Project Audiophile: The Ultimate Guide to a Custom Streaming

Why Build Your Own Streaming Hi-Fi Player?

• High-Quality Sound:
• Streaming services now deliver CD-level sound quality and support even higher-resolution audio streams, such as 24-bit/192kHz.
• The player sends digital music signals to a dedicated DAC, and the DAC is responsible for converting them into high-fidelity analog output. With this split-configuration, you get pure, lower-noise audio.
• Streaming Music Library:Say goodbye to hunting for CDs or storing local files. Streaming services give you a world of music at your fingertips, ready to play any time.
• Total Convenience:Control your player wirelessly with any smart device on the same network. No need to be next to your player to switch tracks or pause—do it from your couch, bed, or workspace.
• Budget-Friendly:Building your own streaming hi-fi player is way more economical than purchasing a high-end off-the-shelf sound system.
• Endless Customization:Handpick the hardware, software, and accessories to craft your perfect sound setup with the best sound quality and user experience

Streaming Hi-Fi Player – Workflow

Now, Let’s Get Building!

Here's a step-by-step guide to building a streaming player that delivers awesome sound quality and streaming functionality. Get ready to dive into the world of high-quality audio and learn how to create a personalized playback system.

What You’ll Need

Network: Wireless LAN

Player Hardware: Khadas VIM4 single-board computer, powerful performance, suitable for building a streaming media system

Playback Software: Volumio, a popular free streaming player that handles high-res streaming audio of various formats

Hi-Fi DAC: Khadas Tone 2 Pro Hi-Fi headphone amplifier, for ultra-precise digital-to-analog conversion (0.000126% distortion)

Control Device: Khadas Mind Modular PC (or any tablet, phone, or device in the same LAN)

Audio Output: Wired desktop speakers or Hi-Fi headphones

Other Equipment/Accessories:

SD card (recommended for installing Volumio into VIM4)

• SD card (recommended for installing Volumio into VIM4)
• Monitor, HDMI cable, keyboard, mouse (for installing Volumio into VIM4)
• USB-A to USB-C cable (for connecting VIM4 to Tone 2 Pro)
• DC 5V USB-C power adapter (for powering Tone 2 Pro)
• 30W USB-C power adapter (for powering VIM4)
• RCA cable (optional, for connecting to wired speakers)
• Phone, or tablet (optional, acts as playback control device)

Step 1: Install Volumio

There are two methods to use Volumio on your VIM4, either boot it from an SD card or install it directly into the eMMC.

Installation to SD Card

If you don't want to overwrite the original OS in your VIM4's eMMC, you can choose to install Volumio into an SD card, and then boot Volumio from the SD card:

1. From Mind (or your PC), go to dl.khadas.com and download the Volumio firmwarefor VIM4.

2. Refer to this tutorial, and use Etcherto write the Volumio firmware into the SD card.

3. After Volumio has been completely written to the SD card, insert the SD card into VIM4.

Installation to eMMC (OOWOW)

1. Connect VIM4 to a USB-C power source, then connect it to a monitor using an HDMI cable, and then connect a keyboard and mouse.

2. Press and hold the Function Button to restart VIM4, and it will automatically boot into the OOWOW system.

3. Follow the instructions and select the Volumio system image for installation.

Step 2: Initial Setup

Connect VIM4 to a USB-C power source. VIM4 will start automatically, and boot into the Volumio system that was installed on the eMMC.

Note: If you choose to boot Volumio from an SD card, first insert the SD card into VIM4, then connect VIM4 to a USB-C power source.

When starting Volumio for the first time, you need to perform this initial setup:

1. Use your phone or tablet to search for wireless networks, find the wireless network named Volumio-XXXXX and connect to it.

Note: The following demonstration uses an iPhone as an example.

2. After connecting to Volumio, the system will automatically guide you to set the system language and device name.3. Select audio output device: Tone 2 Pro.

4. Configure wireless networking and connect the VIM4 to your own wireless LAN.

5. After successfully connecting VIM4 to your wireless LAN, press the Function Button of VIM4 to restart VIM4, completing the initial setup phase.

Congratulations! Your streaming player has been built. After restarting VIM4, you can access the Volumio control interface via your computer, tablet, or phone.

Step 3: Volumio Control Interface

Access Control Interface

Using your phone, tablet, or computer’s web browser, visit http://volumio.localto enter the Volumio Control Interface. The following demonstration uses the Mind as an example.

Tip: If you don’t want to control Volumio via wireless LAN, you can also connect an ethernet cable to VIM4 and access the Volumio interface via wired LAN.

Add Music from a USB Device

You can save music files to a USB drive, then plug the USB drive into VIM4 and add the music from it.

1. From the Volumio interface, navigate to Music Library > USB, select the corresponding music folder, and then click Add to Playlist.2. Choose Playlists from the home page and select the corresponding folder to play music.

Add Music from a NAS or Other Networked Devices

You can also add music folders shared within the LAN to the playlist.

1. Navigate to Settings > Sources > Add New Drive.

2. Fill in the server's IP address and folder path, then click Save.

3. From the home page, navigate to Music Library > NAS to play music from the shared folder.

Step 4: Stream Your Beats

Audio Source

Stream from a PC

Using your PC to control Volumio (see "04 Volumio Control Interface" above for detailed steps), you can play music from a USB drive or NAS.

Presently, the Volumio control interface supports common operations such as previous song, next song, pause, play, and adjust volume.

Stream from a Smartphone or Tablet

When your smartphone, tablet, and VIM4 are on the same LAN, you can stream music from your phone or tablet directly to Volumio.

Presently, the Volumio control interface only supports volume adjustment; other operations must be performed on the smartphone or tablet.

iOS Devices: Swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen to show the Control Center, tap the AirPlay button, and then select Volumio from the device list.

• iOS Devices: Swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen to show the Control Center, tap the AirPlay button, and then select Volumio from the device list.

Android Devices: The original OS does not support push streaming and requires third-party software.

Music Playback

1Use a USB-A to C cable to connect Tone 2 Pro to VIM4.

2. To ensure a better music experience, we recommend connecting Tone 2 Pro to a separate USB-C power source.

3. You can plug 3.5 or 4.4 mm wired headphones into the Tone 2 Pro, or plug wired speakers into the Tone 2 Pro using RCA cables.

Ready? Click the play button and enjoy an upgraded Hi-Fi music experience delivered by your self-created streaming player!

Overall Experience

Using this set of equipment, we tested audio files in different formats (such as FLAC, MQA, and DSD), and heard rich, detailed sound and an expansive sound field. The overall experience of using this DIY solution is as follows:

• Exceptional Sound Quality: The Tone 2 Pro's high-res decoding perfectly presents the details of the music. Adding VIM4 and Volumio as the digital player, this solution provides clearer sound, deeper layers, and a more expansive soundstage than a typical PC or phone output.

• Streaming Delay: Our tests in an office LAN environment showed a slight 1-second delay when switching tracks or pausing, which is acceptable and didn’t disrupt playback. Tip: To ensure a smooth streaming experience, we recommend using a wireless LAN with higher bandwidth and more stability.
• Ease of Use: Volumio’s interface lets you stream lossless music straight from your phone or tablet, making it perfect for family or group use as multiple devices can control it simultaneously.

Future Upgrades

More Storage: Connect external hard drives or NAS with Khadas Mind to store more audio files.

Software Updates: Support for plug-ins and other high-quality audio formats will be added later.

Enhanced Wireless Audio Support: Use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect more audio devices for multi-room playback.

Other Khadas Devices: Volumio support will soon expand to VIM3/3L/1S/Edge2. Stay tuned!

Summary

By pairing VIM4, Tone 2 Pro, and Khadas Mind, we’ve created a streaming Hi-Fi system that rivals high-end setups. This DIY solution meets audiophile standards while achieving a friendly user experience and staying customizable for future needs through software and hardware upgrades.

Having questions? Leave them in the comments and we will answer them as soon as possible. You can also head to Khadas Forumto start a discussion for more inspiration and help.

Upcoming Blogs

Our next few blog articles will focus on AI, IoT, audio applications, and other content that everyone is interested in. If you have ideas for content that you would like to see, you can leave a message in the comment area. We are looking forward to receiving your ideas.

And if you have your own cool DIY projects, feel free to share them on Khadas Forum—we love seeing the creative setups you build!

Warmly,

Khadas Team