[DIY Guide] Raspberry Pi Network Music Streamer With Touchscreen

My finished music streamer!
My finished music streamer!

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Open source and affordable, but fully-featured and highly customizable!

My finished music streamer!
My finished music streamer!
I purchased all the components used in this guide.

I recently reviewed the Orchard Audio PecanPi Streamer Ultra, a Raspberry Pi-based network music streamer device with an integrated touchscreen. While I appreciated the device’s idea and sound quality, I struggled to justify the price and the compromises made in convenience and features.

My biggest takeaway from using a commercial Pi-based network music streamer was that I could build one myself!

Many compelling aspects of a Pi-based streamer became apparent when using the Streamer Ultra. Rather than using a multi-purpose, complicated, and inherently noisy computer to serve up digital music files, a Pi streamer can offer a streamlined and straightforward solution. It’s the ultimate DIY device, allowing the average tinkerer to select components and easily combine them into a custom product. And the price CAN be far less than a finished commercial product with similar features and sound quality.

With champagne tastes and my (cheap) beer budget firmly in mind, my frugality-fueled motivation was to see how fully-featured and high-fidelity a product I could create for the least amount of money possible. I tried to select high-quality components firmly situated in the bang-for-the-buck category.

Throughout this guide, I’ll explain what (and why) I selected for my own build, and I’ll also provide available options for you to make your own purchase decisions. Your list of acceptable compromises is likely quite different than my own.

The great thing about a Pi-based device is that you’ve got SO MANY options and choices to make every step of the way, and the end product can be significantly different for each builder.

I put together two recommended builds that are both priced around $250. These are fully functional and complete music streamers, but offer different options based on whether you already own an external USB DAC.

Build 1 (left) and Build 2 (right) with the Topping D10s DAC and xDuoo XD05 Plus DAC/amp.
Build 1 (left) and Build 2 (right) with the Topping D10s DAC and xDuoo XD05 Plus DAC/amp.

Build 1 contains an internal DAC board but the slower Pi 3B+, while Build 2 does not include a DAC in the price (it requires an external USB DAC) and is based on the faster Pi 4B.

ComponentBuild 1 - Internal DAC Build 2 - External DAC
Pi ModelPi 3B+Pi 4B - 4Gb RAM
Power SupplyOfficial 2.5A micro USB SupplyOfficial 3A USB-C Supply
Memory CardSanDisk Ultra 16 Gb (3 pack)SanDisk Ultra 16 Gb (3 pack)
ScreenOfficial 7” TouchscreenOfficial 7” Touchscreen
CaseSmartiPi Touch2 + rear coverSmartiPi Touch Pro
Internal DACHiFiBerry DAC2 ProN/A
Requires either:
- 1 X external USB DAC (Topping D10s)
- or 1 X DAC/amp (xDuoo XD05 Plus)
SoftwareVolumio (or RoPieee for Roon)Volumio (or RoPieee for Roon)
Build 1 (left) contains an internal DAC so output analog RCA sockets were added to the rear cover. Build 2 does not include an internal DAC.
Build 1 (left) contains an internal DAC so output analog RCA sockets were added to the rear cover. Build 2 does not include an internal DAC.

Main Hardware Components

There are four main hardware components in a Pi-based network streamer:

  1. Raspberry Pi
  2. Screen (optional)
  3. Case
  4. DAC

Raspberry Pi

There have been several Raspberry Pi revisions over the last few years. Each revision is more powerful than the previous but shares the same basic shape and size. The Pi’s claim to fame is, of course, inexpensive and flexible open-sourced computing power. For the sake of this discussion, we only need to concern ourselves with the most recent Pi models.

Pi VersionRelease YearProcessorWIFIBluetoothEthernetUSB
3B20161.2 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor802.11n – 2.4GHz4.1100Mbit/sec2.0
3B+20181.4 GHz802.11n – dual-band 2.4 and 5GHz4.2300Mbit/sec limited by shared USB 2.0 connection2.0
4B20191.5 GHz802.11ac5Full Gigabit3.0

Before the 4B version, using a Pi as a network streamer was primarily limited by the shared Ethernet and USB controller. This combined controller restricts the bandwidth for USB-based DAC connections (to external DACs) and the Ethernet throughput. Clever folks worked around this limitation by designing separate DAC boards (HATs) that bypass the USB connection and connect via the 40-pin GPIO header on the Pi board. More on this later.

Although the 3B has the lowest power consumption of all the models, meaning it generates less heat, creates less thermal noise, and has the least chance of overheating, I don’t believe these benefits present a compelling argument to use this version. While the 3B may be sufficient to run a network streamer device, the lower clock speed likely slows down the software and extends boot times.

The 4B model is about twice as expensive as the sub-$50 Pi 3B and 3B+ versions, but the improved speed and unrestricted bandwidth make the 4B this model of choice. Unless you are going to use a very air-flow restricted case, overheating shouldn’t be an issue, and adding a powered fan is an option (although this adds noise as well).

The 4B means your DAC choices are almost unlimited, as well as being faster to use and more future proof.

The 4B is available in 3 flavors with differing RAM amounts (2, 4, or 8 Gb) and price points. Any option will work well as a network music streamer. By comparison, the 3B+ version has only 1 Gb of onboard RAM.
My Pi 3B+ mounted in a screen case.
My Pi 3B+ mounted in a screen case.

Although the 4B is the best overall option, for my first build, I chose a 3B+. Why? First off, I was unaware of the USB/network bandwidth limitation and potential impact with external USB DACs. I really could have used a guide like this one!

Secondly (and perhaps mainly), it was cheaper (including a DAC), and therefore more attractive to my budget. To be honest, it has worked absolutely fine for my needs, but for my second build, I bought a 4B.

The extra processing power of the 4B should make WIFI and Bluetooth connections more stable and less impact on the final sound quality. That being said, as a rule of thumb, use a wired connection whenever possible.
build 2 piano
A clean Pi build need not look DIY, and can be attractive and accessible in a variety of surroundings.

Pi accessories

You can make things easy on yourself (as I originally did) and purchase a Pi that comes in a starter kit bundled with needed accessories, namely power supply, microSD card, and case. Or you can buy them separately (which may make more financial sense if you are going to end up buying a different case anyway).

Power supply

There are official power supplies available for each model that are reliable, use heavy gauge wires, and are reasonably priced. The Pi creators recommend their 2.5A micro USB Supply for the 3, and for the 4, they recommend their 3A USB-C Supply.

“The power requirements of the Raspberry Pi increase as you make use of the various interfaces on the Raspberry Pi. The GPIO pins can draw 50mA safely, distributed across all the pins; an individual GPIO pin can only safely draw 16mA… Check the power rating of the devices you plan to connect to the Pi and purchase a power supply accordingly.

If you need to connect a USB device that will take the power requirements above the values specified in the table above, then you must connect it to an externally-powered USB hub.” – The Raspberry Pi Foundation

Power supply requirements

Pi VersionRecommended PSU current capacity (Amps)Maximum total USB peripheral current draw (Amps)Typical bare-board active current consumption (mA)
3B or 3B+2.5A1.2A500mA
4B3.0A1.2A600mA

Suppose the power supply isn’t sufficient for the Pi’s power demands. In that case, the Pi incorporates low-voltage detection circuitry and displays a low power warning icon (yellow lightning bolt) on all attached displays. Insufficient power can cause erratic behavior, including unexplained crashes and corruption of the SD card.

As is the norm with electronics, the recommended device amperage rating is the minimum requirement for the power supply. Using a power supply with a higher amperage rating (5A for example) will work great and simply act as headroom for power needs. It just may cost more.

As there isn’t a hardware power switch on the Pi itself, some power supplies include a physical switch on the cable. Choosing a power supply with a cable mounted switch can be a handy feature, saving you unplugging and reconnecting when needed.

A standard Pi switching power supply.
A standard Pi switching power supply.

Switching vs. linear power supplies

The vast majority of power supplies are of the switching (or switch-mode) type. However, there is a higher quality, and correspondingly much more expensive, option available. A linear power supply differs from the switching version in how the primary (input) AC voltage is converted to the output DC voltage.

A switching power supply typically creates high-frequency voltage using a power transistor and uses pulse width modification (PWM) to regulate the output voltage. This voltage is then filtered to remove unwanted noise and become DC. Linear power supplies pass the AC through a transformer to convert it to DC and then filter after that.

Since linear power supplies use no high-frequency switching, they are generally considered lower noise. Their rectifier circuitry and filtering produce very clean DC voltage; however, they are typically larger, heavier and less efficient than a comparable switching power supply.

For those concerned with squeezing the best (but perhaps unnoticeable) performance out of their Pi build, a high-quality linear power supply is an option. Keep in mind that adding a linear power supply can add to the project’s overall price many times over.

MicroSD card

The Pi has no internal memory for an operating system (OS), so everything that it does is dependent on an installed MicroSD card. In fact, a Pi can instantly change between being a full-fledged desktop computer, or retro-gaming station, or a network music player simply by powering it off and swapping the MicroSD card. Buy a few and try the many software options out there!

My collection of Pi software on MicroSD cards.
My collection of Pi software on MicroSD cards.
The Pi only has a single memory card slot.

Memory is cheap these days, so there is no excuse for not simply purchasing the best performing MicroSD card available, such as the class 10 Sandisk Ultra. A 16Gb capacity is typically more than enough to run most available software, as long as you don’t expect to store media on the card as well. Media will need to be accessed via the network or a connected USB drive.

SD card class is an indication of memory access speed. Class 4: 4Mb/sec. Class 10: 10 Mb/sec. Depending on the software used, and the Pi version, there may not be any noticeable real-world differences between the classes.

Screen

For my own build, I wanted to maximize compatibility and features, including an integrated touch interface and an always-on, ‘now playing’ display. I needed a touchscreen!

Most music playback software includes a phone app and/or web interface for control, so it isn’t essential to include a screen in your build. This significantly decreases case size and overall project cost. A Pi without an attached screen is referred to as ‘headless.’

There are two main ways to connect a screen to a Raspberry Pi. The first is through the HDMI connection on the Pi. Unfortunately, although HDMI is an industry standard and allows for compatibility with a significant number of screens, many of the network streaming software options do not support this interface.

The other connection method uses the Pi S2 connector. The S2 port is a display serial interface (DSI) for connecting a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel using a 15-pin ribbon cable. The official 7” Raspberry Pi Touch Display uses the DSI port.

The Raspberry Pi 3B+ (left) and official Pi touchscreen (right).
The Raspberry Pi 3B+ (left) and official Pi touchscreen (right).
There are less expensive screen options than the official display, available in various sizes, that emulate it and connect to the DSI port.
“The Display Serial Interface (DSI) is a specification by the Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) Alliance aimed at reducing the cost of display controllers in a mobile device. It is commonly targeted at LCD and similar display technologies.” – Wikipedia

LCD displays have an optimum viewing angle, so it is advantageous to choose a case that can adjust the display to the proper angle for your application. Most LCDs seem to work best when viewed from slightly above. A 90 degree, straight up and down, vertically mounted display is easy to implement, but you may struggle to read or interact with it.

Depending on the position of the audio jacks on the DAC, you may need to be creative when angling the screen.
Depending on the position of the audio jacks on the DAC, you may need to be creative when angling the screen.

Official Raspberry Pi display specifications

  • Resolution: 800×480 RGB LCD display
  • Color depth: 24-bit color
  • Viewing angle: 140-degree viewing angle horizontal, 130-degree viewing angle vertical
  • Touchscreen: 10-point multi-touch touchscreen
  • Backlight lifetime: 20000 hours
  • Contrast ratio: 500
  • Average brightness: 250 cd/m2
  • Power requirements: 200mA at 5V typical, at maximum brightness

Case

Case choice is limited by the decision to include a screen in your network streamer. While a screen is convenient for setup, and I like the option of touch screen controls and ‘now playing’ notification, many folks choose to build smaller and less expensive streamers without a screen. The basic and inexpensive cases bundled in many Pi accessory packages work fine.

Since I decided to integrate the 7” official Pi screen (for maximum software package compatibility), surprisingly few case options were available. Luckily, the SmartiPi SmartiCase met my needs and is unexpectedly affordable. They make (in their words) “super cool Raspberry Pi cases.”

The range of SmartiPi cases. (From: smarticase.com)
The range of SmartiPi cases. (From: smarticase.com)

The SmartiCase is available in a few different options. For my first build, I went with a black SmartiPi Touch 2 because it was readily available on Amazon, although it does require separately purchasing a back cover if using a DAC add-on board. The newer SmartiPi Touch Pro case with its centered screen position and spacious back cover will fit virtually any hardware choice.

SmartiPi Touch 2 case features

  • Adjustable viewing angle
  • 3 replaceable front plates: Lego compatible, smooth with camera hole, smooth flat
  • 2 rear doors: Door with fan, door with GPIO pin access – Neither door works with HAT boards
  • USB-C y-split power adapter (for use with Pi 4) + Micro USB y-split power adapter (for use with Pi 2 and 3)
  • 2 ribbon cables: short for the Official Pi camera v1 or v2, long for the display control board
  • 75mm m4 VESA mounting
  • 2 small mounts can be used to mount the case to a variety of surfaces in lieu of the stand
  • Compatible with the official Raspberry Pi display

Assembling the SmartiPi cases is a relatively simple affair, with good instructions and pictures available on the official webpage. The screen is mounted to the front of the case, while the Raspberry Pi is assembled into the back and connected via the included ribbon cable.

The included 30x30mm fan (optionally mounted on the rear door) can be powered by the 5v GPIO pin (7500 RPM) or 3.3v GPIO pin (4800 RPM) to change speed and noise level. On the Touch 2 case, the rear door must be removed in order to use add-on HAT boards. An optional back cover plate accessory can be purchased separately to cover the HAT board.

The primary limitation of the SmartiPi cases is the inability to access the installed microSD card without removing the rear cover and Raspberry Pi. It is not a big deal once you’ve decided on software, but it makes quick changes somewhat more cumbersome. Additionally, due to the Pi’s positioning at the leftmost edge (as viewed from the front), any USB or ethernet cables stick out from the side.

Right angle adapters (USB top, Ethernet lower) clean up the cables protruding from the side of the case.
Right angle adapters (USB top, Ethernet lower) clean up the cables protruding from the side of the case.

I purchased a few inexpensive right-angle USB adapters and a network cable extension to minimize the visual impact of the port and cable placement.

External USB DAC vs HAT DAC

If you are basing your build on the Raspberry Pi 4B , you are free to use whatever sort of DAC you want. Already have an excellent external USB DAC? No problem! Just connect it via the USB port and have at it!

It may be a good idea to check on the Pi music software forums and associated help documents to ensure your DAC is compatible with a particular software package before making any purchases or final decisions. Most DACS should be supported; however, I recently ran into problems with a Helm Bolt DAC dongle not being recognized.
The DAC HAT (black) is installed on top of the Pi (green).
The DAC HAT (black) is installed on top of the Pi (green).

For my own project based on the Pi 3B+, I have been able to use a USB DAC with no real issues, but the model’s bandwidth limitations strongly suggest that the best way to go for maximum stability is a HAT DAC.

The Raspberry Pi connects to add-on extension boards via its 40-pin GPIO header interface. These add-on boards are called HATs (Hardware Attached on Top). I assume its name also is derived from the fact that the Pi wears the board much like a hat. As mentioned before, the GPIO interface’s use circumvents any bandwidth limitations of USB and can ensure maximum sound quality.

Luckily, there are lots of choices out there, with a variety of price points, chipsets, and supported formats.

HAT DAC options

Pi DAC HATSNR (dB) THD+N (dB)ChipsetMaximum Format Support
<$50    
AUDIOPHONICS DAC Sabre ES9023??ESS Sabre ES9023192kHz/24bit
IQAudio DAC Pro114-94Burr-Brown PCM5242192kHz/24bit
HiFiBerry DAC2 Pro112-93Burr-Brown PCM5122192kHz/24bit
JustBoom DAC HAT112-93Burr-Brown PCM5122384kHz/32bit
$50-$100    
Allo BOSS I2S DAC V1.2112-93Burr-Brown PCM5122384kHz/32bit
HiFiBerry DAC2 HD123-108Burr-Brown PCM1796192kHz/24bit
$100-$150    
SUPTRONICS ST4000127-120ESS Sabre ES9018K2M384kHz/32bit
AUDIOPHONICS DAC I-Sabre ES9038Q2M?-108ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M384kHz/32bit
>$150    
PecanPi DAC XLR130 XLR / 124 RCA-124 XLR / -110 RCABurr-Brown PCM1794A192kHz/24bit
I decided to use the HiFiBerry DAC2 PRO HAT for my build.
I decided to use the HiFiBerry DAC2 PRO HAT for my build.

I decided on the popular and well-regarded HiFiBerry DAC2 Pro for my 3B+ build. Although within the lowest price point tier, I find the sound quality of this budget DAC HAT to be excellent.

The main use of this network streamer is feeding a mid-‘60s era The Fisher 400 tube receiver powering late ‘70s JBL L96 speakers. Fun, but not the ultimate word in high fidelity, so a mid-performing DAC is more than capable enough of producing great sound on this system.

Serving up Beck to the vintage stereo gear.
Serving up Beck to the vintage stereo gear.

Let your budget and audiophile ears make the final decision for you.

Media Player Software

Now that you’ve assembled all the hardware for your Pi-based network streamer, it’s time to pick the software. No matter how great the hardware choices you made are, if the user interface is cumbersome and frustrating to use, you will not be happy with the device. Software choice is a crucial decision.

If you thought there were too many decisions to make for hardware, please keep in mind, the software choices are no less vast. Some are more lightweight and designed to be minimal and speedy. Others are designed for maximum compatibility and file format support, including both audio and video playback. Some are easier to set up and quick to get running, while others present seemingly unlimited options and configurations.

Please don’t let the number of options below overwhelm you. If you don’t know where to start, just pick Volumio for your network music streamer. It’s beautiful, fully-featured, easily configured, and has excellent documentation.
The Volumio interface is beautiful and full-featured. (From: volumio.org)
The Volumio interface is beautiful and full-featured. (From: volumio.org)

All the options are fairly mature, meaning that they are stable, have extensive documentation, and an active user community to turn to for help. There’s seriously not a bad decision to be made here from the list below, and it’s up to you to figure out what you want from your new device. Many of the software packages feature add-ons to increase functionality, and most support additional streaming services like Spotify, SoundCloud, etc.

Players are listed and linked below with a brief (non-complete) description of stand out features. The only way to know what you like is to try them!

Pi music streamer software options

  • JustBoom Player – A music player designed to work with their own DAC HAT boards. If you aren’t buying a JustBoom DAC, there are better options.
  • Moode Audio Player – A music player featuring a responsive adaptive user interface and support for a wide variety of audio devices. Includes 12-band parametric and 10-band graphic EQ, crossfeed for headphone listening, and support for Airplay, Spotify, Squeezelite, and RoonBridge.
  • Mopidy – An easy-to-use, audiophile-focused, music server developed with Python. Extensions allow support for local playback, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Google Music. Control through a web interface on the same network.
  • PiCorePlayer – (pCP) – A very small, but high-quality audio player via Squeezelite and Logitech Media Server (LMS), built on piCore Linux. It boots very quickly and runs entirely in RAM.
  • PiMusicBox – A “Swiss Army Knife” media player (based on Mopidy) supporting local network-based music playback, AirPlay, and DLNA streaming, as well as support for online services such as Spotify, Google Music, SoundCloud, Webradio, and podcasts.
  • RoPieee – A Roon Bridge that enables playing audio over a USB DAC and supports most well-known audio HATs. It can use the original 7″ Raspberry Pi touchscreen for display and control purposes. RoPieee also supports RF-based remote controls and has an elaborate update mechanism (saving you the hassle of manually downloading and reflashing the card to update the program).
  • RuneAudio – A free and open-source Linux OS, with only the features and functions necessary for high-quality music playback retained. Rune can be controlled by any device on the same local network as the Raspberry Pi via a web user interface.
  • Volumio – A music server for the Raspberry Pi dedicated to audiophiles based on the Raspbian Pi operating system. Volumio is easy to use, supports all types of files (mp3, FLAC, Alac, Aac, Vorbis, etc.), and works with most DAC HATs and the official Pi touchscreen. Available extensions allow compatibility with DLNA, AirPlay, and Spotify. A subscription-based premium service called “MyVolumio” allows for Tidal and Qobuz support as well.

For simplicity, I suggest you stick with a music player only software package. Don’t add video playback compatibility if you aren’t going to use it.

How RuneAudio (and most other music streamer software) works. (From: runeaudio.com)
How RuneAudio (and most other music streamer software) works. (From: runeaudio.com)

Pi music and video streamer software options

Many of the combo music and video streamer software packages are based on the excellent Kodi (formerly XBMC) program. Kodi is a fully-featured, free, and open-source media player software package. Kodi development has been around since the days of the original Xbox modification scene in the early 2000s, and has been ported to most imaginable devices.

If you are looking to simply create a dedicated music-only streamer, the Kodi options are likely overkill as they are designed to play back all popular media file formats including audio, video, and pictures.

Kodi variants

  • LibreELEC – (Libre Embedded Linux Entertainment Center) – A non-profit fork of OpenELEC for Kodi. More stable and faster feeling than Open ELEC.
  • OpenELEC – (Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center) – A small Linux-based Just Enough Operating System (JeOS) built from scratch as a platform to turn the Pi into a Kodi media center. It offers add-ons to Kodi which allows access to more platforms and content and is faster and lighter weight than Kodi.
  • OSMC – An operating system (based on Debian) built around Kodi but with a more modern, lightweight, and optimized skin than OpenELEC which makes it faster, easier to configure, and more customizable.
  • Xbian – A very small, fast and lightweight Kodi version for the Raspberry Pi, based on Raspbian.
Many of the full-featured media players are based on the Kodi Media Center software. (From: kodi.tv)
Many of the full-featured media players are based on the Kodi Media Center software. (From: kodi.tv)

Emby and Plex, while not currently based on Kodi, are similar enough that I’ll include them here. Early versions of Plex were a Kodi/XBMC variant.

  • Emby – (formerly “Media Browser”) – A client-server media player very similar to Plex. Plex is easier to use while Emby is more customizable and flexible.
  • Plex – A client-server based media player system that requires a Media Server computer and separate Client devices on the network to playback media.

Installing the software

Volumio is likely the best (and most common) solution for a Pi-based network streamer. It offers an efficient and highly intuitive web control interface and is ideal for getting started. Newbies should start here!

Since I’ve recently become a dedicated Roon user, I ended up settling on the more fully-featured XL version of RoPieee for my Pi network streamer after trying the other options. In addition to Roon, the XL version supports DLNA, Airplay, and Spotify technology to stream audio.

The basic web interface to customize RoPieee is quite easy to use.
The basic web interface to customize RoPieee is quite easy to use.

RoPieee’s motto is “it’s not an OS, but an appliance.” This commitment to simplicity appeals to me. I just want a device to work and not require constant fiddling around with. Configuration (if necessary at all) is done from RoPieee’s web interface from any device on the network.

RoPieee will not playback music from a network drive or an attached USB storage device. If this is what you want to do, go with Volumio.

Frankly, RoPieee is not the prettiest option for the touchscreen. Volumio’s fonts and layout are more attractive, but far more complicated. Certainly, Roon itself is much more aesthetically appealing. But, it’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make.

The left half of the Ropieee screen displays album art, while the right side has basic play/pause, previous, next, repeat, random, and volume controls. When no music is playing, RoPieee can default to displaying a digital clock. Simple and useful.

The screen interface for RoPieee is quite basic but very user friendly. (From: ropieee.org)
The screen interface for RoPieee is quite basic but very user friendly. (From: ropieee.org)
Remember that if you buy a few memory cards, you can swap between music players and operating systems on the Pi in just a minute or two.

How to install software onto the Pi

  • Download a Pi software image to your computer.
  • Download an installation tool such as Balena Etcher to your computer.
  • Insert a blank MicroSD card into your computer. You may need a USB reader.
  • Use Etcher to create a bootable SD card for your Pi from the software image you downloaded in step 1.
  • Unplug the Pi from power.
  • Install the MicroSD card into the Pi.
  • Attach Ethernet cable to the Pi.
  • Attach power to the Pi. Note that the first boot is typically the longest.
  • Follow individual instructions for setting up the music streamer software.
All you need to install Pi software images on MicroSD cards.
All you need to install Pi software images on MicroSD cards.

Most software packages will require you to do a few extra configuration steps once installed. The software will guide you through the steps to enable the DAC as an output, connect to your network, and install optional add ons for extra streaming service support. This is where the startup guides provided by the software itself are invaluable. Every one is a bit different, but there’s tons of help available if you get stuck.

Just remember, there’s nothing to worry about. You can’t hurt anything! If all else fails, flash the memory card again and start over, or try a different software package. Take your time, have fun, and soon enough you’ll have the music streamer of your dreams!

Conclusion

My first network music streamer consists of:

  • Pi 3B+
  • Official 7” touchscreen
  • SmartiPi Touch 2 case
  • HiFiBerry DAC 2 Pro HAT
  • RoPieee XL software

It’s great! It works flawlessly and sounds fantastic. It does all that I want it to, and for a cost under $250 USD.

Listening to CBC Radio 1 via Roon on RoPieee XL. A new way of doing an old thing.
Listening to CBC Radio 1 via Roon on RoPieee XL. A new way of doing an old thing.

That being said, for my second build, I skipped the DAC HAT, and for about the same overall price, upgraded to the Pi 4B, Touch Pro case, and used an external USB DAC (that I already had on hand and is not factored into the build price).

If you are just looking for analog RCA outputs, the Topping D10s is a great affordable DAC choice. Or, the xDuoo XD05 Plus offers analog outputs for an external amplifier or amplified speakers, and a terrific integrated headphone amp. The sky’s the limit for DAC choices with a build based on the Pi 4B!

build 2
This is the completed Build 2 wirelessly streaming music from Roon, including a Pi 4B and external USB DAC.

And that’s the thing about building your own network streamer. The more you know about all the options upfront, the better your decision-making will be when purchasing. You are in charge, so it’s up to you to build the best device to fit your needs!

💬 Conversation: 41 comments

  1. Thank you SO MUCH for this guide! I’ve been considering building an RPi for Volumio for a few months, but every time I’ve researched, the options are just endless and there were no easy to follow guides that I could find.

    What problem did you have with the Helm Bolt? Did you get it working? John Darko posted a video today about Tidal Connect on the RPi and he showed it connected with a Bolt.

      1. I know Helm says to make sure you have your speakers or headphones plugged in to the Bolt before connecting the USB end… I wonder if that would apply here, as well? I think that allows the Bolt to set the correct impedance.

        1. Maybe! It was connected to my ’60s The Fisher 400 tube receiver via a 3.5-RCA cable, so not a typical loan for the Bolt. That may well have been the issue, although I haven’t run into it with any other DAC. YMMV.

  2. Thank you for this! I’ve been wanting to build a dedicated streamer, which I know is possible but haven’t had great luck trying to figure out exactly how to do it. This was exactly what I needed!

  3. Great article. You’ve insured me to build a streamer with a screen.

    I have a headless RPi 4 w/ a Hifiberry Digi+ Pro HAY running MoOde. I primarily use it to stream Qobuz via UpNP. I feed it to the DAC on my integrated amp via COAX. It’s reliable and sounds great.

    1. Hey
      Thanks for this great guide. There is just one point is not clear to me. Does 3A USB-C Supply enough to power pi+dac+screen or should we use another power supply?

  4. Hi, I thanks in thought this article was excellent especially for a complete novice like me. I’d like to try and do this with my 16 year old son but have a couple of questions please.
    1. How do I connect rca or line out jack from internal hat da. to case.
    2. Can I swap from say lineout to Bluetooth seamlessly using software such as Voluminio or does it involve always changing settings?

    Thanks, really looking forward to having a go at this.

    1. Hi. Sorry for the late reply!

      The HAT DAC outputs will either be accessible, or you will need to run cables to them (perhaps extension cables) through a hole in the case (depending on case design).

      I’m not sure which software packages support Bluetooth output (most allow input), so it may not be easy to swap back and forth.

  5. First allow me to reiterate, THANKS SO MUCH for this marvelous guide.
    I plan on pretty much going w/your Build 2 here (the 4B-based build) as I’ve got a couple of excellent outboard DACs already.
    My question is: I’ve also got an NAS that I’m about to put together (based on a used Synology DS 409 I picked up) and that I hope to connect.
    Any suggestions about what I can do w/the R-Pi build that will improve or ease my chances of seamless NAS integration?
    Also, I’m not happy about what I’ve heard about ANY of the software streamer choices; I guess I’ll have to go w/Volumio (which I’ve heard very mixed things about). Roon would be nice, but that’s just another multi-hundred dollar expense I can’t justify. Somebody should create a regularly updated wiki for the current state of Streamer Software :>
    No, really. :>

    Again–thanks so much. Hope to hear some feedback from you–or from anyone else who has gone through the R-Pi + NAS (preferably Synology NAS) experience.
    Cheers!

    1. Alex, not sure if you ever got this answered or not. I run the same configuration, I have Volumio running on a Pi, connected to a Topping D50s. This setup connects to my 16TB Seagate ReadyNAS. Volumio controls everything so you should not have any problems getting your Synology integrated into the mix.
      Thake care,
      Ben

  6. Not to diminish anyone’s decision but if you want a first class music management system and specifically ui display, Roon, even though it sounds expensive, provides a very good platform to build your streamer on. Build a performant Fanless Roon nuc with a Roon license and rip the Roon fruit of labor without having to revisit the music server build ever again. Then use pi based endpoints for an economical solution to provide multi-room Roon access points. At least building your own Roon Music Server will reach its cost point and be cheaper than the Roon offering out there. I like Trav suggestions for Roon based software for the pi specifically RoPieee XL software solution.

    1. I’m with you Jon!

      While I’d love to find a free software package that rivals Roon, I simply haven’t. Check out my Introduction to Roon article if anyone is wondering what makes a subscription player worth paying for.

  7. IMHO Logitech Media Server plus max2play or picoreplayer are superb.

    I have picoreplayer and the same 7 inch screen in one room and max2play with a 5″ hdmi touchscreen in another. I also have about 6 logitech hardware squeeze play devices. Fantastic system.

    1. Thanks for the input! I haven’t tried the Logitech MS options. I really do need to get around to checking them out first hand.

    1. It depends on the software you want to use, many can be used ‘headless’. I suggest checking on the software developer’s website to confirm functionality.

    2. In any LMS based solution* you can use a web browser or you can use a number of android or iphone apps.

      * eg picoreplayer, anything that runs squeezelite.

  8. Hi,

    Thanks for this. I’m going to give it a go. My first question is – if I have a DAC in my amp (Marantz PM6006) and or CD player (Marantz CD6007), do I need a DAC when building the streamer?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi. Yes. You need a way to connect the Pi, either digitally to a DAC, or via analog cables to the RCA inputs of your amplifier. The Pi only offers a basic headphone output, or USB ports to connect to a non-HAT device. So unless your Marantz amplifier can accept a USB input, you still need a DAC between the Pi and the amp.

  9. Amazing. I’ve been struggling for days at end to push DSD256 to my T+A MP 3100 HV from a USB stick. With a Pi4B and Volumio, it works like a charm. Thanks!

  10. You encourage me to try this. I have been thinking of getting a streamer for my system to move away from using PC and external DAC. I am gonna try this path. Thanks for the clear and simple explanation

    1. You are welcome, and thanks for the kind words! The process is fairly straightforward and you should be able to replicate it with ease. The only negative these days is the scarcity of Raspberry Pi units and the resulting price increase. I’m currently using the Pi as a Plex endpoint.

      1. Hi, thanks for this guide, it makes all really clear. I’m interested in building a streamer. Nowadays I have all my music in a PC with a Plex library. Could you explain how to use Plex with the Raspberry Pi unit?

  11. First of all, thank you for that insightful and easy to understand guide. I just came across this in my research on making a Raspberry Pi as a Roon endpoint. The only question that I couldn’t seem to find the answer to, is can you use all the available features of Roon on the devices touchscreen, or do I have to use my phone or a separate tablet for that? I only photos I saw were of individual songs.

    1. You are very welcome. In order to use all the Roon features, you have to control it through the phone app. The touchscreen has limited functionality.

  12. I’ve put your version 2 together however I have an issue. The touchscreen is displaying text only (eg, volumio@volumio:~$
    I can’t get the “pretty” Volumio “skin”?
    What have I missed?

  13. Thanks for this guide! I’m strongly considering upgrading my DAC to one that supports an onboard RPi (Okto Dac8 stereo). In the meantime, why not pick up a 4B and get it streaming to my current DAC rather than relying on my tablet?
    Anyway, I wanted to highly recommend Minim Server for Synology NAS-based music storage & playback. It handles every format I play including any PCM and DSF files at higher sampling rates. It’s lightweight and simple to set up and am guessing it’ll work well with Volumio, etc.

  14. Why does one need to have a DAC? My Amp has a HDMI input and according to me that eliminates the need for a DAC in my build? Am I right?

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