Best value streamer with no DAC

[roog]

Interesting chat going on here. I too am looking for a dedicated network streamer with SPDIF output. I have an Rpi3 plus Allo hat, but so far I don’t get oN with it. I have been using it with volumio (which I don’t like) and I now have a small collection of dead micro sd cards, because the Rpi seems to kill them! I have a bundle of new ones ready to go, like consumables!

So given that many of you are convinced of its merit as a consumer streamer , can you bring me back into the Rpi club by suggesting a good app to run on the Rpi?

one user interface I have tried and liked is the Linn Kazoo, if that helps?

 

[Surfparadise]

Interesting chat going on here. I too am looking for a dedicated network streamer with SPDIF output. I have an Rpi3 plus Allo hat, but so far I don’t get oN with it. I have been using it with volumio (which I don’t like) and I now have a small collection of dead micro sd cards, because the Rpi seems to kill them! I have a bundle of new ones ready to go, like consumables!

So given that many of you are convinced of its merit as a consumer streamer , can you bring me back into the Rpi club by suggesting a good app to run on the Rpi?

one user interface I have tried and liked is the Linn Kazoo, if that helps?

a bad power supply could kill sd card

 

[roog]

Oh, why is that? When I do get it running, it works ok.

i have had the mains go off a couple of times, would that cause a problem?

 

[Surfparadise]

Oh, why is that? When I do get it running, it works ok.

i have had the mains go off a couple of times, would that cause a problem?

could be as well. I had a Chinese power supply low quality.... and I ‘burn’ 2 SD in 3 months

 

[roog]

That’s interesting, perhaps I should get an alternative PSU. Assuming I resolve my power issue, is there a better way of operating the Rpi than the volumio application?

 

[Surfparadise]

That’s interesting, perhaps I should get an alternative PSU. Assuming I resolve my power issue, is there a better way of operating the Rpi than the volumio application?

I don’t know, it’s one of the most popular for this purpose....
I’m using heos by denon right now... and on the paper arylic board are quite similar

 

[roog]

Thanks I shall check Out Heos

 

[Surfparadise]

Thanks I shall check Out Heos

heos is working only on denon products.... avr soundbar smart speakers and so on... it’s embedded

 

[oldandintheway]

The Allo (RPi based) streamer I have been looking at has Moode Audio as the default and Volumio as another option. You might look at that: https://moodeaudio.org/ I have not used it yet, so don't have an opinion, I am thinking of upgrading from my Chromecast Audio.

 

[mikeburns]

I use Moode audio and it is really great. I have updated my hard drive with new files countless times over the last couple of months. The only issues I have had is it not recognising my dac (my fault, need to have the dac with the input switched to USB when you boot up the rpi so moode recognises it) and it not connecting to my network randomly (fixed with a reboot of my router). Other than that it has been all plain sailing. I fully recommend moode!

 

[ScofieldKid]

Would an iPad not do all this stuff ? (I'm askin', cuz it seems like a huge advantage to have the display / touch input ) I have connected some DACs to iPads, but I'm not sure about the software side of this...

 

[AudioSceptic]

Interesting chat going on here. I too am looking for a dedicated network streamer with SPDIF output. I have an Rpi3 plus Allo hat, but so far I don’t get oN with it. I have been using it with volumio (which I don’t like) and I now have a small collection of dead micro sd cards, because the Rpi seems to kill them! I have a bundle of new ones ready to go, like consumables!

So given that many of you are convinced of its merit as a consumer streamer , can you bring me back into the Rpi club by suggesting a good app to run on the Rpi?

one user interface I have tried and liked is the Linn Kazoo, if that helps?

I've not heard about it killing µSD cards. Have you tried reformatting them in a computer? I've tried various OSes on 3 different cards with no problems (other than initially trying to use an inadequate USB PS). FWIW I've settled on Volumio, mostly controlled via its web interface. I've tried Kazoo but couldn't see any great advantages.

 

[roog]

I've not heard about it killing µSD cards. Have you tried reformatting them in a computer? I've tried various OSes on 3 different cards with no problems (other than initially trying to use an inadequate USB PS). FWIW I've settled on Volumio, mostly controlled via its web interface. I've tried Kazoo but couldn't see any great advantages.

I have tried reformatting A couple of them, but the computer won’t allow it.

 

[somebodyelse]

That’s interesting, perhaps I should get an alternative PSU. Assuming I resolve my power issue, is there a better way of operating the Rpi than the volumio application?

There are a whole load of alternatives to Volumio, so there's a fair chance you can find one that works more to your liking. This isn't an exhaustive list - a web search will probably find you a few more.

• Moode
• Rune
• PiCorePlayer
• Pi MusicBox
• OpenELEC
• LibreELEC
• Max2play

 

[AudioSceptic]

I have tried reformatting A couple of them, but the computer won’t allow it.

Stupid suggestion, but just in case...you haven't accidentally moved the Protect switch on the side?

 

[AudioSceptic]

There are a whole load of alternatives to Volumio, so there's a fair chance you can find one that works more to your liking. This isn't an exhaustive list - a web search will probably find you a few more.

• Moode
• Rune
• PiCorePlayer
• Pi MusicBox
• OpenELEC
• LibreELEC
• Max2play

You can also include OSMC.

 

[roog]

There are a whole load of alternatives to Volumio, so there's a fair chance you can find one that works more to your liking. This isn't an exhaustive list - a web search will probably find you a few more.

• Moode
• Rune
• PiCorePlayer
• Pi MusicBox
• OpenELEC
• LibreELEC
• Max2play

Many thanks, will check these out.

 

[roog]

Stupid suggestion, but just in case...you haven't accidentally moved the Protect switch on the side?

I wish it was, they all seem to default to 32mb capacity, and if you do manage to refomat That’s their new capacity.

 

[GeorgeWalk]

Rpi4 + Volumio + good usb wifi card.

I just switched from Volumio to PiCorePlayer and I like t much better. Not stalls or dropouts in the music. It uses SqueezwPlayer Logicitech Media Server with my Topping D50s.

 

[somebodyelse]

I wish it was, they all seem to default to 32mb capacity, and if you do manage to refomat That’s their new capacity.

It sounds like your computer is only showing you the boot partition, probably because it doesn't recognise the linux-native file system format on the main partition that's filling the rest of the card. The imaging tools (dd, Etcher or equivalent) should still be able to write to the whole card if you want to reinstall player software. Similarly a partition management tool like Windows 10's Disk Manager should be able to see the other partiton and delete, resize, reformat etc. so that you can use it as a normal card again.

If the cards are really damaged you can probably still use them for a client-only PiCorePlayer installation. It's very small so there's a good chance it'll fit in before the damaged part, and it rarely writes to the card.