TOPIC:

Hi all,

I've just received my new SHD Studio which is working well apart from one issue which I'm hoping someone can help with.

My problem is that I wish to install the Spotify plugin but there is no Plugins menu item in Volumio's Settings menu. Has this function been moved (if so, where?) or is it my Volumio installation that is corrupt? I've also tried the ssh route by following the help pages over on Volumio.org but keep getting access denied messages. Is there something obvious I'm missing here?

Thanks in advance,

SA.

@SA

You're most likely running our latest Volumio build (QC team now loading the new volumio build as per new user manual).
We'll soon put together an app note on how to downgrade to the older volumio build. For compatibility reason, we can't provide plugin access under the latest Volumio versions.

DevTeam

Do I understand correctly that it won't normally be possible (or that it will be unnecessarily complicated) to play music from Spotify on the SHD? I see that the information on Spotify that used to be in the instruction manual has disappeared from the latest version of the manual. This would be very disappointing, as I've bought the SHD Studio just to stream from Spotify--it was advertised here as being able to play from Spotify using a third-party plugin.

Yes it was one of the reasons I purchased my SHD Studio too, so I was more than a bit frustrated at this. Why is the latest Volumio no longer compatible with Spotify?
Fortunately for me, I'd only just subscribed to Spotify, so I was in the free trial period. I just cancelled that and took out a subscription to Tidal, which works perfectly well. Hopefully this will continue to be the case.

devteam wrote:

@SA

You're most likely running our latest Volumio build (QC team now loading the new volumio build as per new user manual).
We'll soon put together an app note on how to downgrade to the older volumio build. For compatibility reason, we can't provide plugin access under the latest Volumio versions.

DevTeam

Any info were I could find the app note to downgrade Volumio,? I would also like to use the Spotify plugin.

In all honesty, I strongly recommend putting Volumio onto your own Raspberry Pi 3 computer.
Then feed the USB output into your SHD. That way you can tinker to your hearts content without having to worry about bricking your SHD.

It cost me around US$50 to get a Raspberry Pi 3 board, case and 8GB SD card.
From there it's a quick download of the latest Volumio build onto the SD card, boot the R-Pi and you're away with Volumio.
You can then add whatever plug-ins you want and customise it however you want.

By the way, since I've had Spotify on my R-Pi, Spotify have disabled API access to your personal playlists.
In the end, I mostly just stream to it, or play music from my iTunes server.

@DownUnderGaza: Thanks for the input but this is no real option.

My plan was to reduce the number of units in my home hifi setup.
Currently I am using a SONOS connect to stream Spotify, internet radio and my music files on my NAS to a DAC connected to a DDRC-88A BM which connects to my active speaker + SUB.

I wanted to exchange these three units using the SHD.

I also own a Raspberry Pi and about a year ago I tested Volumio.

So I will keep hoping that miniDSP will re-enable Spotify in Volumio or sends me the info how to downgrade the Volumio to a version which supports Spotify.

devteam wrote:

..... For compatibility reason, we can't provide plugin access under the latest Volumio versions.

for our better understanding: could you explain in more detail what is the issue? Is it Spottify or "our" version of Volumio? and would there be similar issues with other popular plug-ins?

Dear All

As stated above, we've started shipping the new version of Volumio (part of the myvolumio build effor) with new units we ship. It supports out of the box Qobuz/Tidal and others enhancements. We've now provided a way to update older versions to this new build.

We're also behind the scenes working to enable a way to downgrade the build to the previous version which indeed included plugins and spotify access by the 3rd party plugin. Stay tuned for the update and thanks for your patience!

DevTeam

Thank you for the update. What does that mean? Spotify will no longer be supported going forward; only the old versions will support it?

I found this thread *after* receiving my new SHD. The phrase "buyers remorse" comes to mind.

@devteam, could you comment on
1) Timeline until (possible) resolution
2) Motivation for the choice ("For compatibility reason" seems needlessly vague)

Since this was one of the key reasons to go for the SHD, I'm considering returning my unit, so the timeline question seems pressing.

Dear All

No worries, the plugin capability is being added to the GUI. Please note that Spotify support is enabled with a 3rd party plugin as per the manual. That was the thinking by main developper of Volumio who "simply" wanted to help make sure the platform is more stable... (i.e. having no control over 3rd party code).

Anyway, once plugin capability is added to new GUI, a new update will be available on OTA servers.
Hoping this clarifies and stay tuned for updates.

DevTeam

Dear All

Great news! The plugins feature is now back on the latest build.. As promised...
Simply perform an Update Over the Air (OTA) and you'll be all set. We've put together a simple app note to help you upgrade.



Also worth noting to all of you the fact that we do have a major DSP upgrade available under the user downloads section. It's removing some potential clicks between songs and well worth the update. See your user downloads section for details.

Feel free to contact our tech support if any questions. Thanks again for your patience!

Have fun!

DevTeam

devteam wrote:

..... out of the box Qobuz/Tidal ...

maybe I need new glasses, but I can't find the Qobuz nor the Tidal plugins . There is no (visible) search option, I only see a relatively short list (spotify, squeezbox, youtube, Radio paradise, 8090's and some more). I am running 1.003, which is the latest version

Tidal is not a plugin, it's on the settings page where you set up a network drive.