Need a simple tablet to control Raspberry Pi music server

jk@home · « **on:** 22 Mar 2016, 02:18 am »

I"m looking for some ideas of a cheap, simple tablet to use to control a Raspberry streamer I'm building. Is the $50 7" Kindle Fire the best buy out there for this, any other suggestions?

this_is_vv · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 04:27 am »

keep an eye

http://slickdeals.net/f/8589374-16gb-hisense-sero-8-8-android-4-2-quad-core-tablet-35-w-masterpass-free-s-h

jk@home · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 10:53 am »

That looks like that would work, and a little larger than the Fire. Seems like the biggest complaint is battery life, but may be OK for my use. thanks!

JohnR · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 11:31 am »

FWIW I thought (and still think) the Nexus 7 is a great deal - http://www.amazon.com/Nexus-Google-7-Inch-Black-Tablet/dp/B00DVFLJDS

But $35?!! Hard to go wrong. I'd suggest look for something locally (big box office store etc) with an easy return policy.

rif · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 12:29 pm »

I used to own a nexus 7. It's a very good tablet.

jk@home · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 12:42 pm »

Gota run by Best Buy later today, will see what they have. Not in a super big hurry, so I can increase the budget a bit, if I wait longer. Plan is to use piCoreplayer with LMS at first, the pc with the server program is at my listening desk/chair. So I can control it there, to get started.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 01:13 pm »

Let us know how it plays out (pun intended), I'm thinking about a similar Pi setup running Volumio, except I'd be using my phone as the controller.

jk@home · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Mar 2016, 10:24 pm »

Got all the rest of the parts for the Raspberry today, so putting it together tonight. The local Best Buy had a couple of <$100 tablets in stock, this one seemed decent:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-flex-8-16gb-silver-white/6089241.p?id=1219660450839&skuId=6089241

Nice 8" screen. I have a Samsung S4 for a phone. It's small size is great to fit in the pocket, but the screen is tiny.

Edit: Got the Raspberry Pi2 and the HiFiBerry DIGI+ together and working, sounding nice so far. Upgrading from a Squeezebox Classic, so now will be able to download some hi(er) rez music. Went with the black HiFiBerry case, kinda toyish looking, but solid enough. Will have to hide it, or come up with something nicer.

Originally bought a Raspberry Pi3, but a little too early for some of the apps out there. So will use it later, when things catch up.

rif · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Mar 2016, 12:48 am »

Wow- that looks like a very capable tablet, especially for $80. Amazon has it for significantly more, $115!

JohnR · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2016, 08:56 am »

Nice deal

jk@home · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Mar 2016, 02:12 pm »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 22 Mar 2016, 01:13 pm

Let us know how it plays out (pun intended), I'm thinking about a similar Pi setup running Volumio, except I'd be using my phone as the controller.

This appears to have been a decent upgrade for my system, previously using the old Squeezebox 3. Like the Squeezebox, the RP2/HiFiBerry is going into a MiniDSP NaNo DIGI via coaxial for x-over and EQ, then into multiple DACs (a CI VDA-2 for the mains). The soundstage has pulled back a touch, with more depth. Which is good for my speakers, KEF LS50s, which can be somewhat forward. Also the bass is a bit punchier, overall resolution up a notch, music more at ease, bah bah bah.

The few internet radio stations I listen to improved also. I would say if anything, get one of these to stream music off the net, even if you already have a more tradition playback system.

I do plan later to experiment with different playback apps, like the Volumio as I get more familiar with what's out there.

Flinx99 · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Apr 2016, 07:26 pm »

Hi. I have been thinking about looking into this same solution for internet streaming. Not to be lazy, but is there a good site that addresses using this for high quality audio?

Thanks

Jim

dB Cooper · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Apr 2016, 07:45 pm »

https://www.hifiberry.com

https://volumio.org/project/ (Volumio is player software and OS that runs on the pi2)

A quick search of "raspberry" on Computer Audiophile brought up a lot of threads.

I'm considering a Pi setup too. From what I have seen so far, Volumio looks like a good bet and as close to a "turnkey" solution as is out there. Asterisk though: The Raspberry Pi 3 is just released but all of the software and OS solutions will need to be recompiled for the 3- but the 2 is reportedly perfectly fine for audio. It just requires a USB dongle to control wirelessly.

Good luck with your Pi endeavor.

Doublej · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Apr 2016, 08:21 pm »

Quote from: Flinx99 on 13 Apr 2016, 07:26 pm

Hi. I have been thinking about looking into this same solution for internet streaming. Not to be lazy, but is there a good site that addresses using this for high quality audio?

Thanks

Jim

For internet streaming why not just get a Chromecast Audio for $35 and call it a day? Unless I am misreading things about how it works, you can control it with pretty much any computer or smart phone and once you tell Chromecast what to stream it loads up that URL and bypasses the computer/smartphone from that point on for that streaming session.

rif · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Apr 2016, 08:22 pm »

I'm not sure I 100% follow what's going on here, so forgive my ignorance. I use nomachine on my tablet to remotely control a Linux box when I need a remote desktop. It's basically like have a remote monitor, keyboard and mouse, and it's free.

www.nomachine.com

Flinx99 · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Apr 2016, 03:01 pm »

Quote from: jk@home on 22 Mar 2016, 02:18 am

I"m looking for some ideas of a cheap, simple tablet to use to control a Raspberry streamer I'm building. Is the $50 7" Kindle Fire the best buy out there for this, any other suggestions?

Do you have an old Android phone? I am guessing, but it would makes sense that old Android versions would remain supported considering the potentially lower-price points available for this solution,

Flinx99 · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Apr 2016, 03:02 pm »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 13 Apr 2016, 07:45 pm

https://www.hifiberry.com

https://volumio.org/project/ (Volumio is player software and OS that runs on the pi2)

A quick search of "raspberry" on Computer Audiophile brought up a lot of threads.

I'm considering a Pi setup too. From what I have seen so far, Volumio looks like a good bet and as close to a "turnkey" solution as is out there. Asterisk though: The Raspberry Pi 3 is just released but all of the software and OS solutions will need to be recompiled for the 3- but the 2 is reportedly perfectly fine for audio. It just requires a USB dongle to control wirelessly.

Good luck with your Pi endeavor.

Thank you.

Flinx99 · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Apr 2016, 03:32 pm »

Quote from: Doublej on 13 Apr 2016, 08:21 pm

For internet streaming why not just get a Chromecast Audio for $35 and call it a day? Unless I am misreading things about how it works, you can control it with pretty much any computer or smart phone and once you tell Chromecast what to stream it loads up that URL and bypasses the computer/smartphone from that point on for that streaming session.

Thanks. I have been using Chromecast Audio and it definitely has its place now that Google introduced an update that lets multiple Chromecast Audios sync up and play in a mesh like Sonos. My problem with it is the audio quality. I went with a Sonos Connect as streamer because I really wanted to take my computer out of the equation, but the sound of the Connect was still surpassed by my computer outputting to a USB DAC. I ended up going with a Wyrd 4 Sound Remedy, which very much helped the Sonos Connect and it's close enough to my computer's USB output that I am happy with it.

I did simple A/B tests with the Connect and Chromecast Audio (no Wyrd 4 Sound at that point) and found that the Connect sounded better to my ears. The Remedy brings them closer together in sound (but that is from quick comparisons). I brought the Chromecast Audio and Remedy to a local store and ran them through some Macintosh equipment and Martin Logan speakers and I liked the sound. The combination of the Chromecast Audio and Remedy might be the best sub $500 streamer available at this point. I want to explore the Pi now---I certainly cannot go the way of the Aurender.

JRace · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Apr 2016, 04:13 pm »

Quote from: rif on 13 Apr 2016, 08:22 pm

I'm not sure I 100% follow what's going on here, so forgive my ignorance. I use nomachine on my tablet to remotely control a Linux box when I need a remote desktop. It's basically like have a remote monitor, keyboard and mouse, and it's free.

www.nomachine.com

In the OPs case his Raspberry PI is in place of your Linux box.

jk@home · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 May 2016, 12:57 pm »

Quote from: Flinx99 on 15 Apr 2016, 03:01 pm

Do you have an old Android phone? I am guessing, but it would makes sense that old Android versions would remain supported considering the potentially lower-price points available for this solution,

As a follow up, funny you should ask that... About a week after I posted this thread, I broke my Samsung S4 phone (mysteriously) while it was in my pocket. May had something to do with loading mulch in the truck

. Went down to the Verizon store and jumped on the two for one / his and hers S7 deal they had running. The S7 is close to the same physical size as the old S4, maybe a little longer.

Anyway, recently bought the Orange Squeeze app for controlling LMS using the phone to try out, and am very happy with that. Wanted to mention this because for some reason I believed a larger tablet would of worked better, now I don't think so. The screen size of the S7 is plenty large enough to get things done, but the phone obviously fits in the hand better than a tablet. Duh