceeeeeeee, Darkos back with some sweet sweet music tips :)
👍 would love to see more beginners guides. Was lucky to find your channel (and webpage) by chance and been learning a lot with your content. Love high quality audio but did not know much about it. Thanks!
Great content. This Beginner's Guide is just what I've been looking for. Clear, comprehensive and concise. Please keep them coming. Thank you and well done!
Thanks for this! I’ve been wanting this since you first posted about Rpi. 🙌
That's a really good practical guide. Shows people what to expect
Never even considered a Pi/HAT solution...That is dope. Thanks for the vid!
wow! great video. Love the idea of beginner's guide to
Superbly explained, John! Thanks.
Amazingly informative John. Thank you.
Love this channel. Great presenter. Relevant information without the normal blah, blah, blah. Very refreshing.
Thanks for the help, I was able to make a roon end point quickly. I enjoy your videos and look forward to more.
I just got gifted a RPi board, can't wait to get working on it.
This video has been real simple and helpful.
Great work.
🍻🍻
Great you’re spreading the word on this John, I’ve been using Rpie streaming for a while now, it’s fantastic. The best I’ve heard for pure sound quality is the Allo USbridge Signature running Moode operating system, controlling it for Quobuz and local streaming with MconnectHD on my iPad. Amazing value for money.
Hi Richard,
Are you getting mConnect to work gaplessly with Qobuz?
Did you also try Moode with Tidal? Do you still use the Tidal app or somehow run it through the Moode app?
Hi, yes, Quobuz works gapless, I haven’t tried a Tidal.
Andrew, on the Moode web config page, you enter your Tidal/Quobuz username and password.
Thank you so much I am so intrigued and now I am much more interested in learning how to build one of these and add it to my receiver so that I can have sweet awesome affordable sound thank you very much for sharing I am a huge fan of you now
So I decided to build a raspberry pi streamer... how fortunate to wake up to this video from my favorite hifi channel!
Super important video,another Darko classic. Thanks
It is a pleasureto listen to you'r detasiled explanation
Just outstanding! What a terrific bridge between audiophile knowledge and Raspberry Pi hacking! Thank you for such a clear explanation & very nice production values in your video.
I own a Pi 3b with the Allo Boss DAC you show here. It's OUTSTANDING. I actually like the acrylic case for the Pi & Boss DAC because it's clear, which makes it a conversation piece rather than just another piece of gear, especially since my Pi does lots of other things.
Many thanks John, your guide is really great.
Hello there, this was a great video and enthused me enough that I went out and built a streamer. I had an old Raspberry 2B knocking about and stuck a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro HAT on it. Downloaded Volumio's free system and now have a set up I am really pleased with. It runs through an Audolab DAC-Mini into an old Cyrus 7 amp and biggish B&W speakers ( forgot the series number). All my music files are on an SSD that connects to the Raspberry's USB . . and thats it. I am sure there are much higher end ways of doing this but I am spending the cash I saved on more music. Thank you for a practical video that actually means something rather dancing on the head of some critical pin like so many others. Keep it coming !
Great vid thanks, will these digital outputs be a sound quality improvement over a MacBook Air USB into my Chord Mojo for Tidal/Qobuz etc
I wish I saw this two years earlier, lucky those who are new to this because now they can get this information in an enjoyable video. Anyway, it was a pleasure to watch, because I use Allo DigiOne. I'm thinking about Chord Mojo or maybe Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital instead of Marantz PM6006 internal DAC. I'm glad there is Darko.Audio which makes this journey way more enjoyable, so thank you!
Love it! Will try it out!
Dude, thanks. Out of all the videos regarding this subject matter, yours is tolerable.
Great Episode 👍 I would welcome an episode focused on streaming software, what are the Pros/Cons with streaming softwares you have tested? A great software is as important as the sound.
This is pure gold, you have convinced me to take the plunge. I’m on the first rung of the audiophile ladder. I’m currently using a laptop for Tidal streaming. I was considering investing in the Pro-ject stream box S2 ultra, but at £599.00 for a Volumio box, I struggled to justify it.
Great vid. Busy rolling my own solution using a Justboom DAC. The sound quality is amazing and just love the tinkering I can do.
Fantastic video, very helpful.
Great comparisons. Would love to see comparisons at the even higher end too, to see how it stands up. IE Mytek Brooklyn Bridge or Auralic Altair vs Allo digi one + a higher end dac. Is there a point where the raspberry pi stops being scaleable to higher end hifi systems? All good hypothetical questions i think.
Zeb Brown Agree - would be great to hear how they stack up against dedicated streamers e.g. LUMIN D2
@@mml8006 Nice video, I have been using Volumio on Raspberry Pi's for many years and have now arrived at the Allo Piano 2.1 plus Allo Kali, which is the best I have had so far. Please note that high end companies like Bryston use Raspberry Pi's in their new BDA-3.14 streamer that have exceptional quality at an exceptional price (approx eur 5.000), thats how scaleable the Raspberry Pi is.
Bravo, John. A follow-up deep dive into Pi+DAC sonic comparisons would be entirely justifiable and appreciated.
Very good information! Thanks
Amazing and clear content in this one 👍
John, let me congrat for the super informative feat you did. Very informative, unbiased, crystal clear. I think your contribution is very beneficial for the HiFi community as a whole.
I remember when I started RaspyFi in 2013 (the predecessor to Volumio). I was the first to see in the PI some potential for audio and the first to create an ad-hoc distro for it (showoff mode off). So many people laughed at me, back then.
Many said that the PI was just a toy, and Hi-Fi needed much more serious and beefy equipment. Some years later, it's great to see how this little toy is making HiFi a little bit funnier and a little bit more democratic.
As they say, time is a gentleman.
Thank you very much for Volumio and your committment! Big respect dear Michelangelo!
Since there doesn't seem to be a consensus on which OS sounds best I went with the one that was easiest to install/use = piCorePlayer + Orange Squeeze. The fact that I was already very familiar with the LMS ecosystem made it even easier (for me).
BTW - Do you know if there is a metal case for DigiOne Signature yet?
Fantastic video John, thank you so much!
Thanks for an excellent video. It follows a path that I’ve already trodden, but it’s good to have my thinking and choices validated. I use Volumio on the Pi and it’s probably worth mentioning that Volumio has the ability to use Tidal and Qobuz as sources ( for a fee). That way, local and cloud-based streaming is done with the same interface and hardware.
Great video. Very educational! I have a Node2i and I completely agree with your observations. Thank you
Love it John, thanks again for breaking it down for those of us who need it from the begining, DigiStream101
Now I managed to watch it from beginning to end. Got it. Thanks! (The comparison/option B in the form of Bluesound node at the end, is key. Yey.)
Hi John! Always appreciate your mind changing video, they're like one of those albums that projects you into another world, and I really like it. I recently bought a triangle streamer under advice of my trusted seller for only 159€. Obviously it doesn' t excell but i' m amazed by the level of the sound for the price i paid, demonstrating that certain times those cheap solutions are fantastic. The question I ask myself now is if buying a schiit modi 3 will improve the sound over the dac in the triangle enough to justify the extra cost. Obviously you can't say because you've not heard the triangle but i wonder if you can give me an advice.
Thanks in advance!
I'm not sure how I came across this video, but I'm glad I did! I'm familiar with the RaspberryPi (I made an arcade cabinet with one), but I've always wanted to know more about the audio HATs and how they're meant to interact with other audio components. Thank you so much for posting this video. Subscribed.
Great review 👍
Great tutorial! I was wondering a couple of things. Firstly, I have a a Spotify premium subscription. To get Spotify's maximum sound quality with least compression you need to use a desktop, the mobile version is capped. If I use a Raspberry Pi with software to stream from Spotify, would it be at the full quality? Second question, can any of the software be used to play internet radio without the phone, e.i, If I select the radio stream and my phone dies, will it just keep on playing the radio stream? Thanks
Lovely episode. Super interesting and useful to many.
Thanks for saying that there is a difference in sound when it comes to digital output. I thought that I was going crazy with many people in hardware sites insisting that digital signal output are just made up of ones and zeros.
Thank you, John. I've been eager to get into network streaming for my personal digital library, but I didn't really know where to start, and whenever I tried to dig into the Roon solution, the gear, price, and software kind of overwhelmed me. A Raspberry Pi / Volumio combo seems like a safe way to dip my toe into the water without too much risk if things go sideways. If I paired that with a Schiit Modi 3 I'd still need an amp, correct?
This was super duper helpful - Thank you
I can’t say I’m not interested in these kinds of videos, because like to tinker with the hardware and the software !! Well done Sir 👍👍 Keep the videos coming ✌️✌️
Thank you as always very informative.
What a useful video! You really did a public service on this one. Thank you for creating and posting it.
Super helpful. Now I know what to do one of the next weekends.
Hi John,
You have made a very informative and helpful video
I have to sign in just to click thank and subscribe as you answer all of my questions
Great post John. A quick question. I have an old micro mega micro dac, would this be suitable for the raspberry ?
Thanks
Very good info! I think i go with this option. Since i am sort of a techie and software.
But to what type of amplifier this would go then? A specific type or just any?
Your videos are really good. Seriously! As always, a fantastic speech. This video opens my mind because I`m thinking to buy a streamer like the Bluesound Node 2i but I`m not sure.
Thanks John. This guide is precisely what I've been looking for. ... might still opt for the Volumio Primo though.
John thank you for showing some gear. It saved me a lot of time to search for audio gears.
Really good presentation. I’m presently using an Android tablet with HiFi Cast or Heos for wi-fi streaming. Would the Raspberry pi be an upgrade? I already have the Dragonfly Black or a Schiit Fulla I could use.
Hi John, great informative video. I use a Bluesound Node 2 as a streamer only. I bypass the internal dac and send the digital signal to a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge. Will the quality/sound of the Allo DigiOne digital signal be better than the digital signal from the Bluesound Node 2? Thank you.
This was incredibly helpful.
The real strength of the Pi is its versatility. One is not locked into a pre-built box but rather can expand its use to whatever suits your needs.
There are other brands and flavors of single board computers, but RPi has the biggest development community and widest variety of applications and peripheral hardware.
@@timmooney7528 and this is the recipe to make it successful.
Thorough introduction, yet concise - great!
Thank you for the much informative video! But I wonder if you have a solid WiFi connection at home, couldn't you just use your mobile phone with a USB C to B and plug in to a DAC and use the app on the phone instead of the different Connects with the same result?
Or does for example the Android systems down sample kick in?
I might be wrong but I think the main advantage of this setup is you can wirelessly control playback with your phone without having to transmit over Bluetooth.
This really explained things to me. Thanks a million John! One question though using the raspberry pi streamer how would I access Amazon music Hd?
Great and very informative video. Thanks
Is there a HAT board which can output I2S via an HDMI connector that could connect to PS Audio DACs?
Great video. Well timed as a mate is looking for a streaming solution to add to his old school set up. I will share this.
Excellent demo thanks :)
Wonderful tuition, Thank you.
Fantastic breakdown. I've enough project, though I enjoy DIY tinkering and have an a/v and tech background.... but somehow have never messed around with Pi, though I've used one a great many times in offices where coworkers wouldn't stop talking about them. This is an excellent primer I'll point folks to (and quite timely considering the Sonos debacle of the past weeks).
John, Thank you for inspiring me to jump into Raspberry Pi streaming pool. I just completed an easy to use streaming media hub for my livingroom audio system.
I started off with your review of the Justboom DigiHAT streaming platform. It prefectly integrates with my existing Meridian Director DAC that Steve Guttenberg recommended a few years back.
Per your instructions, I installed JustBoom's version of Volumio using Etcher to create the RasPi OS.
Justboom's online hint to connect a Cat 6 Ethernet cable from the RasPi to my router got me up and running the rest of the way.
A 64GB USB drive filled w/ FLAC, and Volumio's access to internet radio sources provide the input content through the RasPi/Digi HAT on the S/PDIF side of the Meridian DAC.
On the DAC"s USB side of the fence sits my Android phone w/ an OTG cable. An app called USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) fully supports the DAC's asynchronous USB interface.
I discovered that not only does UAPP host Qobuz and Tidal, but it's specifically optimized to do so with noticable improvements in audio quality over the generic streaming service UI's.
So in just 3 weeks (my Covid19 Quarantime so far) I've managed keep my sanity and create an inexpensive ($120) yet high end multiplexed streaming audio hub.
Your website and CZcams advise was invaluable. Cudos also to the expertise provided by UAPP and Justboom to iron out the varied wrinkles along the way.
I really like the sound of my Rasp Pi3+ with a Hifiberry DAC+ Pro into my Carver preamp and Carver amp going to Elac Debut speakers in a smaller room in my house. I am running RuneAudio on the Pi right now but I am contemplating building a Roon server and buying the subscription. Great overview!
Just found your Channel, my setup is Raspberry PI + Schiit Modi 3 + Spotify, Volumio, I rediscover the joy of listening the streaming music, thanks John from Montreal, Canada. Next step is Spotify to Tidal
Thanks John. Looking for low profile options for a bedroom system. These are inexpensive enough to experiment with.
Very enlightening. Thank you
If you have Roon core installed on your MacBook is it not easier to just connect a toslink straight in to your receiver/amp?
I built a pi streamer with a hifiberry dac+ and volumio a fair few years ago. It was great, when it worked, but a power cut/surge bricked my pi 😢
I would love to get a new pi and jump back in, but I'm a bit put off by how unreliable volumio was back in the day... What would be your go to volumio alternative? If it makes a difference i think my NAS (wd my cloud) has Twonky installed instead of roon (i might have totally the wrong end of the stick with that)