Thread 2941606

Do you think it's possible to make a portable music player with a zero RPI? I'd like something DIY with HiFi-like quality. Do you think it's possible? Are there any projects like this already? The important thing is that it's small and has a good display. Should a small ESP32 be considered in this case?

Yes. It is possible, generally. However, if you knew enough about the process and technicalities involved with building your own electronic devices to be able to do this yourself, you probably wouldn't be asking this question in the first place. So for you. probably not possible.

Sounds simple but its not. I mentioned modding a lsd1820 and people were barking at me. Listen you are not going to make that circuit from scratch and if you did youd use oversized components anyways. The esp32 is 3.3 volts alone how much energy do you think itd require to power the sd card and dac snd it being a tangled mess. You can forget about making those compact 90s mp3 players.

This guy has answered your question (>>2941618).
And ignore this retard (>>2941624). Pretty much everything he just said is wrong.
Just look up "ESP32 MP3 player" and you'll see that.

>>2941606 (OP)
If you want it to be compact and serviceable then you have to design a PCB with surface mount components. Then you debug the hardware and code. Then you 3D print a case.

Here you go OP:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/cool-tech-zone/tangara
https://sr.ht/~jacqueline/tangara/

you just buy a battery, sound and display card for rpi zero

>>2941606 (OP)
>Are there any projects like this already?
Not a RPi but I like this one: github.com/elehobica/Teensy40_MP3_Player

>>2941631
Yeah well just because it says mp3 esp32 doesnt mean its an esp32 dev kit just that it uses the chip…

>>2941642
Is that a distinction that anyone has claimed one way or the other in this thread? No, it isn't.
Obviously you wouldn't use a development board in a finished product. It's for development.

Just came across the dfmini so theres that
>>2941643
Well yes its implied since the alternative is a raspberry pi zero

>>2941647
And what is your point anyway? So you might you an ESP32 chip or one of their dev boards. Please tell me why you think that somehow validates what you're saying.

>>2941648
Well now youre just being difficult i was just trying to help.
A development raspberry pi is not the equivalent of a esp32 chip but it can be if its an esp32 dev kit.

>>2941649
You don't have a point then. You often make these half-formed statements that sound a bit like comebacks when you've been caught out being stupid.
It really amazes me how you can be a dumbass in every topic you apply yourself to.

OP here, needs picrel + LDAC

>>2941633
>spoonfeeding the retard
wtf is wrong with you?

>>2941606 (OP)
I'm a d.i.y. PMP too!

>>2941690
I have some kind of deranged fantasy where this site is actually useful for finding information and exchanging ideas, based on a few rare and all too short experiences I've had here.
I believe if I continuously open myself up to that I might play some small part in making this site and people at large more helpful to each other in interesting topics.

>>2941606 (OP)
>esp32
back in the days music players ran real application processors not some dingy micro

>>2941606 (OP)
I plan on making my own PMP with the RP2040 chip. I care about
>Good swappable battery
>Tactile controls
>Good audio quality
>Good UI
>Audiobook/lecture frendly
Why would you care about a good display? It's not a TV. Is it to lust after your Waifu on your favorite nightcore jams?

>>2941632
I want to try an aluminum case. It'd be so nice if done right
>>2942224
If it works there's no issue

>>2941606 (OP)
Rpi zero is way overkill for an MP3 player. ESP32 has more projects already in existence. nRF52 or similar would be better for battery life.

>>2942539
>If it works there's no issue
this is how you end up with chinkshit

>>2942538
yes

>>2942539
You can try repurposing the case from those cheap chinese players.
Out of the $30 they cost, 29 went into the case. Actual machined aluminum and a glass touch panel.

>>2942640
Not if you do it right
>>2942642
>glass touch panel
Anyone that makes a PMP with buttons you can't feel needs severe punishment. I don't want to have to look at my device in order to operate it, that's just stupid.

>>2941606 (OP)
No need to reinvent the ipod click-wheel, pick a chipset thats already supported by firmware like RockBox, or a fork of it. According to this article:
https://hackaday.com/2025/04/19/rockbox-4-0-released/
Rockbox is still getting major updates, and there’s one PMP still being manufactured that supports the firmware: the Aigo Eros Q / Eros K. It uses an X1000 SoC and AXP192 media chip, as you can see on the RockBox wiki page. Ideally you can find a schematic somewhere so you can design a PCB with the same core components, while swapping the size and shape for a different form-factor, and maybe changing some parts like battery management ICs. But if you do go for different ICs that interface with the SoC, or a different screen, you’ll have to get into the woodwork of modifying the firmware. It’s definitely possible because it’s an open-source project, but it may not be for everyone.

The alternative is to just buy one of these modern PMPs, and to take it apart and cram it into a custom enclosure. That way you could get it to run on (hot) swappable 18650s, or make it waterproof, for example.

It really depends on what kind of project you’re after.

Also this exists:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ipod/comments/qcshpk/yay_rockbox_compiled_for_raspberry_pi_and/

>>2941690
>gatekeeping information
You're what's wrong in this world, retard