Replacement for my SB Touch? Need only analog stereo audio, but no (touch)screen

[Norfolk]

Hello,

what's the best option for replacing an SB touch?

I already use a RaspPi2 with picoreplayer but with digital audio. For this new device, I need analog stereo output and I've read that the audio-quality of a Raspberry is rather bad or worse. Any hints what to buy?

I thought about Odroid N2+, which is supposed to have a hiqh quality dac-unit but I would need some different image and player. While I have experience installing stuff, it should not be a "diy-system" where I need to work hours but rather some plug-and-play image like with picoreplayer.

Also I read about a hifiberry-card, might this be a solution to use with picoreplayer?

Further, It does not have to be picoreplayer, but it should be something rather easy to install, plug-and-play style. Years ago, before picore I used some older Kodi with XSqueeze-Addon (squeezelite), but it regularily had some unstability-issues. I prefere my radio a "no brainer", it should just play ... in good quality, ofc ;-)

Best regards,
Norfolk

[kidstypike]

Hello,

what's the best option for replacing an SB touch?

I already use a RaspPi2 with picoreplayer but with digital audio. For this new device, I need analog stereo output and I've read that the audio-quality of a Raspberry is rather bad or worse. Any hints what to buy?

I thought about Odroid N2+, which is supposed to have a hiqh quality dac-unit but I would need some different image and player. While I have experience installing stuff, it should not be a "diy-system" where I need to work hours but rather some plug-and-play image like with picoreplayer.

Also I read about a hifiberry-card, might this be a solution to use with picoreplayer?

Further, It does not have to be picoreplayer, but it should be something rather easy to install, plug-and-play style. Years ago, before picore I used some older Kodi with XSqueeze-Addon (squeezelite), but it regularily had some unstability-issues. I prefere my radio a "no brainer", it should just play ... in good quality, ofc ;-)

Best regards,
Norfolk

I have 2 such players doing nothing ATM, both Pi 3Bs, one has a HiFiBerry DAC card (similar to top picture but a PI3b), the other has an AlloBoss DAC card (bottom picture).

Both have RCA out, come complete with PSU and SD card with piCorePlayer installed, just attach LAN cable and power up, and they will appear as a player on LMS.

Both units sold to a forum member.

[edwin2006]

What case is the steel one?

[kidstypike]

What case is the steel one?

This is the case, it's for a Pi4 though, I don't think there's still any available for a Pi3.

https://thepihut.com/collections/ras...-case-v2-black

[DJWillis]

Hello,

what's the best option for replacing an SB touch?

I already use a RaspPi2 with picoreplayer but with digital audio. For this new device, I need analogue stereo output and I've read that the audio-quality of a Raspberry is rather bad or worse. Any hints what to buy?

I thought about Odroid N2+, which is supposed to have a hiqh quality dac-unit but I would need some different image and player. While I have experience installing stuff, it should not be a "diy-system" where I need to work hours but rather some plug-and-play image like with picoreplayer.

While an Odroid N2+ would work fine with Squeezelite setup, if you want decent audio an external DAC to the board has to be the way to go even on that board.

If you want ease and 'it just works (tm)' then PiCorePlayer is your friend. It is hard to make a case for anything else really bar Logitech hardware if you just want it to be setup and left alone. Even as a big fan and user of Jogglers I would not propose them as a just works option.

All other options can be very stable and very high quality but you will have more of a tinkering curve. Mind you, for some of us, that is a big part of the fun.

Also I read about a hifiberry-card, might this be a solution to use with picoreplayer?

The Pi hat approach is a good one if you want to keep it all in one box, failing that, a nice USB DAC on a recent Pi is a good option. Personally, I used older HiFiBerry AMP+ and DAC boards in some of my players, they have been really solid and have years of uptime. The AMP+ has been paired with some decent older speakers and I have found the quality to be very good, not top tier audiophile but for the money, yep, I would say they make great options and if they packed up I would replace with the latest versions in a heartbeat.

The setup kidstypike posted to this thread with the HiFiBerry DAC and the metal case, that with some heatsinks and a decent PSU is going to be trouble free, easy to get going and give you really decent analogue output.

Further, It does not have to be picoreplayer, but it should be something rather easy to install, plug-and-play style. Years ago, before picore I used some older Kodi with XSqueeze-Addon (squeezelite), but it regularily had some unstability-issues. I prefere my radio a "no brainer", it should just play ... in good quality, ofc ;-)

As said earlier, it is hard to recommend anything other than PiCorePlayer as a basis for a DIY setup if you don't want to tinker, actually, even if you do want to tinker it is still a cracking choice. Running from RAM also makes it really tolerant to power quirks and not taxing on an SD card or anything like that.

Just to chuck a total aside in the mix, if you did go for the recent Pi, PiCorePlayer and good USB DAC combo you can always recase it with a Pi supported touchscreen and nice case at a later point and your back to SqueezeBox Touch levels of functionality and approaching the same sort of quality output.

[strebor56]

How about: https://thepihut.com/collections/ras...h-built-in-dac

I have the non DAC version of this case and that works very well outputting over HDMI

Bonne chance Strebor

[Norfolk]

While an Odroid N2+ would work fine with Squeezelite setup, if you want decent audio an external DAC to the board has to be the way to go even on that board.

If you want ease and 'it just works (tm)' then PiCorePlayer is your friend.

Thx guys and especially DJWillis for many insights in one post.

I did go with a RPi + Hifiberry DAC + Touch 7"-Display and will be getting it running with the picoreplayer soon.

[DJWillis]

Thx guys and especially DJWillis for many insights in one post.

I did go with a RPi + Hifiberry DAC + Touch 7"-Display and will be getting it running with the picoreplayer soon.

Good luck with that, pop back on the thread if you need any help getting things setup, should suit you very well.
Just building another almost identical setup for a family member so actually have it in bits on my desk at the moment.