Hello guys
I apologize in advance If this topic doesn't come under the forum rules.
Im looking for a wifi audio streaming device which do not require internet access.
Requirements
Needs to stream locally stored audio from computer or smartphone hard disk via wifi.
Streamer should have a digital out to connect to a dac.
It should not require internet access but should be able to stream it via wifi router or mobile hotspot from devices connected to the same network.
It should not break the bank (approx cost 100 to 150 $)
If you guys know any device which fits the above criterias please share your information.
Thanks
I apologize in advance If this topic doesn't come under the forum rules.
Im looking for a wifi audio streaming device which do not require internet access.
Requirements
Needs to stream locally stored audio from computer or smartphone hard disk via wifi.
Streamer should have a digital out to connect to a dac.
It should not require internet access but should be able to stream it via wifi router or mobile hotspot from devices connected to the same network.
It should not break the bank (approx cost 100 to 150 $)
If you guys know any device which fits the above criterias please share your information.
Thanks
You need a Raspberry Pi, a model 3 B+ will be fine. This is your bare computer which also acts as your streamer, it has wifi and can accept Ethernet as well.
The operating system is installed on a micro-sd card and can be one of various types - a simple one to setup and use is Volumio, which is designed for audio, many others are available. Volumio and others are free to download.
You then need a digital output; the pi has USB but it's noisy and most people use an alternative. The 'shield' Icsaszar mentioned is known as a 'hat' when applied to Raspberry Pi. This is a board that physically attaches on top of the Pi (hence why it is called a hat). This takes the streamed digital data and outputs it to your DAC using spdif, optical and/or electrical. An example is this one from Hifiberry, again, there are many others available.
The operating system is installed on a micro-sd card and can be one of various types - a simple one to setup and use is Volumio, which is designed for audio, many others are available. Volumio and others are free to download.
You then need a digital output; the pi has USB but it's noisy and most people use an alternative. The 'shield' Icsaszar mentioned is known as a 'hat' when applied to Raspberry Pi. This is a board that physically attaches on top of the Pi (hence why it is called a hat). This takes the streamed digital data and outputs it to your DAC using spdif, optical and/or electrical. An example is this one from Hifiberry, again, there are many others available.
Any win10 tablet or newer Android phone* can do what you ask. I actually can give you a field report for the following: A Pipo X9 "TV Box"; this is an older model, but they sell similar ones. This is a Win10/Android box for $100-150 (US prices). Must it be battery powered? Some of the Pipos require external power. They even sell a model now with a tiny thermal printer, like a cash register, so you could print playlists too 
I use J River Media Center (JRMC) ($50) primarily to listen, but it can be (and has been) set up as a media server. Your requirements are unclear if you want the server or the client, I have both. A TV Box like the Pipo X8 also has the advantage you can output HDMI for audio and/or video.
The Raspberry Pi or other Linux solution is fine, if you know Linux. I come from an old (very old, command line) Unix background, but by middle age prefer to pay the extra $100 or whatever for Windows software that does the same thing and has most of the bugs worked out of it On the other hand, if you know that rm -rf * is pure evil, you have passed the test and by all means save some money and set up a Linux solution.
*I'm not sure of Android requirements, but have read that some models will do a digital output (can you do via USB?).
I use J River Media Center (JRMC) ($50) primarily to listen, but it can be (and has been) set up as a media server. Your requirements are unclear if you want the server or the client, I have both. A TV Box like the Pipo X8 also has the advantage you can output HDMI for audio and/or video.
The Raspberry Pi or other Linux solution is fine, if you know Linux. I come from an old (very old, command line) Unix background, but by middle age prefer to pay the extra $100 or whatever for Windows software that does the same thing and has most of the bugs worked out of it
On the other hand, if you know that rm -rf * is pure evil, you have passed the test and by all means save some money and set up a Linux solution.*I'm not sure of Android requirements, but have read that some models will do a digital output (can you do via USB?).
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Hey soldermizer
My aim is to play flac files stored in my windows laptop wirelessly in a lossless form without having internet but through a mobile Hotspot or router network.
I use foobar2000 at the moment using bitperfect digital out from usb to cambridge audio dacmagic plus. I wanna do the same bit perfect playback but wirelessly without internet access
My aim is to play flac files stored in my windows laptop wirelessly in a lossless form without having internet but through a mobile Hotspot or router network.
I use foobar2000 at the moment using bitperfect digital out from usb to cambridge audio dacmagic plus. I wanna do the same bit perfect playback but wirelessly without internet access
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Yes.
Many people set up a DLNA server on their computer (I use JRiver), but there are other ways too, detailed here for Volumio. I mention Volumio because that's what I'm used to.
You might find this post interesting. Archimago uses a DAC hat, rather than a digital output, but you'll get the idea.
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