ASR Open Source Streamer Project

[TheWalkman]

I doubt these things are available for us mere mortals to buy this and the software licenses for DIY projects. Would be cool if that were the case though!

These modules seem interesting but to be honest, I don’t have the bandwidth/ patience for another, “project.”

For that (and many other reasons/ excuses), I‘m quite content to stream my audio from a $60 Raspberry Pi Zero 2W config running Volumio and instead, spend my time enjoying great music, podcasts and radio broadcasts rather than spending that time with my nose a foot deep in tech docs figuring out why my new streamer isn’t streaming.

The Pi seems to do everything I need it to do and more.

To each his own…

 

[TSB]

I doubt these things are available for us mere mortals to buy this and the software licenses for DIY projects. Would be cool if that were the case though!

They are not available to DIY.

 

[PureLIN]

Just an idea: Ravenna/AES67 is pretty suitable for using as a streamer (If you can accpet some additional network cable and switchs), due to it's not like usb's host-client mode, it a point to point mode, you can have multiple audio source at same time(For example. connect to ROON server and gaming PC at same time).

Ravenna virtual sound card is free for windows (Merging Audio Device, support ASIO and DS), for Mac, old driver is free, new Virtual Audio Device need to pay (yeah, Mac is premium).

I use MT48 for serval months to connect my personal PC and work laptop at same time, it works fine, but it cost too much for a home usage.

But wait, Since Ravenna is running based on daily IP network, implement one is not that hard, actually already have one implemention on linux: https://github.com/bondagit/aes67-linux-daemon, it's aiming for AES67, Ravenna is slight different but not big.

I already tested on RPI4b(i2s output) with my own code, it can let MAD recognize and play audio smoothly.

But to make it easy to use, it need some more efforts, I also stuck at how to process multiple incoming stream without drops and lag.

 

[voodooless]

The issues with AES67 and similar are usually the reception end. There is a limited choice of components, which are expensive by default. Also, I don't like the fact that it needs an ethernet cable. Also, not all switches are compatible. You'll need DiffServ support as a minimum as far as I can see.

 

[PureLIN]

There is a limited choice of components, which are expensive

What I'm trying to say is creating a reception device with RPI and a simple audio interface (USB,PCIE,I2S or whatever), that's much cheaper and RPI can act as DSP.

I don't like the fact that it needs an ethernet cable.

I don't like it either, but for streaming realtime loseless audio, wireless is not stable enough (VBAN in VoiceMeeter support WIFI, I used it before, will have dropouts when traffic is high).

Also, not all switches are compatible.

For small network size, AES67 don't have any limitaion on that, I use a cheap 5 port TP-LINK POE switch with my MT48.

 

[voodooless]

What I'm trying to say is creating a reception device with RPI and a simple audio interface (USB,PCIE,I2S or whatever), that's much cheaper and RPI can act as DSP.

Ah, you're advocating to use the pi as a reception device. Yeah, that works. But I don't the advantages are limited to special cases I'd say, where low-latency, synced audio is needed. For simple 2-channel streaming to a Pi with Airplay or similar, the current solutions are still more than adequate.

 

[lemmy_collins]

The issues with AES67 and similar are usually the reception end. There is a limited choice of components, which are expensive by default. Also, I don't like the fact that it needs an ethernet cable. Also, not all switches are compatible. You'll need DiffServ support as a minimum as far as I can see.

I've experimented RTP (8 channels, 96kHz 32 bits) through one basic switch without any problem. In my experience, the receiver is the main culprit. But true my network wasn't heavily loaded.

 

[tinnitus]

Unfortunately, the topping dm7 8 channel dac has "died". Here is the replacement for my DSP streamer project.

With the Hifiberry dac8x, everything fits into a small housing. Unfortunately, the layout of the hat is not designed for this. But maybe there will be a "built-in version" for this nice DAC. The power supply for the amplifiers can be switched via the relay. This means that the pops are history.

 

[tanno1]

I am interested in helping out in any way possible

 

[RickS]

With solid commercial options, unclear a DIY streamer is a viable option any longer.

If not closed, this thread is not worthy of pinning at the very least.

 

[voodooless]

If not closed, this thread is not worthy of pinning at the very least.

Where is a mod when you need one

 

[bogart]

With solid commercial options, unclear a DIY streamer is a viable option any longer.

If not closed, this thread is not worthy of pinning at the very least.

Agree 100%. Nearly all of the wished-for capabilities I've tracked through this thread have been met by commercial products chosen from a range of economical to premium options. My needs are better met than they would have been two years ago, and a DIY option would be a step backward at this point.

 

[RickS]

Where is a mod when you need one

Mods will likely avoid as Amir started this thread. Am checking with him.

 

[voodooless]

Mods will likely avoid as Amir started this thread. Am checking with him.

I was more referring to your recent history in this regard

 

[Thomas Savage]

With solid commercial options, unclear a DIY streamer is a viable option any longer.

If not closed, this thread is not worthy of pinning at the very least.

Agree , edit plus we seem to of lost the project leader years ago . I was kinda excited about this undertaking, didn't keep up with it .

There's still scope for a ASR community project though, just not a streamer imo

Any other ideas ?

 

[amirm]

I removed the sticky.

I still believe in an open-source solution for streaming. If any of the companies building these devices stop, so does the box. SONOS also abandoned first gen products.

I also thought that an open-source project could respond to customer needs much faster than commercial solutions.

 

[RickS]

Thanks @amirm! Seems a reasonable compromise…

Last year, I bought a Wiim Pro with remote for $135 and is working well on my Purifi-based system via an older balanced DAC. A comparable DAC is not much more these days. So have a pretty nice streaming set up for under $300. Tariffs may mess that up, but will see.

Perhaps a diy project could compete with the likes of a more expensive Bluesound streamer. At $300, not worth my time tbh.

 

[RickS]

I was more referring to your recent history in this regard

I wondered but rather not dwell on past launch failures as there are still plenty of other ways to be helpful here.

 

[RickS]

Agree , edit plus we seem to of lost the project leader years ago . I was kinda excited about this undertaking, didn't keep up with it .

There's still scope for a ASR community project though, just not a streamer imo

Any other ideas ?

Still have some speaker projects in the queue. Once the Purifi tweeter ships, planning a Directiva update.

Can envision some useful software tools. Something like an AI-enhanced room correction or a better tool for determining amp power would be beneficial imo. Would expect the former would get some commercial competition. As for immersive audio, a surround processor has potential too. It really is a software-driven product and no traditional vendors seem to understand mass market subscription service value.

 

[mcdn]

I removed the sticky.

I still believe in an open-source solution for streaming. If any of the companies building these devices stop, so does the box. SONOS also abandoned first gen products.

I also thought that an open-source project could respond to customer needs much faster than commercial solutions.

Though the installation is a little clunky, Moode on a raspberry pi has evolved to the point where it hits pretty much all of the requirements you put on the first post of this thread. CamillaDSP is integrated, it does synced multiroom, etc.

Audiophoncs still sell the RaspDAC mini with Moode preinstalled which you reviewed 4 years ago: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s-raspdac-mini-lcd-kit-review-streamer.27456/

Unfortunately hardware is a volume and specialisation game, so compared with specialist solutions you have to overpay for a general PC like an Rpi4 and some low volume manufacturing of the whole box. But Sonos, Bluesound, Roon, WiiM and everyone else could disappear tomorrow and we'd still have a usable open source streaming solution.