RoPieeeXL with the Allo Digione feeding a Naim Dac via BNC from Roon or Spotify. (you need the XL version to provide DLNA,Airplay and Spotify Connect) I was previously using dietpi which gives you the ability to install a wide range of software (inc. Roonbridge and Spotify Connect) and this OS is preferable if you want to do more with the Pi than simply using it as an audio endpoint (for example, to run Pihole). I also have a Pi with hifiberry AMP+ installed inside an old valve radio which acts as a wireless Roon/Spotify endpoint with simple internet radio streaming via a re-purposed remote control. Makes for a nice low-fi kitchen playback device.
As an advanced user with extensive hands on time and personal everyday use I will break down my personal favorite operating systems, also before covering any operating system details I have always use ETCHER to "Burn" the os image to micro sd. Raspberry pi 3 B+: For movie and tv streaming (including internet archive gaming / rom's) I always use LebreElec "just enough os for KODI" once Kodi is installed there are a plethora of repo's out that will satisfy most of your audio & visual needs (My two favorite Kodi addons would be CCloud for TV and Exodus for TV and Movies on demand). LebreElec has been running on my Pi 3 B+ for about 4 months now without any issues and performs great both using Ethernet and or WiFi, I would suggest using a decent "AIR MOUSE remote" with keypad on back fir an enjoyable user experience. Raspberry Pi Zero W: Not so great as a tv streaming device as it lacks the physical computing power of its larger brothers or sisters (Pi 2,3,4's) etc, but works well for game rom emulation using (RETRO PI Os) and plays most game consoles up to and including SNES very well (in retro pi I have found that (snes9x 2002) for snes rom emulation works best at the moment and I have not experienced any game breaking performance issues. Octo print "os" is also a very handy os for raspberry pi if your into 3d printing and want remote control, remote video streaming of prints, and wireless upload of gcode to you 3d printer (Please cross reference your 3d printer, firmware, etc before hand for compatibility)
Volumio (AirPlay, NAS, works with my Smart Home Hub [Home Assistant]). I will try another Pi with HifiBerry OS and Room Correction with the HifiBerry DAC+ DSP.
John, it is great when you explain and break down issues for those of us who are eager to learn more. Your beginner’s guide to DACs was fantastic. Please keep them coming sir. Brilliant work.
Thanks John. You’re the reason I began down the Pi path in Nov18 with your DigiOne Signature video. It totally changed my music listening experience and opened my eyes to the quality a Pi can bring to audio. I’ve improved my system with a quality coax cable and speaker cables.... all because of the DigiOne. I finally have an excellent reference point. I would certainly like to see more videos like this one were you expose your audience to other Pi options and ways to improve ones setup. I think it’s definitely a niche area that’s suits your particular presentation style and commentary. Thanks again.
This video convinced me to put together a Raspberry Pi and Allo Digi 1. I love the sound quality it provides but I also loved the DIY/tinkering to get it up and running, way more fun than just a plug and play box. Thanks John!
Great you’re spreading the word on this John, I’ve been using Rpie streaming for a while now, it’s fantastic. The best I’ve heard for pure sound quality is the Allo USbridge Signature running Moode operating system, controlling it for Quobuz and local streaming with MconnectHD on my iPad. Amazing value for money.
John, let me congrat for the super informative feat you did. Very informative, unbiased, crystal clear. I think your contribution is very beneficial for the HiFi community as a whole. I remember when I started RaspyFi in 2013 (the predecessor to Volumio). I was the first to see in the PI some potential for audio and the first to create an ad-hoc distro for it (showoff mode off). So many people laughed at me, back then. Many said that the PI was just a toy, and Hi-Fi needed much more serious and beefy equipment. Some years later, it's great to see how this little toy is making HiFi a little bit funnier and a little bit more democratic. As they say, time is a gentleman.
John, as someone who is Raspberry Pi curious but was somewhat mystified by the platform, you have provided an exceptionally well thought out explanation of this very interesting corner of audio. I always thought you had to be a "computer guy" to use these, which I am not. I may still give it a shot though as a bit of a challenge for myself. When it comes to digital audio, you are my go-to guy.
I've been watching your channel lately and I love it. A) Prices are in Euro always a plus but you're honest about everything. Sometimes a lot of audiophile channels talk down to you and you go away more confused than you come into it! Keep up the good work!
Dear John. Thank you so much for your videos. I really enjoy your straightforward, compact and very informative talks with excellent demos, at just the right level (for me).
I own a Pi 3b with the Allo Boss DAC you show here. It's OUTSTANDING. I actually like the acrylic case for the Pi & Boss DAC because it's clear, which makes it a conversation piece rather than just another piece of gear, especially since my Pi does lots of other things.
Your tutorial is FANTASTIC, with lots of information and suggestions for us to consider. One aspect of the Pi needs to be discussed. The latest Pi, the Pi 4 launched not long ago, was found to overheat unless it was used with either a heatsink, heatsink/fan, or a case that is itself a heatsink. The original "official" plastic red/white case by itself was not sufficient. This was even when the Pi was not running any apps, but just idling. The Pi Foundation have since updated firmware to reduce the amount of overheating, but for anyone buying a Pi, search out the videos on the "Explaining Computers" TH-cam channel, where there are a number of discussions about the various cooling options available. Many of these cooling options could mean that a HAT could not be used at the same time. The earlier Pi 3B ( which I have ) would "benefit" from extra cooling for some uses, and almost certainly the Pi 3B+ would too. So as well as choosing one of the options in John's excellent tutorial video above, also investigate as to whether or not you will need extra cooling, and whether this will affect the audio hardware option that you choose. As this network streaming is new to me, I can't offer any further recommendations, but do a bit of research as to the subject of "cooling" before taking a final decision. Thank you and good luck with your setup !
This is pure gold, you have convinced me to take the plunge. I’m on the first rung of the audiophile ladder. I’m currently using a laptop for Tidal streaming. I was considering investing in the Pro-ject stream box S2 ultra, but at £599.00 for a Volumio box, I struggled to justify it.
I have been using a Rpi with JRiver MC24 software (i.e.an idPi) for a couple of years. It sounds pretty good via my Benchmark DAC2. Having watched this excellent video, I tried a DigiOne HAT, again into my DAC2, and was staggered at the difference. It is NOT subtle. It was the most obvious demonstration of the different sound - from the same digits, that I have ever heard. Keep up the good work John.
There are other brands and flavors of single board computers, but RPi has the biggest development community and widest variety of applications and peripheral hardware.
I wish I saw this two years earlier, lucky those who are new to this because now they can get this information in an enjoyable video. Anyway, it was a pleasure to watch, because I use Allo DigiOne. I'm thinking about Chord Mojo or maybe Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital instead of Marantz PM6006 internal DAC. I'm glad there is Darko.Audio which makes this journey way more enjoyable, so thank you!
Once again John you have come to my rescue, only this week have I been rearranging my system just to come away slightly disappointed with the final product and facing a large outlay on new and better equipment, this is to me a good way to try another setup. Thanks for the good work.
Just outstanding! What a terrific bridge between audiophile knowledge and Raspberry Pi hacking! Thank you for such a clear explanation & very nice production values in your video.
Dear John. Sending a HUGE thanks for this video. I was just talking to a friend the other day about his Raspberry Pi and how it could possibly used as an audio streamer. Your video is right on time and the content is clear and understandable, as always. I am a big fan of your channel and have been sharing it with others.
Thanks for saying that there is a difference in sound when it comes to digital output. I thought that I was going crazy with many people in hardware sites insisting that digital signal output are just made up of ones and zeros.
Joe Inabox mr too, the battery pack case I got became faulty, so I got a “Waterproof 4x18650 Battery Storage Case Box Holder Pack For Bicycle Light” from eBay, looks better and has been solid so far and I have 3 LEDs to show me how much power is remaining
Hello there, this was a great video and enthused me enough that I went out and built a streamer. I had an old Raspberry 2B knocking about and stuck a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro HAT on it. Downloaded Volumio's free system and now have a set up I am really pleased with. It runs through an Audolab DAC-Mini into an old Cyrus 7 amp and biggish B&W speakers ( forgot the series number). All my music files are on an SSD that connects to the Raspberry's USB . . and thats it. I am sure there are much higher end ways of doing this but I am spending the cash I saved on more music. Thank you for a practical video that actually means something rather dancing on the head of some critical pin like so many others. Keep it coming !
One more like from me. I have a raspberry pi gathering dust. This video opens the door of music streaming to me with much fun and the lowest cost. Thanks. So I ordered a DAC to team up with the pi.
Been having a lot of fun with Raspberry Pi and streaming. Ended up making a Server and Player setup loosely based on the Squeezebox/LMS setup. The server is using a 8Gb Pi4 and a SSD. The player is using a Pi Zero W. Ended up rolling my own software combination So the server can have it’s Music can be uploaded from the network or downloaded from the server. The LMS setup is quite a bit better than the Slimp3 days. The real revelation was using the Pi Zero as the playback via USB using a mostly competent DAC by FX-Audio the plan was to get a digital output card for the Zero in the end it did not need it, Just my Scottish self not spending money I do not need to spend! While testing I ended up trying 2 different DAC’s as well as 2 different recording interfaces, the ones I use for recording music The Pi 4 had timing issues with the more expensive recording interface. The lesser quality interface preformed very well better than expected, The consumer based DAC’s had no issues I could even use them for mixing/mastering. The aps for the phones are a welcome change too...
Glad I found this, it's been like 10 years since I've effed with a raspberry pi and I before it wasn't for music streaming but seeing what people have done with these it totally has made me think it's totally worth a look.
Thanks for this John. I've wanted to know more about the Raspberry Pi as a streamer for sometime now. And, as a beginner, I found this very informative.
I like the "Beginner's Guide" series idea, and I think it'd be appealing even to those of us who are not beginners. Still interesting, and you do learn a thing or two. Here, for example, I didn't know and wouldn't have expected the Allo's digital outs to be better than the BS ones. So there's always something to learn.
Errors in digital transmission do exist. They can result in dropouts. A metallic sound can be the result of configuration. The software mixer may mix in some other channels that should be switched off. Jitter or dropouts sound so bad that you would know, there is something very wrong in the connection or transmission. "Sounds a bit smoother than USB" is hard to digest. If you use software to do volume control then you can compromise the quality if you use a smaller part of your 16 or 24 bit resolution and therefore loosing headroom. The USB interface can send the volume as a parameter, but toslink can't. So if you want your phone or other device to control the volume then USB actually "sounds better". If you are just interested in playback and don't do further processing the just stick with 44.1 or 48kHz and 16 bits. No person passed a double blinded test to favour anything higher than CD quality.
For me it’s not about HEARING a difference between bit rates but rather about making sure that my equipment doesn’t fold it down to a lower bit rate. I’m just trying to keep my streams consistent, I’m more worried about a balanced signal now lol
Just found your Channel, my setup is Raspberry PI + Schiit Modi 3 + Spotify, Volumio, I rediscover the joy of listening the streaming music, thanks John from Montreal, Canada. Next step is Spotify to Tidal
John, Thank you for inspiring me to jump into Raspberry Pi streaming pool. I just completed an easy to use streaming media hub for my livingroom audio system. I started off with your review of the Justboom DigiHAT streaming platform. It prefectly integrates with my existing Meridian Director DAC that Steve Guttenberg recommended a few years back. Per your instructions, I installed JustBoom's version of Volumio using Etcher to create the RasPi OS. Justboom's online hint to connect a Cat 6 Ethernet cable from the RasPi to my router got me up and running the rest of the way. A 64GB USB drive filled w/ FLAC, and Volumio's access to internet radio sources provide the input content through the RasPi/Digi HAT on the S/PDIF side of the Meridian DAC. On the DAC"s USB side of the fence sits my Android phone w/ an OTG cable. An app called USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) fully supports the DAC's asynchronous USB interface. I discovered that not only does UAPP host Qobuz and Tidal, but it's specifically optimized to do so with noticable improvements in audio quality over the generic streaming service UI's. So in just 3 weeks (my Covid19 Quarantime so far) I've managed keep my sanity and create an inexpensive ($120) yet high end multiplexed streaming audio hub. Your website and TH-cam advise was invaluable. Cudos also to the expertise provided by UAPP and Justboom to iron out the varied wrinkles along the way.
I am a big fan of pi transport. They perform so good for less than 100 $. Love the fact that it is very simple when read and follow instructions to install the SD card. And then it just work right away
I'm so far down the proverbial digital rabbit hole i can barely see the light anymore. Still, i enjoyed watching this, and think you're doing a great job of humanizing the various aspects of FBP, file based playback. All the best!
I can’t say I’m not interested in these kinds of videos, because like to tinker with the hardware and the software !! Well done Sir 👍👍 Keep the videos coming ✌️✌️
I'm not sure how I came across this video, but I'm glad I did! I'm familiar with the RaspberryPi (I made an arcade cabinet with one), but I've always wanted to know more about the audio HATs and how they're meant to interact with other audio components. Thank you so much for posting this video. Subscribed.
👍 would love to see more beginners guides. Was lucky to find your channel (and webpage) by chance and been learning a lot with your content. Love high quality audio but did not know much about it. Thanks!
Holy cow! I have been trying to find something to do with my Raspberry Pi, and looking for a solution to stream audio from my local NAS, Spotify, etc. I can't thank you enough! I know what I'm doing this weekend! Yay!
Since I have everything on a NAS and have Plex setup, I tried Rasplex first. It was ok, but I had some extra microSD cards sitting unused, so I then tried Volumio. That did it! That's exactly what I was looking for. And, the headphone out option was fine for the rest of the weekend, but I order a Schitt DAC and wow!!! Thank you for the in-depth vid on RPi and the options for software, hardware, and how to get a great sounding streamer for my sound system!
Very nice avideo and a good introduction to raspberry pi - audio streaming. Certainly for me, someone trying to find his way in the wonderful world of the PI.
Hi John. Enjoying your presentation style. TBH I was expecting aloof audiophile snobbery, but you are making the subject friendly and accessible. I have a £10 Raspberry Pi Zero with a Phat DAC slung in a plastic box held together with hot glue connected to a reclaimed Canford Audio rack monitor. I use a bit of software called MoOde which I can listen to Internet radio. It sits there most days just playing lounge/ambient stations. I think the point with the Raspberry Pi is that it's fun to get your hands dirty. If you don't like the Pi being a DAC then turn it into a mini media centre/retro games machine/desktop pc. Keep up the good work.
I just started using my DFB with my Pi. Sounds great, but I'll put in a Digi one when they are available. Volumio is a great interface,. Very stable. I was using my phone and streaming from its USB C port to my old dacmagic which also sounded great, but would not take advantage of higher resolution files. Thanks John
Having just built my own NUC and installed ROCK, I'm now trying to figure out how to get a headphone jack "onto" my NAD M10 (yes I've watched your NAD/NAIM video). You've given me some more things to explore at my local IT store. I can possibly now use my Burson Audio headphone amp :-) Thanks John. Cheers from lockdown, Melbourne Australia
Thanks for an excellent video. It follows a path that I’ve already trodden, but it’s good to have my thinking and choices validated. I use Volumio on the Pi and it’s probably worth mentioning that Volumio has the ability to use Tidal and Qobuz as sources ( for a fee). That way, local and cloud-based streaming is done with the same interface and hardware.
Squeeze Ctrl is the best android app for squeezebox. I use a pi with HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro (blows the DigiOne away IMO). Then i also use a screen with touchscreen to mimic the sb touch and its awesome. Full 24 bit 192k hi res.
I love this video and appreciate knowing that the streaming process can be simplified and done at low cost. However, for me, the Roon Nucleus is a better path for me since the cost aspect is not a big factor and I much rather spend my time exploring and discovering music than fiddling with tech components. If I was 25 rather than 70, I might go for this. lol.
probably noteworthy for some is that the 2i will connect wirelessly to your network (this for me is crucial) and does also do MQA for any format snobs.
Hey there John, I just wanted to tell you how bloody marvellous that was and to thank you for giving me so much more to think about in my current quest to find a new digital transport to replace my ageing Sonos system (especially now that they’ve screwed over their oldest and most loyal customers - but hey, let’s not go there!). I also wanted to say how pleased I am that I just stumbled on your TH-cam channel - it’s soooooo, refreshing to hear straight talking, down to Earth, honest (and well informed) opinions, without all that "What’s up TH-cam" overhyped b@llocks that so many TH-camr’s seem to think is a prerequisite for a modern, successful channel! And to get unadulterated, clearly explained opinions on quality audio without the cringe-worthy nonsense that often accompanies some people’s ‘audiophile’ opinions is even more refreshing - You may even help to make the term ‘audiophile’ less scoffed as pretentious twoddle, and help us mere mortals understand what it really is / or should be. Well done you 👍👏
What could possibly be better than a cuddly, koala bear-like dude with a modern, eclectic taste in music talking about audio in a stylish, intelligent, music-first manner - with a British accent no less ?!! Had this been around years ago, online porn would surely have failed.
First computer I built ( when the world was young) I had read somewhere that the best way to ground yourself was to stand in bare feet during the build. It took me all night standing on bare feet on a cold stone kitchen floor to complete the PC. Coincidentally or not I got a grotty chest infection and had to take a week off work. If I ever find out who put that egregious piece of crap advice on the internet we will have words. Course I was stupid, or naive, enough to believe it.
John thank you for showing some gear. It saved me a lot of time to search for audio gears.
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You can also attach a screen and there are projects to pull the album art from spotify or tidal. I have a little 3inch square screen that displays what's being played over my Sonos system. I also have mopidy and icecast installed so in these covid times I can cast over the net and friends can listen and control what's being played so we can listen to music while not being able to hang out.
Great comparisons. Would love to see comparisons at the even higher end too, to see how it stands up. IE Mytek Brooklyn Bridge or Auralic Altair vs Allo digi one + a higher end dac. Is there a point where the raspberry pi stops being scaleable to higher end hifi systems? All good hypothetical questions i think.
@@mml8006 Nice video, I have been using Volumio on Raspberry Pi's for many years and have now arrived at the Allo Piano 2.1 plus Allo Kali, which is the best I have had so far. Please note that high end companies like Bryston use Raspberry Pi's in their new BDA-3.14 streamer that have exceptional quality at an exceptional price (approx eur 5.000), thats how scaleable the Raspberry Pi is.
Hi John, Loving the channel do you have any videos on the new Raspberry Pi 4? I want to create a DAC and would prefer to purchase 4 verses the 3 model.
Excellent video! Really enjoyed and gave me the oomph to try it out as it’s so reasonably priced. Can I ask, who on earth are the people who gave thumbs down??? There’s literally only good information in this!
For anyone thinking about Raspberry Pi streaming but not sure you can get a real good idea of what it is like by flashing the PC (X86/X64) version of Volumio to a USB/thumb drive and booting your PC from this drive. The hardest part (and it is not hard) is you that have to go into your PC's BIOS to boot from the USB drive. These Raspberry Pi operating systems are so small they run on the USB drive and don't effect the rest of your PC at all. You will be able to see how Volumio works, what it looks like, how to control it with your phone/tablet, how it connects to your hi-fi, etc..
This video is a wonderful public service. There is NO question in my mind that the future of streaming is RP. The SPDIF quality of a good HAT is miles ahead of anything in its price range. Coupled with a good linear PS and you have an audiophile solution. I would only add that if you are adventurous enough to do the Raspberry PI, than you should also look at a Roon Core on a NUK. Same basic procedure as the Pi. You wind up with a world class Roon core for $350.00 that rivals the Roon’s own Nucleus that sells for $2400.00. John, you should do a vid on flashing ROCK on a NUK. Thank you again.
Your videos are really good. Seriously! As always, a fantastic speech. This video opens my mind because I`m thinking to buy a streamer like the Bluesound Node 2i but I`m not sure.
I use the Pi as a NAS to store the music and via LAN its streaming on my streamer. Os is openmediavault and minidlna plugin and works great with hi-ficast app.
This video made me dig into the old hi-fi accessories box... and an old Google Chromecast Audio jumped out. I've forgotten about it. I've plugged it into my Rega DAC and a power bank. UNBELIEVABLE! £30?!?! The sound of this little thingy is dynamic, dense, full of detail. It must be the best value Hi-fi component ever.
Great content. This Beginner's Guide is just what I've been looking for. Clear, comprehensive and concise. Please keep them coming. Thank you and well done!
Even though I am inclined to believe differences in the quality of a digital signal should not matter, I did find the video useful. I’m looking at what to buy. I have a NAS with about 3500 tracks. I use Spotify as well but I’m leaning towards looking to both Apple music (because it integrates better into my Apple ecosystem) or Tidal or Qobuz for the quality. I don’t see myself paying a subscription or even 700 dollars for something like Roon. I sometimes think I still want physical media. I no longer have CDs but lately I’ve been thinking of getting an old Philips CD304 II that is built like a tank. It has a coax output. I have good speakers and a power amp (a preamp too but that’s all analog). The question is, what do I put in the middle. I’m a software engineer so would have no problems setting up a Pi, but I don’t want to have to run updates all the time myself. Plus I am looking for, say, a stylish solution. I was thinking of the NAD AMP1, NAD C658 (but that’s expensive), Bluesound Node 2 or 2i, Yamaha WXC-50 or Yamaha R-N803D. The reason for looking at Yamaha is that audiosciencereview.com seem to indicate they have excellent measured performance, which should at least guarantee that the designers have done their homework. But the app is important too.
Hey John. Enjoy these beginner guide videos. I understand the difference in quality between MP3 and hi res. What I don’t understand is the best transmission thru a network. It would be great if you explained in a video how a Tidal Master for example gets downgraded if you use Bluetooth or Airplay or stream it wireless. Then you add in the noise thing like from this video and it gets confusing. Thanks.
Great introduction John. I understand the hardware as I use a Raspberry Pi for other applications. What confuses me is the actual streaming process. Please could you do a beginners guide to streaming, specifically on how you would stream music stored on a PC to the Raspberry Pi.
Hi John, did I get right that RPi->DigioOne HAT-> SPDIF to DAC sounds better than RPi->Usb to DAC? Or does that depend on SPDIF/USB input receivers quality in DAC? Thanks
Hey there ADVANCED RPi users! What OS are you running and for what purpose e.g. Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Roon ?
RoPieeeXL with the Allo Digione feeding a Naim Dac via BNC from Roon or Spotify. (you need the XL version to provide DLNA,Airplay and Spotify Connect)
I was previously using dietpi which gives you the ability to install a wide range of software (inc. Roonbridge and Spotify Connect) and this OS is preferable if you want to do more with the Pi than simply using it as an audio endpoint (for example, to run Pihole).
I also have a Pi with hifiberry AMP+ installed inside an old valve radio which acts as a wireless Roon/Spotify endpoint with simple internet radio streaming via a re-purposed remote control. Makes for a nice low-fi kitchen playback device.
As an advanced user with extensive hands on time and personal everyday use I will break down my personal favorite operating systems, also before covering any operating system details I have always use ETCHER to "Burn" the os image to micro sd.
Raspberry pi 3 B+: For movie and tv streaming (including internet archive gaming / rom's) I always use LebreElec "just enough os for KODI" once Kodi is installed there are a plethora of repo's out that will satisfy most of your audio & visual needs (My two favorite Kodi addons would be CCloud for TV and Exodus for TV and Movies on demand). LebreElec has been running on my Pi 3 B+ for about 4 months now without any issues and performs great both using Ethernet and or WiFi, I would suggest using a decent "AIR MOUSE remote" with keypad on back fir an enjoyable user experience.
Raspberry Pi Zero W: Not so great as a tv streaming device as it lacks the physical computing power of its larger brothers or sisters (Pi 2,3,4's) etc, but works well for game rom emulation using (RETRO PI Os) and plays most game consoles up to and including SNES very well (in retro pi I have found that (snes9x 2002) for snes rom emulation works best at the moment and I have not experienced any game breaking performance issues.
Octo print "os" is also a very handy os for raspberry pi if your into 3d printing and want remote control, remote video streaming of prints, and wireless upload of gcode to you 3d printer (Please cross reference your 3d printer, firmware, etc before hand for compatibility)
Audiolinux ramroot roon bridge (pi4b 4gb) in Metrum Amber.
Volumio (AirPlay, NAS, works with my Smart Home Hub [Home Assistant]). I will try another Pi with HifiBerry OS and Room Correction with the HifiBerry DAC+ DSP.
Pcmstreamer for Windows real-time audio streaming.. TH-cam, Roon, games..
John, it is great when you explain and break down issues for those of us who are eager to learn more. Your beginner’s guide to DACs was fantastic. Please keep them coming sir. Brilliant work.
Thanks John. You’re the reason I began down the Pi path in Nov18 with your DigiOne Signature video. It totally changed my music listening experience and opened my eyes to the quality a Pi can bring to audio. I’ve improved my system with a quality coax cable and speaker cables.... all because of the DigiOne. I finally have an excellent reference point. I would certainly like to see more videos like this one were you expose your audience to other Pi options and ways to improve ones setup. I think it’s definitely a niche area that’s suits your particular presentation style and commentary. Thanks again.
This video convinced me to put together a Raspberry Pi and Allo Digi 1. I love the sound quality it provides but I also loved the DIY/tinkering to get it up and running, way more fun than just a plug and play box. Thanks John!
Yep motivated now.. I am heading down this path
What kind of DAC are you running with this?
Love this channel. Great presenter. Relevant information without the normal blah, blah, blah. Very refreshing.
Great you’re spreading the word on this John, I’ve been using Rpie streaming for a while now, it’s fantastic. The best I’ve heard for pure sound quality is the Allo USbridge Signature running Moode operating system, controlling it for Quobuz and local streaming with MconnectHD on my iPad. Amazing value for money.
Hi Richard,
Are you getting mConnect to work gaplessly with Qobuz?
Did you also try Moode with Tidal? Do you still use the Tidal app or somehow run it through the Moode app?
Hi, yes, Quobuz works gapless, I haven’t tried a Tidal.
Andrew, on the Moode web config page, you enter your Tidal/Quobuz username and password.
John, let me congrat for the super informative feat you did. Very informative, unbiased, crystal clear. I think your contribution is very beneficial for the HiFi community as a whole.
I remember when I started RaspyFi in 2013 (the predecessor to Volumio). I was the first to see in the PI some potential for audio and the first to create an ad-hoc distro for it (showoff mode off). So many people laughed at me, back then.
Many said that the PI was just a toy, and Hi-Fi needed much more serious and beefy equipment. Some years later, it's great to see how this little toy is making HiFi a little bit funnier and a little bit more democratic.
As they say, time is a gentleman.
Thank you very much for Volumio and your committment! Big respect dear Michelangelo!
This was one of your best videos in my opinion. Please continue the good work sir.
I got interested in this and was searching for a good explanation and you were the only explaining it for a real beginner like me.
Dude, thanks. Out of all the videos regarding this subject matter, yours is tolerable.
This is the classiest Raspberry Pi video I’ve ever seen.
Seconded!
Especially since it's not one of those million videos that's like "DeSKtOp RePlAcEmEnT Finally?!?!?!"
thank you for making the audiophile world easier to understand for those who are new.
So I decided to build a raspberry pi streamer... how fortunate to wake up to this video from my favorite hifi channel!
John, as someone who is Raspberry Pi curious but was somewhat mystified by the platform, you have provided an exceptionally well thought out explanation of this very interesting corner of audio. I always thought you had to be a "computer guy" to use these, which I am not. I may still give it a shot though as a bit of a challenge for myself. When it comes to digital audio, you are my go-to guy.
That was my aim for this video: to take the 'computer guy' out of the picture.
@@DarkoAudio Mission accomplished.
Never even considered a Pi/HAT solution...That is dope. Thanks for the vid!
I've been watching your channel lately and I love it. A) Prices are in Euro always a plus but you're honest about everything. Sometimes a lot of audiophile channels talk down to you and you go away more confused than you come into it! Keep up the good work!
Dear John.
Thank you so much for your videos. I really enjoy your straightforward, compact and very informative talks with excellent demos, at just the right level (for me).
I own a Pi 3b with the Allo Boss DAC you show here. It's OUTSTANDING. I actually like the acrylic case for the Pi & Boss DAC because it's clear, which makes it a conversation piece rather than just another piece of gear, especially since my Pi does lots of other things.
Bravo, John. A follow-up deep dive into Pi+DAC sonic comparisons would be entirely justifiable and appreciated.
I learn more on your channel than any of the others.
Your tutorial is FANTASTIC, with lots of information and suggestions for us to consider. One aspect of the Pi needs to be discussed. The latest Pi, the Pi 4 launched not long ago, was found to overheat unless it was used with either a heatsink, heatsink/fan, or a case that is itself a heatsink. The original "official" plastic red/white case by itself was not sufficient. This was even when the Pi was not running any apps, but just idling. The Pi Foundation have since updated firmware to reduce the amount of overheating, but for anyone buying a Pi, search out the videos on the "Explaining Computers" TH-cam channel, where there are a number of discussions about the various cooling options available. Many of these cooling options could mean that a HAT could not be used at the same time. The earlier Pi 3B ( which I have ) would "benefit" from extra cooling for some uses, and almost certainly the Pi 3B+ would too. So as well as choosing one of the options in John's excellent tutorial video above, also investigate as to whether or not you will need extra cooling, and whether this will affect the audio hardware option that you choose. As this network streaming is new to me, I can't offer any further recommendations, but do a bit of research as to the subject of "cooling" before taking a final decision. Thank you and good luck with your setup !
This is pure gold, you have convinced me to take the plunge. I’m on the first rung of the audiophile ladder. I’m currently using a laptop for Tidal streaming. I was considering investing in the Pro-ject stream box S2 ultra, but at £599.00 for a Volumio box, I struggled to justify it.
I have been using a Rpi with JRiver MC24 software (i.e.an idPi) for a couple of years. It sounds pretty good via my Benchmark DAC2. Having watched this excellent video, I tried a DigiOne HAT, again into my DAC2, and was staggered at the difference. It is NOT subtle. It was the most obvious demonstration of the different sound - from the same digits, that I have ever heard.
Keep up the good work John.
The real strength of the Pi is its versatility. One is not locked into a pre-built box but rather can expand its use to whatever suits your needs.
There are other brands and flavors of single board computers, but RPi has the biggest development community and widest variety of applications and peripheral hardware.
@@timmooney7528 and this is the recipe to make it successful.
my favorite part of this tutorial is when you look over your shoulder when typing in your password. comedic genius!
I wish I saw this two years earlier, lucky those who are new to this because now they can get this information in an enjoyable video. Anyway, it was a pleasure to watch, because I use Allo DigiOne. I'm thinking about Chord Mojo or maybe Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital instead of Marantz PM6006 internal DAC. I'm glad there is Darko.Audio which makes this journey way more enjoyable, so thank you!
Once again John you have come to my rescue, only this week have I been rearranging my system just to come away slightly disappointed with the final product and facing a large outlay on new and better equipment, this is to me a good way to try another setup. Thanks for the good work.
Just outstanding! What a terrific bridge between audiophile knowledge and Raspberry Pi hacking! Thank you for such a clear explanation & very nice production values in your video.
Dear John. Sending a HUGE thanks for this video. I was just talking to a friend the other day about his Raspberry Pi and how it could possibly used as an audio streamer. Your video is right on time and the content is clear and understandable, as always. I am a big fan of your channel and have been sharing it with others.
Thanks for saying that there is a difference in sound when it comes to digital output. I thought that I was going crazy with many people in hardware sites insisting that digital signal output are just made up of ones and zeros.
You’re original Raspberry Pi video where you nearly burnt your house down is what got me into the Pi and I haven’t looked back since. Thanks
Joe Inabox mr too, the battery pack case I got became faulty, so I got a “Waterproof 4x18650 Battery Storage Case Box Holder Pack For Bicycle Light” from eBay, looks better and has been solid so far and I have 3 LEDs to show me how much power is remaining
Hello there, this was a great video and enthused me enough that I went out and built a streamer. I had an old Raspberry 2B knocking about and stuck a HifiBerry Digi+ Pro HAT on it. Downloaded Volumio's free system and now have a set up I am really pleased with. It runs through an Audolab DAC-Mini into an old Cyrus 7 amp and biggish B&W speakers ( forgot the series number). All my music files are on an SSD that connects to the Raspberry's USB . . and thats it. I am sure there are much higher end ways of doing this but I am spending the cash I saved on more music. Thank you for a practical video that actually means something rather dancing on the head of some critical pin like so many others. Keep it coming !
One more like from me. I have a raspberry pi gathering dust. This video opens the door of music streaming to me with much fun and the lowest cost. Thanks. So I ordered a DAC to team up with the pi.
Been having a lot of fun with Raspberry Pi and streaming. Ended up making a Server and Player setup loosely based on the Squeezebox/LMS setup. The server is using a 8Gb Pi4 and a SSD. The player is using a Pi Zero W. Ended up rolling my own software combination So the server can have it’s Music can be uploaded from the network or downloaded from the server. The LMS setup is quite a bit better than the Slimp3 days. The real revelation was using the Pi Zero as the playback via USB using a mostly competent DAC by FX-Audio the plan was to get a digital output card for the Zero in the end it did not need it, Just my Scottish self not spending money I do not need to spend! While testing I ended up trying 2 different DAC’s as well as 2 different recording interfaces, the ones I use for recording music The Pi 4 had timing issues with the more expensive recording interface. The lesser quality interface preformed very well better than expected, The consumer based DAC’s had no issues I could even use them for mixing/mastering. The aps for the phones are a welcome change too...
Glad I found this, it's been like 10 years since I've effed with a raspberry pi and I before it wasn't for music streaming but seeing what people have done with these it totally has made me think it's totally worth a look.
One of my favorite Darko videos! Already subscribed, so looking forward to more. Scott
Thanks for this John. I've wanted to know more about the Raspberry Pi as a streamer for sometime now. And, as a beginner, I found this very informative.
I like the "Beginner's Guide" series idea, and I think it'd be appealing even to those of us who are not beginners. Still interesting, and you do learn a thing or two. Here, for example, I didn't know and wouldn't have expected the Allo's digital outs to be better than the BS ones. So there's always something to learn.
Errors in digital transmission do exist. They can result in dropouts. A metallic sound can be the result of configuration. The software mixer may mix in some other channels that should be switched off. Jitter or dropouts sound so bad that you would know, there is something very wrong in the connection or transmission. "Sounds a bit smoother than USB" is hard to digest. If you use software to do volume control then you can compromise the quality if you use a smaller part of your 16 or 24 bit resolution and therefore loosing headroom. The USB interface can send the volume as a parameter, but toslink can't. So if you want your phone or other device to control the volume then USB actually "sounds better". If you are just interested in playback and don't do further processing the just stick with 44.1 or 48kHz and 16 bits. No person passed a double blinded test to favour anything higher than CD quality.
For me it’s not about HEARING a difference between bit rates but rather about making sure that my equipment doesn’t fold it down to a lower bit rate. I’m just trying to keep my streams consistent, I’m more worried about a balanced signal now lol
Just found your Channel, my setup is Raspberry PI + Schiit Modi 3 + Spotify, Volumio, I rediscover the joy of listening the streaming music, thanks John from Montreal, Canada. Next step is Spotify to Tidal
John, Thank you for inspiring me to jump into Raspberry Pi streaming pool. I just completed an easy to use streaming media hub for my livingroom audio system.
I started off with your review of the Justboom DigiHAT streaming platform. It prefectly integrates with my existing Meridian Director DAC that Steve Guttenberg recommended a few years back.
Per your instructions, I installed JustBoom's version of Volumio using Etcher to create the RasPi OS.
Justboom's online hint to connect a Cat 6 Ethernet cable from the RasPi to my router got me up and running the rest of the way.
A 64GB USB drive filled w/ FLAC, and Volumio's access to internet radio sources provide the input content through the RasPi/Digi HAT on the S/PDIF side of the Meridian DAC.
On the DAC"s USB side of the fence sits my Android phone w/ an OTG cable. An app called USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) fully supports the DAC's asynchronous USB interface.
I discovered that not only does UAPP host Qobuz and Tidal, but it's specifically optimized to do so with noticable improvements in audio quality over the generic streaming service UI's.
So in just 3 weeks (my Covid19 Quarantime so far) I've managed keep my sanity and create an inexpensive ($120) yet high end multiplexed streaming audio hub.
Your website and TH-cam advise was invaluable. Cudos also to the expertise provided by UAPP and Justboom to iron out the varied wrinkles along the way.
Again a well produced and informative video. Great work. Thank you!!
Great video John, I'm curious on your opinion on using the raspberry pi to deliver digital music to a dac vs using a Chromecast audio?
I am a big fan of pi transport. They perform so good for less than 100 $. Love the fact that it is very simple when read and follow instructions to install the SD card. And then it just work right away
This is a great video - simplifies a confusing space. I'm really enjoying the content on your channel and website.
I just got gifted a RPi board, can't wait to get working on it.
This video has been real simple and helpful.
Great work.
🍻🍻
What a useful video! You really did a public service on this one. Thank you for creating and posting it.
I'm so far down the proverbial digital rabbit hole i can barely see the light anymore. Still, i enjoyed watching this, and think you're doing a great job of humanizing the various aspects of FBP, file based playback. All the best!
Super important video,another Darko classic. Thanks
Amazingly informative John. Thank you.
I can’t say I’m not interested in these kinds of videos, because like to tinker with the hardware and the software !! Well done Sir 👍👍 Keep the videos coming ✌️✌️
I'm not sure how I came across this video, but I'm glad I did! I'm familiar with the RaspberryPi (I made an arcade cabinet with one), but I've always wanted to know more about the audio HATs and how they're meant to interact with other audio components. Thank you so much for posting this video. Subscribed.
👍 would love to see more beginners guides. Was lucky to find your channel (and webpage) by chance and been learning a lot with your content. Love high quality audio but did not know much about it. Thanks!
Good job John. I read in to these but glazed over when another language appeared. This is really helpful.
Hey John! you're channel is relaxing and informative. And because of that, I subbed! More great episode man! Cheers!
Niceeeeeeee, Darkos back with some sweet sweet music tips :)
It is a pleasureto listen to you'r detasiled explanation
Holy cow! I have been trying to find something to do with my Raspberry Pi, and looking for a solution to stream audio from my local NAS, Spotify, etc. I can't thank you enough! I know what I'm doing this weekend! Yay!
Since I have everything on a NAS and have Plex setup, I tried Rasplex first. It was ok, but I had some extra microSD cards sitting unused, so I then tried Volumio. That did it! That's exactly what I was looking for. And, the headphone out option was fine for the rest of the weekend, but I order a Schitt DAC and wow!!! Thank you for the in-depth vid on RPi and the options for software, hardware, and how to get a great sounding streamer for my sound system!
Superbly explained, John! Thanks.
This video came just when I started to get interested in it. Thanks, John!
Very nice avideo and a good introduction to raspberry pi - audio streaming. Certainly for me, someone trying to find his way in the wonderful world of the PI.
Hi John. Enjoying your presentation style. TBH I was expecting aloof audiophile snobbery, but you are making the subject friendly and accessible. I have a £10 Raspberry Pi Zero with a Phat DAC slung in a plastic box held together with hot glue connected to a reclaimed Canford Audio rack monitor. I use a bit of software called MoOde which I can listen to Internet radio. It sits there most days just playing lounge/ambient stations. I think the point with the Raspberry Pi is that it's fun to get your hands dirty. If you don't like the Pi being a DAC then turn it into a mini media centre/retro games machine/desktop pc. Keep up the good work.
That's a really good practical guide. Shows people what to expect
I just started using my DFB with my Pi. Sounds great, but I'll put in a Digi one when they are available. Volumio is a great interface,. Very stable. I was using my phone and streaming from its USB C port to my old dacmagic which also sounded great, but would not take advantage of higher resolution files. Thanks John
Thanks John. Looking for low profile options for a bedroom system. These are inexpensive enough to experiment with.
Now I managed to watch it from beginning to end. Got it. Thanks! (The comparison/option B in the form of Bluesound node at the end, is key. Yey.)
Having just built my own NUC and installed ROCK, I'm now trying to figure out how to get a headphone jack "onto" my NAD M10 (yes I've watched your NAD/NAIM video). You've given me some more things to explore at my local IT store. I can possibly now use my Burson Audio headphone amp :-) Thanks John. Cheers from lockdown, Melbourne Australia
John , thank you for the options u have outlined , u r always resourceful and great communicator , keep up your great work that u like , take care.
Fantastic video John, thank you so much!
Thanks for an excellent video. It follows a path that I’ve already trodden, but it’s good to have my thinking and choices validated. I use Volumio on the Pi and it’s probably worth mentioning that Volumio has the ability to use Tidal and Qobuz as sources ( for a fee). That way, local and cloud-based streaming is done with the same interface and hardware.
Squeeze Ctrl is the best android app for squeezebox. I use a pi with HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro (blows the DigiOne away IMO). Then i also use a screen with touchscreen to mimic the sb touch and its awesome. Full 24 bit 192k hi res.
I love this video and appreciate knowing that the streaming process can be simplified and done at low cost. However, for me, the Roon Nucleus is a better path for me since the cost aspect is not a big factor and I much rather spend my time exploring and discovering music than fiddling with tech components. If I was 25 rather than 70, I might go for this. lol.
probably noteworthy for some is that the 2i will connect wirelessly to your network (this for me is crucial) and does also do MQA for any format snobs.
Hey there John, I just wanted to tell you how bloody marvellous that was and to thank you for giving me so much more to think about in my current quest to find a new digital transport to replace my ageing Sonos system (especially now that they’ve screwed over their oldest and most loyal customers - but hey, let’s not go there!).
I also wanted to say how pleased I am that I just stumbled on your TH-cam channel - it’s soooooo, refreshing to hear straight talking, down to Earth, honest (and well informed) opinions, without all that "What’s up TH-cam" overhyped b@llocks that so many TH-camr’s seem to think is a prerequisite for a modern, successful channel! And to get unadulterated, clearly explained opinions on quality audio without the cringe-worthy nonsense that often accompanies some people’s ‘audiophile’ opinions is even more refreshing - You may even help to make the term ‘audiophile’ less scoffed as pretentious twoddle, and help us mere mortals understand what it really is / or should be. Well done you 👍👏
Thanks for this! I’ve been wanting this since you first posted about Rpi. 🙌
What could possibly be better than a cuddly, koala bear-like dude with a modern, eclectic taste in music talking about audio in a stylish, intelligent, music-first manner - with a British accent no less ?!!
Had this been around years ago, online porn would surely have failed.
wow! great video. Love the idea of beginner's guide to
Anytime John touches the board of the Raspberry Pi I can literally feel the electrostatic discharge :D
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@@DarkoAudio you must have had that grounding strap on your wrist n'est pa.
@@DarkoAudio
L😂L
First computer I built ( when the world was young) I had read somewhere that the best way to ground yourself was to stand in bare feet during the build. It took me all night standing on bare feet on a cold stone kitchen floor to complete the PC. Coincidentally or not I got a grotty chest infection and had to take a week off work.
If I ever find out who put that egregious piece of crap advice on the internet we will have words. Course I was stupid, or naive, enough to believe it.
@@jimfarrell4635 I built my first PC in my carpeted living room while wearing socks. I missed the grounding memo... but all went well!
John thank you for showing some gear. It saved me a lot of time to search for audio gears.
You can also attach a screen and there are projects to pull the album art from spotify or tidal. I have a little 3inch square screen that displays what's being played over my Sonos system. I also have mopidy and icecast installed so in these covid times I can cast over the net and friends can listen and control what's being played so we can listen to music while not being able to hang out.
Great comparisons. Would love to see comparisons at the even higher end too, to see how it stands up. IE Mytek Brooklyn Bridge or Auralic Altair vs Allo digi one + a higher end dac. Is there a point where the raspberry pi stops being scaleable to higher end hifi systems? All good hypothetical questions i think.
Zeb Brown Agree - would be great to hear how they stack up against dedicated streamers e.g. LUMIN D2
@@mml8006 Nice video, I have been using Volumio on Raspberry Pi's for many years and have now arrived at the Allo Piano 2.1 plus Allo Kali, which is the best I have had so far. Please note that high end companies like Bryston use Raspberry Pi's in their new BDA-3.14 streamer that have exceptional quality at an exceptional price (approx eur 5.000), thats how scaleable the Raspberry Pi is.
Great video. Very educational! I have a Node2i and I completely agree with your observations. Thank you
Hi John, Loving the channel do you have any videos on the new Raspberry Pi 4? I want to create a DAC and would prefer to purchase 4 verses the 3 model.
Excellent video! Really enjoyed and gave me the oomph to try it out as it’s so reasonably priced. Can I ask, who on earth are the people who gave thumbs down??? There’s literally only good information in this!
For anyone thinking about Raspberry Pi streaming but not sure you can get a real good idea of what it is like by flashing the PC (X86/X64) version of Volumio to a USB/thumb drive and booting your PC from this drive. The hardest part (and it is not hard) is you that have to go into your PC's BIOS to boot from the USB drive. These Raspberry Pi operating systems are so small they run on the USB drive and don't effect the rest of your PC at all.
You will be able to see how Volumio works, what it looks like, how to control it with your phone/tablet, how it connects to your hi-fi, etc..
This video is a wonderful public service. There is NO question in my mind that the future of streaming is RP. The SPDIF quality of a good HAT is miles ahead of anything in its price range. Coupled with a good linear PS and you have an audiophile solution. I would only add that if you are adventurous enough to do the Raspberry PI, than you should also look at a Roon Core on a NUK. Same basic procedure as the Pi. You wind up with a world class Roon core for $350.00 that rivals the Roon’s own Nucleus that sells for $2400.00. John, you should do a vid on flashing ROCK on a NUK. Thank you again.
Your videos are really good. Seriously! As always, a fantastic speech. This video opens my mind because I`m thinking to buy a streamer like the Bluesound Node 2i but I`m not sure.
I use the Pi as a NAS to store the music and via LAN its streaming on my streamer. Os is openmediavault and minidlna plugin and works great with hi-ficast app.
Super helpful. Now I know what to do one of the next weekends.
This video made me dig into the old hi-fi accessories box... and an old Google Chromecast Audio jumped out. I've forgotten about it. I've plugged it into my Rega DAC and a power bank. UNBELIEVABLE!
£30?!?! The sound of this little thingy is dynamic, dense, full of detail. It must be the best value Hi-fi component ever.
Many thanks John, your guide is really great.
😍Did not watch the video and already excited😊😁
Great content. This Beginner's Guide is just what I've been looking for. Clear, comprehensive and concise. Please keep them coming. Thank you and well done!
Even though I am inclined to believe differences in the quality of a digital signal should not matter, I did find the video useful. I’m looking at what to buy. I have a NAS with about 3500 tracks. I use Spotify as well but I’m leaning towards looking to both Apple music (because it integrates better into my Apple ecosystem) or Tidal or Qobuz for the quality. I don’t see myself paying a subscription or even 700 dollars for something like Roon. I sometimes think I still want physical media. I no longer have CDs but lately I’ve been thinking of getting an old Philips CD304 II that is built like a tank. It has a coax output. I have good speakers and a power amp (a preamp too but that’s all analog). The question is, what do I put in the middle. I’m a software engineer so would have no problems setting up a Pi, but I don’t want to have to run updates all the time myself. Plus I am looking for, say, a stylish solution. I was thinking of the NAD AMP1, NAD C658 (but that’s expensive), Bluesound Node 2 or 2i, Yamaha WXC-50 or Yamaha R-N803D. The reason for looking at Yamaha is that audiosciencereview.com seem to indicate they have excellent measured performance, which should at least guarantee that the designers have done their homework. But the app is important too.
Love it John, thanks again for breaking it down for those of us who need it from the begining, DigiStream101
Hey John.
Enjoy these beginner guide videos.
I understand the difference in quality between MP3 and hi res.
What I don’t understand is the best transmission thru a network.
It would be great if you explained in a video how a Tidal Master for example gets downgraded if you use Bluetooth or Airplay or stream it wireless.
Then you add in the noise thing like from this video and it gets confusing.
Thanks.
Great introduction John. I understand the hardware as I use a Raspberry Pi for other applications. What confuses me is the actual streaming process.
Please could you do a beginners guide to streaming, specifically on how you would stream music stored on a PC to the Raspberry Pi.
Brian Tooze once you install something like ropieee.org/xl/ on your Pi, it will appear as a speaker you can connect/stream to via Apple AirPlay etc.
Amazing and clear content in this one 👍
Hi John, did I get right that RPi->DigioOne HAT-> SPDIF to DAC sounds better than RPi->Usb to DAC?
Or does that depend on SPDIF/USB input receivers quality in DAC?
Thanks
I can tell you it does its what I am using and its tons better using the rca to your dac.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synthesis Master
Great Job