Ditching Big Brother: Building My Own Private "PiFi Streamer"

As of March 28, 2025, Amazon officially confirmed what many of us feared — Alexa devices are now recording all conversations by default. That was the final straw for me. I recycled every Alexa in the house and set out to create a private, locally controlled music streaming device that doesn't sell out my family’s privacy for convenience.

Music Credit: "Living Thoughtfully" (Spotify, Apple Music) by Monika Ryan.

• Raspberry Pi 4B – The brains of the operation, chosen for its balance of power and versatility.

• Volumio – A sleek, open-source OS for audiophiles. I flashed it onto a micro SD card. It supports playback from:

  • Local files (from my USB drive)

  • Streaming platforms like Tidal, Pandora, and (begrudgingly) Spotify

  • You could also opt for piCorePlayer. I almost went this route because I LOVED my Logitech Squeezebox from the 2000s. So, if you want your old LMS back, this could be for you.

• Waveshare 9.3" Capacitive Touch Screen – Provides a beautiful and responsive interface.

• 1TB USB Drive – Loaded with our family’s MP3 collection — no cloud required.

• Various odds and ends, including power supplies, 90° USB C plugs, stereo mini cables, screws, etc.

I designed a 3D printable case and wrapped it in a custom hardwood frame made from Osage Orange, milled locally by Willard Brothers. The frame adds an organic accent to the tech and feels right at home next to my turntable.

🎁 STL files for the 3D printed case are available here: Download A One-Piece STL File Download The Two-Piece STL Files

... my Creality Ender 3's print bed isn't big enough for the one-piece file I originally designed.

Audio Setup

• Avantree Harmony 2 Wireless Speaker Set – These multi-room stereo speakers are perfect for pairing with the PiFi Streamer. They support both Bluetooth and wired inputs, so they’re super flexible.

• YGiTK 3.5mm Audio Switcher with Volume Control – This little guy lets me toggle the speaker input between the PiFi Streamer and our vinyl setup. Now we can go from digital playlists to LPs with the turn of a knob.

Why I Built It

This wasn’t just a DIY project — it was a values-driven decision. I wanted:

• Privacy-first audio streaming

• No data mining (except when I stream from services)

• My own design and quality materials

• Offline/local media access

• Seamless speaker sharing with my analog gear

Want to Build Your Own? Or, Want Me to Make One For You?

Let me know — I’ll be happy to walk you through sourcing parts, installing Volumio, and customizing the CAD file for your 3D printer. Goodbye to cloud eavesdropping and hello to high-fidelity privacy!