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Post by Slinger on Apr 10, 2018 20:34:53 GMT
Here's what I'm thinking - A Pi with a 2Tb external USB 3 drive full of music files on one end, and a good output section rather than the cheap-looking RCA sockets I keep seeing at the other end. I'd even look at a TOSLINK solution feeding an external DAC if that gives me the best quality. The whole thing to be controlled via a tablet (iPad and/or Android) AND PC. I don't mind getting my soldering iron dirty but as I've never used a Pi, advice from those who have will be gratefully received...like, can I actually do what I've laid out above?
[EDIT]
Having had nothing better to do than celebrate the magnificent Liverpool F.C.'s humbling of Manchester City tonight and skim a selection of Pi-related articles since writing the above I'm now thinking of an external DAC (I've got a spare SMSL Sanskrit 6) fed by a Kuman PIFI Digi DAC+, which is a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro clone and maybe Rune software, which looks to have quite a decent interface. I still need to know if I can plug the 2Tb USB3 drive into the Pi and hook it up to my router - I already have some CAT6 running to where I'll need it - and then happily start configuring stuff.
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 10, 2018 22:57:05 GMT
It's a simple answer: Yes!
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Post by Slinger on Apr 10, 2018 23:11:47 GMT
It's a simple answer: Yes! Thank Gawd for that. I got so bored I ordered them (and a 16GB micro SD card) anyway.  |
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 10, 2018 23:35:39 GMT
The Pi has 4 usb sockets, so there is that option. I connect my hard drive with a network cable though. I find the usbs useful for shoving a memory stick into every once in a while.
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Post by Slinger on Apr 11, 2018 0:02:44 GMT
I've already got 1.24TB of a 2TB disc full of music files, in alphabetical folders, which is currently employed as a backup drive, but as I'm also using one of my NAS drives to hold all of my music files too I thought I'd just repurpose the USB 3.0 drive as the main drive in a new streamer setup, hence the Pi etc.
For some reason, my Squeezebox keeps throwing wobblies and as I'm rebuilding the complete system from the ground up, with the new amp installed and the CD player on its way, it seemed like a good time to dump it and integrate a Pi.
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 11, 2018 0:14:17 GMT
I don't think you will regret it Paul.
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Post by John on Apr 11, 2018 4:32:38 GMT
Hope it goes well Paul.
Roon a really nice interface for controlling your music
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Post by MartinT on Apr 11, 2018 5:10:21 GMT
I'm now thinking of an external DAC (I've got a spare SMSL Sanskrit 6) fed by a Kuman PIFI Digi DAC+, which is a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro clone and maybe Rune software, which looks to have quite a decent interface. I still need to know if I can plug the 2Tb USB3 drive into the Pi and hook it up to my router - I already have some CAT6 running to where I'll need it - and then happily start configuring stuff. I don't know the Kuman PiFi but if it's a true HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro clone (and uses the same settings in software) then it'll do nicely. I wish I had known as I have a spare of the latter lying around doing nothing since I upgraded to the DigiOne. All the Pi builds will take a USB drive and catalogue it so all should be well. Whatever you do, give yourself a chance to stream Spotify Premium at some point as you'll be amazed at the quality. All the builds will allow control from a phone/tablet/laptop as they generate a GUI browser interface. |
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Post by Stratmangler on Apr 11, 2018 9:50:59 GMT
A nice fresh installation of piCorePlayer will give your current streaming setup a shot in the arm, assuming that there's nothing actually wrong with your Squeezebox Duet.
Most problems with them are software related anyway, so a fresh installation might be just the thing.
Point pCP at your library NAS, and you're up and running.
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Post by Stratmangler on Apr 11, 2018 9:56:27 GMT
Thinking on about it, you could add a Pi touch screen, and build yourself an equivalent to a Squeezebox Touch.  The Pi build is on the left. |
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Post by Slinger on Apr 11, 2018 12:02:10 GMT
Martin - The main reason I settled on the Kuman (apart from the price, obviously) is that I found quite a few encouraging posts from people actually using it. It even, apparently, uses the same components as the HifiBerry, Pulse isolation transformer, Cirrus Logic S/PDIF transceiver, etc. An added bonus was that Amazon sells it with a custom-fit case to take the Pi and the Kuman for £29.99 so I didn't have to source a separate case. Regarding Spotify...I have too much music already, on vinyl and CD, as well as file-based. If I start using Spotify I might as well forget about 90% of it and just have Spotify. I prefer to keep the free version and use it as a tool to decide whether I like something, enough to buy it or not. The free version's fine for 'background' too, of course.  Stratmangler - Bloody Hell! Let me learn to walk before I try to run. And yes...it might eventually be an interesting project, but with a PC in close (enough) proximity and several Android tablets, and an iPad, not a necessity. In fact, (sorry, thinking out loud here) I could use my wife's old Samsung tablet, delete everything else on it, and turn it into a 'dedicated' remote. John & Chris - Thanks for the advice and good wishes. |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 11, 2018 13:19:38 GMT
Good stuff. We expect a full write-up, you know!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2018 14:41:46 GMT
I need to try a Pi, everything you guys say, I am very intrigued.
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Post by Slinger on Apr 11, 2018 16:57:02 GMT
New speaker cable arrived and got installed today. CD player set to arrive between Friday and Monday. Raspberry Pi and 16GB micro SD arriving tomorrow (Thursday), Kuman PIFI Digi DAC+ & case arriving Friday. Complete Mental collapse is planned for next Tuesday if I can fit it in.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the 12 socket 'power tower' that I'm using has sufficiently powered USB charging outlets on it to power the Pi, thereby avoiding the ubiquitous wall-wart. It claims 5 x 2.1A USB sockets. Some articles quote a 2.5A requirement for the Pi but claim it'll run OK on lower amperages as long as you're not pushing it hard all the time and constantly hitting the USB ports or experiencing regular, heavy, CPU/GPU loading. The Micro USB standard is a nominally 5v @ 2A, although 2.5A is still within bounds. It's worth a try with 2.1A, anyway.
For the technically minded I meant to mention that the Primare CD21 has twin Burr-Brown PCM 1738 DACs on each channel so it'll be interesting a/b-ing it with an external DAC.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 11, 2018 18:28:48 GMT
My Pi 3 consumes about half an Amp while booting up and settles down to about 300mA when idling. You should be fine. I wouldn't power a USB drive from it, though.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 11, 2018 18:33:00 GMT
You'll need software to burn the Roon image onto the MicroSD card. For Windows, W32DiskImager works well.
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Post by Slinger on Apr 11, 2018 18:37:07 GMT
My Pi 3 consumes about half an Amp while booting up and settles down to about 300mA when idling. You should be fine. I wouldn't power a USB drive from it, though. Agreed. The USB drive has a wall-wart all of its own. You'll need software to burn the Roon image onto the MicroSD card. For Windows, W32DiskImager works well. Already sitting on my hard drive.  |
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Post by Stratmangler on Apr 11, 2018 19:10:22 GMT
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Post by Slinger on Apr 11, 2018 19:43:16 GMT
Thanks for that. It is also now sitting on my hard drive. Martin - 'Rune' suggest using USB Image Tool totransfer the software onto the card, so I'll try that first. |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 11, 2018 20:21:21 GMT
Looks like you're all ready!
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