1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 198290-103897

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
yoramguy1 OP
89 posts
 

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.

kacomess
219 posts
 

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

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
982 posts
 

@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 2, Bluetooth, or a wired connection from an Apple device, with AirPlay 2 being the most common method, generally providing 16-bit/44.1 kHz audio. 

kacomess
219 posts
 

gkelly,

 

thanks for that important information!

dukebdevil
27 posts
 

I very much agree - Pandora makes the BEST radio stations!  for me it started with the LMS around the turn of the century!  I still have a Pandora subscription and use the S10 (have 2) from Acrylic.  They are on secondary systems- a Yamaha PA to entertain neighbors while I mow lawn, and my home gym- so I use the built in DAC.  You can see specs and higher end models here
https://www.arylic.com/collections/music-streamer

I also have their BE50 BT/DAC/amp that drives a pair of Boston Acoustic CR-8.  my "portable" system.  

I dropped Qobuz and more recently Tidal because they couldn't figure out MY radio stations.  They tried to feed me new popular and trending crap!  with ZERO history of listening to any of it.

Spotify DJ is an improvement over their mix or artist radio but Pandora still has the database and algorithms that satisfy to my "deep tracks" preference.  Your wife knows what she likes!

More to discover