Announce: piCorePlayer 8.0.0

[garym]

rPi4 or rPi3B+ both fine. I have about 3TB of files. You can put music files on a USB drive connected to rPi or simply mount the NAS to your rPi for music file access.

p.s. I recommend piCorePlayer as the OS for running LMS. Easy to install. See

https://docs.picoreplayer.org/how-to/

[rgdawson]

I discovered the glitches in May/June 2021. They were also present in all Squeezelite-X versions/updates I used since that date.
I only use default output settings, both on Squeezelite-X and all piCorePlayer versions (and Hifiberry OS) I tested with. I can probably compare the (default) Squeezelite-X output settings with piCorePlayer, but I don't think it is the right direction in search for the root cause however.

pCP 8.1.0 Squeezelite command string is /usr/local/bin/squeezelite -n "pcp" -o hw:CARD=sndrpihifiberry -a 80:4::1:

Where can I find the SLX command string?

(I can provide example files if useful btw).

Prior to your post I had never noticed this issue. But today, believe it or not, I was trying out an old R-Pi 1. I installed piCorePlayer on it and running audio over hdmi, just to see if it worked. Well sure enough, I noticed very audible distortion at the end of a song transitioning into the next (I was streaming Pandora). So, I installed the same version of piCorePlayer on a R-Pi 3, and I have not noticed it again (yet). I'm not sure where that leaves us as to the cause.

As for Squeezelite-X, you might try choosing "Primary Sound Driver". I think that works better than "Default". Default will let squeezelite choose and squeezelite will choose an MME driver, which is like Windows 95/98 technology. Primary Sound Driver will be DirectSound.

R Greg Dawson

[zordaz]

Prior to your post I had never noticed this issue. But today, believe it or not, I was trying out an old R-Pi 1. I installed piCorePlayer on it and running audio over hdmi, just to see if it worked. Well sure enough, I noticed very audible distortion at the end of a song transitioning into the next (I was streaming Pandora). So, I installed the same version of piCorePlayer on a R-Pi 3, and I have not noticed it again (yet). I'm not sure where that leaves us as to the cause.

As for Squeezelite-X, you might try choosing "Primary Sound Driver". I think that works better than "Default". Default will let squeezelite choose and squeezelite will choose an MME driver, which is like Windows 95/98 technology. Primary Sound Driver will be DirectSound.

R Greg Dawson

I don't know what audio format Pandora uses, so I can't comment on that.

But I hear exactly the same audible glitches with the SLX & Primary Sound Driver & Ogg/Vorbis playback of my local files. I am not surprised to be honest, based upon my earlier testing I don't think drivers are causing this. It is perhaps more interesting to analyze differences between pCP v5 [detailed settings, squeezelite etc.] (which worked fine) and later versions regarding Ogg/Vorbis playback.

[RobLDN]

I've used resizeFS to use 'Whole disk' and now normal services has resumed. No errors in log now.

I guess it was down to the nightly builds not clearing old versions but didn't get to the root of the disk space culprit. Back to the Release branch for now.

[Labarum]

I presently have a Beresford DAC strapped to the back of the TV with its two optical inputs driven by

1.A Chromecast Audio dongle receiving via Castbridge

2. A TV which has a Chromecast Video Dongle attached - this dongle is also recognised by Castbridge and audio may be streamed by that route.

LMS sits on a old PC and works well enough though a Raspberry Pi would use less power!

The old Beresford DAC is able to drive the amplifier and speakers (when switched on) and, with a separate volume control, drive headphones, so I have a setup that suits my needs well.

I have seen the HIFIBERRY DIGI+ I/O advertised

https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-digi-io/

and I wonder if a Raspberry Pi with this hat and PiCorePlayer would allow me to achieve the same ends as above.

Is it possible to use the I/O board for TV sound loopthrough? Would PiCorePlayer control the hat effectively for that purpose? I note the latest PiCorePlayer has graphical control of ALSA mixer, and that gives me hope. Deep modification of the underlying Linux would be beyond me.

If this were possible a passive splitter on the analogue output of the HiFiBerry DAC would allow me to drive both the Loudspeaker Amp and a new Headphone amp with independent control.

Is this a sensible approach as I look to replace ageing hardware? What other options might I have?

A new external DAC with HIFIBERRY DIGI+ STANDARD

https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-digiplus-standard-version/

would be one. I note some say taking the digital stream out from the Raspberry Pi by USB is not such a good option for sound quality.


It must be a common need to merge TV sound into a quality lounge audio system.

[coyrls]

I presently have a Beresford DAC strapped to the back of the TV with its two optical inputs driven by

1.A Chromecast Audio dongle receiving via Castbridge

2. A TV which has a Chromecast Video Dongle attached - this dongle is also recognised by Castbridge and audio may be streamed by that route.

LMS sits on a old PC and works well enough though a Raspberry Pi would use less power!

The old Beresford DAC is able to drive the amplifier and speakers (when switched on) and, with a separate volume control, drive headphones, so I have a setup that suits my needs well.

I have seen the HIFIBERRY DIGI+ I/O advertised

https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-digi-io/

and I wonder if a Raspberry Pi with this hat and PiCorePlayer would allow me to achieve the same ends as above.

Is it possible to use the I/O board for TV sound loopthrough? Would PiCorePlayer control the hat effectively for that purpose? I note the latest PiCorePlayer has graphical control of ALSA mixer, and that gives me hope. Deep modification of the underlying Linux would be beyond me.

If this were possible a passive splitter on the analogue output of the HiFiBerry DAC would allow me to drive both the Loudspeaker Amp and a new Headphone amp with independent control.

Is this a sensible approach as I look to replace ageing hardware? What other options might I have?

A new external DAC with HIFIBERRY DIGI+ STANDARD

https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-digiplus-standard-version/

would be one. I note some say taking the digital stream out from the Raspberry Pi by USB is not such a good option for sound quality.


It must be a common need to merge TV sound into a quality lounge audio system.

The USB external DAC poor sound quality was a criticism of the pre Pi4 architecture where the USB ports shared a bus with the Ethernet port. That architecture changed with the Pi4, where the USB ports have a dedicated bus. I think now it’s accepted that with the pi4 architecture there is good quality sound from a USB external DAC. That has certainly been my experience.

If I understand your requirements correctly, I would recommend something like a Topping E30 DAC https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPPING-E30...ps%2C46&sr=8-3. You can connect your Pi to the USB input and your TV to the optical input. I use an E30 in this way and also have a CD player connected to the Coaxial input and am very happy with the sound quality.

[slartibartfast]

The USB external DAC poor sound quality was a criticism of the pre Pi4 architecture where the USB ports shared a bus with the Ethernet port. That architecture changed with the Pi4, where the USB ports have a dedicated bus. I think now it’s accepted that with the pi4 architecture there is good quality sound from a USB external DAC. That has certainly been my experience.

If I understand your requirements correctly, I would recommend something like a Topping E30 DAC https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPPING-E30...ps%2C46&sr=8-3. You can connect your Pi to the USB input and your TV to the optical input. I use an E30 in this way and also have a CD player connected to the Coaxial input and am very happy with the sound quality.

In my experience there is no issue with the sound quality using USB into an external DAC from a Pi3B. I am not using the ethernet port though.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[coyrls]

In my experience there is no issue with the sound quality using USB into an external DAC from a Pi3B. I am not using the ethernet port though.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

The pre Pi 4 criticism was something I have read about rather than experienced myself! I would have thought that not using the Ethernet port would solve the potential issue anyway, as there would be no Ethernet traffic on the USB bus.

[slartibartfast]

The pre Pi 4 criticism was something I have read about rather than experienced myself! I would have thought that not using the Ethernet port would solve the potential issue anyway, as there would be no Ethernet traffic on the USB bus.

That was my thinking as well. I don't think I ever tried it using ethernet. It is happy to play up to DXD over WiFi, not that I have any DXD files. I also use the Topping E30 with my TV and Touch using the remaining inputs. It never fails to annoy me that the DAC doesn't enter standby on the coax input from the Touch.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[Man in a van]

w[QUOTE=Labarum;1042920]

and I wonder if a Raspberry Pi with this hat and PiCorePlayer would allow me to achieve the same ends as above.

/QUOTE]

Hi Brian, good to see you posting again. I hope the old hip is well

I think this is a no-brainer and should be done.

With regard to the set-up, I think this might benefit from another thread as there are inumerable possibilities and they are are really, I feel, outside the intended scope of this thread.

Just sayin'

ronnie

[Labarum]

Thanks for your comments, all.

The Topping D30 was in my sights.

If the USB audio from a P4 is fine I have another option. In Southampton I run an old Beresford 7510 DAC which has no USB input, but I Nicosia I have a later 7520 which does. I could swap them over - when I get to travel!

The other option is just to use a Raspberry Pi (hatless) as a server and park it next to the Router. I have enough receivers to go round!

But from what I read, no matter what the final solution, the purchase of a P4 may be a good idea.

[Labarum]

And it has just occurred to me that I have an Apple in-line DAC which is extreme well reviewed and costs £9

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MU7E2ZM/A/usb-c-to-35mm-headphone-jack-adapter

There is a very easy solution.

As suggested I will start a new thread.

It is now here:

https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?115723-Rational-Lounge-Integration-of-LMS-and-TV-Audio&p=1042952#post1042952

[bpa]

And it has just occurred to me that I have an Apple in-line DAC which is extreme well reviewed and costs £9

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MU7E2ZM/A/usb-c-to-35mm-headphone-jack-adapter

Are you sure it is a DAC ? I got a similar adapter for a Samsung tablet and only works with the tablet - doesn't work when plugged into a Windows laptop

https://www.samsung.com/uk/mobile-accessories/type-c-adapter-ee-uc10-ee-uc10juwegww/

[Labarum]

Are you sure it is a DAC ? I got a similar adapter for a Samsung tablet and only works with the tablet

O yes!

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-apple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/

This chap does not hand out praise easily.

It works on my Chromebook - I haven't tried it on my wife's Windows laptop.

You would need a USB to USB-C adaptor. I have one and will try it when I can snatch the laptop off her!

[streifenleopard]

rPi4 or rPi3B+ both fine. I have about 3TB of files. You can put music files on a USB drive connected to rPi or simply mount the NAS to your rPi for music file access.

p.s. I recommend piCorePlayer as the OS for running LMS. Easy to install. See
https://docs.picoreplayer.org/how-to/

Thanks will give it a try!