Best OS/server to stream Tidal/Qobuz via Raspberry PI (2024)

Hi there!

I'm about to set up a solution that should look like this next week when the Topping E30 will finally arrive:

Tidal/Qobuz -> Raspberry PI (3 for now but will change to 4 if there are issues with the USB) -> USB -> Topping E30 -> NAD Amplifier

I'm wondering which OS to use best for this, the focus really is on just Tidal and Qobuz. Volumio has native Tidal/Qobuz integration so that would be my first shot but maybe you have other recommendations/tips on what works best.

The devices I want to use as the UI are all iOS. So Airplay would be an option (for downsampled CD quality) but then I can just subscribe to Amazon Music HD instead :shrug

Volumio integration with Tidal is terrible. Just check out the MyVolumio forum.

In fact, it's so bad it is currently being redeveloped from scratch.

marco80 said:

I'm wondering which OS to use best for this, the focus really is on just Tidal and Qobuz. Volumio has native Tidal/Qobuz integration so that would be my first shot but maybe you have other recommendations/tips on what works best.

Click to expand...

Same need for me. I'll follow this thread !

Glasvegas said:

Volumio integration with Tidal is terrible. Just check out the MyVolumio forum.

In fact, it's so bad it is currently being redeveloped from scratch.

Click to expand...

Sounds terrible. I have tried Tidal with volumio about a year ago and it sucked back then. Was hoping they'd have figured it out by now, why would anyone pay for their subscription otherwise? Any alternatives you can recommend? Maybe just stick to airplay I guess :/

JustJones said:

I never cared for volumio, I use Ropiee as a Roon bridge now if you have roon this is a good choice. Another popular one though I have never used it is Moode.

Click to expand...

I don't have Roon and would then need a Roon Core server plus the bridge on the Raspberry and pay the 10 bucks a month. Is it that much better than Tidal via Airplay? Moode would be just Airplay on iOS right?

Why complicate things? If you‘re only streaming from Tidal/Qobuz, just connect a (bit perfect) CCA to your DAC via optical and cast from the app. Problem solved.

No need for Volumio, Ropiee, Roon, etc etc.

Glasvegas said:

Why complicate things? If you‘re only streaming from Tidal/Qobuz, just connect a (bit perfect) CCA to your DAC via optical and cast from the app. Problem solved.

No need for Volumio, Ropiee, Roon, etc etc.

Click to expand...

I totally agree (I'm using a CCA for daily listening too), very userfriendly and directly integrated to Qobuz app. Depends on the use of Volumio. In my case, I use it for room correction with brutefir... I haven't found yet another Pi OS with brutefir

What’s a CCA?

Martin

Martin said:

What’s a CCA?

Martin

Click to expand...

CCA = ChromeCast Audio

Soundstage said:

Chromecast Audio I reckon.
Unfortunately they are not produced anymore..

Click to expand...

You can still get them on ebay, at least in Europe. Don’t know about America

Glasvegas said:

Why complicate things? If you‘re only streaming from Tidal/Qobuz, just connect a (bit perfect) CCA to your DAC via optical and cast from the app. Problem solved.

No need for Volumio, Ropiee, Roon, etc etc.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that's actually a really good idea! I'm on iOS but it looks like tidal does support chromecast also on iOS. Don't have one yet but they're dirt cheap on eBay. Do you know what kind of cable I'll exactly need to connect the Topping E30 with it?

marco80 said:

Thanks, that's actually a really good idea! I'm on iOS but it looks like tidal does support chromecast also on iOS. Don't have one yet but they're dirt cheap on eBay. Do you know what kind of cable I'll exactly need to connect the Topping E30 with it?

Click to expand...

Something like this, although you don’t have to spend this much.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Audio-Cable-TOSlink-Optical/dp/B00KQUZ2LQ?th=1

Glasvegas said:

Why complicate things? If you‘re only streaming from Tidal/Qobuz, just connect a (bit perfect) CCA to your DAC via optical and cast from the app. Problem solved.

Click to expand...

Unless gapless playback of the streamed audio file tracks in the playlist is required - Google Cast streaming still doesn't support it.

I can recommend Moode Audio with Mconnect on iOS: very convenient! I use it with a Pi4 2GB and a passive cooled Flirc case. The design perfectly integrates in a Hifi system.

The cheapest and easiest way is indeed with CCA connected via toslink to your DAC.

Max said:

I use currently Volumio for streaming Qobuz (with the Volumio app). The integration is good. Volumio is not always stable in my LAN. And for me, paying few € monthly just for this is a bit annoying (this is more a feature than a service and I prefer paying in one shot)

Click to expand...

I am doing the same and am very happy, mine is stable. Volumio on the R4 seems to be the only packet that utilizes the HDMI output for Roon and for ADC too.

Max said:

I use currently Volumio for streaming Qobuz (with the Volumio app). The integration is good. Volumio is not always stable in my LAN. And for me, paying few € monthly just for this is a bit annoying (this is more a feature than a service and I prefer paying in one shot)

Click to expand...

I'm curious. I've never tried Qobuz with the Volumio app, only Tidal.

Can you give some info on how good the Qobuz integration is? For example does it integrate well with Qobuz playlists?