PiCorePlayer Server / Streamer using two Pi4 Computers

Over the last few years, I have been working on different computing systems for music playback. I think I have found an optimal solution for my own systems. I have written a longish article on Autiophilestyle.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits...er-and-streamer-for-the-audio-hobbyist-r1060/

I just updated the system this weekend by assembling the two Pi4's into a rack together.

Here is a playlist of seven videos I created this weekend:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqYPfcuXVQnyH-rdAAZKs5FjkAtJlkwg9


I have a Pi2AES on order to try shortly!

Bob Fairbairn

 

I have the first Pi2AES hats installed (I got a lightly used one). An LHY Audio LPS power supply is running it that the original owner had set at 30V. It has been running in the system for two days, and as of right now, It surpasses the Mutec MC-3 I was using.

I put my Farad3 on the other Pi running LMS. I am very, very happy with this configuration.

 

Thanks for the in-depth videos show us an update of your whole system if you could please.

 

I have a primary system setup with the Pi2AES. The Speakers are Heavenly Soundworks 517, using Puritan Audio Laboratories AC cables. I keep a Teac 500 series CD transport in the system too. The secondary system in the office is another Pi4 to an Ayre Codex to a pair of M-Audio Studio Monitors. Off and on, I use another Pi to my Lyr 3 multibit DAC.

 

I just finished the next step in the construction process. I changed to Ferrum HYPSOS power supplies. I built a frame to install in my Victrola cabinet. The frame is placed on IsoPucks to further isolate the whole thing.

2 x Pi + 2 x Fe == Great Music

 

Hi Bob

I follow yours projects with special interest because I became a big fan of the Pi ecosystem used for hifi music. I started with a Pi 3B and a PI2AES and in just some minutes I was convinced that my mac mini never will be used again here as transport/streamer and now this is my server for LMS but I want a Pi4 for this function but I'm in doubt about what SO to be use in this server. Please, what solution do you apply in your system?
In the 3B/PI2AES was running picoreplayed.

Cheers,

Luciano.

 

I am using Raspberry Pi4 computers for my LMS server, two Squeezelite endpoints, and a NAS for local backups!

The Audio Pi's are all running PiCorePlayer. My LMS server has a 4TB SSD attached with just shy of 60,000 tracks on it. I have had ZERO performance issues with that configuration. I use Material Skin and iPeng for control.

If you watch the YouTube Video above you can see the server and the streamer in the Blue 3D printed slide in trays. You can see the top Pi4 has a Pi2AES board on it and the bottom Pi has the USB cable out to the SSD.

Both are running on my local WiFi network.

Since we cannot post images here I am setting up an iCloud shared album.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0w5VtHQfykRQp

 

Bob, thanks for your rich explanations but about the SO that you use in your Pi4 LMS server?
I'm confused about what is the best platform for support the server running alone in the Pi. My unique experience with LMS are my atual instalation in windows.

Cheers.

 

I have run LMS on several platforms, mostly with no issues. The BEST SOUNDING has been using PiCorePlayer OS on a Raspberry Pi4. I also have my music files on an SSD attached to the Pi 4. The blow by blow setup can be found several places but Klaus (Soundcheck Audio ) has a tidy one on his blog:

https://soundcheck-audio.blogspot.com/p/the-streaming-server.html


You can get up and running for around $100USD plus the cost of an SSD for local storage. You do not even need a fancy power supply to get started.

***Pi4 prices are up there and there are delays in shipments. Looks like you have to buy a kit from one of the vendors right now. ***

 

Thanks Bob.