HQPlayer Virtual Cable specifically for HQP?

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@Stefan_Jorma

if a customer (and a large supporter of you and your knowledge) suggest additional features, that is in my world a great benefit

I’m reluctant to implement something that is a lot of work to do and maintain over time while not offering any objective benefits.

@Stefan_Jorma

A ‘virtual cable’ made exclusively for the HQP should be the ‘closest’ route and the best way to make 100% compatible to HQP input requirements, should it not? Including possible or required conversions/bufferts/formats/…, i.e.?

It doesn’t help anything in this respect. The current solution I offered is the most general purpose and not bound to any particular OS. I’m using it with my iPad or iPhone as a source. Which also solves the Apple Music output rate switching issue that exists on macOS.

@Stefan_Jorma

I cannot install Spotify on that NAA image, I guess?

No, it is not necessary and wouldn’t help here.

@Stefan_Jorma

Does it mean I need another (Spotify exclusive) device to playback Spotify to the NAA PC, who send it back to the HQPlayer PC, who make conversion, then back to NAA PC again, and USB output to DAC?

No, you can run Spotify on your PC or any other device, and direct it’s output to the NAA which will send it to HQPlayer.

@Stefan_Jorma

Would a Wiim work as Spotify device?

Yes, but IIRC it doesn’t support Spotify Lossless at least yet.

@Stefan_Jorma

How is Spotify device going to ‘send in’ the Spotify bitstream to the NAA (USB, network, SPDIF)?

In this case USB, but it can be also S/PDIF or AES/EBU if you like. Spotify is particularly easy since it doesn’t require automatic rate switching since it is always fixed 44.1k rate.

@Stefan_Jorma

USB A out connector from Spotify device (e.g. Wiim device), does not match USB B in connector (non-existent) NAA PC?

USB A to USB C of RPi4. Or one of the other supported devices with USB device side hardware capability. Also works on the original UP Board which is the first one I used for the purpose (USB3 micro-B there).

@Stefan_Jorma

Have not seen USB2.0 A to A working, does it?

No, such would be illegal connection and could damage hardware.

@Stefan_Jorma

Optical line require a NAA with optical connector, thus hijacking the only optical direct line to RME DAC for my wife; the only manageable way for her to playback music on the rig.

I don’t really understand this. You can have pretty much as many optical outputs on your computer as you could imagine. For example RME Digiface USB gives you immediately four.

@Stefan_Jorma

Plan B a stand-alone streaming software/service over a selectable audio output option in O/S, possible to select as an input in HQPlayer input tab (like a ‘virtual cable’)

Assuming you are on Windows, have you tried for example this:

VB-Audio Virtual Apps

@Stefan_Jorma

I do not think Qobuz servers are ‘low noise’ either …

Yes, so you don’t need to worry about the input NAA either…

P.S. There is a long thread about the topic here:

Using any audio source with HQPlayer - Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Soundcloud [2023]

GDay DBGBB, Happy NY Currently I can listen to SoundCloud from IPhone Bluetooth to my kitchen DAC and speakers. Kitchen system - Roon NUC - HQPD on Mac - RPi - DAC (that has Bluetooth) If I wanted to run SoundCloud through HQPlayer (which is on my Mac Mini) and through to my kitchen or main system, is there a simple way to do this? Main system - Roon NUC - HQPD on Mac - RPi - DAC (no Bluetooth option)