[DLStryker]

Is the HAL MS-6 from Hollis Audio Labs just simply a Raspberry Pi?

[Phil A]

It is a fanless mini windows PC

[Phil A]

[nlitworld]

It's probably the most underrated value product I have in my system. Upon first plugging it in, it was MILES ahead of my old super powerful pc used to play music. I highly recommend you message HAL about it to learn the details of system, how it has been set up and optimized and to discuss options to try. Worth every penny in my opinion. 

[HAL]

The HAL MS-6 has been retired due to the motherboard not being available and it is not Windows 11 compatible.  I cannot purchase Windows 10 install media.

Since streaming services like Qobuz needs more CPU capability than the Atom processor for HiRez streaming, it cannot support those services.

I recommend people look into fanless Intel NUC style PC's with a minimum of an i5 CPU for a music server and streaming.

[Cut-Throat]

Raspberry Pi still works great. I've been using them for over 10 years and are as good as anything I've tried.
No Fans, no noise. Just a simple Single Board Computer.

But what really sets it apart is the PiCorePlayer Software which is Free (But they accept Donations).
It is maintained by a small worldwide cadre of PiCorePlayer Users that respond to questions and modification suggestions.
 PiCorePlayer Software has more features and ability to customize than any other Streaming software or Streamer that I know of.

I've got 10 of them in my house.

[mkrawcz]

For DIY style, I use RP5s with a nvme hat and Volumio. But honestly, once you have all the money added up for that setup, a Wiim Ultra streamer is just as good if not better feature wise for not much more money.

[Cut-Throat]

For DIY style, I use RP5s with a nvme hat and Volumio. But honestly, once you have all the money added up for that setup, a Wiim Ultra streamer is just as good if not better feature wise for not much more money.

I have tried the WiiM Streamer and believe it is the Best Device for someone that is not an audiophile and/or  does not want to fiddle with any customizations. I have set up the WiiM streamer for my friends and they love it. However it cannot offer the Customizable options that PiCorePlayer offers you and for my purposes would be a non starter.

PiCorePlayer has hundreds of Plugins to do a vast array of functions that I use everyday. I also take an Rpi Traveling for the winter, and a WiiM streamer would be just another bulky item that would not travel as well. I no longer need a 'Hat' for my Raspberry Pies, as the Rpi4 and Rpi5 both employ a very separate and quiet USB bus. So, I use the USB output into my DACs. And USB offers the option of playing DSD Files as well.

As far as Volumio, I have tried this software and found it 'buggy'. I remember working with the volumio developers on getting Qobuz running years ago, which had problems they could not fix for months. It is also very limited and does not offer the ability to Customize as PiCorePlayer does. I also believe that while Volumio is free, they charge a 'subscription' for an interface to Qobuz.

PiCorePlayer is not easy to set up, as it does have so many options, but once it is set up, it plays without a hitch.... I have even set this up for non techy friends and it still runs after years. However I would recommend the WiiM Amp for them currently.

[Early B.]

Raspberry Pi still works great. I've been using them for over 10 years and are as good as anything I've tried.
No Fans, no noise. Just a simple Single Board Computer.

Have you tweaked a Raspberry Pi with an overbuilt linear power supply? 

[Cut-Throat]

Have you tweaked a Raspberry Pi with an overbuilt linear power supply?

Yes, I've got a few of them. There was a guy in Hong Long, called his company 'Swagman Labs'...... He no longer runs the business.
But I bought a few of them from him. They were built really nice and had a power switch on the back of them, which came in handy.

Now could I tell any difference between the switching wall wart and them..... I would not bet on it.
But since the Raspberry Pies were so cheap, I had to have the 'best', right?

[Doublej]

Cut-Throat,

You are giving me FOMO as I am using a WiiM. What PiCorePlayer plugins are you using?

[Cut-Throat]

You are giving me FOMO as I am using a WiiM. What PiCorePlayer plugins are you using?

There are hundreds of plugins on PiCorePlayer.... There are new ones ones added regularly, as the world changes everyday. Here is a Pic of just the first page of ones that I use or have used in the past. The Blue Check Mark indicates that they are installed and active. Someone gave me a Sonos Port last week, as they just bought a house and someone left behind a bunch of audio gear.  I looked in the Plugins and found a 'Sonos Bridge' and I was using it as a PiCorePlayer Player within minutes. I have 10 'Systems' in my House.... Two Great Rooms, Bathrooms, Shop, Garage, Deck, Den Etc. Etc..........



There are also pages of tweaks, switches and options on the PiCorePlayer Menu. One of my most useful features is the 'Auto Start Up'..... On the RPi in my Wife's Bathroom, she just flips a switch on the wall and the Amp and RPi power up and start playing her favorite Radio Station Music. She moves to the Kitchen and Flips a switch and the Amps and Rpi start up and starts playing her favorite News Station.

A WiiM amp is very useful, if you don't want to 'Tech Out' with a RPi. Which WiiM are you using?

[Cut-Throat]

PiCorePlayer also gives you a lot of 'Control' over your Raspberry Pi. They have a pretty neat Temp Graph built in that helps you analyze Cases.

Temps in Centigrade.

[Doublej]

I am using the WiiM Pro Plus as a streamer and as a preamp for my Blu-ray player (for CDs) that is connected optically to the WiiM. I keep contemplating adding a linear power supply and an external DAC.

WiiM has added an enormous amount of functionality in the 20 months since I bought it.

I have auto start too. I press one of the four presets on the remote and the unit starts up and goes to that preset item. I can also just tell Alexa to play something on the WiiM and the WiiM turns on and starts playing what I told Alexa.

One bummer about WiiM is their units do not have a built in microphone for Alexa. They have Alexa voice input on the remote but one has to press the microphone button on it while speaking. My workaround is to have an Echo Dot in the room.

[Cut-Throat]

I am using the WiiM Pro Plus as a streamer and as a preamp for my Blu-ray player (for CDs) that is connected optically to the WiiM. I keep contemplating adding a linear power supply and an external DAC.

WiiM has added an enormous amount of functionality in the 20 months since I bought it.

I have auto start too. I press one of the four presets on the remote and the unit starts up and goes to that preset item. I can also just tell Alexa to play something on the WiiM and the WiiM turns on and starts playing what I told Alexa.

One bummer about WiiM is their units do not have a built in microphone for Alexa. They have Alexa voice input on the remote but one has to press the microphone button on it while speaking. My workaround is to have an Echo Dot in the room.

If the WiiM is working for you and you like it, you're good to go. I set people up all the time with WiiM amps.

[Doublej]

If the WiiM is working for you and you like it, you're good to go. I set people up all the time with WiiM amps.

It gets the job done well. Perhaps not the ultimate in audio fidelity but the sound quality is adequate and the the convenience factor is off the charts.