Streamers that support squeezelite?

[fatoldgit]

I am not talking about something like a RPI or Intel PC where you install an OS that may come with squeezelite (or you install later) but rather a "canned" streamer.

Anecdotally (from reading reviews) I believe the following support squeezelite:

- One of several Wiim's
- eversolo A6 or A8

Can someone confirm the specific models of the above (I aint lazy, just that the software keeps evolving and I aint 100% if they do or dont) PLUS add any other streamers that support squeezelite.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[bloodshoteyed]

wasn't their latest stable release put out almost 5 years ago?

i'm afraid that's almost like looking for cars with a built-in cd player

 

[fatoldgit]

wasn't their latest stable release put out almost 5 years ago?

i'm afraid that's almost like looking for cars with a built-in cd player

nope... always getting tweaks.. partial screen shot from github. You can download current binaries or do as I do and compile from source.

ALSO... its kind like saying that the definition of PCM hasnt had an update for decades... squeezelite is a great (stable) way to interface into ALSA on Linux (streamed from a LMS compliant client).

I have been using LMS since 2005 (still use Slimdevices Transporters) and in my main system I use squeezelite.

And LMS is still very relevant... supports more streaming services of all kinds than any other streaming software as well as supporting local playback of PCM, DSD and most other file formats.

It can be a little geeky at times but lots of "canned" implementations for windows, apple, linux. Plus being open source you can hack it as I have to bend it as needed.

Peter

 

[somebodyelse]

wasn't their latest stable release put out almost 5 years ago?

i'm afraid that's almost like looking for cars with a built-in cd player

Ralph doesn't do releases. See issue 29 and the duplicates that get created from time to time as it makes life tricky for packagers. It doesn't mean that development has stopped.

 

[linuxfan]

Can someone confirm the specific models of the above
...
that support squeezelite.

I can't comment on the EverSolo, but regarding WiiM models which have native support for LMS/Squeezelite -
WiiM Mini - NO
WiiM Pro - YES
WiiM Pro Plus - YES

And even though the Mini does not offer native Squeezelite support, you can still use it with LMS by installing the UpNP/DLNA Bridge plugin on the LMS server.

The advantage of using the old LMS server back end is that you can then use the well regarded LMS/Squeeze client apps - they are generally considered much nicer than DLNA client apps, and you can also use the more recent browser-based client Material Skin - which is very highly regarded.

 

[Fahzz]

Check Eversolo.

 

[linuxfan]

UPDATED
Regarding the DMP-A6/A8 - it appears that recent firmware updates now include a feature called "Squeeze Connect".
From the zidoo forum link provided by Raxumit it appears to be a "reverse" concept where the endpoint can query the LMS server - which I don't like - that's not how a server/client model is supposed to work, but at least it appears to function.

The DMP-A6 and A8 certainly support DLNA, and it seems to me a more straightforward solution to just install the UpNP/DLNA Bridge plugin on the LMS server.

 

[Raxumit]

I just checked the DMP-A6/A8 user manuals, and it appears they support DLNA but not LMS.
So the same would apply regarding the WiiM Mini - they can act as endpoints once you install the UpNP/DLNA Bridge plugin on the LMS server.

There's tons of mentions of LMS support on various Eversolo-related forums. It does seem to be supported, but I don't think it approaches PiCorePlayer in its GUI sophistication. I don't have one so can't vouch for any of it:

Squeeze Connect

As a long-time user of Logitech Media Server (LMS), the inclusion of Squeeze Connect in the latest firmware on the DMP-A6 was enough to make me order...

forum.zidoo.tv

Wiim Ultra does support LMS, I have one. There are bugs to work out but they are fixing things.

 

[BillG]

I am not talking about something like a RPI or Intel PC where you install an OS that may come with squeezelite (or you install later) but rather a "canned" streamer.

If you have difficulty finding one that fulfills whatever requirements you have, considering one that supports Google Cast, UPnP-DLNA or Apple AirPlay instead is another option. That would certainly expand one's options into the virtually innumerable.

I happen to be using LMS, and have for a number of years now, with the Google Cast, UPnP-DLNA and SlimProto (squeezelite) devices via Chromecast Bridge and UPnP-DLNA Bridge plug-ins - SlimProto being native, of course, doesn't require one.

Both plug-ins are easy to configure and are seamless in operation once that's done.

 

[linuxfan]

Squeeze Connect

As a long-time user of Logitech Media Server (LMS), the inclusion of Squeeze Connect in the latest firmware on the DMP-A6 was enough to make me order...

forum.zidoo.tv

OK, I just updated my previous post.

 

[Smitty2k1]

Had a Wiim Mini using LMS with the bridge plugin, but wanted full compatibility/functionality so I sprang for a b-stock Wiim Pro. Was hoping the Mini would get the native LMS support after they managed to add PEQ, as I want to plug it into my whole-home audio system and retire my old Pi with PiCorePlayer for another project.

 

[fatoldgit]

UPDATED
Regarding the DMP-A6/A8 - it appears that recent firmware updates now include a feature called "Squeeze Connect".
From the zidoo forum link provided by Raxumit it appears to be a "reverse" concept where the endpoint can query the LMS server - which I don't like - that's not how a server/client model is supposed to work, but at least it appears to function.

The DMP-A6 and A8 certainly support DLNA, and it seems to me a more straightforward solution to just install the UpNP/DLNA Bridge plugin on the LMS server.

Sad they went that way... squeezelite is such a simple application to compile but I assume they had to do it this way to keep "control" within their app.

I checked out the Holo Red, which uses an embedded RPI (as do some other DAC's) but to me that's a bit of a gludge (but necessary in this day and age if they want to support mulitple services). Gludge in the sense it has no real advantage over a standard DAC with a seperate RPI.

From what I can see a Wiim seems to be the best route BUT I have three Slimdevices Transporters (which are obviously the pinnacle of a pure LMS end point), my source material is 16/44.1 so well within the Trannies 24/96 limit, they dont upsample so are bit perfect (aside from bit stuffing to 24 bit which is still bit perfect as no resampling is happening) and even though they originally came out 18 years ago, the measurements are still good enough for 16/44.1 (see https://www.stereophile.com/content/slim-devices-transporter-network-music-player-measurements). Its jitter rejection when used a a DAC is bad by todays standards but that doesnt come into play when used as an LMS end point.

Plus LMS (now lyrion) is a fantastic and lightweight (in terms of foot print not capability) bit of software... not fat and bloated like some others (looking at you Roon..which I really tried to love).

So I guess (at this point) I am stuck with my Trannies... its not a money thing but I just havent seen any streamer over the years that competes with them, when viewed through an LMS lense. Obviously running squeezelite on a lightweight compute device into a DAC via USB is as close as you can get (which I did for a while but the Trannies kept calling me back)

Note I rotate my Trannies in and out of my main system (to keep them aging at the same rate) and use them direct into my power amps.

Peter

 

[fatoldgit]

The advantage of using the old LMS server back end is that you can then use the well regarded LMS/Squeeze client apps - they are generally considered much nicer than DLNA client apps, and you can also use the more recent browser-based client Material Skin - which is very highly regarded.

agreed on DLNA... I have LMS Lyrion tattoted on my forehead... so I aint moving away from it.. been a happy user for 18 years.

I am a bit of a purist (spoiled by my use of Transporters) so while viable, using multiple layers (as highlighted by @BillG) while it works in their use case/topology, it doesnt appeal if I can avoid it.

I had hoped the Eversolo would fix my Transporter addiction.

Thanks to all who replied.

Peter

 

[Fahzz]

Since you are already familiar with LMS, maybe consider installing it on a mini PC and use it as a server AND player. I have LMS on a Beelink Mini, use the local player plugin, run it through an SMSL SU -1 DAC into an AVR. I even bought a 7" screen that's plug and play. The PC has a big hard drive built in, so you can store your own ripped tracks, and LMS as you know integrates nicely with most streaming services. the PC and the DAC are TINY and total cost was maybe $350.
There are some minor quirks with installation but in my my experience it's much simpler to get up and running than some of the other devices I've used.
I've been through several Squeezebox models, two Allo Players using Max2Play and Squeezelite, and I purchased and sent back one of the Eversolo devices.
I'm very happy with the current set up, and for you, there would be a much smaller learning curve, if any.
Just a thought.

 

[Fahzz]

agreed on DLNA... I have LMS Lyrion tattoted on my forehead... so I aint moving away from it.. been a happy user for 18 years.

Peter

You must have been pretty ticked off when they changed the name.

 

[fatoldgit]

Since you are already familiar with LMS, maybe consider installing it on a mini PC and use it as a server AND player. I have LMS on a Beelink Mini, use the local player plugin, run it through an SMSL SU -1 DAC into an AVR. I even bought a 7" screen that's plug and play. The PC has a big hard drive built in, so you can store your own ripped tracks, and LMS as you know integrates nicely with most streaming services. the PC and the DAC are TINY and total cost was maybe $350.
There are some minor quirks with installation but in my my experience it's much simpler to get up and running than some of the other devices I've used.
I've been through several Squeezebox models, two Allo Players using Max2Play and Squeezelite, and I purchased and sent back one of the Eversolo devices.
I'm very happy with the current set up, and for you, there would be a much smaller learning curve, if any.
Just a thought.

To keep a long story short, I am an old (45+ years experience) Unix/Linux systems level developer so have no hurdles when it comes to tech. I did go the small footprint PC with squeezelite route for a while but as noted the Transporters kept calling me back.

But I have found the available LMS GUI's didnt meet my view on how a GUI should look/work. Looked at many other solutions outside of LMS (jriver, roon, etc) but their GUI's didnt do it for me either.

While I have used LMS for years, it wasnt until I retired that I had time to do a "build your own" GUI.

So took Kodi, which has a inbuilt GUI development language (and a back end in C++) and started with a "green field" development of a GUI that worked the way I wanted (ended up needing 50k line of GUI code and 30k lines of new C++ code).

I have been layering features into it for some time after the basic GUI was done and this included integrating the Kodi GUI into the LMS eco system so I can target any slimproto compliant end point (Transporters, squeezelite).

I just love the Transporter (as many people do) and being a die hard non windows/apple/android type of guy, I like open source solutions that I can hack/modify. This means I arent at the mercy of commerical app devs doing stuff that changes ones GUI experience, has features I dont need etc (and they all do it to some degree).

So my query was to see if there was any "canned" streamer that has Transporter like attributes and had hoped the Eversolo did.

Peter

 

[somebodyelse]

While I have used LMS for years, it wasnt until I retired that I had time to do a "build your own" GUI.

So took Kodi, which has a inbuilt GUI development language (and a back end in C++) and started with a "green field" development of a GUI that worked the way I wanted (ended up needing 50k line of GUI code and 30k lines of new C++ code).

I have been layering features into it for some time after the basic GUI was done and this included integrating the Kodi GUI into the LMS eco system so I can target any slimproto compliant end point (Transporters, squeezelite).

That sounds interesting. Is your GUI available anywhere?

 

[GioF71]

Hello @fatoldgit, I am very curious about your work. Do you intend to use kodi as a gui for remote player, or as a player on its own?
Thank you