TOPIC:

In terms of hardware and IO, SHD would be just the ticket for our system but I've some questions about the OS and software.

My concern with streamer appliances like Bluesound, Sonos etc. is being locked into their streaming music system that I don't really want, despite how suitable the HW may be. My solution to that at present is a Raspberry Pi connected to my DAC. This gives me a lot of freedom with the software. At least one thread here suggests such hacking is possible. But I haven't yet found documentation of the OS, so

- What is the kernel? Is it a MiniDSP fork? If so, what is the upstream and where is the source?
- Same questions about the distro.
- If I can hack the OS, can I still run the proprietary software for which licenses are needed?
- What open API(s), e.g. ALSA, are always going to work for apps to play audio?

Alternatively, I could use the SHD as an appliance if MiniDSP supports player software that will work in my environment, e.g. UPnP render. (I don't use Volumio.) In this case what's provided?

In either case, what's the maintenance policy? For how long are updates and/or security/bug fixes provided?

Volumio has a UPnP renderer in it.

I use the SHD ad upnp device with Bubbleupnp as control point. In the background it uses Volumio. This is no problem.