DIY Audio Projects Forum

I've recently built myself a Poddwatt Amp which is in my computer room but a fair distance from the computer. Due to my love of messing about with all things electronic I also had a Raspberry Pi computer. This is a £25 tiny PC on a single board. It not very powerful but thanks to some enterprising homebrew software it's becoming very useful.

I now have mine connected to my wireless network in the house with a Filo USB DAC plugged into it. This then runs into my amp allowing me to play all of my spotify music through the amp remotely. This requires a spotify subscription but as I pay for one anyway it's not an issue for me. The tracks come from spotify as 320 kb/s MP3 files which I understand isn't perfect but for casual listening when I'm working at the PC its perfect.

A guide on how to install the software onto the Raspberry Pi is here.

You can also install XBMC to the Pi which allows you to use it as an airplay device so that you can play media from any apple device or from iTunes through it. The onboard sound on the Pi is terrible but with the addition of a USB soundcard/DAC it outputs very good audio. If anyone is after any more information on the project I can make up a quick diagram of my system. I find it great as I can control the music and volume from where I am sitting.

I quite like the idea of combining new and old technology with the wireless music streaming service being remotely controlled then amplified by valves.

Here is a screengrab of the interface running in a web browser.

I would have thought 320kbs MP3 files would have been as good as CD quality. I'd like to know if I am wrong.

I'm currently streaming iTunes from my iPad_II via blue tooth to a Belkin audio blue tooth receiver. iPad_IIs have 24bit\96K cirrus logic DACs. The Belkin receiver is connected to my 12AU7 tube preamp with a BoZ driver stage. The amp a 1920's tube (UX-171-A) based 1/2W amp which has no resistors or capacitors, only two transformers in it. The amp (Intermezzo) drives my Fostex Fe206En. in double bass chamber enclosures. Plays loud. Strange: A 1920's tube based amp being streamed music from an iPad via bluetooth!!

The top plate of the amp (varnished ply) sits on a 1940 wooden pot plant holder. Mixing old and new is fun and can have excellent results.

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Projects: | “La Ruse” - tube SRPP ECC83 preamp | "Noir” - Psvane tube preamp | ”fiih-300” - 300W Holton based amp | "Sortilege" - 180W Tripath Class D Mundorf upgrade amp |

320kbps isn't as good as a lossless file but for general listening there's no real difference to my ears. I like the sound of your setup. I like the idea of blending new and old technology. Mine only dates back to the 70's due to the valves being the oldest part of my amp.