Stand alone media server

[pollock0424]

Hi all,
I have an old Dell Precision laptop with core I5, 6GB RAM, touch screen and can convert into a 13inch tablet when folded. Currently, it has Ubuntu Linux on it. I am more comfortable with Linux when compared to Windows mostly because I never used Windows. This laptop came with Windows but I wiped it in 2017.

Recently, I ripped 185 music CDs and plan to rip another 60 4k movie disks. RME ADI-2 PRO FS R is my DAC/Preamp and I sit approximately 8ft away from the MLP and I intend to run 10ft of USB from my non-existent media center to my RME and another 10ft of HDMI to my AVR.

I don't want to pay for Roon/Audirvana and any streaming service. I already paid enough for my system.

Here are my questions.

1. Does Linux support bit perfect streaming and other sundries and apps that we care about ?

2. If Linux/Ubuntu supports an app that you like please let me know. Better if it can support plug-ins and PEQ correction. At this point, my laptop is more powerful than say miniDSP SHD etc.

3. Do I have to switch to windows ?

The idea is to use my laptop as a tablet and pretty much play music and movies stored on it. I'm curious to learn about your experiences..

Thanks

 

[neilt]

Ubuntu is an easy distro to use.

I would recommend a setup I have used for years. It runs fine on a Raspberry PI.

- https://lyrion.org/ as the music server
- https://lyrion.org/players-and-controllers/squeezelite/ - this will play bit-perfect audio

Squeezelite needs a bit of configuration though it's very straightforward. There's a .deb package for it in the ubuntu repos that comes with systemd config.

- https://packages.ubuntu.com/jammy/squeezelite

You can get pre-built opensource 'music server' images if you want a simpler set up. You could try a few with virtual box and see if you like them.

 

[somebodyelse]

1. Does Linux support bit perfect streaming and other sundries and apps that we care about ?

A qualified yes - it supports the ones I care about anyway. If you care about Tidal Connect you'll be out of luck though. There are probably others that won't work too.

2. If Linux/Ubuntu supports an app that you like please let me know. Better if it can support plug-ins and PEQ correction. At this point, my laptop is more powerful than say miniDSP SHD etc.

I'm not really sure what you want here - an experience that's like using a computer, or more like a touchscreen appliance.
Ubuntu uses pipewire, so you can run easyeffects to give you PEQ and more. I think they stopped installing a UPnP server by default, but there are several available through the package manager.
I'd suggest Lyrion if you just wanted music, but it wouldn't handle the video side. With the Material skin and a fullscreen browser it would work well as a touchscreen interface. You need squeezelite as the client part - it runs in the background and you control it via the web interface, or a phone app like Squeezer (Android) or iPeng (iOS).
Kodi is probably the best known general media client. It can work with a touchscreen, and has a wide range of plugins, but I find the UI frustrating. Maybe you'll like it though.
I've not tried Plex, Jellyfin and similar.

3. Do I have to switch to windows ?

Hell no!

 

[Salt]

Foobar can be installed on Ubuntu...