Simple, low cost, HiFi network music streaming device

 

Backstory:

I'll start with a bit of backstory.  I purchased a Logitech Transporter a few months ago for a very good price, and was super excited about it.. It sounds awesome, looks great, etc.  The price tag hurt, but it was worth it.. Then I thought about it, and decided that I could make something just as good that would cost considerably less.   
 
 

The Basic Concept

The Logitech Transporter is a very simple device.  It uses Logitech Media Player software to connect to a server running Logitech Media Center, reads an audio file from the server, and outputs it in high quality audio.  In order to replicate this, I needed something to run Logitech Media Player software, and a high quality DAC.  At its low relative price and high quality sound, the ObjectiveDAC fits the bill for the DAC perfectly.  I knew setting out that this was the DAC that I would use.  As far as the brains of my device, I initially thought that a Raspberry Pi would do the trick perfectly.  After struggling for weeks with poor quality audio from the USB output, I abandoned the plan and went a different route.  
 

The Player

Android devices are extremely simple, and version 4.1 of Android is able to play audio over USB.  The MK808 is just one of several budget Android devices on the market at the time of this posting, and I chose to use that.  

 
 
First thing I did was power up the device.  It uses HDMI for video output, so I plugged it into my TV and hooked up a keyboard and mouse.  I configured my wireless network, registered the device to my Google account, and downloaded Logitech Media Player ($5 cost) and Logitech Squeezebox Controller software.  Both are needed for Logitech Media Player to work for some reason.  The software immediately picked up the Logitech Media Server on my network and connected, and I was able to use my cell phone as a remote to control the music.  Awesome.  
 
Next, I purchased an ObjectiveDAC (bare board) from JDS Labs, and bought some shielded RCA cables from Monoprice.  I wired the ODAC to output through the RCA cables, and tested it on my computer.  Everything sounded great, so I plugged it into the Android stick.  Upon rebooting, the stick detected my ODAC.  In the settings menu there is an option for sound devices, so I set that to the DAC.  Everything worked perfectly.  
 

 
 
I knew from the beginning that if I got this working, I would build a custom box for it, and would want to simply have as the input one power cable, a couple USB ports for an external hard drive and/or keyboard/mouse/video game controller, etc. and the output be 2 rca cables and HDMI in case I needed to diagnose anything (or if I decided to use the additional functionality of the device).  I bought a powered USB hub and hooked it up, and plugged both the power and the data cables from the MK808 into it.  The hub is powerful enough to power the Android device, the DAC, a wireless keyboard receiver and an optical mouse.  That's all I've tested it with, but it should be able to power more.  Next, I decided that I didn't want to have the annoyance of using a proprietary power cable for the USB hub, so I tore the hub apart and soldered the + and - from a full size USB cable to the positive and negative pins on the hub.  There were two negative pins, so I jumpered them with a piece of wire.  
 

 
 
Then, I got a USB-USB keystone jack, plugged a full size USB cable into both ends and hooked a 5v 2A USB power supply up to it.  Using this method, it still has enough power the device.  

 
 
In order to make the device automatically start up the media player software (so it's headless and doesn't need a screen/keyboard/mouse/etc.) I downloaded an android program called Startup Manager.  I set it to start the SqueezePlayer and Squeezebox Controller apps at boot, and everything works fine.  I haven't built my box for it yet, but figured I'd post this now and show you the box when it's done.  In all, this project didn't take much time at all to do.  Nearly all of the time I spent on it was spent trying to get this to work with the Raspberry Pi.  Starting from scratch, I could get this going in probably an hour, including all the soldering, etc.  I haven't fully tested to see if all file types will work on it yet, so I'll update this thread with any bugs/issues that I find with it.  For now, I'm psyched that it's working and sounds great. 
 

 
 

Parts list

MK808 Android 4.1 Rockchip RK3066 - $56.77 (Now down to $39.99!)
[size=1.7em] Objective DAC from JDS Labs - $102.35 shipped[/size]
[size=1.7em] 5v 2A USB Charger - $9.99[/size]
[size=1.7em] 3' USB Cable - $0.94 x 2 = $1.88[/size]
[size=1.7em] Mini USB Cables - $0.95 x 2 = $1.90[/size]
USB Keystone Jack - $1.96
RCA Cable - $2.28
RCA Keystone Jacks(Red and White) - $0.84 each
Powered USB Hub - $12.99
SqueezePlayer software - $4.99
 
Total Cost - $195.95
 
 

Add on #1 - Color Touchscreen

 
I had a bit of extra cash lying around and decided that I wanted to have a touchscreen control for this.  Unfortunately, most of the touchscreens on the market are extremely expensive.. Luckily, there is a cheaper, kind-of DIY option for a color touchscreen.  
 
Barnes and Noble made a color touchscreen E-reader called the Nook Color.  There is a community of people over on XDA-Developers, the NookieDev Team, that  that figured out a way to put Android 4.1 on the Nook Color, and it's extremely simple to do.  Nook Colors are also very available second-hand online, and they're fairly inexpensive.  I bought mine used from Cowboom.com for $60, shipped, and it arrived looking like it was brand new.  Awesome.
 
First thing you'll want to do to get Android working on the Nook Color is to download the latest Cyanogenmod 10 Nightly zip file here: http://download.cyanogenmod.org/?type=nightly&device=encore
 
Then, download the latest Google Apps zip file here.  MAKE SURE YOU GET THE VERSION FOR ANDROID 4.1.X: http://goo.im/gapps
 
After that, you need to download this file: http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1410340&d=1350525922
 
You're also going to need a microSD card and a microSD card reader.  I had these lying around to use.  
 
Next, get win32diskimager by searching Google for it.. It's free online.  
 
Extract the generic sd card zip file, and run win32diskimager as an administrator.  Use that to write the image to your microSD card.  BE CAREFUL you don't write over your hard drive or something!
 
When that is done, pop out the microSD card and put it back in.. Then copy the other two zip files into your Nook Color and turn it on.  Wait and wait and wait while it installs, and when it's done, it'll shut itself off.  Turn it back on and you'll have your very own android tablet!  Set it up with your information, connect it to the internet, and download the Logitech Squeezebox Controller app and you're good to go!  The USB hub I used previously somehow has enough power to keep this charging all the time even while it's playing, along with the DAC and the Android stick.  I'm pretty sure there's a way to run everything off of the Nook Color, but since I have the stick I'm not going to bother trying to get that working.  It is very convenient, and once I build my box for the entire thing, it'll look very sharp.  Anyway, here are a couple more photos, one of the Nook and one of the temporary box I have everything housed in...
 
 

 

 
 
Edit: There is a new android mini pc in town that's quad core, and should run a lot quicker than this one if you're planning to use it for streaming HD video.  http://liliputing.com/2013/04/tronsmart-mk908-quad-core-android-tv-stick-performance-video.html
 
I'd probably get that one if I were building another one of these.

For a server, I'm running Logitech Media Server off of a Raspberry Pi.  It works very well for that, the only downside is that it has no method of decoding WMA Lossless files.  I'm going to convert them to FLAC files, which play beautifully on the Android player.  MP3's and FLAC work fine.  I don't have anything in Apple Lossless to test with it, but I see no reason that those shouldn't work since Logitech Media Server should convert the files for the player.  I'll try to dig up some Apple format files to test, or, if someone wants to send me a couple, I'll give them a shot.  
 
Another plus of this setup: Total power consumption - 1 x 5v 2a charger(10 watts) + 1 x 5v 1a charger(5 watts) + 1 external hard drive power supply 12v 1.5a (18 watts) = 33W power consumption.  Not too bad considering I won't be turning on a PC to play these, which would use an easy 350 watts.  I don't feel too bad leaving this setup powered on all the time.  I'd like to test how much power it wastes when everything is idling.  I bet it's very minimal.

That's impressive, I'm really glad to hear you've had success with the Android stick, I'm very interested in doing something similar.
 
Please can I ask:
    1) How long has it been up and running for now?
    3) Is the audio stable without glitches?
    2) What sort of temperature does it run at   (i.e. warm/hot/cool to the touch)?
 
I'll certainly be following this thread with interest and hope it all goes well for you, thank you.

So far, it has been running since Saturday without a hitch. The audio is stable, it plays just like my transporter only without the WMA lossless files. I'll try to do more thorough testing tonight after work to check file types up to 24 bit and 192kHz. Since the DAC is doing the work, again,I see no reason they wouldn't work.. but, you never know. It runs warm to the touch.

Can this work just like player for HDD, without external server? I mean, if connect HDD with music files direct in USB hub.

Please keep us updated....also you may want to post on the squeezebox forums as a few members (Triode,etc) are looking for a DIY SB replacement:  http://forums.slimdevices.com/

Quote:

zigis said:

Can this work just like player for HDD, without external server? I mean, if connect HDD with music files direct in USB hub.

Click to expand...

It should, but I don't have it set up like that.  I could give it a shot, though.  Since I'm using the hard drive as a network attached storage device with the Raspberry Pi set up as a SMB server, I don't plan on doing it permanently.. But I could try it out..  
Quote:

dustinsterk said:

Please keep us updated....also you may want to post on the squeezebox forums as a few members (Triode,etc) are looking for a DIY SB replacement:  http://forums.slimdevices.com/

Click to expand...

Will do.  Thanks.

Thanks very much for the answers and ongoing research on this, it sounds like just what I want.
I've bitten the bullet and ordered one from China now, though it's going to take a while to turn up.

The only thing that is a bit frightening to me is the spotty track record of these android sticks.  A google search is somewhat frightening with people having them for a month and them burning out, or having poor wifi range, etc.  I'm just hoping that I don't have those issues.  
 
Apparently, if you have wifi issues, de-soldering the ground on the wifi antennae will fix that.  I haven't had any wifi issues, though. 

Quote:

onefatsurfer said:

Apparently, if you have wifi issues, de-soldering the ground on the wifi antennae will fix that. 

Click to expand...

 
 
I read about that on an Amazon review, but I got the impression that it isn't an issue with newer ones. Hopefully they've addressed it in the production process - I'm well out of practice on my soldering. 

This is great!
 
I am planning a similar setup alternative to yours, if you do not mind I explain it. It is maybe a bit cheaper too.
 
I am not sure if you can use squeezeserver this way but MPD (Music Player Daemon) definitely!
MPD is a server-client software for music playback (has Android and iOS remotes) and it is very powerful.
 
The hardware setup could be this:

 
TPLINK MR3020 Router (with OpenWRT ROM)
ODAC
 
The wifi router is very small and uses little power too. There is a custom linux rom called OpenWRT which can be installed on.
After install MPD (and ALSA) can play music to USB DACs natively without resample.
The router costs only about $30. There are examples on the internet to configure it. Some has made an internet radio with this and a low cost USB sound stick from e-Bay.
For casing I think extending the router case could be a nice option as the form factor is nice. The ODAC could be mounted on the bottom.
I have not built it yet but later this year will.

Quote:

earfanatic said:

This is great!
 
I am planning a similar setup alternative to yours, if you do not mind I explain it. It is maybe a bit cheaper too.
 
I am not sure if you can use squeezeserver this way but MPD (Music Player Daemon) definitely!
MPD is a server-client software for music playback (has Android and iOS remotes) and it is very powerful.
 
The hardware setup could be this:

 
TPLINK MR3020 Router (with OpenWRT ROM)
ODAC
 
The wifi router is very small and uses little power too. There is a custom linux rom called OpenWRT which can be installed on.
After install MPD (and ALSA) can play music to USB DACs natively without resample.
The router costs only about $30. There are examples on the internet to configure it. Some has made an internet radio with this and a low cost USB sound stick from e-Bay.
For casing I think extending the router case could be a nice option as the form factor is nice. The ODAC could be mounted on the bottom.
I have not built it yet but later this year will.

Click to expand...

I'm wary of using anything Linux for this system after the frustrating defeat that I suffered trying to get this working on my Raspberry Pi.  Apparently the cheap USB sound sticks work great on the RPi, but better ones (I tried the Fiio E10 and the ODAC) didn't work correctly.  I wish you the best of luck on this, hopefully you don't have any issues with the TPLINK like I did with the Raspberry Pi.  

This looks like fun. I think I'll get one.
 
w

Keep in mind that I have only had this running since Saturday and haven't had enough time to test everything out 100% on this.  AKA If you buy one of these Android sticks and it burns out on you in 2 weeks, don't blame me! 

Quote:

I wish you the best of luck on this, hopefully you don't have any issues with the TPLINK like I did with the Raspberry Pi.  

Click to expand...

 
Yes I heard those issues with the ODAC addressed to the RPI usb implementation. I have no reference on the TPlink about this yet. As I have not read any project using this combo I think I shall try it first.
Thank you for giving me good luck. If I will have success I will write about it.