Music OS

gwnmattie
Junior Member

11-18-2025, 04:56 PM

I've come across some videos showing older Dell systems running free operating systems meant mainly for music playback or acting as a simple line-in amplifier. I was hoping you could assist me in locating one of these options. Mounting a network drive for files would be great if possible, though it's not essential. A free setup would be ideal.

gwnmattie

11-18-2025, 04:56 PM #1

Cusack
Junior Member

11-22-2025, 05:45 AM

The built-in sound on an older Dell wouldn't reliably function as an inline amplifier. However, a more suitable option might have been available at that time.

Cusack

11-22-2025, 05:45 AM #2

The built-in sound on an older Dell wouldn't reliably function as an inline amplifier. However, a more suitable option might have been available at that time.

_Furkan_
Junior Member

11-22-2025, 05:55 AM

It needs a quality sound card capable of sampling. An audio receiver includes an amplifier to boost sound. PC sound cards fall short compared to receiver specs. You might purchase an external amplifier at a similar price to the receiver.

_Furkan_

11-22-2025, 05:55 AM #3

lb23kh
Member

141

11-22-2025, 08:41 AM

Considered RuneAudio; it appears on Spatry's Distrohunt page. Generally, the content there is quite solid. Note: It’s ARM-only.

lb23kh

11-22-2025, 08:41 AM #4

Considered RuneAudio; it appears on Spatry's Distrohunt page. Generally, the content there is quite solid. Note: It’s ARM-only.

LowPingPlayer
Member

11-23-2025, 11:22 AM

It seems you're looking for a clearer way to express your idea. You might say you want to extract the audio from your receiver and send it over the line.

LowPingPlayer

11-23-2025, 11:22 AM #5

It seems you're looking for a clearer way to express your idea. You might say you want to extract the audio from your receiver and send it over the line.

_DarkStone_
Member

227

12-08-2025, 05:15 PM

Well actually, if you're looking for a solid free program that works on XP, there are some good options. One mentioned had a VUmeter feature which would be really useful, and it seemed to offer more advanced functionality. Let me know if you'd like more details! @ GzeroD @ MatthewEnderle @ AnnoyedShelf

_DarkStone_

12-08-2025, 05:15 PM #6

Bambook
Member

165

12-08-2025, 11:41 PM

I run foobar2000 smoothly across all versions from XP to 8.1.

Bambook

12-08-2025, 11:41 PM #7

I run foobar2000 smoothly across all versions from XP to 8.1.

LeMonke
Junior Member

12-22-2025, 03:09 AM

I apply it to my older machine, but I'm considering a more sophisticated option... Something similar to what the video demonstrates.

LeMonke

12-22-2025, 03:09 AM #8

I apply it to my older machine, but I'm considering a more sophisticated option... Something similar to what the video demonstrates.