Summary first - I’m looking for software to use for web-controlled music playback. Main requirement is playback via a DAC on the hosting device and a half-decent UI for it (though streaming would be nice…).
Hardware-wise, I’ve currently got a Pi Zero W paired with a HiFiBerry DAC+ Zero, which has been fine for me quality-wise, routed as an aux input to an old HiFi. That, plus plenty of space elsewhere to host split apps - currently running Emby as a main streaming host for other media, and the media is just on a NAS pulling over NFS.
I’ve been using Volumio for a while, but have been frustrated with a few things (UI, playlist management, etc) so I’m looking for a change. Streaming from Emby/Jellyfin via DLNA looks like it might be a decent fallback, but I’m wondering if there are any nicer ways to handle it.
Any ideas? Open to switching a few bits of infrastructure around, of course :)
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You can run the Jellyfin webui on the rpi and have it stream the audio to it and play via the DAC. Read this: https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/clients/mopidy/#raspberry-pi-remote-controlled-speakers
Most of my devices are apple so I use shairport-sync to make airplay2 receivers on low power mini-pc/sbcs. Plug in a USB DAC (chi-fi topping dacs are incredible) and its lossless streaming from wherever. I have them in my office, kitchen, media room, upstairs etc. As far as the “source” for streaming, i just use nPlayer app that can connect to smb shares (full of music/video/etc), its much less to manage. Wife approval factor was high since any phone/device can connect to any airplay reciever without config as long as its on our home wifi. For power savings I have them scheduled to only be on during hours I would normally use them (sleep + wake on lan schedule). How dedicated to web control are you?
I use Volumio on a Raspberry Pi with a DAC HAT. The analog output goes to a whole-house distribution system. I installed the Volusonic plugin and it connects to my Navidrome server hosting the music collection. In this configuration, Volumio functions as a control plane. I do everything else (playlists, etc) from the Navidrome web interface. As a bonus, there are several Subsonic apps that work with Navidrome for mobile listening.
I tried Jellyfin, but never got it working the way I wanted. DLNA was particularly difficult. It would play two songs, then stop. I wrote it off as user error out of frustration, and moved to Navidrome. It’s been working well for me, so perhaps it’s worth trying since you already have Volumio up and running.
Note: The prominent comment at the Volusonic link claiming the plugin doesn’t work with Navidrome is over two years old and resolved. Don’t let that dissuade you from trying the plugin.
I made an account just to say thanks for this. I’ve been using Volumio for years and never messed with plug-ins. Been playing with sub Sonic and navidrome for a few months and combining the two is awesome.