Why Music Server Software Matters

When people talk about improving sound quality, they usually think about DACs, streamers, or power supplies. But in my experience, the software you use to organize and play your music has just as much impact—especially on usability, stability, and long-term satisfaction.

Over the years, I’ve tried everything from basic DLNA players to complex Roon setups. And what I’ve learned is simple: there’s no “best” music server software. It all depends on what you need—local files, streaming, multi-room, DSP, or just something that works without frustration.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most popular server and player options for audiophile use.

Local vs Streaming-Focused Systems

Before you choose a music server software, ask yourself one key question: Do I mostly listen to local files—or do I rely on streaming services? This simple distinction helps narrow down your options dramatically.

If your music library lives on a NAS or external SSD, you’ll want software that handles local file management well: proper tag support, folder navigation, stable indexing, and smart playlists. This is where options like Roon, Audirvana, LMS or Daphile shine.

On the other hand, if your music comes mainly from services like Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify or Apple Music, you need a system that supports these platforms natively or via integrations. Roon does this brilliantly, as does Volumio and, to some extent, Audirvana Studio (which supports Qobuz and TIDAL directly).

Keep in mind: many cheaper streamers and software options need an external control app or back-end server to access your streaming accounts. For example, a Raspberry Pi running MoOde or UPnP software won’t stream Qobuz on its own—you need a controller app like mConnect or BubbleUPnP.

Apple users should also consider AirPlay integration, which works well with most systems but limits resolution to 16/44.1. If you stream directly from an iPhone or Mac, you may also consider using USB out with Audirvana or Roon ARC.

Bottom line: your software should match your habits. If you value a rich browsing experience and metadata, go with something like Roon or Audirvana. If you’re a minimalist or mostly stream via mobile, Pi-based or headless solutions may be enough.

Overview of the Most Popular Options

Roon Server & Roon ARC

Roon has become the gold standard for audiophiles who want both local file management and seamless streaming. It combines rich metadata, DSP features, multi-room streaming, and mobile access via Roon ARC. I’ve been using Roon as my main server for years, and despite the subscription cost, the overall experience is still unmatched—especially with a dedicated core like a NUC.

Audirvana (Studio & Origin)

Audirvana is a great option for those who want high-quality playback with less complexity. It offers great sound, native support for Qobuz and TIDAL, and a clean interface. I occasionally use it for USB playback directly from my Mac. Studio includes streaming and remote access, while Origin is optimized for local files only (no streaming, no subscription). Great for those who just want their music without running a full server.

Volumio

Volumio is one of the easiest ways to get started with a Raspberry Pi as a streamer. It has a nice web interface, plugin support (including TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify), and even multi-room options. The basic version is free, but advanced features like TIDAL Connect require the paid “Volumio Premium” plan. Still, it’s very user-friendly and ideal for Pi beginners.

MoOde Audio

MoOde is lighter and more configurable than Volumio. It doesn’t offer as much polish, but it’s free and has solid support for local playback, UPnP, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and more. I used it on my Pi setup for a while and found it stable and efficient, though not as visually refined. Best for tinkerers who want full control.

Logitech Media Server (LMS)

LMS is a powerful, open-source server that’s been around forever—and it’s still great. It supports local files, streaming, plugins, and works with Squeezelite-based endpoints. Not the prettiest UI, but very flexible. Runs well on NAS devices or low-power servers. A good choice if you want something free, customizable, and extremely stable.

Daphile

Daphile is like a “set and forget” Linux distro that turns an old PC into a headless music server. It runs LMS and squeezelite under the hood and has a simple web UI. Ideal if you have a spare laptop or Mini-PC lying around and want to build a low-cost, fanless server.

JRiver Media Center

JRiver is a classic—extremely powerful, especially for users with large local libraries. It offers deep DSP and tagging capabilities, but the interface feels dated, and it’s Windows-focused. Still, for archivists or tag-perfectionists, JRiver has few rivals.

HQPlayer

This one’s for the pros. HQPlayer focuses on ultra-high-quality upsampling and filtering. It’s often used in combination with Roon via HQPlayer Bridge. Not user-friendly, and very system intensive—but if you’re after the ultimate signal processing, it’s worth a look.

What I Personally Use

Over the years, I’ve experimented with nearly every software setup you can imagine—MoOde on a Pi, Daphile on an old laptop, LMS on a Synology NAS. In the end, I’ve settled on a combination that just works for me.

My main system runs Roon Server on an Intel NUC. It handles my local library, streams from Qobuz, and connects to various endpoints around the house. The mobile access via Roon ARC is a big bonus—I can take my music with me, stream from my home library, and control playback wherever I am.

For the playback chain, I mainly use my Eversolo DMP-A8 (advertisement link) as DAC and streamer, but I also keep a Raspberry Pi 4 running as a secondary endpoint. It’s a backup, testbed, and sometimes a bedroom player. Depending on the situation, I run Ropieee (for Roon Bridge), MoOde, or Volumio on it.

Occasionally, I also use Audirvana on my Mac—especially for quick listening sessions via USB when I don’t want to boot the full server. It’s clean, easy to use, and sounds great. I appreciate the flexibility of switching between these systems depending on what I need—be it convenience, critical listening, or background music.

Bottom line: There’s no one-size-fits-all. But combining Roon for library management, a Pi for flexible streaming, and Audirvana for quick desktop listening gives me the best of all worlds.

Use Case-Based Recommendations

Choosing music server software isn’t about chasing the most expensive option—it’s about finding the right tool for the job. Based on your priorities and budget, here’s what I recommend:

✔ Best All-Rounder with Streaming, Local Library & Mobile Access: Roon

If you want everything—beautiful UI, smart library management, multi-room, and streaming integration—Roon is hard to beat. Yes, it’s not cheap, but if you’ve already invested in good hardware, it completes the system like few others. Great for users who want a seamless, integrated experience with high flexibility.

✔ Best for Simple Local Playback: Audirvana Origin

If you don’t need streaming and just want high-quality playback from your local music collection on a Mac or Windows machine, Audirvana Origin is ideal. Clean interface, great sound engine, and no ongoing subscription. Perfect for desktop users with a well-organized library.

✔ Best for Raspberry Pi Beginners: Volumio

Volumio is the easiest way to turn a Raspberry Pi into a music streamer. The free version already works well with USB DACs and network libraries, and the paid version adds streaming services and plugins. Ideal for people who want a plug-and-play experience with decent customization options.

✔ Best for Tinkerers & DIY Setups: MoOde Audio or LMS

If you enjoy setting things up yourself and don’t mind a bit of command-line tweaking, MoOde or Logitech Media Server (LMS) give you tons of flexibility without locking you into any ecosystem. LMS is especially powerful if you want to serve multiple players in your home network, including AirPlay, Chromecast, or Squeezelite clients.

✔ Best for Offline & Minimalist Systems: Daphile

Have an old laptop lying around? Daphile can turn it into a fully functional headless music server. It’s basically plug-and-play and uses little power. Perfect for offline listening and budget-conscious users who want to build something stable from existing hardware.

✔ Best for Metadata Nerds & DSP Fans: JRiver

JRiver isn’t the trendiest option, but it’s a powerhouse if you care about deep tagging, custom views, or complex DSP chains. Not the most intuitive software, but once set up, it can be very rewarding—especially for large libraries.