Lately I have contemplated transitioning my network music server off of my daily driver Mac mini running JRiver.
I'll still use the JRiver/Mac mini combo for local playback where it resides in my bedroom, but I'd like to have a network server elsewhere, primarily to be available to stream music at times the mini is either switched off, or in midst of a software update, or running a CPU intensive application for example.
Additionally, although the Mac mini is a very energy efficient computer, I don't like leaving it on 24/7 just for the ability to stream music to different rooms, but I had found myself increasingly doing just that. Kind of a waste of electricity, the lure of instant multi-room music streaming causing me to be lazy and never power down my computer.
I'm already using a Raspberry Pi3 as a Moode UPnP Renderer (endpoint) in my living room system to great effect with a Resonessence Herus DAC connected via USB, so why not use an additional RPi3 in server mode?
Because I already use and love the Moode distro for RPi3, I tried that first knowing it had a setting in it's configuration menu for use as a DLNA server. Set-up was easy enough, and while it worked and sounded fine, an annoying old problem with various DLNA implementations reared it's ugly head: spotty presentation of the album art. That's actually an in-depth topic when it shouldn't be, so after various attempts at fixing that problem all ending in failure, I scrapped Moode as server and it's "MiniDLNA" implementation. Again, Moode works wonderfully well on the RPi3 as an endpoint/renderer (better than Volumio/Rune/others in my opinion), but the Moode "MiniDLNA" server function left me wanting.
At that point I focused on dedicated server programs for RPi3 and quickly narrowed it to two well-known applications: MinimServer, and AssetUPnP. Browsing their respective set-up guides revealed a little more Linux command line configuration than I'm entirely comfortable with, but I decided I was up to the task.
I chose AssetUPnP from the developer Illustrate (also the developer of dBPoweramp), even though it's $10 as opposed to the freeware MinimServer. Asset appeared to be the less involved set-up of the two, and I reckoned my $10 might buy me valuable support should I run into headaches. There is also a free version of Asset, but I wanted all of the "Premium" version's functionality including DSD support, so I popped for the $10.
The initial set-up involves procuring an RPi3 board, and flashing a microSD card with the Raspbian Linux OS variant. I then installed the board into the very fine PiKrust SE anodized CNC milled aluminum case, a beautiful piece made in Oregon. There are cheaper case options for sure, but the PiKrust actually represents value if not ultimate thrift, the entire case is one big heat sink.
After having Raspbian up and running on the RPi, the next steps involve launching a Terminal session for the command line stuff needed to download, unzip/extract, and install AssetUPnP, and then do some additional configuration. I won't go into a ton of detail on that except to say it's much less painful/daunting than at first glance it may seem, and more importantly it all goes by very quickly.
Once the above is complete, final configuration is done via any web browser on the same LAN (from your computer/phone/tablet etc...), you simply enter the IP issued to the AssetUPnP server by your router, and a web page configuration screen gives access to the final steps and tweaks needed for each individual need/preference. Connect a USB HDD and commence scanning in the music library folder(s). You can monitor that progress via the web browser pointed at Asset's IP.
It is at this point one reaches arguably the convenience proposition and raison d'être in using a tiny power miser such as the RPi3 as a server: headless operation. Remove the mouse/keyboard, and HDMI monitor cable, and you are free to relocate the RPi3 to any place you have a LAN port, or almost any place else for that matter if using a WiFi dongle (I did not).
Here is a picture of the RPi3 running AssetUPnP located right next to my ceiling mounted router. I've put dust cap plugs into the unused HDMI port, and the 3 unused USB ports, with the 4th USB port connected to an external HDD storage device housing a copy of my music library:
This unit has been stable/flawless for over 2 weeks now, reboots itself after power is cut, and plays back all PCM sample rates to 352.8kHz and DSD64 with no glitches. I have no 384kHz PCM or DSD128 files to test. Album art renders perfectly on various control point apps for Android or iOS, including BubbleUPNP, Linn Kazoo, mConnect, 8Player, and others.
Now I can shut down my Mac mini/JRiver, and retain access to my entire music library for streaming to either a Sonore microRendu located in the HiFi Room, or an RPi3 Moode Player located in the living room. The RPi3 AssetUPnP server itself can draw a maximum of 12.5 watts, and actually draws considerably less other than during it's boot sequence.
My Bill Of Materials:
RPi3 board = $35
PiKrust SE enclosure = $37.95
AssetUPnP Premium = $10
iFi iPower 5v = $49
DiversiTech EVA pad = 45 cents
1TB USB drive = had a spare on hand
1 ft. Cat7 cable = had a spare on hand
For those already well down this path on a more advanced level, say for instance Roon/RAAT, or HQ Player etc... this likely will not be a viable hardware solution, just not enough horsepower. But for anyone else who either hasn't yet set-up any network music server, or is looking to offload one from your daily driver computer, the above might just be the ticket for a minimal cash outlay, especially if you are into DIY.
I'll still use the JRiver/Mac mini combo for local playback where it resides in my bedroom, but I'd like to have a network server elsewhere, primarily to be available to stream music at times the mini is either switched off, or in midst of a software update, or running a CPU intensive application for example.
Additionally, although the Mac mini is a very energy efficient computer, I don't like leaving it on 24/7 just for the ability to stream music to different rooms, but I had found myself increasingly doing just that. Kind of a waste of electricity, the lure of instant multi-room music streaming causing me to be lazy and never power down my computer.
I'm already using a Raspberry Pi3 as a Moode UPnP Renderer (endpoint) in my living room system to great effect with a Resonessence Herus DAC connected via USB, so why not use an additional RPi3 in server mode?
Because I already use and love the Moode distro for RPi3, I tried that first knowing it had a setting in it's configuration menu for use as a DLNA server. Set-up was easy enough, and while it worked and sounded fine, an annoying old problem with various DLNA implementations reared it's ugly head: spotty presentation of the album art. That's actually an in-depth topic when it shouldn't be, so after various attempts at fixing that problem all ending in failure, I scrapped Moode as server and it's "MiniDLNA" implementation. Again, Moode works wonderfully well on the RPi3 as an endpoint/renderer (better than Volumio/Rune/others in my opinion), but the Moode "MiniDLNA" server function left me wanting.
At that point I focused on dedicated server programs for RPi3 and quickly narrowed it to two well-known applications: MinimServer, and AssetUPnP. Browsing their respective set-up guides revealed a little more Linux command line configuration than I'm entirely comfortable with, but I decided I was up to the task.
I chose AssetUPnP from the developer Illustrate (also the developer of dBPoweramp), even though it's $10 as opposed to the freeware MinimServer. Asset appeared to be the less involved set-up of the two, and I reckoned my $10 might buy me valuable support should I run into headaches. There is also a free version of Asset, but I wanted all of the "Premium" version's functionality including DSD support, so I popped for the $10.
The initial set-up involves procuring an RPi3 board, and flashing a microSD card with the Raspbian Linux OS variant. I then installed the board into the very fine PiKrust SE anodized CNC milled aluminum case, a beautiful piece made in Oregon. There are cheaper case options for sure, but the PiKrust actually represents value if not ultimate thrift, the entire case is one big heat sink.
After having Raspbian up and running on the RPi, the next steps involve launching a Terminal session for the command line stuff needed to download, unzip/extract, and install AssetUPnP, and then do some additional configuration. I won't go into a ton of detail on that except to say it's much less painful/daunting than at first glance it may seem, and more importantly it all goes by very quickly.
Once the above is complete, final configuration is done via any web browser on the same LAN (from your computer/phone/tablet etc...), you simply enter the IP issued to the AssetUPnP server by your router, and a web page configuration screen gives access to the final steps and tweaks needed for each individual need/preference. Connect a USB HDD and commence scanning in the music library folder(s). You can monitor that progress via the web browser pointed at Asset's IP.
It is at this point one reaches arguably the convenience proposition and raison d'être in using a tiny power miser such as the RPi3 as a server: headless operation. Remove the mouse/keyboard, and HDMI monitor cable, and you are free to relocate the RPi3 to any place you have a LAN port, or almost any place else for that matter if using a WiFi dongle (I did not).
Here is a picture of the RPi3 running AssetUPnP located right next to my ceiling mounted router. I've put dust cap plugs into the unused HDMI port, and the 3 unused USB ports, with the 4th USB port connected to an external HDD storage device housing a copy of my music library:
This unit has been stable/flawless for over 2 weeks now, reboots itself after power is cut, and plays back all PCM sample rates to 352.8kHz and DSD64 with no glitches. I have no 384kHz PCM or DSD128 files to test. Album art renders perfectly on various control point apps for Android or iOS, including BubbleUPNP, Linn Kazoo, mConnect, 8Player, and others.
Now I can shut down my Mac mini/JRiver, and retain access to my entire music library for streaming to either a Sonore microRendu located in the HiFi Room, or an RPi3 Moode Player located in the living room. The RPi3 AssetUPnP server itself can draw a maximum of 12.5 watts, and actually draws considerably less other than during it's boot sequence.
My Bill Of Materials:
RPi3 board = $35
PiKrust SE enclosure = $37.95
AssetUPnP Premium = $10
iFi iPower 5v = $49
DiversiTech EVA pad = 45 cents
1TB USB drive = had a spare on hand
1 ft. Cat7 cable = had a spare on hand
For those already well down this path on a more advanced level, say for instance Roon/RAAT, or HQ Player etc... this likely will not be a viable hardware solution, just not enough horsepower. But for anyone else who either hasn't yet set-up any network music server, or is looking to offload one from your daily driver computer, the above might just be the ticket for a minimal cash outlay, especially if you are into DIY.
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