turo91
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2012
- Posts
- 259
- Likes
- 37
Maybe the claim could not be the most self-explanatory for most of you all. So let's start from the beginning.
What is Volumio?
Volumio is the evolution of RaspyFi, a linux based distribution specifically designed to be used as a stand-alone hi-fi
music player. This is meant to be used on sigle-board computers with an external USB DAC. Thanks to Volumio you'll be able
to read your whole Music Library, both on USB Hard Drive or via a Network Attached Storage (NAS), while comfortably sitting
on your sofa and controlling the playback with your smartphone, tablet or pc, thanks to its native WebUI (without needing
to install anything) or with the sound@home android app, built specifically for Volumio. This is meant to be an headless
player, so you don't need a monitor attached to your favourite single-board computer.
Furthermore Volumio could be seen as an italian proud work, since is completely developed by an italian guy.
Android's app control interface
Still not clear?
A Linux Distribution (Aka GNU/Linux Distribution, or distro) is a particular software environment which basically is a
complete Operating System based on a Linux Kernel (Thanks Wikipedia!), while a single board computer is a whole computer
fitted into a tiny electronic board.
Which are Volumio's advantages?
The first point of vantage is surely the fact that this is an extremely optimized system, specifically tailored for bit-
perfect audio playback and without useless background processes. Then we have more: it can be controlled remotely with the
device you prefer, it has low power requirements and it's extremely quiet since these computers doesn't have any type of
fans. Another big advantage is that the whole system is extremely inexpensive shile compared to classic media servers,
since the supported boards (which we'll see later on) are generally cheaper than normal PCs and Volumio is completely free.
Which are Volumio supported boards?
Raspberry Pi model B
Pros
-The less expensive board, costs less than 40 euros
-There are some i2s DACS, which work out of the box and are to be connected directly to the board
Cons
-Limited raw computing power
-Problems with Hi-Res files with USB DACS
Cubox Solidrun
Pros
-Already comes boxed in a nice and tiny case
-Powerful and well engineered
-Optical S/PDIF out
Cons
-Doesn't feature analog out, so an external DAC is absolutely needed
Udoo
Pros
-The most powerful board
-Features lots of outputs like Analog, USB, I2S and Coaxial S/PDIF
-The two higher specced models have integrated Wi-Fi
-Cons
-Is the most expensive board
-At the moment, there are no available cases
Beaglebone Black
Pros
-Economic
Contro
-Features only one USB port, so a powered USB HUb is needed
-Doesn't feature an analog out, so an external DAC is needed
How does it install?
The whole install procedure is really simple and an handy guide is to be found at http://volumio.org/get-started/
I will however add a guide whenever I'll receive an Udoo Board for a test drive.
What is Volumio?
Volumio is the evolution of RaspyFi, a linux based distribution specifically designed to be used as a stand-alone hi-fi
music player. This is meant to be used on sigle-board computers with an external USB DAC. Thanks to Volumio you'll be able
to read your whole Music Library, both on USB Hard Drive or via a Network Attached Storage (NAS), while comfortably sitting
on your sofa and controlling the playback with your smartphone, tablet or pc, thanks to its native WebUI (without needing
to install anything) or with the sound@home android app, built specifically for Volumio. This is meant to be an headless
player, so you don't need a monitor attached to your favourite single-board computer.
Furthermore Volumio could be seen as an italian proud work, since is completely developed by an italian guy.
Android's app control interface
Still not clear?
A Linux Distribution (Aka GNU/Linux Distribution, or distro) is a particular software environment which basically is a
complete Operating System based on a Linux Kernel (Thanks Wikipedia!), while a single board computer is a whole computer
fitted into a tiny electronic board.
Which are Volumio's advantages?
The first point of vantage is surely the fact that this is an extremely optimized system, specifically tailored for bit-
perfect audio playback and without useless background processes. Then we have more: it can be controlled remotely with the
device you prefer, it has low power requirements and it's extremely quiet since these computers doesn't have any type of
fans. Another big advantage is that the whole system is extremely inexpensive shile compared to classic media servers,
since the supported boards (which we'll see later on) are generally cheaper than normal PCs and Volumio is completely free.
Which are Volumio supported boards?
Raspberry Pi model B
Pros
-The less expensive board, costs less than 40 euros
-There are some i2s DACS, which work out of the box and are to be connected directly to the board
Cons
-Limited raw computing power
-Problems with Hi-Res files with USB DACS
Cubox Solidrun
Pros
-Already comes boxed in a nice and tiny case
-Powerful and well engineered
-Optical S/PDIF out
Cons
-Doesn't feature analog out, so an external DAC is absolutely needed
Udoo
Pros
-The most powerful board
-Features lots of outputs like Analog, USB, I2S and Coaxial S/PDIF
-The two higher specced models have integrated Wi-Fi
-Cons
-Is the most expensive board
-At the moment, there are no available cases
Beaglebone Black
Pros
-Economic
Contro
-Features only one USB port, so a powered USB HUb is needed
-Doesn't feature an analog out, so an external DAC is needed
How does it install?
The whole install procedure is really simple and an handy guide is to be found at http://volumio.org/get-started/
I will however add a guide whenever I'll receive an Udoo Board for a test drive.
