Pandora again, and now Spotify too...


For the last several years we have been streaming happily Pandora and Spotify (along with Qobuz) on an LMS (Logitech Media Server) streamer (Magna HiFi Mano Ultra), with an RME DAC, on our decent home stereo system.  Recently LMS became Lyrion, and the plugins which enabled Pandora and Spotify access and streaming became inoperational with no substitutes or remedies that I can find.  Qobuz is still streaming fine, but it is my understanding that perhaps due to artist royalty issues the only way to stream Pandora and Spotify in their top native resolutions is via their apps or when logged in directly to their sites via a browser.

I found no audio streamers or platforms (e.g., Roon, Jplay) which support these two services.  Could not even ask the question on the Volumio site without a subscription...

First of all please correct me if I'm wrong... I'd love to be wrong here.

However, if I'm right, I am coming to the conclusion that the only way to stream these two services at their best quality (with no upsampling from USB) on our system is to stream them on a computer with a good sound card which has digital coax output which I would route to my DAC.

If the latter makes sense to anybody, can you please recommend a good sound card and basic computer, I assume a Windows desktop it can be installed in.  Would love to use a Mac but am not aware of any current "open chassis" models which would accept a separate sound card.

Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated!

Cheers, Yoram

yoramguy1

With the iPhone wired connection, you should be able to use another device running the Spotify app to remotely control playback and volume via Spotify Connect. This is one of Spotify’s most valuable strengths.

For volume to work, you would need to disable volume control on the RME and you would be utilizing software volume control through the Spotify application. Not optimum, but it works. It can also be a little dangerous with Spotify’s slider control.

Thank you for this info.

With that, Pandora remains a challenge.

We are looking for a consistent interface for all three, either in one streamer app or in their native apps, with no tweaking of DAC settings when switching from one to the next one.

A new streamer will be needed.

Does the WiiM stream Apple Music, too?  I didn’t notice it included in supported services 

@kacomess WiiM network players (Mini, Pro, Pro Plus, Ultra, Amp) support Apple Music, but not natively within the WiiM Home app. You must stream Apple Music using AirPlay 2Bluetooth, or a wired connection from an Apple device, with AirPlay 2 being the most common method, generally providing 16-bit/44.1 kHz audio.