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

[mitchell_lim]

I have been spending quite sometime of trying to use HQP to play Apple Music, I understand there are Hardware and Software (e.g. Black Hole) solutions. I have bought Mutec MC1.2 as I read the early post mentioned that it worked (in fact it is not auto sample rate switching), and also a HiFIMe UR23 SPDIF optical to USB Converter .

However, the Hardware methods are not very strange forward to person like me (believe me I have tried to learn and done a lot of search here). For Blackhole it works well.

I think it will be very helpful if anyone can write down the set up instructions step by step, and I am sure there are many people understand of “You changed host mode to peripheral mode in config.txt ?”, but the person like me lack of Linux knowledge, really do not know where can I get config.txt to change.

For example :

1. Pi4 as NAA, after downloaded and installed on a SD card, whether just insert the card and power on the Pi4, and thats it … or do I need to type some special language that I do not understand at all ?
2. Can I use Pi5 ? I have tried both NAA and HQPe the latest version, none of it can boot up.
3. I also understand I can use HQP embedded, I can find the instruction for Ubtunu but how about RPI ?
4. What is “hqplayerd.xml” file and where do I get it for adding the lines ?

“It looks like RPi4 is much cheaper and I verify after multiple weeks of testing now it works perfectly - I never had an issue”

I am sure and believe it, but can someone kindly list out the steps ? I am sure many people will appreciate about it.

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

You changed host mode to peripheral mode in config.txt ?

Yep! That’s what I mentioned by device mode.

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

And try audio:default/0/2

That’s the issue. The playback just doesn’t start if I use that.

[rhqp]

I’m almost there with RPi 4 with Tidal auto rate switching. Will post the steps once I’m done, hoping that helps someone.

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@rhqp

That’s the issue. The playback just doesn’t start if I use that.

This is working for me with HQP Desktop and Embedded.

Not sure what else it could be

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@mitchell_lim

really do not know where can I get config.txt to change

https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/config_txt.html

@mitchell_lim

Pi4 as NAA, after downloaded and installed on a SD card, whether just insert the card and power on the Pi4, and thats it … or do I need to type some special language that I do not understand at all ?

You may need to adjust config.txt which contains bunch of hardware settings. Similar to BIOS settings on a PC.

For this functionality you need to edit the config.txt lines from:

# Enable USB output on Holo Audio Red and similar
# (change this to device mode for UAC2 input)
dtoverlay=dwc2,dr_mode=host
#dtoverlay=dwc2,dr_mode=peripheral

To:

# Enable USB output on Holo Audio Red and similar
# (change this to device mode for UAC2 input)
#dtoverlay=dwc2,dr_mode=host
dtoverlay=dwc2,dr_mode=peripheral

That’s all.

@mitchell_lim

Can I use Pi5 ? I have tried both NAA and HQPe the latest version, none of it can boot up.

No, NAA OS and HQPlayer OS are RPi4 only. Naturally both NAA and HQPlayer Embedded work on RPi5 when installed on the official 64-bit RPi OS which is same as Debian 12 “bookworm”.

@mitchell_lim

I also understand I can use HQP embedded, I can find the instruction for Ubtunu but how about RPI ?

Both are very similar. Ubuntu has same packaging tools as Debian and in fact Ubuntu is practically based on Debian. The official Raspberry Pi OS is Debian.

@mitchell_lim

What is “hqplayerd.xml” file and where do I get it for adding the lines ?

It is the HQPlayer Embedded configuration file and can be found from /etc/hqplayer directory. It is a text file in standard XML format.

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

This is working for me with HQP Desktop and Embedded.

Not sure what else it could be

@jussi_laako please help. I’m on Windows HQP desktop. When I hit play with audio:default/0/2 in content URI, nothing happens…

[dabassgoesboomboom]

Nothing happens until you start playing the music, that is same for me

[rhqp]

@jussi_laako

If you use RPi4 with HQPlayer OS, before bootin up with new image, edit the config.txt first and on the last lines swap the ‘#’ prefix so that the dwc2 host mode line has ‘#’ (commented out) and the dwc2 peripheral mode line has ‘#’ removed. In HQPlayer instead select “hqplayer:USB Audio (RPi4)” as input device. Connect your source device with USB → type-C cable to the RPi4 Type-C port. Since the RPi4 can draw quite a bit of power, you may have best results if you can use type-C → type-C cable for connecting. You will need to use at least USB3 → type-C cable on USB3 port to supply enough current.

In HQPlayer Desktop, for source URI line (above playback queue display) enter “audio:default/0/2” and hit enter. Now it should appear on the playback queue.

This is exactly what I’ve done. When I hit playback nothing happens.

[rhqp]

@dabassgoesboomboom

Nothing happens until you start playing the music, that is same for me

That’s not what I mean. The play button just doesn’t get depressed.

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

Check that the URI appears on playback queue…

Like this:

[rhqp]

@jussi_laako

Check that the URI appears on playback queue…

Like this:

That’s what I had expected but the play button just doesn’t remain depressed. As soon as I hit the play button with audio:default/0/2 there’s a quick refresh and play button doesn’t turn grey.

The play button only behaves as on your screenshot when I choose audio:default/44100/2

[rhqp]

@rhqp

That’s what I had expected but the play button just doesn’t remain depressed. As soon as I hit the play button with audio:default/0/2 there’s a quick refresh and play button doesn’t turn grey.

The play button only behaves as on your screenshot when I choose audio:default/44100/2

Any explanation @jussi_laako?

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

What is the error in log file when you try to start playback with 0 rate?

Both NAA and HQPlayer are latest versions?

[rhqp]

@jussi_laako

What is the error in log file when you try to start playback with 0 rate?

I didn’t see any log file being generated in the user local app data folder.

[rhqp]

@jussi_laako

Both NAA and HQPlayer are latest versions?

NAA 4.6
HQP 5.3

[Sumit_Chawla]

For RPi4, which ver is recommended: 4 or 8GB? Also, does someone have a recommendation for a passively cooled case? Thx.

[Stefano_Antonelli]

4GB is enough and this is the case I use

Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case - Flirc

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@rhqp

I didn’t see any log file being generated in the user local app data folder.

Log file is enabled in settings and you have restarted HQPlayer after enabling the log file?

@rhqp

HQP 5.3

5.3.2 or something older?

[Moy]

I’m using 2 Gb Rpi4 without any issues for NAA. But if you want to install Embedded 4Gb is suggested.

I also use this

Geekworm for Raspberry Pi 4 Case (P373), Fanless Aluminum Passive Cooling Heatsink Case for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 8GB/4GB/2GB/1GB https://a.co/d/3O9IEVv