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

M

marco80

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
18
Likes
17
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #1

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

Last edited:

G

Glasvegas

Active Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
205
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #2

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.

Max

Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Mar 8, 2019
Messages
72
Likes
71
Location
France
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #3

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.

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

Max

Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Mar 8, 2019
Messages
72
Likes
71
Location
France
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #4

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)

Last edited:

J

JustJones

Major Contributor
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
2,123
Likes
2,945
Location
Blue Oasis in a Red desert.
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #5

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.

marco80

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
18
Likes
17
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • Thread Starter
  • #6

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.

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 :/

OP

M

marco80

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
18
Likes
17
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • Thread Starter
  • #7

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.

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?

G

Glasvegas

Active Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
205
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #8

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.

Max

Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Mar 8, 2019
Messages
72
Likes
71
Location
France
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #9

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.

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

Martin

Major Contributor

Forum Donor

Joined
Mar 23, 2018
Messages
2,013
Likes
6,100
Location
Cape Coral, FL
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #10

What’s a CCA?

Martin

G

Glasvegas

Active Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
205
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #11

S

Soundstage

Active Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
219
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #12

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

G

Glasvegas

Active Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
205
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #13

Soundstage said:

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

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

OP

M

marco80

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
18
Likes
17
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • Thread Starter
  • #14

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.

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?

G

Glasvegas

Active Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
205
  • Jun 28, 2020
  • #15

C

Cebolla

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Messages
14
Likes
24
  • Jun 29, 2020
  • #16

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.

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

R

Rocky Loudboa

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
5
Likes
8
  • Jun 30, 2020
  • #17

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.

JoachimStrobel

Addicted to Fun and Learning

Forum Donor

Joined
Jul 27, 2019
Messages
519
Likes
307
Location
Germany
  • Jul 1, 2020
  • #18

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)

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.

G

Glasvegas

Active Member

Forum Donor

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
294
Likes
205
  • Jul 1, 2020
  • #19

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)

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?

idiomatically

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2020
Messages
49
Likes
64
  • Jul 1, 2020
  • #20

I came from Volumio, been using Ropieee on my RP4’s for a while now as Roon endpoints with Tidal and won’t look back. Works sooo well it’s not funny.

You must log in or register to reply here.

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

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5494

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.