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Accessing music files via wireless

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Posted on January 22, 2017 at 12:01:53
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 I am basically a newcomer to computer-based audio, and want to be able to access flac files on a desktop computer (running Ubuntu Linux) via my wireless network to a device that can output these to a surround processor in another room (which has no USB, ethernet, nor wireless inputs).

I can do this using a laptop with HDMI out, but it makes for a clunky solution.

Any suggestions are warmly welcomed!

 

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RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 22, 2017 at 14:21:28
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 You didn't mention what kind of inputs this sound processor has. If it has RCA, or 3.5 mm audio Jack (which it should have)..... Or maybe optical in or Coax in (If it has an internal DAC).....

Either way a very cheap solution would be to get a Raspberry Pi 3, load up PiCorePlayer on it. Set it up for wireless and attach to your network and you would be good to go..... That solution will cost you less than $100. --- You can download LMS and control it from your Phone, Tablet, Laptop, Desktop etc. etc...



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 22, 2017 at 15:18:45
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 The processor has xlr and 1/4 inputs, but also coax and optical ones, and internal DACs. I already have a 1/8 TRS to two 1/4 TR cable, which is set up to run my digital recorder output through the system. So your suggestion ought to work...

Where would LMS be installed (desktop or raspberry)?

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 22, 2017 at 15:56:21
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 I prefer the desktop for installing LMS, but it may not be available for your OS.... But you can run it on the Raspberry as well.... it is a part of PiCorePlayer Download. Link below



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 09:55:04
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 LMS 7.7 will not run on Ubuntu 16.04. Perhaps 7.9 will, but I would have to compile it from code, not something I am able to do.

Perhaps 7.9 will eventually show up via download from their website, but until then, it is a no-go.

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 11:37:42
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 This link should provide you with 7.9 and other OS versions..... It's what I use.



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 11:55:30
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Thanks for the links. I d/l-ed and installed version 7.9, but it still will not run. Unlike other linux installers, it does not place the app on the menu, and clicking the squeezebox file does what it did before -- opens the script in a text editor.

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 12:23:37
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 Well, as I said in a previous post, you can run LMS directly on the Raspberry Pi itself.....Not my preferred, but it will work. And hey, the Pi is only $100 or so..... Cheap enough that every audiophile should own one!



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 14:31:58
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 I can understand why your preference is to run LMS on the main computer, but hopefully it can work as well on the Pi. Since my desktop is in a different room from the sound system, will that be a negative?

What else will I need besides the Pi, power supply, and micro sd card with piCorePlayer3?

And huge thanks for your assistance!!!

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 14:39:58
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 OK.... I think that you'll probably be fine running LMS on the Raspberry itself.... It is probably more academic than audible where LMS is running... Desktop in another room is fine, Preferable as is mine.. As log as it is on your network, you're good to go.

You pretty much have listed every thing you'll need... One thing is how do you plan on inputting to your Music Processor? RCA or ?




 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 14:46:53
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 If it is available with the Pi, 1/8 TRS female out would work. I have a cable with 1/8 TRS male to two 1/4 TR males that hook into my system. I already use this for my Sony digital recorder.

Digital or coax out would also work.

What are other alternatives?

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 14:54:15
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 I would go with the Digital Output, either Coax or Optical... You have to add a board to the Rasberry Pi.... I use the Hifi Berry Digi+ --- And I included this in the $100 Price Tag.... Link below... It fits on top of the Pi Board with 4 screws... No soldering at all.. very simple



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 15:44:44
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Thanks again for your time and expertise -- much appreciated! Looks like there are 3 boards. Which would be best for only streaming?

And should I get a cover for the Pi, or is this unnecessary? It is fairly dusty where I live (near Santa Fe in northern New Mexico).

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 15:56:12
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 I'd get the cheapest Board and use the Optical Output - They'll all work pretty much the same... I like the Acrylic Case so you can see the blinking LEDs inside. :-)



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 16:35:38
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Sounds excellent. Best to order everything from HiFiBerry? And are there instructions on how to setup wifi without using a monitor on the Pi?

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 16:43:07
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 Ordering everything from HiFiberry will work fine.... I used a monitor on my desktop using PiCorePlayer Website.... I did not find instructions, but just plugged an ethernet cable into the raspberry Pi and then Set up everything for wireless on the desktop. Then unhooked the Ethernet cable and saw the Pi on the desktop.



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 23, 2017 at 18:31:59
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 OK, and thanks again! It might actually be better for me to use the 1/8 jack analog output for the Pi, since the correct cables are already plugged into my sound processor. Does this come with the default unit? If so, then I will not need an additional board with optical output.

Or will using the 1/8 jack result in lower audio quality?

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 01:11:14
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 You can try the audio jack (it is pretty good), and always add the Digital Out board later...... Not a big deal either way. You may want to visit this forum to see what others are doing with LMS on UNIX..... http://forums.slimdevices.com/forumdisplay.php?3-Linux-Unix



 

RE: Another simple option, posted on January 24, 2017 at 04:24:13
Ewalaa
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Location: Central VA
Joined: December 10, 2000
 Chromecast Audio (optical out) with PLEX on your PC. $35.00 plus a cable.

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 07:09:52
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Thanks! I found this how-to guide. Seems fairly simple, and pre-editing the config file to add wireless is a great idea.

 

RE: Another simple option, posted on January 24, 2017 at 07:10:41
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Thanks for the suggestion! I will check it out.

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 07:56:07
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 OK, you're on your way.... I briefly skimmed the Project you linked to.. Be aware that you don't need to buy a Wireless adapter as it is now built into the Raspberry Pi 3.



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 08:59:14
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Excellent! I will go with the digi+ board and optical connector for the best possible audio quality.

I also think that the built-in audio board will need to be disabled, but perhaps that can be done via the config file.

Which case would you recommend? I don't really want the clear one, as blinking LEDS would most likely be distracting whilst listening.

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 09:07:23
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 You don't have to disable the other audio at all...it might even be done by enabling the Digi+ Board by the folks that put together PiCorePlayer...don't know.

If you get the Digi+ Board you should also get a case from HiFiBerry, as it needs to accommodate the Digi+ Board. I only have experience with the Clear Case.... I have 5 Raspberry Pi's, and use the Acrylic case on all of them. The Little LEDs are not that distracting.



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 09:50:40
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Finally have LMS running on my desktop computer! I installed it via the command line, and discovered that I need to access it via a web browser -- doh! Still don't know how it will work with the Pi, but that's part of the new adventure!

Will get the acrylic case for the Pi. It looks easy enough to get it working with the two boards.

Thanks again for your wonderful assistance!

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 11:55:29
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 Glad to hear you got it working!

You will love how LMS works with the Pi !! .... You will also discover that there is quite a network of developers that have custom Pluggins into LMS, that make it a very powerful platform.... Go to the 3rd party software forum on the link I gave you earlier...



 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 12:30:14
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 I am just about to place my order. Wondering what android apps I can use to control the Pi?

Will have a look at the third-party additions to LMS. And I am certain there will be more questions once the new gear arrives!!!

Thanks again for everything!

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 12:53:27
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18285
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021

A really Great Android App is Squeeze Ctrl. I think it's $5.

Link Below

Here is my Raspberry Pi and my Old SBT. (Now Sold)




 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 24, 2017 at 16:49:49
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 Just placed my order. Your photo of the Pi and acrylic case makes the 10-day wait seem even longer!

And thanks for the Squeeze Control recommendation.

 

RE: Accessing music files via wireless, posted on January 30, 2017 at 15:09:59
merlinus
Audiophile

Posts: 244
Location: Northern New Mexico
Joined: June 24, 2008
 The gear arrived this afternoon, and everything is hooked up. The RPi powers on, and it has been assigned an IP address by my router.

But when I type in the IP address in my browser, it cannot connect.

Any ideas??? Thanks!

 

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