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Multiroom options for your HiFiBerry setup
The Raspberry Pi, combined with HiFiBerry components and HiFiBerryOS, offers a versatile and cost-effective solution for creating multiroom audio setups. This guide explores various multiroom audio systems that can be implemented using Raspberry Pi and HiFiBerry DACs/Digi/Amps with HiFiBerryOS, including independent systems, Roon, LMS/Squeezelite, and AirPlay 2. Whether you’re an audiophile or a casual listener, there’s a solution tailored to your needs. This article compared different ways to build a multiroom audio system.
Independent Systems
Independent systems using Raspberry Pi involve configuring individual Raspberry Pis with HiFiBerry audio components and running HiFiBerryOS. These systems typically include DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters), Digi boards for digital output, and amplifiers, tailored to specific room acoustics and user preferences.
Pros:
- Easy to setup, no server needed
Cons:
- No synchronized audio playback in multiple rooms
LMS/Squeezelite
Logitech Media Server (LMS) and Squeezelite are open-source solutions for multiroom audio streaming. With HiFiBerryOS, you can run Squeezelite on Raspberry Pi equipped with HiFiBerry components and even run a Logitech Media server on the Pi serving the music to other rooms.
Pros:
- Free and open-source, making it a cost-effective solution.
- Highly customizable with numerous plugins and community support.
Cons:
- Setup and configuration can be challenging for non-technical users.
- Interface and user experience are not as polished as commercial alternatives.
- Limited direct support for modern streaming services.
Roon
Roon is a sophisticated music management and streaming software designed for audiophiles. HiFiBerryOS can be used to create a powerful Roon endpoint with HiFiBerry components on Raspberry Pi.
Pros:
- Rich metadata and user-friendly interface enhance the music discovery experience.
- Supports high-resolution audio
- Can integrate a local music library and some streaming music services (e.g. Tidal)
Cons:
- Subscription-based model can be costly over time.
- Requires a dedicated server (Roon Core) that can’t run on the Raspberry Pi
- May be overkill for casual listeners who do not need advanced features.
AirPlay 2
Overview: AirPlay 2 is Apple’s proprietary wireless streaming protocol. HiFiBerryOS includes support for AirPlay, allowing Raspberry Pi with HiFiBerry components to act as AirPlay 2 receivers.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Apple devices.
- Easy to set up and use for Apple ecosystem users.
- Supports multiroom audio with synchronization.
Cons:
- Limited to Apple ecosystem.
- Not suitable for high-resolution audio beyond CD quality.
- Dependency on Apple devices for control.
- No official Apple support, no guarantee that everything will work after software upgrades
Others
The biggest advantage of the Raspberry Pi is the huge ecosystem of available software. While we have shown what’s possible with HiFiBerryOS, there are plenty of other options around. Many of these are open source and often free. Some systems offer advanced functionalities for subscribers. Feel free to experiment with different software distributions to find what works best for you. While HiFiBerryOS is an option for your HiFiBerry sound card, it’s not the only one. Just use what works best for you!
July 8, 2024
