longshot: is there a proper streamer out there that supports the Subsonic server API ?

[anonyless]

I've just about had enough of my Chromecast Audios (i have too many of them) - sure, they work, but the recent "Google bricked my Chromecast device" incident (about 2 weeks ago) is a big hint that it's time to move on.
just before I buy Wiim Pro Plus which would connect to SMSL SU1 DAC that my laptop feeds, is there by any chance a proper streamer that could connect to a(god forbid) Subsonic based streaming server? my Navidrome server works so well for me, so many apps that work perfectly with it (Dsub, Symfonium and many more) but what about streamers ..?

 

[staticV3]

Subsonic supports Chromecast and UPnP, both are protocols that the WiiM is compatible with.

Btw, the WiiM Pro Plus is in a nutshell a WiiM Pro with an SU-1 built-in, so I don't quite understand why one would do WiiM Pro Plus->SU-1.

 

[anonyless]

I know Subsonic supports Chromecast. but Wiim doesn't support the Subsonic API itself (unlike many other popular streaming services it does support). meaning its app won't be able to play directly from my Navidrome server
The reason I'm looking into getting a Pro Plus and not a Pro, is because of the analog input I'll probably use on the Wiim (laptop-->SU-1>WiiM Pro Plus),
and from what I read on its review here - it is not good (audio quality wise).
EDIT: the reason I want to connect the laptop using the line in on the WiiM (through the SU-1 USB input), is to be able to use its eq / room corrections

 

[staticV3]

The reason I'm looking into getting a Pro Plus and not a Pro, is because of the analog input I'll probably use on the Wiim (laptop-->SU-1>WiiM Pro Plus),
and from what I read on its review here - it is not good (audio quality wise).
EDIT: the reason I want to connect the laptop using the line in on the WiiM (through the SU-1 USB input), is to be able to use its eq / room corrections

You'd get better sound quality for cheaper by connecting your laptop to the WiiM using a Hifime UT23, SMSL PO100 2024, or Cubilux SPDIF converter, since that would be a direct digital connection without D->A then A->D conversion.

 

[anonyless]

You'd get better sound quality for cheaper by connecting your laptop to the WiiM using a Hifime UT23, SMSL PO100 2024, or Cubilux SPDIF converter, since that would be a direct digital connection without D->A then A->D conversion.

thanks. that makes sense. so laptop to PO100 --> WiiM Pro Coax out --> SU-1 > amp (D->D->D->A)
I was actually looking at Douk Audio U2 (which is basically the same,though the PO100 looks nicer to my taste)
today as a thought maybe to connect a smartphone "permanently" as an audio player, to the SU1 . does this make sense?

 

[staticV3]

thanks. that makes sense. so laptop to PO100 --> WiiM Pro Coax out --> SU-1 > amp (D->D->D->A)

Or just Laptop->PO100->WiiM Pro Plus and ditch the SU-1. Sound quality would be identical either way, but there'd be fewer cables and boxes.

I was actually looking at Douk Audio U2 (which is basically the same,though the PO100 looks nicer to my taste)
today as a thought maybe to connect a smartphone "permanently" as an audio player, to the SU1 . does this make sense?

I'd connect the SU-1 straight to the phone via USB. No external DDC required.

 

[anonyless]

Or just Laptop->PO100->WiiM Pro Plus and ditch the SU-1. Sound quality would be identical either way, but there'd be fewer cables and boxes.
dd

Or just Laptop->PO100->WiiM Pro Plus and ditch the SU-1. Sound quality would be identical either way, but there'd be fewer cables and boxes.

I tried A/B testing with an old Behringer UCA202 USB sound card that has optical output as "USB to optical" connected to the SU-1 optical input
and the SU-1 connected to USB on the laptop , switching sound cards on the fly and inputs on the SU1 while listening to the same songs -
could not tell the difference.
so I just might get the WiiM Pro and use the UCA202 as a digital input to the WiiM, and the SU-1 as DAC connected to the amp (3e audio A5) .
many thanks for your insight

 

[linuxfan]

laptop-->SU-1>WiiM Pro Plus

laptop to PO100 --> WiiM Pro Coax out --> SU-1 > amp (D->D->D->A)

as a thought maybe to connect a smartphone "permanently" as an audio player, to the SU1

Those are all cabled connections, there's no streaming involved! So why are considering the purchase of a streamer?
If you are happy with that (decades old) technical model ie. the cable runs are physically practical, and you are happy that your control interface will be fixed, not mobile - then sure, go ahead.

But I urge you to consider the modern streaming model for your particular situation - I understand that Navidrome is running somewhere on your network - your laptop, maybe (?). OK that's a good start. Now :
- buy a WiiM Pro - since you have a good DAC you don't need the "Plus"
- connect the WiiM Pro to your home network - via ethernet preferably, but via wifi is OK
- connect the WiiM Pro to your SU1 DAC via coaxial S/PDIF or optical S/PDIF
- the WiiM app is used for configuration, but then is no longer needed. On your phone use Symfonium as controller, from which you direct the Navidrome's (Subsonic) stream to the WiiM via Chromecast or DLNA.

 

[anonyless]

Those are all cabled connections, there's no streaming involved! So why are considering the purchase of a streamer?
If you are happy with that (decades old) technical model ie. the cable runs are physically practical, and you are happy that your control interface will be fixed, not mobile - then sure, go ahead.

But I urge you to consider the modern streaming model for your particular situation - I understand that Navidrome is running somewhere on your network - your laptop, maybe (?). OK that's a good start. Now :

I actually have a dedicated home made NAS running 24/7 that also runs Navidrome and even exposed on the net

- buy a WiiM Pro - since you have a good DAC you don't need the "Plus"
- connect the WiiM Pro to your home network - via ethernet preferably, but via wifi is OK
- connect the WiiM Pro to your SU1 DAC via coaxial S/PDIF or optical S/PDIF
- the WiiM app is used for configuration, but then is no longer needed. On your phone use Symfonium as controller, from which you direct the Navidrome's (Subsonic) stream to the WiiM via Chromecast or DLNA.

so what you suggest is an option as well. but, since most of time, I'm sitting in front of the laptop listening to music from desktop speakers in front of me (connected to amp,dac etc) , I want the option to "explore" 2 possibilities - simply connecting the WiiM Pro to the DAC (instead of the current Chromecast Audio) and streaming from the phone. OR , connecting "directly" the WiiM to the laptop , and using the WiiM app for equalizer etc - I believe this way I would still be able to use the WiiM as a streamer and have the benefit of the direct audio connection with zero latencies for watching YT videos etc

 

[linuxfan]

most of time, I'm sitting in front of the laptop listening to music from desktop speakers in front of me

OK so you are streaming from NAS via Subsonic to your laptop ... running something like "Subclient" on the laptop, perhaps?
It seems to me you don't need a streamer (aka "renderer") since your laptop already performs that function, and a cabled connection is perfectly suitable from laptop/DAC to amp/speakers. The UCA202 or PO100 are all you need ... apart from room correction, which is not my area of knowledge.

 

[anonyless]

^^ pretty much yes - i'm using Navidrome's web interface and just started testing Feishin client which is pretty great.

the reason I "need" a streamer, is to replace a current Chromecast Audio - I have currently 3 of those connected in each room and also grouped -
apart from the desktop "kitchen counter" speakers connected to the laptop, I have a set of basic amplified speakers Microlab 6c connected to a CC Audio , located from behind me. running these 2 set of speakers grouped, sounds really good together.

I've had enough of the CC Audio basic functionality, and want the option to use room correction and equalizer that WiiM provides -
Right now, if I stream from Symfonium app (for example) to a CC Audio , it won't allow to use any audio equalization etc

 

[GioF71]

I've just about had enough of my Chromecast Audios (i have too many of them) - sure, they work, but the recent "Google bricked my Chromecast device" incident (about 2 weeks ago) is a big hint that it's time to move on.
just before I buy Wiim Pro Plus which would connect to SMSL SU1 DAC that my laptop feeds, is there by any chance a proper streamer that could connect to a(god forbid) Subsonic based streaming server? my Navidrome server works so well for me, so many apps that work perfectly with it (Dsub, Symfonium and many more) but what about streamers ..?

Have you tried the subsonic plugin for upmpdcli?
See here for an example configuration.

 

[anonyless]

Have you tried the subsonic plugin for upmpdcli?
See here for an example configuration.

i honestly don't understand your reply and what it has to do with (any) streaming hardware device

 

[GioF71]

i honestly don't understand your reply and what it has to do with (any) streaming hardware device

If your device supports UPnP, you can create a UPnP media server for Subsonic with this plugin.
The subsonic plugin will connect to a subsonic server (Navidrome, Lightweight Music Server) and enable you to use an app like BubbleUPnP in order to play from a subsonic server to your streamer.

Edit: if I understand correctly your request, you are looking for a device with native support for subsonic. I haven't heard of any device with such capabilities. I you want that, the solution of course does not match your requirement.

 

[anonyless]

If your device supports UPnP, you can use upmpdcli with this plugin.
The subsonic plugin it will connect to a subsonic server (Navidrome, Lightweight Music Server) and enable you to use an app like BubbleUPnP in order to play from a subsonic server to your streamer.

since I wrote the original post, I bought WiiM Ultra (and before that WiiM Pro), which supports UPnP . but I don't need another app / plugin to stream to it, as Symfonium natively support UPnP and Subsonic servers. I originally asked (before buying any WiiM device), if there's such a thing as a hardware streamer with native support for Subsonic servers - to my best understanding, there isn't such a thing.
by native support i mean, that it could actually play directly from the Subsonic server

 

[GioF71]

yes, I corrected the previous answer.
I believe there aren't devices with native support for subsonic.

 

[anonyless]

yes, I corrected the previous answer.
I believe there aren't devices with native support for subsonic.

a bit of rant , it "annoys" me how good Tidal integration is with the Ultra (and probably other popular streaming services) - I can actually start playing recently played music directly from the Ultra, without touching the phone

 

[GioF71]

I understand your disappointment.
As another alternative, you can try Music Assistant. For sure it's not exactly what you are looking for... anyway maybe have a look at it.
It can integrate Tidal (and other services) along with Subsonic servers. It's not perfect yet but under active development. Works with lots of players, best is Squeezelite IMO (see here)

 

[anonyless]

i think i'll stick with Navidrome music server..full open source software, updates monthly and very lightweight. thanks.

 

[GioF71]

Well Music Assistant can use Navidrome as a Music provider, no need to abandon Navidrome. Just saying