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Looking to drive an ouside speaker system where family can stream via mobile devices to headless PLexAmp outputing to AV Reciever Zone 2.
Thoughts on Pi 4 versus Pi 5. Slanting towards Pi 5. I want snappy… but hmmm… 2x $
Thoughts on resources - storage and memory, 32/4 OK?
Zone 2 on my AVR requires analog input so considering a digital output (coax) to an external DAC since so far, all the DAC HAT systems I’ve seen are just “barely ok”.
If this is going to be a single-purpose device (exclusively for Plexamp) going from a Pi 4 to a Pi 5 gets you absolutely nothing as far as Plexamp’s snappiness is concerned. A larger consideration would be to consider compatibility with the peripherals you want to use (DAC, storage).
Similar to the above, assuming it’s only being used for Plexamp, go with the lowest memory configuration; 32 GB of storage will be fine. (One consideration for storage though is how many songs you want Plexamp to cache from its play queue; it can cache up to 40 tracks. So if you have a bunch of high-bitrate files and you want it to cache a bunch of them, then you may want to consider a larger amount of storage.)
For some context, I currently run two Plexamp headless Pis. One is a Pi 3B, the other is a Pi 3B+. They both have 1 GB RAM and neither is using greater than 300 MB (the entire system, not just Plexamp). Both use 32 GB SD cards; one has 24 GB free while the other has 26 GB free.
Thanks for this… OK… Plex 4 is fine with me. Yes, single-use device built as an “appliance.” It needs to just work reliably…
I generally use FLAC that are 24bit but often high Fs. So good to know on the storage front.
I believe, audio on USB is limited to 48k and I would like to avoid any Fs conversions. So I will probably look for a coax/optical digital output HAT and then use an external DAC of some kind. I have not been able to find a DAC HAT that has reasonable specs.
I am considering a HiFiBerry w/ a Digi+ HAT… but want to compare any other options out there.
This is my first Pi project. Thanks to all who respond… appreciate your time and expertise.
What is a “high F”? The sample rate?
Forget using high bitrate files on a RasPi, at least when still using SD cards for storage. You might be able to go up to 96kHz/24 stereo, but neither more channels, nor higher sample rate. Anything above will most likely cause a bottleneck in the storage and interruptions during playback,
In my case they are 2 channel 24/96 FLAC. I did not think I even had to qualify the specific bit rate, but where we are.
I do not know enough about RPi board designs; chipsets, busses etc. But on this front, I would be curious how a modern computing system of any kind could not handle <5000 kbs stream.
I have to think the those crappy SD cards will be the problem.
That’s what I’m telling you. The player is downloading the file, storing it, then start playin it from storage. So there will be situation when writing and reading operations will overlap. SD cards are not made for that.
I hear you can put NVMe storage onto a Pi now. That may help. However, this will also significantly increase the cost of the project.
It is the whole concept of SD. That’s for storing pictures on a digital camera. It either writes in bulk or reads in bulk. But never both at the same time.
I have to disagree with you there; and not to walk-back my comment about “crappy SD” cards - because there are a lot of crappy SD cards!
However, there are plenty of cards used for professional applications like video recording that are well above the the requirement spec’d here. I would add that DSLR’s have been recording HD video on these for some time; but you cannot put any old card in you and you cannot trunt offshore Chinease no-name stuff that NEVER matches specs. They lie. Use trusted brands or tested in independant labs.
Just checked Amazon:
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card = $25
Looks like the buss tops out at ~ 20MB/sec no matter the OS or card. Buss seems to be the limiting factor. Still should be plenty enough for my requirement.
What would be worth understanding if a user ACTUALLY tests 24/96 Stereo FLAC files and reports…
Okay, last try: I show here a photo of the Topping DAC, connected to the USB 3 port of the Pi 4. Plexamp is running and a FLAC file with 352 kHz / 24bit is played. Sample Rate Matching is set to Strict.
@Merm92: Thank-you, that clarifies it for me. I am new to RPi but not to professional audio. I have seen some online materials that stated USB on RPi was limited; and that is why my comment.
I am curious about your RPi 4 build. Are you using SD or, SSD/NVMe?
Others seem to be concerned about 24/96. How are you managing 24/352?
I don’t see ANYONE doubting that here; and if you are referring to me, I already stated the following:
I have a USB3 interface that does 96 channels of 24/96.
I was in professional mastering DAW’s well into the SACD/DVD-Audio era so DAC’s with high Fs have been around for some time. I was referring to USB on Pi.
So, to sort out our somewhat moving contexts: regarding specifically Headless PlexAmp and RPi 4/5, I am no closer to some reference point: On the one hand, I see comments like “Forget using high bitrate files on a RasPi…” and on the other I see “My Topping USB DAC works up to 32bit / 384kHz on the Pi 4.” - with a photo to prove it.
The former - without other evidence seems to be anecdotal - while the latter seems to be empirical.
At this point I would like to understand the storage system in the RPi 4 system that seems to show proof that Hi Fs works in that context… merm92: if you would humor me just a little longer.
As I said, I use a Ropieee image on the Pi 4 (https://ropieee.org/). The Pi 4 is connected via Ethernet, the PLEX server runs on my MAC Mini M2 pro and the media data is stored on an Asus NAS.
I only use the 24/352 files for testing. My media data otherwise consists of “normal” flac and MP3 data.
Thanks for that link. As I am new to Pi, you just made me aware of Ropieee. Looking at the links provided, it is stating that the storage requirement is a minimum 8GB SD; but is your unit actually using SD?
