My First Byte Of The Pi

[Puffin]

I have partially got an RPi board semi running over the last few days. I've only had it about 5 years:lol: and thought it was about time. I won't bore you with the dead ends and re-formatting the SD card many times. I have got to the point where I have it working and I now need to get it to stream through the Dac Hat.

I have tried flashing Volumio to the SD card in the same way that I installed the RPi installer i.e on my laptop. This results in the RPi booting up, opening Volumio and then freezing. It won't then do anything else. Should I be using the RPi to install Volumio?

Thanks.

[Gazjam]

Hi Rob,

Not a Pi user,
but just wanted to say, Here's to being always playing around with Cool stuff.

It's never not Fun.

:cool:
Slange Var.

[struth]

im out of date with pi now rob, but you used to put the volumio onto a sd via pc and a couple of programs. the formatting of card should be done with a dedicated sd format program...or did.

sure a up to date guy will come and help you. my rpi3/ and hat(fancy thing that cost a bomb lol) hasnt been used for an age. im a roon by now and laptops/headphones only now

[Puffin]

Hi Rob,

Not a Pi user,
but just wanted to say, Here's to being always playing around with Cool stuff.

It's never not Fun.

:cool:
Slange Var.

You're not wrong there Gaz. I keep thinking that I have enough stuff and ways to listen to the same tracks, but that git on your shoulder always drags me back!

[Puffin]

im out of date with pi now rob, but you used to put the volumio onto a sd via pc and a couple of programs. the formatting of card should be done with a dedicated sd format program...or did.

sure a up to date guy will come and help you. my rpi3/ and hat(fancy thing that cost a bomb lol) hasnt been used for an age. im a roon by now and laptops/headphones only now

You are right Grant. I have done all the formatting and faffing and need to get over the last hurdle.

[Bencat]

Can I suggest that you download and use Moode Audio . The way through this is to first format your SD card using the approved SD formatter

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/

Then go to Moode Audio and download the latest software to you PC as a Zip file .

https://www.moodeaudio.org/

Download Balena Etcher on to your PC

https://www.balena.io/etcher/

Open this with your SD card attached to the PC . Choose the Mood Audio download file you do not need to unzip the file . Then choose the SD card as destination and flash the card . Balena will do the rest and unmount the SD when finished so you can just remove it from the reader and insert in the Pi .

Now you have to be a little patient to let the Moode distro load and complete . For the initial set up make sure the Pi has a wired ethernet connection . The next thing that needs to be done is to find the IP address or open the moode audio player page . The following official guide has a few ways of doing it . I also use a download of https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/ which when you search your net work there will be a line with Moode Audio showing and also that it is a Pi . Jot the Ip address down in case you forget .

Then and yes I know this seems like lots of work but in truth you only do this once to set up then just play things so a little time spent here is well worth it . Once you get to the Moode Audio page in the top right corner is a small m click on this and the set up page shows up . First thing to do is click the audio tab . In the top drop down bar you need to look for the digi hat you have on the Pi and choose it and then click set . This will now get a bit tedious but after each major change you need to do a restart and then wait for the page to come back with your new settings . If you reload too quickly you will get a bad gateway page just reload the page and it will go back .

After this it is then up to you if you want to leave the settings as they are or make changes . I do not use the MDP as my set up is based on Logitech Media Server so I use Squeezeplay . If you are just using MDP then there are edits you can do by clicking on the EDIT in the MDP section .

The only additional thing I would do is under the System Tab scroll down until you find the SCP addition turn this on and hit the start SCP this will open a new page and you will see a cursor at the top Type pi then return and for password type moodeaudio and return .

This will then go to another cursor type sudo apt update then return it will gather all the Pi updates . When it finishes it will say there are a number x to be uo dated this first time it likely to be 200 + Now type after the cursor sudo apt upgrade . This will compile all the changes and then ask do you want to install them y/n hit yes and get a cup of tea as it will take few minutes at least to update . Once this is done your pi is set and you will be able to play music through the DAC hat as a digital output . I would suggest that about once a month you do the above SCP routine which will keep your Pi software up to date .

[Puffin]

Andrew, thank you very much for taking the time to write all of the above. Since I first posted I have been reading a lot and now have a little more insight into this than before. I have been told that I should open Volumio on an Android device which would be the control for the app and use that to link to the Pi. However what I now know is that my Pi2 ( Pi 2 v1.1) does not have Wifi installed so am I wasting my time attempting to install either Volumio or Moode?

I have been reading about how to add a Wifi Dongle to the Pi, but this looks a bit daunting to a numbskull like me and I wonder if I should get a newer version of the Pi?

Rob.

[AJSki2fly]

Andrew, thank you very much for taking the time to write all of the above. Since I first posted I have been reading a lot and now have a little more insight into this than before. I have been told that I should open Volumio on an Android device which would be the control for the app and use that to link to the Pi. However what I now know is that my Pi2 ( Pi 2 v1.1) does not have Wifi installed so am I wasting my time attempting to install either Volumio or Moode?

I have been reading about how to add a Wifi Dongle to the Pi, but this looks a bit daunting to a numbskull like me and I wonder if I should get a newer version of the Pi?

Rob.

Hi Rob

For a simple solution you could try this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIOY-seaside-vacation-flowers-protection/dp/B07G37DJ8R/ref=sr_1_21?crid=2W78QXRV1LOFG&keywords=TP+link+wifi+to+ethernet+adapter&qid=1644333092&sprefix=tp+link+wifi+to+ethernet+adapter%2Caps%2C5 2&sr=8-21

you plug one in next to your ADSL/Router and connect it up by ethernet cable, and then plug the other in to a socket(not on an extension lead) near the RPI and then connect both by ethernet cable, you will then have internet connectivity to the RPI and will be able to see it on the network with Volumio. It is not an ideal solution and purists will say that ethernet over mains cable is crap, but actually it is not that bad.

Alternatively run a long ethernet cable from the ADSL router to the RPI you can go up to 30m, Cat5 ethernet cable is fine. and cheap.

Cheers

Adrian

[Puffin]

Hi Adrian, Thanks for your input. I wonder if I really need to get the Pi going. It was either a Birthday or Christmas present from my son-in-law some years ago and I thought I ought to show some gratitiude:)

It is only recently that I started streaming Spotify as my son gave me his old PC and I get it to the Dac very simply by using a USB to Digital converter that I made years ago from a project in Elektor magazine. I thought that it would be good to compare SQ between the two, but now I am not so sure:lol:

I have read that you can buy Wifi USB dongles that I could add to the Pi2, which could assist, but this involves delving into the deep and terrifying world of coding and changing settings:eek:

Rob.

[Lawrence001]

Where is your router located relative to your hifi (well DAC at least)?

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[Puffin]

Router is in the house and the hifi in the man cave (40ft away) with a wifi extender with LAN connection to PC. Signal is strong according to phone and Spotify never falters.

[Lawrence001]

Bit like me then my router is at the front hall and I use a powerline adaptor to get the internet to my Zen which is Ethernet only like your Pi2 and it works fine for both controlling the device and streaming online, so I'd try one of those.

It's really worth the effort btw I wouldn't change my Rpi4 with Volumio in my bedroom headphone setup for anything.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[Puffin]

Bit like me then my router is at the front hall and I use a powerline adaptor to get the internet to my Zen which is Ethernet only like your Pi2 and it works fine for both controlling the device and streaming online, so I'd try one of those.

It's really worth the effort btw I wouldn't change my Rpi4 with Volumio in my bedroom headphone setup for anything.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Yes, I have been looking at getting an Rpi4.

[Lawrence001]

They have gone up a fair bit since the chip shortage kicked off. Your 2 will be fine for what you want you just need to connect it to the network. Note using a 4 with WiFi could have a discernible -ve impact on SQ someone else may be able to confirm that or not

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[Puffin]

They have gone up a fair bit since the chip shortage kicked off. Your 2 will be fine for what you want you just need to connect it to the network. Note using a 4 with WiFi could have a discernible -ve impact on SQ someone else may be able to confirm that or not

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Yes, I was looking at the Pi Hut site and was a bit surprised at the prices. Having had my daily fix of music today listening to Spotify via the PC which to my aged ears sounded more than acceptable, I may settle for that.

I have built several OB and Horn speakers over the years and saw the Behringer digital crossover you are selling and thought....Mmmm I have always wondered what going active would bring to the party. I have an Behringer Ultramatch which is one of the best bits of kit I have bought.

Regards

Rob.

[MisterMoseley]

Very happy Rpi4 user here and happy to help if I can.
I use Moode but have previously run with Volumio.
I’ve connected my Pi to the amp just about every way you can (5 different external DACS and a DAC HAT for the Pi). I’ve used co-ax and USB and on my set up, I can honestly say there is little audible difference.
One day, I’m going to force myself to make an effort and listen to more expensive streamers and although I won’t be surprised if the SQ is “better”, I bet that £ for £, my Pi set up will take a lot of beating.

[Puffin]

Very happy Rpi4 user here and happy to help if I can.
I use Moode but have previously run with Volumio.
I’ve connected my Pi to the amp just about every way you can (5 different external DACS and a DAC HAT for the Pi). I’ve used co-ax and USB and on my set up, I can honestly say there is little audible difference.
One day, I’m going to force myself to make an effort and listen to more expensive streamers and although I won’t be surprised if the SQ is “better”, I bet that £ for £, my Pi set up will take a lot of beating.

Hi Stuart, I have a Pi2 which does not have Wifi or Btooth. Without these it seems that I will not be able to use either Moode or Volumio from a phone or tablet?

[Lawrence001]

Hi Stuart, I have a Pi2 which does not have Wifi or Btooth. Without these it seems that I will not be able to use either Moode or Volumio from a phone or tablet?You can use them with the pi connected by an ethernet cable or wi-fi dongle.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[Puffin]

If I download Moode or Volumio on my phone and use an ethernet cable to the Pi, it will recognise commands from the phone?

[Lawrence001]

If I download Moode or Volumio on my phone and use an ethernet cable to the Pi, it will recognise commands from the phone?Yes if your phone is connected to the same network via WiFi. That's how I use Volumio. Well I set it up with my phone when it was connected via ethernet but then once I'd added the WiFi password I could pull the cable out.

Edit just read again you don't need Volumio on your phone it needs to be on the pi. You can use the IP address to set up the pi on your phone's web browser eg. Chrome and then download an app like Squeezer to control the Squeezelite/LMS add-in (which is what I use).

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[MisterMoseley]

Hi Stuart, I have a Pi2 which does not have Wifi or Btooth. Without these it seems that I will not be able to use either Moode or Volumio from a phone or tablet?

Hi Rob.
Only just seen your question which Lawrence has kindly replied to.
Not a lot I can add really other than to say if I was in your position (and assuming your router is in a different room to where the Pi will be located) then I would get hold of a 2Gb Rpi4 and connect into it via wifi. I don’t have any experience of running an ‘older’ Pi with a separate wifi dongle but assume this would work fine, too.
As Lawrence has mentioned, call up a web browser on your phone (or tablet) and connect to the Pi via wifi (which normally runs headless unless separate screen added).
Although I appreciate that others have different opinions on streamers, I am very firmly in the RPi camp and for the money, it really is difficult to see how it can be beaten by anything at a similar price other than a small price/performance margin.
Oh, and I’m also of the opinion that with the ‘right’ DAC, the RPi is happy to connect via USB (rather than co-ax or optical for which add-on bits are needed).
If it would help to know my DAC choices then I’d be happy to give a brief run down.
Stuart

[MisterMoseley]

Rob
If it would help to chat through anything on the phone, let me know. I’d be glad to help if I can.
Stuart