VOLUMIO (an audiophile music player) - on the Raspberry Pi

[KeithL]

LOOK FOR MORE CONTENT SOON

[DST]

I have been running an Asus Tinker Board (very similar to but more powerful than the Rasp Pi) with Volumio software for some time. I play music that is stored on my NAS and i-phone wirelessly through the Tinker Board running Volumio into my Emotiva dac via USB input. Sound is excellent! Only required cost is for a Pi or Tinker Board. The new Pi that just came out is more powerful and has better USB output. Previous Pis had terrible USB out. If you do not want to run wirelessly, you can run through ethernet cable. The basic form of Volumio is free and it is a kick ass music playing platform. There are specific versions to run on the various types of SBCs (single board computers) -- RPi, Tinker, Beaglebone, etc. Overall, for less than $100 one can have a kick ass streamer and music player that is the size of a cigarette pack. If you want to feed a cleaner digital version to your Emotiva DAC than the USB out of a Pi or Tinker Board, you can purchase a HAT (device that attaches directly to and sits on top of the Pi/TB) that cleans up your digits. DAC HATs also abound in the marketplace, but most folks here already have their own dacs. A SBC like RPi and Volumio can truly deliver astounding sound for the $$$. I am not a digithead and went into this stuff with zero knowledge and got my unit up and running fast.

[m4rc]

Hi Keith, I am using Volumio on a RPi4 via HDMI. It runs well together with the RMC-1. What I cannot get to work is Native DSD playback. Volumio does not seem to detect the RMC as DSD capable and therefore converts the signal to PCM. I am playing DSF files.
Audirvana does not seem to detect the RMC as DSD capable either. Same scenario - signal conversion to PMC.
Any idea why this might be?
Thanks, Marc

[brubacca]

I am assembling a Pi 4 2GB as a Roon Endpoint. Waiting for some parts, but I'm either going to run Volumio or Ropieee.. I want to use the Pie wireless with a static IP address. (My understanding is that this is broken currently in Ropieee)

[KeithL]

I don't know what's going on there.
Whenever we've sent DSD to an XMC-1 or an RMC-1 via HDMI, using devices like an Oppo disc player, it always seems to be detected correctly, and to play correctly.

I'm not a big fan of DSD but, from what I've seen, most of the discussion about "direct DSD" in Volumio seems to refer to using the USB output.
I wonder if there are some limitations in the HDMI driver there.
I can't seem to find anything that specifically says it will work over HDMI... but also nothing that says it won't.

I have seen it suggested in a few forums that this may be a limitation of the version of the Linux kernel used to build the current distribution of Volumio.
Remember that, when you download "the Volumio ISO image", you are downloading a specific copy of Volumio, compiled and combined with a specific version of Linux.
So you COULD build your own version - potentially using a new and more capable version of Raspian - which may support this.
(The current Volumio build download for the Raspberry Pi is dated January 2019.)

Dec 18, 2019 5:48:42 GMT -5 m4rc said:

Hi Keith, I am using Volumio on a RPi4 via HDMI. It runs well together with the RMC-1. What I cannot get to work is Native DSD playback. Volumio does not seem to detect the RMC as DSD capable and therefore converts the signal to PCM. I am playing DSF files.
Audirvana does not seem to detect the RMC as DSD capable either. Same scenario - signal conversion to PMC.
Any idea why this might be?
Thanks, Marc

[rcheliguy]

I'm running a Raspberry Pi 4 8Gb with Volumio by USB to my OPPO 105D.
I have an external 3Tb USB 3.0 drive with my high rez files on it and I'm currently streaming Spotify at 320kbps and not using Tidal.

So far it does pretty well.

My JRiver server on a PC does a little better in terms of keeping the OPPO 105D quiet between tracks or when I'm not playing anything. Volumio doesn't have the feature that keeps the path zeroed at least for the OPPO 105D's DAC. I haven't heard the same issue with the 205D.

Since tidal uses MQA and the Oppo 105D doesn't support MQA, that wouldn't be a good match at this time.


Volumio has dramatically improved the installation process and made it very easy.
All you do is write their provided image to a micro SD card.
Then you boot the Rasperry Pi off the SD card.
It creates a local hotspot that you connect to with your phone.
There is a very simple configuration process.
It immediately recognized my Oppo 105D.
I configured my WiFi network.
Then when I finished it indexed the attached USB 3.0 drive.

So far it's has run very reliably.

[rogerlons]

Okay, so I just ordered a Raspberry Pi (4B) and will be building a Volumio streamer with it. I know Keith uses this on a regular basis (or something similar) and I've been reading about this setup a bunch trying to get my act together before I pulled the trigger.

My digital collection is a mix of FLAC (44.1/48/96/192K) and DSD (64/128, most of which I don't have in any other format). I have some multi-channel audio ripped, but mostly prefer good, old-fashioned Stereo for critical listening.  The idea here is to have something similar to using my Oppo 205, but with a much better UI than their (mostly crappy) app.

I think this is correct, but can someone please confirm the following?

1. Volumio will output to either USB or HDMI outputs on the Pi4.
2. XMC-2 USB-in is limited to 2-channel 24/192.
3. DoP is not implemented in FW 2.3, so if I want to play DSD I need to use HDMI.
4. HDMI will process 24/192 streams.

Are there any reasons why I would want to use USB vs HDMI from the Pi4?  Number 3 above would be enough to deter me unless there's a crazy-good reason for me to convert a bunch of DSD files to FLAC...  That just sounds like another project to me.  If there are, do we have an ETA for DoP?  Suspect that this is pretty low priority for the Emo crew...

As always, any advice is much appreciated!  Look forward to hearing your responses.

Cheers,
Roger

[rogerlons]

Right, so I've done some testing with the RPi and both Volumio and Roon.  I have the RPi connected to my XMC-2 via both HDMI and USB.  Here are my observations so far, and some questions along the way.

Volumio
- With Volumio connected HDMI, I can stream at 192K with no issues.  It streams DSD files fine, but there is no indication that the processor is getting / decoding DSD - they show up at either 88 or 176K streams.  Does anyone know if the XMC-2 can decode DSD over HDMI, or if this is some weird hiccup of Volumio?
- With Volumio connected over USB, I am limited to 96K resolution.  I have not found a way to make the RPi recognize the Class 2 USB DAC...  So no 192K here.
- Whether USB or HDMI, Volumio does not play multi-channel audio.  According to the Internet, it's not intended to (and likely will never).
- Volumio has a weird sorting issue where my albums are not sorted purely by artist.  They are stored in two folders, one for CD and one for HD resolutions and the two folders sort separately (all CD, then all HD) even when the artists are the same.  Still working on how to resolve this, but I likely have to combine everything into one master folder (not my ideal).
- Generally the Volumio UI is pretty good once you get your metadata and album art sorted out.  It's a bit particular on both, but it's workable.

Roon
- I am using RoPieee on the RPi with functions as a Roon endpoint.  The Roon server is running on my Synology NAS.
- RoPieee does not use HDMI - so it's USB only with the same limitations noted above.  I can add an expansion HAT to the RPi with a digital out, which may be superior.
- RoPieee does not play multi-channel audio over USB.
- The Oppo 205 can also be a Roon endpoint, so if I choose to go that route I can bag the RPi altogether.  Curiously, it doesn't play DSD files or multi-channel audio natively either.  I am wondering if I have something misconfigured somewhere, because it plays DSD files directly from the server without issues.  

I still need to test the sound quality of the RPi + XMC-2 vs Oppo 205.  I have heard that there could be a difference, especially over USB because of the conversion.  There's still more to do before I settle in on a "winner".

[creimes]

Jul 9, 2019 10:24:42 GMT -5 KeithL said:

LOOK FOR MORE CONTENT SOON

Two years and counting, at least your "Soon" is on par with the product release times

[KeithL]

Mea culpa....

I've been using a PI 2 with Volumio for the last several years at home to play music via USB from a USB hard drive ...

I can't say that I'm disappointed that it has just continued to work flawlessly so there's nothing much to talk about there ...

Honestly I can't imagine why people spend all that money on what amounts to really expensive versions of pretty much the same thing ...

To me this is a really nice solution - and I sort of expected more interest and questions.

 

HOWEVER... I did just order a new unit as something to play with ...

- A new HAT for the Pi which provides a variety of other outputs ...

- And I'll be upgrading to a Pi 4 to go with it ...

So I will keep everyone updated on that little project ...

(So far delivery on that is promised in 2-3 weeks...)

Aug 10, 2021 15:28:48 GMT -5 creimes said:

Jul 9, 2019 10:24:42 GMT -5 KeithL said:

LOOK FOR MORE CONTENT SOON

Two years and counting, at least your "Soon" is on par with the product release times

[creimes]

Aug 10, 2021 17:09:11 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Mea culpa....

I've been using a PI 2 with Volumio for the last several years at home to play music via USB from a USB hard drive ...

I can't say that I'm disappointed that it has just continued to work flawlessly so there's nothing much to talk about there ...

Honestly I can't imagine why people spend all that money on what amounts to really expensive versions of pretty much the same thing ...

To me this is a really nice solution - and I sort of expected more interest and questions.

 

HOWEVER... I did just order a new unit as something to play with ...

- A new HAT for the Pi which provides a variety of other outputs ...

- And I'll be upgrading to a Pi 4 to go with it ...

So I will keep everyone updated on that little project ...

(So far delivery on that is promised in 2-3 weeks...)

Aug 10, 2021 15:28:48 GMT -5 creimes said:

Two years and counting, at least your "Soon" is on par with the product release times

I have an Odroid C4 sitting here idle that I have been trying to decide what to do with, maybe a Volumio player, I'm a total newbie at these things so I need to do some more reading, thing is I don't really need another streamer lol.

Chad

[KeithL]

I use my Volumio Pi to play music locally - directly from a USB hard drive attached to it.

And it has worked flawlessly for me for years in that capacity.

My entire personal collection is stored locally, on a USB hard drive, in LOSSLESS FLAC files (between 16/44k and 24/192k).

I HIGHLY recommend Volumio if you want something that will just sit there and play what you tell it to....

I've haven't updated Volumio in quite some time - since I kind of prefer their older interface to their new one (although that is simply a matter of preference).

In general I much prefer Volumio's interface to the complicated ones with all the bells and whistles on many streamer appliances...

I don't want all sorts of deep content, and album recommendations, and outside links...

I just want to point to a song or album and have it play...

(And, yes, Volumio does display album covers.)

One of the MAJOR benefits of Volumio is that it is "headless"....

This means that you install Volumio on your Raspberry Pi, connect it to your system and your network, and put it in a corner somewhere.

It stays on all the time, so it's always ready when you need it; it uses about as much power as a night light; and a fan is strictly optional.

(I like the original Flirc brand case... which doesn;t need a fan because it uses the case as its heat sink.)

Volumio then becomes a "black box" that you control from ANY regular web browser on ANY device that's connected to your network.

You don't need to install any special apps on any other device to "manage" or "control" it...

The Volumio program contains its own "web server" and you access it like any other web site...

So, for example, I can open Firefox on my PC, click on the Volumio bookmark, tell Volumio to play my favorite playlist, then turn the computer off and go to bed...

This is true for things that you play USING Volumio, either from a local disc, network storage, or a streaming service...

You can also use it as a client for Plex, or Roon, or DLNA... in which case the device sending audio to it would obviously have to stay on.

HOWEVER one thing that new Volumio users should know is that Volumio doesn't support as wide a variety of streaming clients as many commercial "streamers"...

Volumio is essentially a free open source application - so support for various streaming services depends on whether a client for that particular service exists or not.

Volumio supports lots of common services and various methods for accessing files...

But, if you need specific ones, you should make sure they are supported...

(Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no Amazon Music client for Volumio...)

There is actually a subscription version of Volumio - which adds multi-room support.

It's quite economical - and really useful if you subscribe to Tidal and/or QoBuz - since it also adds "native support" for Tidal and QoBuz.

Aug 11, 2021 7:42:46 GMT -5 creimes said:

Aug 10, 2021 17:09:11 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Mea culpa....

I've been using a PI 2 with Volumio for the last several years at home to play music via USB from a USB hard drive ...

I can't say that I'm disappointed that it has just continued to work flawlessly so there's nothing much to talk about there ...

Honestly I can't imagine why people spend all that money on what amounts to really expensive versions of pretty much the same thing ...

To me this is a really nice solution - and I sort of expected more interest and questions.

 

HOWEVER... I did just order a new unit as something to play with ...

- A new HAT for the Pi which provides a variety of other outputs ...

- And I'll be upgrading to a Pi 4 to go with it ...

So I will keep everyone updated on that little project ...

(So far delivery on that is promised in 2-3 weeks...)

I have an Odroid C4 sitting here idle that I have been trying to decide what to do with, maybe a Volumio player, I'm a total newbie at these things so I need to do some more reading, thing is I don't really need another streamer lol.

Chad

[creimes]

That does seem like a really simple option for sure, currently my main system I run Audirvana on my Mac Mini which i use the IOS remote on my ipad and iphone and it works wonderfully and I don't need to turn on my projector, for outside I have the Arylic A50 connected to my UOM speakers and I'm amazed at how loud and clear it sounds(if I want it to) and the app for it is really nice as well. Though my wife is also opening her business soon, as she is now renting space so maybe I can find a use for it there haha.

Chad

Aug 11, 2021 10:15:49 GMT -5 KeithL said:

I use my Volumio Pi to play music locally - directly from a USB hard drive attached to it.

And it has worked flawlessly for me for years in that capacity.

My entire personal collection is stored locally, on a USB hard drive, in LOSSLESS FLAC files (between 16/44k and 24/192k).

I HIGHLY recommend Volumio if you want something that will just sit there and play what you tell it to....

I've haven't updated Volumio in quite some time - since I kind of prefer their older interface to their new one (although that is simply a matter of preference).

In general I much prefer Volumio's interface to the complicated ones with all the bells and whistles on many streamer appliances...

I don't want all sorts of deep content, and album recommendations, and outside links...

I just want to point to a song or album and have it play...

(And, yes, Volumio does display album covers.)

One of the MAJOR benefits of Volumio is that it is "headless"....

This means that you install Volumio on your Raspberry Pi, connect it to your system and your network, and put it in a corner somewhere.

It stays on all the time, so it's always ready when you need it; it uses about as much power as a night light; and a fan is strictly optional.

(I like the original Flirc brand case... which doesn;t need a fan because it uses the case as its heat sink.)

Volumio then becomes a "black box" that you control from ANY regular web browser on ANY device that's connected to your network.

You don't need to install any special apps on any other device to "manage" or "control" it...

The Volumio program contains its own "web server" and you access it like any other web site...

So, for example, I can open Firefox on my PC, click on the Volumio bookmark, tell Volumio to play my favorite playlist, then turn the computer off and go to bed...

This is true for things that you play USING Volumio, either from a local disc, network storage, or a streaming service...

You can also use it as a client for Plex, or Roon, or DLNA... in which case the device sending audio to it would obviously have to stay on.

HOWEVER one thing that new Volumio users should know is that Volumio doesn't support as wide a variety of streaming clients as many commercial "streamers"...

Volumio is essentially a free open source application - so support for various streaming services depends on whether a client for that particular service exists or not.

Volumio supports lots of common services and various methods for accessing files...

But, if you need specific ones, you should make sure they are supported...

(Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no Amazon Music client for Volumio...)

There is actually a subscription version of Volumio - which adds multi-room support.

It's quite economical - and really useful if you subscribe to Tidal and/or QoBuz - since it also adds "native support" for Tidal and QoBuz.

Aug 11, 2021 7:42:46 GMT -5 creimes said:

I have an Odroid C4 sitting here idle that I have been trying to decide what to do with, maybe a Volumio player, I'm a total newbie at these things so I need to do some more reading, thing is I don't really need another streamer lol.

Chad