Use of two raspberry?

[LucaBB]

Excuse me. I am newbie.
i have two rpi, 3 and 4.
For sound improvement, is right use one rpi with picorplayer only for LMS server and second rpi connected to usb DAC, with picorplayer only for player ?
Or this connection are not necessary?
Thank you

[Redrum]

Personally, I don't think it's necessary to separate. But, I would consider using 2 due to location. I prefer to have my LMS pi connected to the router via ethernet. If the location of your player has ethernet capability, I would use the pi4 for both LMS and player. If the location you want your player is wifi only, I might consider using the 3 as the player.

It's really a shame there is a shortage and inflated secondary market pricing for the pi's, otherwise "just buy another" would be easy and cheap, and I'd probably have many of them laying around But right now I just have one spare

Jim

[kidstypike]

Excuse me. I am newbie.
i have two rpi, 3 and 4.
For sound improvement, is right use one rpi with picorplayer only for LMS server and second rpi connected to usb DAC, with picorplayer only for player ?
Or this connection are not necessary?
Thank you

Question to OP - why not try this for yourself, and then let us know?

We don't have your system, ears, etc..

[CJS]

For what it is worth, I have seen reviews (for example this video) that suggest that for a player only configuration the RPi 3 is preferred over the RPi 4. Reasoning is that the RPi 3 processor has lower power consumption than the RPi 4 processor, which would give less disturbances on supply voltages in the RPI 3. This makes sense to me, although I do not have experience with neither of them (I am running a piCorePlayer on RPi 0, that has even lower power consumption).

[garym]

For what it is worth, I have seen reviews (for example this video) that suggest that for a player only configuration the RPi 3 is preferred over the RPi 4. Reasoning is that the RPi 3 processor has lower power consumption than the RPi 4 processor, which would give less disturbances on supply voltages in the RPI 3. This makes sense to me, although I do not have experience with neither of them (I am running a piCorePlayer on RPi 0, that has even lower power consumption).

Respectfully, this statement about rPi3 better for player because of power consumption is complete audiofool nonsense. Don't fall for it.

[slartibartfast]

For what it is worth, I have seen reviews (for example this video) that suggest that for a player only configuration the RPi 3 is preferred over the RPi 4. Reasoning is that the RPi 3 processor has lower power consumption than the RPi 4 processor, which would give less disturbances on supply voltages in the RPI 3. This makes sense to me, although I do not have experience with neither of them (I am running a piCorePlayer on RPi 0, that has even lower power consumption).

In that video he also says that using a USB DAC with a Pi leads to very poor sound quality due to the polluted USB signal. I am pretty sure many here would disagree.

[garym]

In that video he also says that using a USB DAC with a Pi leads to very poor sound quality due to the polluted USB signal. I am pretty many here would disagree.

Also, it is a factual thing that the USB implementation on the rPi3 and earlier *can* be problematic as it shares a path with power (or ethernet, can't recall). This issue was resolved with the rPi4B, making the USB connection independent. Many would argue that if using a USB DAC connected to an rPi, the rPi4B is better than the rPi3 or earlier. Whether such differences are audible for most music in most systems with most DACs is also likely questionable.

[slartibartfast]

Also, it is a factual thing that the USB implementation on the rPi3 and earlier *can* be problematic as it shares a path with power (or ethernet, can't recall). This issue was resolved with the rPi4B, making the USB connection independent. Many would argue that if using a USB DAC connected to an rPi, the rPi4B is better than the rPi3 or earlier. Whether such differences are audible for most music in most systems with most DACs is also likely questionable.

Yes USB is shared with ethernet. Does using WiFi avoid that "issue"? Presumably he was also including the Pi4 in that general opinion. Maybe the DACs that meet his golden eared standards are very susceptible to noise 🤣

[Redrum]

Respectfully, this statement about rPi3 better for player because of power consumption is complete audiofool nonsense. Don't fall for it.

Especially since you are using a super cheap switching power supply that is throwing EMI all over the place! If I wanted to do anything (I don't) with regard to less "disturbance" it would be to use a linear supply.

BTW, we are getting off topic for the OP, Gary, Slarti, CJS, two or one?

Jim

[garym]

I agree that one can run the player and LMS on the same rPi, ASSUMING that one can locate the rPi near the DAC *and* with an ethernet connection (which I think is better for the LMS portion). But otherwise, nothing at all wrong with using one for LMS and one for player.

[slartibartfast]

Especially since you are using a super cheap switching power supply that is throwing EMI all over the place! If I wanted to do anything (I don't) with regard to less "disturbance" it would be to use a linear supply.

BTW, we are getting off topic for the OP, Gary, Slarti, CJS, two or one?

Jim

I use two purely because I switch my player between pCP and Squeezelite on Raspbian occasionally. Player is Pi3B into a USB DAC so clearly has very poor sound 😀

[cliveb]

One possible thing to consider is that if the Pi running LMS is using a HDD for storage, you might not want the mechanical noise of the HDD in your listening room.
IMHO the noise of a HDD would probably have a greater effect on perceived sound quality than worrying about whether your USB DAC might not be up to scratch.
An SSD would avoid this issue, of course.