Interesting project.
He's also working on a digital SPDIF interface based on WM8804.
Have you seen the HifiMeDIY USB UD20 Full Digital Amp?
Mate this with a Pi and you'll get a a complete system incl. amp at around 120$.
Just popped over to the Raspyfi web site and it looks like it's evolved into something new.
It's now called Volumio and works on Raspberry Pi, Cubox, Udoo and Beaglebone.
Home - Volumio - audiophile music player
It's now called Volumio and works on Raspberry Pi, Cubox, Udoo and Beaglebone.
Home - Volumio - audiophile music player
Hi guys,
you just spotted it! Was waiting to show to it to you when I had releaved from the fatigue of putting all of this online...
Well... I do it now!
First, as Wonderfull pointed out, Volumio is an evolution of RaspyFi. The major hiccup of RaspyFi was that, well it was built for the pi
! This platform is somewhat limited, even if sufficient for Audio playback, and this made it really a challenge to tailor an OS with "audiophile" credentials, but that gave a pretty balanced OS at the end of the day.
So, porting it to other platforms was very intriguing, giving more power and more flexibility into the mix. I'll explain better this point later on.
So, what Volumio is all about? Let's go with the usual, and somewhat boring, feature list:
-FLAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, ALAC, PLS support
-Music libraries on Samba, NFS and USB drives
-Webradios support out of the box
-Control it via integrated Webui with PC, Smartphone, Tablet
-Airplay capability
-Ramplay Support
-DSD Native Playback
-Multiroom Playback via Android App
-Output playback device Selection
-Audio out via HDMI, USB, Analog Jack, S/PDIF, I2S (depends on platform)
-Compatible with all UAC2 compliant USB DACs
-Wireless Network configuration
-Various resampling options, up to 32bit/384khrtz
So, let's go to the second point, what's new.
I2S DAC SUPPORT
First, for the Pi you'll find a new kernel with i2s DAC support. Currently there are almost 3 i2s DACs for the little pi. I developed Volumio to be compatible out of the box with all of them. I must say that I was really surprised by the results of the i2s connected DAC. It may seem obvious that you're gonna get some quality improvements (since you're not relying on USB, and you're about to forget intrinsic interfaces issues), but I was surprised by the magnitude of that, relatively speaking to a cheap 30 bucks DAC (the actual cost of the hifiberry, for example). Anyway, I'm doing proper testing and I plan to publish my results in some days, both here and on volumio.org.
MULTIROOM CAPABILITY
There has been a close collaboration with Diego Tafuto, an android developer, which eventually brought sound@home, an android app that can be used both to configure and control the playback of Volumio.
But this has a real candy as well, it can pair up to 5 volumio powered devices to make a multi room audio system. You can choose what to play individually for each device, or make them synced to play the same thing.
This was something that I really wanted to get done, and here we are.
You can get more info here:
sound@home - Open Source multi room Audio system with Volumio
GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS
Volumio features some improvements to the original ACX and Orion WebUi: you get troublefree wi-fi selection, output device selecion and some minor bugfix.
Plus there are some minor under the hood improvements, which makes Volumio more stable, with some slight quality differences.
Now, let's examine the supported devices. What I really like behind the idea of choosing from more devices is that you're able to tailor your liquid player to your very own needs.
The Pi. In my opinion this option is to be considered if you want an high bang for the buck ratio. The combo rpi+ i2s dac gives you a more than decent player for less than 80 bucks (at the end of the story). Then, if you are good at Diy there is a huge community which maybe has already developed something that could help you build out your own.
CuBox. The cubox is perfect if you want something really finished, and complete. Plus it features a S/PDIF optical output... So, this is really a clever form factor, and it's sooo tiny. Then you get E-sata port, which is as nice as it sounds and 1gb of RAM.
Beagleboard. Well engineered, cheap, straight to the point. Got a good quality USB Dac? Want to stay on the cheap side of the moon? For me, this is a perfect solution. Plus, the kernel of the BB black is by far the best I tried. So it's really a nice and stable system.
Udoo. This, I must admit, is now my favourite. The quad version features quad core processor, 1gb of RAM (as Cubox), integrated wi-fi, i2s and coaxial S/PDIF output... This is the most expensive platform, but in the end it is the top performer. Plus it has E-sata prort (as Cubox) and a lot of Gpio which makes it perfect for advanced diy (like connecting analog knobs...) I plan to make a source with it, connecting an LVDS touch display... Stylish!
Then there are the new Cubox-i, which will be the real gamechangers. Volumio will support them, along with cubieboard and pandaboard. The embedded scene is really moving really fast.
So, this could be controversial. Some may argue that these are toys and are not fit for audiophile grade playback. They are at some point right, but I'm strongly convinced that is all about optimization, and you can really have an easy to use, good sounding and cheap system with these devices. I'm going that way, and hope Volumio is going to be a further step in that direction.
You can grab Volumio here
Hope you guys will like it and hope this is going to be what your music and pocket deserves!
you just spotted it! Was waiting to show to it to you when I had releaved from the fatigue of putting all of this online...
Well... I do it now!
First, as Wonderfull pointed out, Volumio is an evolution of RaspyFi. The major hiccup of RaspyFi was that, well it was built for the pi
! This platform is somewhat limited, even if sufficient for Audio playback, and this made it really a challenge to tailor an OS with "audiophile" credentials, but that gave a pretty balanced OS at the end of the day.So, porting it to other platforms was very intriguing, giving more power and more flexibility into the mix. I'll explain better this point later on.
So, what Volumio is all about? Let's go with the usual, and somewhat boring, feature list:
-FLAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, ALAC, PLS support
-Music libraries on Samba, NFS and USB drives
-Webradios support out of the box
-Control it via integrated Webui with PC, Smartphone, Tablet
-Airplay capability
-Ramplay Support
-DSD Native Playback
-Multiroom Playback via Android App
-Output playback device Selection
-Audio out via HDMI, USB, Analog Jack, S/PDIF, I2S (depends on platform)
-Compatible with all UAC2 compliant USB DACs
-Wireless Network configuration
-Various resampling options, up to 32bit/384khrtz
So, let's go to the second point, what's new.
I2S DAC SUPPORT
First, for the Pi you'll find a new kernel with i2s DAC support. Currently there are almost 3 i2s DACs for the little pi. I developed Volumio to be compatible out of the box with all of them. I must say that I was really surprised by the results of the i2s connected DAC. It may seem obvious that you're gonna get some quality improvements (since you're not relying on USB, and you're about to forget intrinsic interfaces issues), but I was surprised by the magnitude of that, relatively speaking to a cheap 30 bucks DAC (the actual cost of the hifiberry, for example). Anyway, I'm doing proper testing and I plan to publish my results in some days, both here and on volumio.org.
MULTIROOM CAPABILITY
There has been a close collaboration with Diego Tafuto, an android developer, which eventually brought sound@home, an android app that can be used both to configure and control the playback of Volumio.
But this has a real candy as well, it can pair up to 5 volumio powered devices to make a multi room audio system. You can choose what to play individually for each device, or make them synced to play the same thing.
This was something that I really wanted to get done, and here we are.
You can get more info here:
sound@home - Open Source multi room Audio system with Volumio
GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS
Volumio features some improvements to the original ACX and Orion WebUi: you get troublefree wi-fi selection, output device selecion and some minor bugfix.
Plus there are some minor under the hood improvements, which makes Volumio more stable, with some slight quality differences.
Now, let's examine the supported devices. What I really like behind the idea of choosing from more devices is that you're able to tailor your liquid player to your very own needs.
The Pi. In my opinion this option is to be considered if you want an high bang for the buck ratio. The combo rpi+ i2s dac gives you a more than decent player for less than 80 bucks (at the end of the story). Then, if you are good at Diy there is a huge community which maybe has already developed something that could help you build out your own.
CuBox. The cubox is perfect if you want something really finished, and complete. Plus it features a S/PDIF optical output... So, this is really a clever form factor, and it's sooo tiny. Then you get E-sata port, which is as nice as it sounds and 1gb of RAM.
Beagleboard. Well engineered, cheap, straight to the point. Got a good quality USB Dac? Want to stay on the cheap side of the moon? For me, this is a perfect solution. Plus, the kernel of the BB black is by far the best I tried. So it's really a nice and stable system.
Udoo. This, I must admit, is now my favourite. The quad version features quad core processor, 1gb of RAM (as Cubox), integrated wi-fi, i2s and coaxial S/PDIF output... This is the most expensive platform, but in the end it is the top performer. Plus it has E-sata prort (as Cubox) and a lot of Gpio which makes it perfect for advanced diy (like connecting analog knobs...) I plan to make a source with it, connecting an LVDS touch display... Stylish!
Then there are the new Cubox-i, which will be the real gamechangers. Volumio will support them, along with cubieboard and pandaboard. The embedded scene is really moving really fast.
So, this could be controversial. Some may argue that these are toys and are not fit for audiophile grade playback. They are at some point right, but I'm strongly convinced that is all about optimization, and you can really have an easy to use, good sounding and cheap system with these devices. I'm going that way, and hope Volumio is going to be a further step in that direction.
You can grab Volumio here
Hope you guys will like it and hope this is going to be what your music and pocket deserves!
Rpi DAC WORKS !!!!
Hi Michelangelo and all,
I have installed Volumio, Beta1Pi - IT WORKS with (my) Rpi DAC.
Wauuuu! Great! Cool!
Few comments if you try:
- with Bonjour installed: I see the network folders on the Rpi with PC Windows Explorer
- enter just "Volumio" in your PC web browser - it connects and shows the embedded HTML server
- select Rpi DAC on settings, enable I2S ("i2son" - needs a reboot)
- change "mixer type" (on "Playback") to "Software" (otherwise full loudness and no control)
Really cool! And I like the approach, to control all over web browser (should work also from my TV set with web browser).
Merry Xmas for you all.
Torsten
(Rpi DAC: T-DAC and RPi-DAC - High Quality DAC )
Hi Michelangelo and all,
I have installed Volumio, Beta1Pi - IT WORKS with (my) Rpi DAC.
Wauuuu! Great! Cool!
Few comments if you try:
- with Bonjour installed: I see the network folders on the Rpi with PC Windows Explorer
- enter just "Volumio" in your PC web browser - it connects and shows the embedded HTML server
- select Rpi DAC on settings, enable I2S ("i2son" - needs a reboot)
- change "mixer type" (on "Playback") to "Software" (otherwise full loudness and no control)
Really cool! And I like the approach, to control all over web browser (should work also from my TV set with web browser).
Merry Xmas for you all.
Torsten
(Rpi DAC: T-DAC and RPi-DAC - High Quality DAC )
Congrats for this new version ! I'm especially pleased to see the I2S support. I think I'll connect my raspberry to this baby to get a very low-cost high-quality solution : 24Bit/192KHz ES9023 DAC, I2S input, Ultra Low Noise Regulator - DIYINHK
I'd like to know, is a DSP module planned ? The option I'd love to to see is a embedded FIR filter to equalize my headphone...
I'd like to know, is a DSP module planned ? The option I'd love to to see is a embedded FIR filter to equalize my headphone...
Hello,
My DAC has not worked in the last two versions I've tried. It's a MUSE USB DAC with a CM102AH USB controller. It works in Ubuntu and Mint but no go on Volumio. Any thoughts on getting it running? It appears to power on but it's not selectable in the output menu and no sound. Link to my particular DAC: LINK.
Thanks!
Kyle
My DAC has not worked in the last two versions I've tried. It's a MUSE USB DAC with a CM102AH USB controller. It works in Ubuntu and Mint but no go on Volumio. Any thoughts on getting it running? It appears to power on but it's not selectable in the output menu and no sound. Link to my particular DAC: LINK.
Thanks!
Kyle
Ok, crisis averted. it was a power issue. The Pi just could not give my DAC enough power to run. Plugged it in, rebooted, works. Much better than the Pi's on board audio!
This is just a great use for my Pi. I have not really put it to use since I bought it and this seems like a great task for it!
Thank you Michelangelo!
Kyle
This is just a great use for my Pi. I have not really put it to use since I bought it and this seems like a great task for it!
Thank you Michelangelo!
Kyle
Update:
I have been using Volumio quite a bit this week and it's been working quite well. I put a little wifi dongle in my stocking and fired it up today. It was a bit of a hassle to get going but it could have easily been my inexperience with Linux and the command line.
I noticed that the audio when sending airplay audio from my PC down stairs is now garbled. Not sure if that's because of the switch to wifi - it was working well on the wired connection. Airplay from my phone works fine, though.
It seems like a slightly more robust platform like the Cubietruck with it's SATA, WIFI and optical port would be a big improvement over the RaspBerry Pi. But, it's hard to complain about a $40 computer the size of a credit card!
Kyle
I have been using Volumio quite a bit this week and it's been working quite well. I put a little wifi dongle in my stocking and fired it up today. It was a bit of a hassle to get going but it could have easily been my inexperience with Linux and the command line.
I noticed that the audio when sending airplay audio from my PC down stairs is now garbled. Not sure if that's because of the switch to wifi - it was working well on the wired connection. Airplay from my phone works fine, though.
It seems like a slightly more robust platform like the Cubietruck with it's SATA, WIFI and optical port would be a big improvement over the RaspBerry Pi. But, it's hard to complain about a $40 computer the size of a credit card!
Kyle
It could be theoretically done, but this will involve resetting internal emmc, building custom kernel, flashing new kernel and image, and cross your fingers...
Quite an hassle... But could be funny, do you have a link for the device you need?
Good news Kyle, a Cubietruck and a Cubieboard2 are on their way to Florence. So expect a Cubie's Volumio version soon (well, at least 2 days after the postman rings at my door).
But, there will be another great addition. I got in touch with compulab, and they sent a compulab utilite standard, which in my opinion will be a perfect platform: esata, 2 lan, coax spdif out, wlan etc etc . And already boxed. So, there's plenty to come.
In january I will be in a specialized Audio Analysis facility, and really want to test and compare all these platforms, to finally have some actual figures of the noise and the real fidelity each is capable of. Right now we can just speculate, let's get a little objective...
PS: There's an android client, sound@home , which you can use for playback and Volumio configuration. With this app you can place up to 5 Volumio powered devices in different room to create a multiroom sound environment...
Then you have the classics: mpod and mpad, mpdroid etc ...
As for Udoo, excellent choice. I'm building a full specced digital source around it... It is really a killer platform for DIYing...
Cheers!
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