Public Beta Test: Audio Without Compromise - Refining the Future of Volumio on Bookworm

Volumio Development Volumio Beta Testing
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Dear Volumionauts,

We are now entering the Public Beta Testing Phase of the next-generation Volumio - a major evolution built on Debian Bookworm.

This is not a simple OS upgrade. It reflects months of dedicated development: custom build systems, package refinement, and hardware enablement across all supported platforms.

Volumio Bookworm is designed for one purpose:

Bit-perfect playback, across modern and legacy hardware, without compromise.

Key Highlights:

  • Complete audio path control - no detours, no conversions
  • Bluetooth A2DP-only using BlueZ-ALSA - no HFP, no PulseAudio
  • High-precision metadata transport across all interfaces
  • Support for USB, I2S, and PCIe audio - whether local or networked
  • Audiophile tuning for Bookworm-based builds, with minimal non-audio subsystems

Current Beta Targets:

  • All Raspberry Pi models, including Raspberry Pi 5
  • x86/AMD64 platforms (Intel NUCs, generic PCs)

Additional boards will follow during staged rollouts.

What to Test

System Hardware Support:

  • I2C: DACs, displays, GPIO expanders
  • SPI: OLEDs, rotary encoders
  • GPIO: Buttons, IR, HATs, UART
  • USB: Audio devices, CD drives, HID input
  • Display: HDMI, DSI, MIPI, SPI (sleep/wake functionality)
  • Boot: USB SSDs, NVMe, SD cards

Core Audio & Ecosystem:

  • MPD Playback (FLAC, AAC, DSD via ALSA)
  • CD Audio & Ripping (no GUI bloat)
  • AirPlay
  • Bluetooth Audio - Strict A2DP
  • Multiroom Sync
  • “Play Here” feature
  • NAS Mounts via SMB/CIFS
  • Casting to SONOS / Chromecast

Once stable, this Beta will replace the legacy system. Be sure to disable Test Mode when done.

Thank you for helping us validate this release and shape the future of Volumio for a new generation of hardware and listeners.

Reporting a Bug

How to Report Bugs

We need clear, complete, and specific information to help you. We do not have a crystal ball.

When reporting bugs, always include:

  • Your device model, storage type (SD, SSD, etc.), and Volumio version
  • A log link from your device (see: How to send a log link for a bug report? )
  • A clear explanation of the issue: what happened, what you expected, and how to reproduce it

If your report involves hardware, include:

  • Full identification of the device:

    • Datasheet, product page, or supplier/manufacturer link
    • Photos of the hardware (top and bottom), clearly showing PCB silkscreen markings, version numbers, and labels
    • Output of lsusb, lspci, or relevant dmesg logs

  • What is connected to what, and how (USB hub, GPIO pins, power source, etc.)

Requesting Support for New Hardware

If you’re requesting support for new hardware (e.g. Wi-Fi dongles, DACs, displays), please use the official format:

HARDWARE SUPPORT REQUEST

We require:

  • A link to the GitHub repository (if drivers or code are needed)
  • Output of lsusb or other identifier commands
  • A datasheet or product page
  • A clear use case (what it is, what it’s for, and why it’s needed in Volumio)

Simply stating the chipset name (e.g. “MTK7921AU”) is not sufficient. Without complete details, your request will be skipped.

Problems with Plugins

To keep the Bookworm Public Beta organized, please report all plugin-related issues, feedback, or migration status updates in this post:

Public Beta Test: Audio Without Compromise - Plugin Compatibility for Volumio on Bookworm

This helps us separate plugin concerns from core system functions and ensures your input reaches the right maintainers.

Kind Regards,

6 Likes
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Known Issues Tracker

Last Updated: 02 June 2025

Installation & System Requirements

  • Devices flashed with older partition layouts must reflash to receive future updates.
  • Minimum storage requirement: 8GB.

Audio & Streaming

  • TIDAL Connect - Under developer review
  • Qobuz Connect - Under developer review
  • WebRadio plugin search - Broken, fix pending

Networking (Wi-Fi & Hotspot Behavior)

  • AP + STA (simultaneous) mode is rare and not reliably supported on Linux

  • AP or STA (exclusive) mode is common; Volumio automatically selects based on availability

  • STA-only adapters do not support hotspot mode at all

  • Hotspot failures may occur due to slow or incomplete Wi-Fi initialization on first boot

    • Mitigation in progress

Kind Regards,

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Raspberry Pi

This post will be updated with fresh direct download links for Volumio Bookworm Public Beta builds as they become available.

Direct Downloads

Download Link Notes
Download 4.010 Initial BETA build.

Direct links will be listed here once fresh from the oven.

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x86/AMD64

This post will be updated with fresh direct download links for Volumio Bookworm Public Beta builds as they become available.

Direct Downloads

Download Link Notes
Download 4.010 Initial BETA build.

Direct links will be listed here once fresh from the oven.

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Full Changelog

v4.010 – June 02, 2025

Release Type: Public Beta Launch

This marks the beginning of the Volumio Bookworm Public Beta.
It includes foundational updates, stability improvements, and sets the baseline for the next phase of testing.

Breaking Changes:

  • New Beta track begins here.
    Builds prior to v4.010 are considered Alpha and are no longer supported.

  • Partition layout introduced in Alpha v4.004 is now standard.
    Devices not already reflashed must do so to install this or future Beta builds.

All Platforms:

  • Bookworm platform stabilized for Beta entry
  • Known issues are tracked separately (see Known Issues post)

Kind Regards,

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OTA update - without problems.
Hehe - first
I turn on the raspberry - and here I see: new software available! Beta has arrived!

Screenshot_2025-06-02-18-47-17-30_5f3ccb62d05d1dc1d470f392f06c97c5
Screenshot_2025-06-02-18-47-17-30_5f3ccb62d05d1dc1d470f392f06c97c51080×2376 203 KB

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Updated Via OTA from Alpha - without problems.

Pi5
NVME
Music stored on NAS (1800 ripped CDs)
Cambridge Dacmagic 200m
Spotify and YouTube music plugins

I used Backup and Restore as it saved a lot of time with settings and the large NAS of albums

Steve

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Hello,
amd64 v4.005->v4.010 fails :

image
image1334×700 73.2 KB

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OTA v4.005 => v4.010 was smooth!
Logs http://logs.volumio.org/volumio/xxxxxx.html

Pi4B, USB DAC, 7" RPi screen
Tested OK: Network drive, play here, multiroom. Screen worked after power cycle (as usual)
Tested partially OK: Bluetooth. Connected my Android phone OK, but my Windows laptop failed.

Plugins tested: Touch Display, Now Playing, IR-remote, Spotify, YT Music, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Backup and Restore, Music Shield, system probe (see results below),

System Information

  • OS info

  • Version of Volumio: 4.008

  • Hostname: sibermusicbeta

  • Kernel: 6.12.27-v7l+

  • Governor: performance

  • Uptime: 0 days, 0 Hrs, 20 Minutes, 48 Seconds

  • Network info

  • Interface: wlan0

  • IP Address: 192.168.178.154

  • MAC Address: dc:a6:32:6c:7a:fd

  • Type: wireless

  • Speed: nullMb/s

  • Audio info

  • Hw audio configured: D10s

  • Mixer type: Hardware

  • Number of channels: 2

  • Supported sample rate: 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000 384000

  • Board info

  • Manufacturer: Raspberry Pi Foundation

  • Model: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Rev 1.2 Raspberry Pi

  • Version: c03112

  • Firmware Version: 2025/05/08 16:21:35 version 69471177ba7e4cb7597cb2496f2a0b23f19c1113 (release)

  • CPU info

  • Brand: BCM2711

  • Speed: 1.5 GHz

  • Family: Cortex-A72

  • Model: 3

  • Number of cores: 4

  • Physical cores: 4

  • Average load: 69%

  • Temperature: 60°C

  • Memory info

  • Memory: 3874552 Ko

  • Free: 1607764 Ko

  • Used: 2266788 Ko

  • Software info

  • Mpd version: Music Player Daemon 0.24.3 (0.24.3)

  • Storage info

  • INTERNAL storage - Size: 110425Mo

  • Used: 8522Mo

  • Available for storage: 96017Mo (87%)

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HW:

  • Raspberry Pi 5 Model B Rev 1.0, version: c04170
  • HiFiBerry DAC Plus [Pi5]
  • Innomaker DAC Mini
  • iFi Zen DAC V2
  • Pro-ject Pre Box S2 Digital
  • Waveshare 4.3 inch DSI

Tested:

  • Updated from V4.005 to V4.010 => OK
  • NAS Mount via CIFS, Options blank => OK
  • Rotary encoder => OK
  • IR Controller => OK
  • System Info => OK
  • Touch display => OK
  • Radio Paradise => OK
  • 80s80s Radio => OK
  • Spotify => OK
  • FusionDSP => OK
  • PeppyMeterBasic => OK
  • PeppySpectrum => OK

Sound:

  • DSD 64, 128, 256, 512 => OK
  • MP3 => OK
  • MP4 => OK
  • Flac 44.1kHz (16, 24, 32 Bit) => OK
  • Flac 48kHz (16, 24, 32 Bit) => OK
  • Flac 96kHz (16, 24, 32 Bit) => OK
  • Flac 192kHz (16, 24, 32 Bit) => OK
  • Flac 384kHz (16, 24, 32 Bit) => OK
  • WAV 44kHz-16bit, 48kHz-16bit, 88kHz-24bit, 96kHz-32bit, 176kHz-32bit, 192kHz-32bit => OK

Fail:

  • Qobuz => Playlist => Search => Volumio crashes. Same behaviour as webradio.
  • Tidal => Genre/moods => Search => Volumio crashes. Same behaviour as webradio.

Shared the log private

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Can somebody please help me?
I‘m not sure what I‘m doing wrong but I do not get 4.010.

System offered me an upgrade from alpha 4.005 to 4.008, which I have installed right now but now the system is „up to date“ ….
No beta available for me :frowning:

Thanks for a hint!
Regards,
Ralf

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Hey @rkorell

Volumio now includes a Release Channel Selector, allowing you to easily choose which update stream your device follows:

  • Stable – Default, production-grade releases
  • Test – Pre-release builds with staging fixes
  • Alpha – Experimental builds for early testing

You can find the selector at:
http://<volumio_ip>/dev

Screenshot from 2025-05-29 13-29-28

Nothing extra is needed – just visit /dev and select your preferred update channel.

Kind Regards,

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Dear @nerd ,
sorry for being this blonde…
Yes - this should be known by me…

Thanks for tutoring!

Ralf

1 Like
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@SimonE

Did you select test as update channel, as your summary shows V4.008?

1 Like
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No! I’m still on Alpha channel. Fixing it now.

1 Like
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OK, this is my second system (this one is really on 4.010!)
This is a fresh flash
Logs http://logs.volumio.org/volumio/xxxxx.html

Hardware Pi4B, HDMI output.
Tested network drive, Touch Display, Now Playing, Spotify.

All good!

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Dear @nerd , team,

if one selects the right update channel, OTA updates will work as desired :slight_smile:
So switching to “test” update channel has allowed me to install 4.010, so I’m arrived at beta via OTA without any issue regarding update.

Primary findings in my first beta:
.
Between 4.005, 4.008 and 4.010 the reboot capability disappeared - I currently have to switch power line off for rebooting.
System halts with red led on if I select restart from menu.
Reboot from terminal console window works - this time in a proper speed… (was 3-4 mins slow with 4.005, was not able to produce logs, because system was not reachable during reboot, sorry)

It is still not possible to me to connect my Bluetooth remote - despite bluetoothctl shows more than in 4.005, but not my adapter.

One of the two rotary encoders is not working correct: Interesting enough only rotation on the first encoder needs tons of rotation to produce a single event.
Rotation signals (A/B) are connected to GPIO 22 and 27 in my installation. Because this has worked minutes ago, I cannot imagine a hardware failure.

(HW) Config:

Pi5,
Raspi 2 Display (DSI),
Two rotary encoders on several GPIOs

NO BT remote :slight_smile:

Testing:

  • Spotify plugin, works (my only use case).

  • Touch display (and corresponding plugin) works

  • “Now Playing” plugin works

  • Rotary encoders are working with exception of proper rotation detection on GPIO 22/27

  • WiFi is working (can access from laptop / phone).

  • BT remote is NOT working

Regards,

Ralf

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Here is the first Pi4 system with USB DAC now correctly on 4.010 (from 4.008).
Log http://logs.volumio.org/volumio/xxxx.html

All good!

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Similar for me - laptop not working, Android phone is working. The phone is much newer (2025 v 2016).