Alternative to Roon when using Tidal

[Weeman1973]

I'm not renewing my subscription with Roon as I'm not overly enamoured with it and also it's a luxury I can't afford right now.

I have 2 systems I use, my main one uses a Bluesound Node 2i as the streamer so I can listen via Tidal on the BluOS app straight into the DAC so this isn't a problem.

The other system however uses the Roon Core (Mac Mini) directly into the DAC on my Gato DIA400S, so not sure how I can use Tidal without the need to use the Mac's Keyboard and Mouse (as well as having to add a monitor as currently run it headless).

Does anyone know of an App (iOS) that I can use from my iPhone / iPad that will work as a remote for the Mac Mini with Tidal?

 

[Bazzer]

MConnect

 

[mikeyb]

Logitech Media Server on Mac Mini and then use then Material Skin on the browser page. I use my android phone or iPad to control it, good enough for me and most importantly, free

Mac needs to be running to use LMS, but I use a silent mini pc upstairs hooked up to the router that runs 24/7,

I use that to play my own files, Spotify, Tidal, Bandcamp and radio.

 

[simon g]

You may well be able to access your Mini by using a remote access platform. Below uses Chrome and an iPad

https://www.macworld.com/article/671212/how-to-remote-access-a-mac-from-an-ipad-for-free.html

 

[Man in a van]

You may well be able to access your Mini by using a remote access platform. Below uses Chrome and an iPad

https://www.macworld.com/article/671212/how-to-remote-access-a-mac-from-an-ipad-for-free.html

This is viable but I have found it a pita

Over the last twelve days or so I have been playing about with a couple of small form computers.

I want to try running either Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify on a non rpi platform.

First is an old Shuttle computer running Windows 10 pro. This is competent and the Windows Remote Desktop is a reasonable manner to connect.

Windows allows Wasapi and or ASIO (depending on the output used) with both Tidal and Qobuz.

It is slow though, sigh

Next up, a 2012 (late) mac mini with Catalina OS. Remote connection is a struggle using an Ipad, a Macbook works, but seems an unwieldy thing to use for the purpose.

Audio output is, imo, convoluted.

Today, whilst waiting for the postie not to deliver a parcel from the Pi Hut, I have been considering "Boot Camp".

Lots of "how to" on the web, but none apparently quite up to date.

I want to put Windows 10 pro on an external Disk, but somehow I have got it wrong and seem to have a split Catalina / Win10Pro install I'll check things out later but for the moment the Mac mini is rebooting into Windows.

I'll play more in the next day or so.

Meanwhile, life with a raspberry pi based system, seems a complete piece of crumble, if you get my drift

ronnie

Currently I have a one month Qobuz trial and a thee months for the price of one, Spotify trial. I have exhausted the Tidal offers, so may well have to cough up a tenner for that one

 

[Weeman1973]

Thanks all so far for your replies.

@mikeyb - yours looks a great solution however I've tried and failed miserably with getting Logitech Media Server on my Mini Mac so have given up on that one.

@simon g - I have looked into that remote access before and as @Man in a van says, it's a proper rigmarole with lots of drop-outs and not particularly fluid so that isn't a viable option thanks.

As I'm not using a Roon Core anymore, I think the best option maybe to bin off the Mac Mini and use another streamer such as a Auralic Aries Mini or another Bluesound but then that's expense I can do without and may as well go with Roon for another year.

I do have a Google Chromecast Audio I could use however not sure this would be compatible with the HiFi (Hi Res) version of Tidal I use???

 

[Man in a van]

Thanks all so far for your replies.

@mikeyb - yours looks a great solution however I've tried and failed miserably with getting Logitech Media Server on my Mini Mac so have given up on that one.

I do have a Google Chromecast Audio I could use however not sure this would be compatible with the HiFi (Hi Res) version of Tidal I use???

which OS is on the Mac Mini ?

the CCA does 24 / 96 I believe

ronnie

 

[Weeman1973]

which OS is on the Mac Mini ?

the CCA does 24 / 96 I believe

ronnie

Cheers Ronnie.

The Mini is running El Capitan 10.11.6 It also has Computer Audio design Software running which turns off anything unnecessary when only using for Audio use. The previous owner of this machine advised me no to update operating system as was unsure of compatibility of this software with any new OS.

Although the CCA is good, I think I'd be missing out when using Tidal HiFi / Masters with it so don't think it's a long term viable option.

 

[Weeman1973]

I now have Logitech Media Server loaded on my Mac Mini and added the Tidal app, however it's saying I don't have any players registered to my account?

I want my Mac Mini to be the player surely?

 

[Man in a van]

El Capitan is well out of spec for doing audio these days, I'm surprised LMS installed, I don't think it will run properly though .

I have run LMS on El Capitan but I would not bother nowadays. It will run on later Mac OS but still needs tweaking.

One needs a free account at mySqueezebox .com to facilitate the use of the Tidal App and LMS Plugin.

To use the Mac as a player one needs either Squeezplay or Squeezelite installed, neither is a couple of minutes job

I would use the CCA.

If you have a spare SSD drive or 2.5 inch HDD it is possible to install, say, High Sierra on the disk and boot from that.
LMS and Squeezelite can be installed (v8.3.0) it will need a bit of tweaking, but that can be done easily enough.

A raspberrypi / LMS combo would do, with a HAT (either DAC or SPDIF). Drop me a pm if you want one in the post ( have a spare rpi3b or two )

ronnie

 

[Weeman1973]

El Capitan is well out of spec for doing audio these days, I'm surprised LMS installed, I don't think it will run properly though .

I have run LMS on El Capitan but I would not bother nowadays. It will run on later Mac OS but still needs tweaking.

One needs a free account at mySqueezebox .com to facilitate the use of the Tidal App and LMS Plugin.

To use the Mac as a player one needs either Squeezplay or Squeezelite installed, neither is a couple of minutes job

I would use the CCA.

If you have a spare SSD drive or 2.5 inch HDD it is possible to install, say, High Sierra on the disk and boot from that.
LMS and Squeezelite can be installed (v8.3.0) it will need a bit of tweaking, but that can be done easily enough.

A raspberrypi / LMS combo would do, with a HAT (either DAC or SPDIF). Drop me a pm if you want one in the post ( have a spare rpi3b or two )

ronnie

Thanks again Ronnie, appreciate your knowledgeable input.

I'm going to hook up my CCA over the weekend and see how I get on with that but may PM to see about the Pi option afterwards.

Ironically I only got rid of a couple of Pi's not long back as thought I was covered elsewhere - serves me right!!