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RPi 4 Newbie questions

Pauper

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Hi all, this is my first post so be kind!
Because I am an absolute dunce with tech I recently bought a ready loaded ( Volumio) RP4 streamer from Paul who goes by the name of paulwhittaker6 on EBay.
Now Paul is a very helpful guy but everyone has their limits and I’ve decided that I’m not going to burden him any longer!
The thing is that what is easy peasy for normal folks is an ordeal for me hence the reach out for help here.
After much faffing I eventually installed Volumio on my iPad and plugged my earphones into the streamer and began listening to some great internet radio.
My question is ; how am I listening to the music when I haven’t got the streamer connected to a dac?
Is it something to do with Airplay? and if so, do I not need a dac?

Thanks
 

tw99

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Volumio is using the dac in your ipad

He said he plugged headphones into the streamer, and he also described the Pi as a streamer.

So the DAC function is probably done by the low quality Pi headphone jack output. Unless it has a dac/amp fitted. What did you actually buy ?

Not sure why you don't just plug headphones into your iPad ?
 
OP
P

Pauper

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It is sold as a Roon Endpoint/ Bridge Volumio/RRoPieee Streamer Pi4 B
 
OP
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Pauper

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He said he plugged headphones into the streamer, and he also described the Pi as a streamer.

So the DAC function is probably done by the low quality Pi headphone jack output. Unless it has a dac/amp fitted. What did you actually buy ?

Not sure why you don't just plug headphones into your iPad ?
He said he plugged headphones into the streamer, and he also described the Pi as a streamer.

So the DAC function is probably done by the low quality Pi headphone jack output. Unless it has a dac/amp fitted. What did you actually buy ?

Not sure why you don't just plug headphones into your iPad ?
Ive yet to buy a dac
 

tw99

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If the pi doesn't have an audio output HAT fitted, you're just listening to the pi headphone output, which is technically fairly horrible.
 
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Pauper

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If the pi doesn't have an audio output HAT fitted, you're just listening to the pi headphone output, which is technically fairly horrible.
Can’t wait to get a proper dac then!!
 

muslhead

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He said he plugged headphones into the streamer, and he also described the Pi as a streamer.

So the DAC function is probably done by the low quality Pi headphone jack output. Unless it has a dac/amp fitted. What did you actually buy ?

Not sure why you don't just plug headphones into your iPad ?
yah you are right. i skipped right over that. I just assume he streamed from the pi to the ipad and was listening via the ipad hp
 

Phorize

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Do you have an idea of what you want to end up with? If you just want to listen to your iPad you could get some decent headphones and just use the iPad output; if you wanted better performing dac/headphone amp you could get a very good dongle at reasonable cost.
 
OP
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Pauper

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Search the internet for an usb dongle (as your dac), plug it on the RPI and go thru the confi on Volumio, ready for the music!!!!!
That sounds like a great idea. Thanks
 
OP
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Pauper

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Do you have an idea of what you want to end up with? If you just want to listen to your iPad you could get some decent headphones and just use the iPad output; if you wanted better performing dac/headphone amp you could get a very good dongle at reasonable cost.
Yes, I would like to stream to active speakers, and perhaps listen to tv via optical which realise I would need a dac with those options.
 

Phorize

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Yes, I would like to stream to active speakers, and perhaps listen to tv via optical which realise I would need a dac with those options.

You may want to check out the reviews section-a number of affordable dacs and active speakers have been tested.
 
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