Article: Geek Speak: How To Build A UPnP / DLNA / OpenHome Renderer For Less Than $100

[tranz]

...

 

The UPnP control point on iPhone is the weakest link in this system. Kazoo and others are iPad only. Synology's DS Audio also works, but I can't verify the resolution being streamed as this seems to bypass minimserver and even Synology's own Media Server by logging directly into Audio Station and I don't know its inner workings enough to verify it isn't downsampling.

 

DS transposes but is easy to stream to mobile devices using Synology. Instead try Audionett IMM or Kinsky on the phone. Sadly no Tidal with those yet.

[ednaz]

Reading this through, I realized that this may be the quickest (and least expensive) way for me to improve the quality of USB streaming to my DAC. Today I've got a small Win7 computer with my music and other media library on a couple of internal HDs, running JRiver. Because I use it for ripping, and for downloading, its got anti-virus, firewall, and the usual Windoze utilities that run here and there. I've got a USB line out of that goes to a USB-coax SPDIF converter, because the DAC is about 15 feet away from the computer; with the best USB cable that didn't make me feel like a patsy for buying it, the sound was OK, but much improved when I went to a short high quality USB cable, to the USB-Coax, then the long run to the DAC with coax. With my current DAC, that's OK, since its capability on the SPDIF coax input is somewhat better than the USB input, and I don't currently have any DSD.

 

I was going to build out one of the CAPS devices, put it really close to the DAC so I could USB connect; DAC upgrade in my future, and the ones on my short list all seem to perform great with USB, and for DSD they all require USB input. That meant I'd have to fiddle more with how to control the new server, how to get music from a download and ripping station to the CAPS server, come up with a new automated multiple backup scheme, and maintain two Windows systems while trying to keep the functionality on the CAPS device limited only to playback.

 

Seems to me that this might be an equal improvement to signal quality, with lower cost and simpler control. Really good quality CAT6 from my main library (more general purpose) computer to the BB. Use JRiver to stream to the BB over the Ethernet connection. Nice short high quality USB from BB to DAC. That would preserve my ability to control playback with JPlay; keep my media library where it is today.

 

I'm assuming that the Ethernet connection plus BB would act like a "buffer" in concept for streaming that would avoid the problems of computer activity noise over USB, and I know Ethernet wouldn't break a sweat with a 15 foot run. Am I assuming correctly (I'm a software guy, don't know much about electronics hardware) that this would be significantly close in quality to a Main Server/CAPS implementation in terms of quality of USB signal provided to the DAC?

[Reefer]

Regarding drivers; Any USB Audio Class 2.0 DAC will work with Linux. DACs that require proprietary drivers will probably won't. Also, +1 for using MPD. One of the most optimized high quality music players out there.

 

Hi, I've been trying to get a Lynx Hilo converter working with a BBB (as well as a RaspPi) but nothing seems to work. I tried RuneAudio for both BBB/RPi, and now i tried this approach.

 

On Lynx's forum they said this: "We don't directly support Linux with any of our products. The LT-USB (Used in the Hilo and Aurora) use USB Audio 2.0 (not the same as USB 2.0), so a class driver that supports USB Audio 2.0 should work with the product."

Lynx Hilo / LT-USB - Linux Drivers - Lynx Support Forum

 

So either I'm doing something wrong (likely) or one of the above statements are wrong.. Have anyone had any experience with this converter on Linux?

[Audio_ELF]

Hi, I've been trying to get a Lynx Hilo converter working with a BBB (as well as a RaspPi) but nothing seems to work. I tried RuneAudio for both BBB/RPi, and now i tried this approach.

 

On Lynx's forum they said this: "We don't directly support Linux with any of our products. The LT-USB (Used in the Hilo and Aurora) use USB Audio 2.0 (not the same as USB 2.0), so a class driver that supports USB Audio 2.0 should work with the product."

Lynx Hilo / LT-USB - Linux Drivers - Lynx Support Forum

 

So either I'm doing something wrong (likely) or one of the above statements are wrong.. Have anyone had any experience with this converter on Linux?

The statements are correct ... but not every device actually works with Linux due to bugs/incompatibilities (either in the driver in Linux or the firmware of the device).

[Vinh]

Chris, I must say it again. You did a great job. A computer lamer (myself) was able to make this work.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris, I must say it again. You did a great job. A computer lamer (myself) was able to make this work.

Great to hear / read!

[Richard Dale]

The orange case to which Chris links is metal. Others offer plastic cases. Does the metal case offer any advantages (e.g., EMI shielding?) or does it not matter?

 

I use a black metal case from Tigal: https://www.tigal.com/product/3458 for my BeagleBones - I think it looks very attractive and less obtrusive than the bright yellow colour of the case Chris is using.

 

I don't think a metal case like this is going to help with EMI by itself. I line my cases with Stillpoints ERS cloth, and I stick rectangles of 3M AB5100S EMC absorber onto the ICs and put a layer of the 3M under to board too. I bought two sheets of the Stillpoints, and a sheet of the 3M and it is enough to treat about 8 small ARM computer cases. So it is quite expensive to just do a single case, but pretty cheap if you do several of them like I've done. I also use a cheap Stontronics linear PSU, rather than a switching PSU to try and cut down on noise.

[stevem2]

Thanks Richard!

[Piopio]

Richard Dale

Which model of the power supply are you using? S2226ST ?

[Richard Dale]

Richard Dale

Which model of the power supply are you using? S2226ST ?

 

Yes, that's the one:

 

Ac-Dc Linear Psu, 5v 1a Universal: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

It has a UK plug, and I don't know if there are equivalent budget linear PSUs with Euro or USA plugs. I don't know how good it is without being able to measure it. I suspect that the AQVOX PSU is better, although more expensive, and it has an IEC socket for a mains lead. I use an AQVOX to power the Bel Canto uLink that I use with one of the BeagleBones, and the logical upgrade for me might be to get another one and solder a 5.5/2.1 mm power jack onto it.

 

I bought two of these Anker Astro E5 battery phone chargers to try as PSUs:

 

Anker® 2nd Gen Astro E5 16000mAh 2-Port Portable: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

I need a couple of USB A to 5.5/2.1 mm power jack cables though before I can give them a go with the BeagleBones.

[davide256]

The Beaglebone should come with a USB to mini USB cable that you can power it with from an Ankar 2A or greater USB port into the client USB connector for the Beaglebone... listening right now with that setup

[proulxarts]

Chris, thank you so much for creating this latest image file download. I tried to set this up a few months ago 3 times and failed. I had given up but tried again after your talk at the Minnesota Audio Society last night. I am listening now to the Beaglebone and I think it sounds fantastic. My old server is now a boat anchor!

 

Mike

[gabeg]

It should be easy to change the output device in the mpd.conf file but I haven't tested streaming audio through this port.

 

Hi Chris - this is great stuff. I have a kit on the way. Sorry for the noob question: How do you access the mpd.conf file and make the change to HDMI?

 

Thanks!

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Chris - this is great stuff. I have a kit on the way. Sorry for the noob question: How do you access the mpd.conf file and make the change to HDMI?

 

Thanks!

Do you know how to use SSH?

[d60pdp]

Please excuse for my noob question: Do I have to do the BeagleBone Black OS configuration as guided in this older thread? Thanks.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Please excuse for my noob question: Do I have to do the BeagleBone Black OS configuration as guided in this older thread? Thanks.

No configuration is required.

[gabeg]

Do you know how to use SSH?

 

No

[d60pdp]

I've finally got it worked beautifully with Aune T1 DAC (but not with Audioengine D1). Thanks for your prompt reply and a great guide.

 

1. I have a Geek Out 450 DSD DAC coming. Does anybody know whether or not it'll work with BBB?

2. The sound comes out from Aune T1 is rather low, I have to turn volume up to 80-100% to have what I've used to listen to at 30-50% coming directly from a Windows 8.1 PC. Is it normal, or should I adjust something else?

3. Can I skip JRiver on my Windows 8.1/Mac Yosemite and listen directly to my music stored on Synology NAS? If I can, a brief instruction is very kindly appreciated.

 

Thanks for any help.

[The Computer Audiophile]

No

I will create a new downloadable image that is configured for HDMI output. Give me a little time.

[gabeg]

I will create a new downloadable image that is configured for HDMI output. Give me a little time.

 

Thanks!

[Piopio]

I have problem with NetAudio.

 

I installed the system from SD card. I can see NetAudio in Jriver and BubbleUPnP. When I try send music to NetAudio - It plays 6 sec of each song and go to next. But there is silence in loudspeakers.

I can log in to the NetAudio through PUTTY. I can see its WEB site (192.168.0.109).

But it doesn't work as it should.

Can You help me ? What am I doing wrong ?

[The Computer Audiophile]

I have problem with NetAudio.

 

I installed the system from SD card. I can see NetAudio in Jriver and BubbleUPnP. When I try send music to NetAudio - It plays 6 sec of each song and go to next. But there is silence in loudspeakers.

I can log in to the NetAudio through PUTTY. I can see its WEB site (192.168.0.109).

But it doesn't work as it should.

Can You help me ? What am I doing wrong ?

What audio device do you have connected to the unit?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Thanks!

The HDMI output version is ready. Here is a link - > HDMI Output Version

[stevem2]

I assume there is no way to configure the HDMI port as I2S for use with PS Audio and similar DACs that use HDMI connectors for that purpose? (I'd be shocked but you've worked so many miracles already.)

[The Computer Audiophile]

I assume there is no way to configure the HDMI port as I2S for use with PS Audio and similar DACs that use HDMI connectors for that purpose? (I'd be shocked but you've worked so many miracles already.)

Unfortunately no. However, there is an I2S output on the board. I'm sure someone could make an add-on piece to convert this :~)