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

[rhqp]

@jussi_laako

At the moment I’m playing from Tidal app on my iPad to UP Gateway as input NAA

Thanks a bunch for sharing the details.
Any chance we could get the iOS device use Tidal connect instead of the USB connection?

So a typical Tidal connect device like the Wiim mini > optical out > optical to USB > HQP on Windows

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

I’d recommend a WiiM Mini + used market RME ADI-2 FS DAC (don’t buy new just for this feature)

Yeah I was thinking on those lines. The RME DACs even second hand are pretty expensive, just for this purpose. Guess yourself or @jussi_laako mentioned that the RME HSDPe AIO PCI card works as well supporting this flow, with automatic rate switching?

[Moy]

In my case I’ll be using this:

1. Wiim Pro SPIDF out to →

2. Cubilux USB A SPDIF Input Adapter for PC / USB Optical Line-in Dongle, Toslink to USB Receiver, USB A SDPIF RX https://a.co/d/cZiCveO

3. → connected to NAA mini pc ( change config.xml from “device” to “host” )

4. → selected (mini PC NAA) as “input source” on any current HQplayer Settings NAA that is connected to DAC

I’ll put this on hold till I have the Cubilux USB A SPDIF Input Adapter. Seems also another good choice without (edit)automatic rate switching?

@rhqp similar idea maybe less $

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@rhqp

Guess yourself or @jussi_laako mentioned that the RME HSDPe AIO PCI card works as well supporting this flow, with automatic rate switching?

yep but similar price to a used ADI-2 DAC

[rhqp]

@Moy

Cubilux USB A SPDIF Input Adapter for PC / USB Optical Line-in Dongle, Toslink to USB Receiver, USB A SDPIF RX

This device seems to be limited to 16 bit 96 kHz if I’m reading the specs correctly?

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

yep but similar price to a used ADI-2 DAC

eBay here in Germany is showing the PCI card to be 50% cheaper than the ADI-2 DAC.

I also have a UAD Apollo Twin. Let me give that a try!!

[dabassgoesboomboom]

Interesting, can you share the links, so I can check correct models

I haven’t seen the cards on the used market in my country so i was comparing new card vs old ADI-2 (plenty of those always)

The RME card only works on Windows

ADI-2 works nicely on NAA OS on RPi4 and other hardware

[Moy]

Yes: * Studio Grade Recording up to 96 KHz/16-bit

But I just found this:

https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/usbstreamer-box

Mention by @dabassgoesboomboom the pioneer on this matter as a better option

Just found this!

Amazon.com: Cubilux UCSTR-B3 USB A to SPDIF Input Output Adapter, 2-in-1 USB to...

Cubilux UCSTR-B3 USB A to SPDIF Input Output Adapter, 2-in-1 USB to TOSLINK Optical Transmitter Receiver Compatible with MacBook, Laptop, Computer, PC

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@rhqp

So a typical Tidal connect device like the Wiim mini > optical out > optical to USB > HQP on Windows

That works with RME HDSPe AIO as input card on Windows.

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@dabassgoesboomboom

The RME card only works on Windows

I’ve used it on Linux too. And it was the first one I supported on Linux for automatic rate switching. Due to driver bugs some input types are more restricted in rate range. IIRC, AES input works up 192k, optical S/PDIF up to 96k and coaxial up to 48k.

But there’s a new driver for it too that is supposed to fix those issues, but it is not included in Linux kernel (due to ambiguity about the applicable license) and the original developer of that driver has died. But some other people still do some work on it. So it may get broken for newer Linux kernel versions. Not that it would matter greatly for this use case. I need to test that driver at some point.

[dabassgoesboomboom]

699 euro for brand new RME card: RME HDSPe AIO Pro – Thomann UK

690 euro for used RME ADI-2, recently sold but always one popping up:
Sold: RME ADI-2 DAC FS, AK4490 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

I haven’t seen used RME HDSPr AIO Pro card but if you can find one, yes will be cheaper.

The used ADI-2 is more flexible for potential future use. Or even if you want to use it for non-HQPlayer stuff now

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

I haven’t seen used RME HDSPr AIO Pro card but if you can find one, yes will be cheaper.

Here’s one on eBay right now at €400. Can’t get much cheaper I guess…

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

The used ADI-2 is more flexible for potential future use. Or even if you want to use it for non-HQPlayer stuff now

Agree. Only thing is that I already have a UAD Apollo Twin for other purposes. If I can make that to work for this workflow than I’m done. Else I’ll aim for the PCI card. Pricewise the ADI2 will be more expensive I think.

[Moy]

I’ve found the cables. Then using the miniPC NAA just need to change the config.txt host to device and ready to go for this setup right?

Should be able to see it as input source right?

Will test it

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@dabassgoesboomboom

The used ADI-2 is more flexible for potential future use. Or even if you want to use it for non-HQPlayer stuff now

Just remember that it won’t work with the Windows ASIO driver for automatic rate switching. Only the HDSPe card does…

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@Moy

Should be able to see it as input source right?

No, you will likely damage your hardware with that kind of illegal cable.

@Moy

Then using the miniPC NAA just need to change the config.txt host to device and ready to go for this setup right?

config.txt is specific to Raspberry Pi hardware. And your miniPC is likely missing the required hardware feature, IOW device side USB controller.

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@rhqp

Here’s one on eBay right now at €400. Can’t get much cheaper I guess…

Yes I didn’t say it never comes I just mean I never seen one in my country and I imagine used comes up much less than used ADI-2. In addition to flexibility

If one comes up and you are OK with the limitations Jussi mentions above, grab it !

I only have a Windows laptop now, just for Acourate / Audiolense XO DRC. Never used in my music listening.

But I understand some people do.

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@jussi_laako

Just remember that it won’t work with the Windows ASIO driver for automatic rate switching. Only the HDSPe card does…

Windows - yuck

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@Chipvn

Further testing using Tidal app on Windows 10, it seem like Tidal exclusive mode does not work properly with Windows Generic USB audio class 2 driver (was automatically installed in Widows with the NAA Pi4 in USB OTG device mode).
Therefore, I could not bypass Windows Mixer to automatically switch between 44.1kHz or 48kHz to send to the input NAA Pi4 when switching between 44.1kHz and 48kHz based tracks.
Spotify is fine cause it rate is only 44.1kHz.

Yes I can reproduce this issue

Tidal Desktop on macOS is perfect for me.

Tomorrow I will try Qobuz Windows desktop app, to see if it is specific Tidal Windows app issue. I am in the middle of a Spotify ‘Discover Weekly’ listening session at the moment that cannot be stopped

[Moy]

@jussi_laako

No, you will likely damage your hardware with that kind of illegal cable

UPS! Many thanks for the notice !
No damage has been done other than having an illegal cable that can be exchanged