Background: I’m buying a PecanPi streamer-DAC. I have not streamed through my system with its 50-year old amp before. I am considering using picoreplayer due to its features and lack of a monthly fee. I currently subscribe to Apple Music.

Airplay 2 does not stream CD quality. That means I need to connect to Pi using Airplay 1. Is that possible? If so, how? And what affect does this method have on sound quality?

I have a lot of questions re Pi, but this Apple question is the first and key one. That said, I will ask a corollary: Do I want to stay with Apple Music or bounce to Qobuz?

  • livinicecold@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Yes, you can use AirPlay 1 to stream Apple Music to your PiCorePlayer. To do this, follow these general steps:

    Setup PiCorePlayer: Install and set up PiCorePlayer on your PecanPi streamer-DAC. Ensure it is connected to your network.

    Enable AirPlay: In the PiCorePlayer web interface, navigate to the “Main Page” and find the option to enable AirPlay. This typically involves selecting “Squeezelite Settings” and choosing AirPlay as the output.

    Connect from Apple Music: On your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, etc.), open Apple Music and play a song. You should see an AirPlay icon (a triangle with concentric circles) that allows you to select your PiCorePlayer as the playback device.

    Regarding sound quality, AirPlay 1 supports CD-quality audio, which is 16-bit/44.1kHz. This should provide good sound quality, especially if your main concern is CD-quality audio.

    As for your choice between Apple Music and Qobuz, it depends on your preferences. Qobuz is known for its emphasis on high-resolution audio, providing lossless streaming at various resolutions. If you prioritize audio quality and are open to exploring a broader range of high-resolution content, Qobuz might be worth considering. However, it’s essential to check the availability of your preferred music on both platforms and consider any other features that matter to you.