mpris-ctl VS shairporait-sync

If you're interested in a better version of that I have a project that works with all players that support the MPRIS DBus interface: https://github.com/mariusor/mpris-ctl. I'm using it for keybindings to play/pause and show song information with a tiling windows manager.

My setup is using spotpris2 together with spotifyd and control them with mpris-ctl.

I used something different. Basic details for your entertainment/edification/comedy source material follow mostly so you can shortcut a comparison if you're building something at your place.

1) Pi-zero running shairport-sync (couldn't get them, got orange-pi zero 2 which works great) https://github.com/mikebrady/shairporait-sync. I have a few of these.

2) Class D amp, Aiyima, Fosi, Loxjie etc Aliexpress is one place to get these. I've used and like Aiyima A03 and their ali store delivers fast.

3) Some nice, high-quality, 2nd hand speakers you like. Wharfedale, JBL, B&W, Acoustic Research, Yamaha. (Or get some active speakers you like and skip #2, eg B&O beolab 6000)

4) owntone (formerly known as forked-daapd) https://owntone.github.io/owntone-server/

5) configure owntone with your spotify premium, takes less than a minute. (And with your music that you own - takes longer because you take more care).

You now have a multiroom setup with fantastic sound that you can control with http://owntone.local:3689/ including with your phone. And/or you can use the "Retune" app on droid and apple's "itunes remote" app on ios. Better sound than most alternatives for less dollars.

All integrates well with Homeasistant because of course it does.

I really like how mine turned out. Having half a dozen sets of speakers all playing the same music in perfect sync as you move from one room to another while doing chores on the weekend fills me with more joy that I would have guessed. YMMV.