Typical Setup Scenarios

Scenario-based configuration steps. Each scenario assumes ECHO is installed and the library contains playable MP3 or FLAC. Overview: Connect frontend playback devices.

Scenario 1: Desk USB DAC + headphones

Goal: Listen at desk via USB DAC; local output path.

Item	Config
Hardware	PC ─USB─> DAC ─> headphones
Windows	Default output = DAC
ECHO mode	First test System; then WASAPI Shared
Connect	Not used

1. Wire and verify Windows per Local output · USB DAC.
2. ECHO System, DAC as output device, test track.
3. After baseline, switch WASAPI Shared if needed.
4. Try WASAPI Exclusive only when stable (Audio output).
5. Keep EQ / DSD / HQPlayer off until baseline is stable.

Troubleshooting: Local output · Audio output · no sound

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Scenario 2: Laptop speakers / 3.5mm (no DAC)

Goal: Built-in speakers or 3.5mm headphones only.

Item	Config
Hardware	3.5mm plug or built-in speakers
Windows	Default = speakers / headphones
ECHO	System, matching device

1. Confirm Windows default device.
2. ECHO System + same device.
3. Play MP3 to verify.
4. Avoid Bluetooth for first verification.

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Scenario 3: Living-room DLNA streamer / receiver

Goal: Play in living room via streamer or Renderer-capable receiver; control from PC.

Item	Config
Hardware	Streamer and PC on same main router; streamer wired preferred
Streamer	DLNA / UPnP Media Renderer enabled (not Server-only)
ECHO	Connect → DLNA device
First track	MP3

1. Confirm same segment (e.g. both 192.168.1.x).
2. Streamer on; Renderer / network play mode.
3. VPN off; Windows private; firewall allows ECHO.
4. Verify ECHO local System plays one track first.
5. Connect → Refresh → select streamer → Connect.
6. Confirm living-room output; test pause / seek.
7. After MP3 stable, try FLAC and other formats.

Troubleshooting: LAN and firewall · DLNA guide

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Scenario 4: AirPlay 1 speaker (no DLNA)

Goal: Cast to AirPlay 1–compatible speaker.

Item	Config
Prerequisite	Not AirPlay 2–only (AirPlay boundaries)
Network	Same as Scenario 3
ECHO	Connect → AirPlay device

1. Complete LAN and firewall baseline.
2. Select MP3 test track in ECHO.
3. Connect → Refresh → AirPlay device → Connect.
4. Empty list on HomePod / recent Apple hardware → suspect AirPlay 2 boundary.
5. Keep AirPlay and local output troubleshooting separate.

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Scenario 5: HQPlayer + NAA + backend DAC

Goal: ECHO selects tracks; HQPlayer handles processing; NAA drives DAC.

Item	Config
Prerequisite	HQPlayer + NAA independently verified
ECHO	Enable HQPlayer under Settings → Playback
Baseline	Scenario 1 System first

ECHO → HQPlayer (local or LAN) → NAA → USB / network DAC → speakers / headphones

1. Verify ECHO local or WASAPI path without HQPlayer.
2. Configure HQPlayer + NAA per HQPlayer guide.
3. Verify playback inside HQPlayer alone.
4. Enable HQPlayer in ECHO; confirm connection state.
5. Select track in ECHO; observe HQPlayer / NAA takeover.
6. On fault, disable HQPlayer and roll back to System.

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Scenario 6: Remote library + living-room DLNA

Goal: Files on NAS / Jellyfin; sound from living-room streamer.

Step	Path	Notes
Read files	Remote library	WebDAV / Jellyfin — Remote sources
Produce sound	Connect → DLNA	Cast current playing track

Remote library connected does not automatically play on the streamer. Play in ECHO, then cast via Connect.

1. Connect remote library; pick playable track.
2. Confirm ECHO decodes (local playback optional first).
3. Connect to living-room Renderer.
4. Remote files may be proxied or transcoded; bandwidth affects stability.

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Scenario 7: Switching desk ↔ living room

Goal: Same ECHO instance; switch between desk DAC and living-room streamer.

Switch to	Action
Desk DAC	Disconnect in Connect; ECHO device = DAC; System or WASAPI Shared
Living room	Track selected; Connect → Renderer → Connect

One primary path at a time. If silent after switch, troubleshoot that path only.

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Scenario summary

Scenario	Primary path	Key requirement	Page
Desk DAC	Local	USB data cable, drivers	Local output
Laptop direct	Local	3.5mm / built-in	Local output
Living-room streamer	DLNA	Same segment, Renderer mode	Connect
AirPlay speaker	AirPlay 1	AirPlay 1 compatible	Connect
HQPlayer	HQPlayer	HQPlayer + NAA ready	HQPlayer guide
Remote + streamer	Remote + DLNA	Remote + LAN	Remote sources

Further reading

Topic	Doc
Local wiring	Local output
Connect details	Connect page
Network	LAN and firewall
FAQ	FAQ