The Lyrion Music Server (formerly Logitech Media Server) remains one of the most versatile and enduring platforms for music lovers who want complete control over their libraries. Unlike closed streaming ecosystems, Lyrion is open-source, cross-platform, and highly customisable — making it a favourite for enthusiasts who value flexibility and local playback quality.
What Is Lyrion Music Server?
Lyrion is a lightweight server application that organises and streams your music to a wide range of devices. Originally built for Logitech’s Squeezebox players, it has been kept alive by a dedicated open-source community. Today it runs happily on Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS units and even Raspberry Pi.
Core Features
- Broad format support — MP3, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, DSD and more.
- Multi-room streaming — synchronise playback across multiple devices or let each room play something different.
- Plugin ecosystem — add streaming services, internet radio, or advanced tools.
- Web-based control — use any browser or mobile app to manage playback.
- Open-source freedom — free, community-driven, endlessly adaptable.
Internet Radio with “Radio Now Playing”
One of Lyrion’s long-standing strengths is how well it handles internet radio, but the Radio Now Playing plugin takes it further:
- Displays track titles, artist info and cover art in real time.
- Adds programme schedules and metadata where available.
For many users, it transforms online radio from a background stream into a rich, interactive experience — and with around 5000 radio stations listed it covers every conceivable kind of genre.
Commercial Streaming Services
Lyrion can also serve as a hub for your subscription music accounts, putting them side by side with your personal library:
- Spotify
- Deezer
- TIDAL (including HiRes streaming)
- Qobuz (HiRes streaming and downloads)
- SoundCloud
Dedicated plugins allow you to log in and stream directly through the server, meaning your playlists, albums and recommendations from commercial services can be browsed and played alongside your own collection. This unified approach means your local FLAC RIPs, radio favourites, and paid subscriptions all sit under one roof.
DIY Media Server Projects
Because Lyrion is lightweight and resource-efficient, it’s perfect for DIY audio builds:
- Raspberry Pi: with piCorePlayer or Raspberry Pi Media Player, create a low-cost, always-on music server or player.
- NAS installations: run Lyrion directly on Synology or QNAP for always-available access.
- Hybrid setups: pair with a USB DAC for a budget hi-fi streamer, or link multiple devices for whole-house audio.
This flexibility makes Lyrion especially appealing to hobbyists who want robust software that can grow with their hardware experiments.
Why Choose Lyrion?
- Compared with commercial servers like Roon or Plex, Lyrion offers:
- Stability & speed — efficient enough for modest hardware.
- Community support — plugins and updates from a global user base.
- No subscriptions — entirely free.
- Hardware agnosticism — works with everything from DIY Pi builds to high-end DACs.
Setup Basics
- Download & install from the Lyrion official site (https://lyrion.org).
- Scan your library — point it at your music folders or NAS.
- Connect players — use apps, hardware streamers, wireless speakers or classic Squeezebox units.
- Add plugins — integrate streaming services, metadata tools, or DSP modules.
Bottom Line
If you want an open, powerful, and cost-free alternative to commercial streaming servers, Lyrion Music Server remains one of the best. With Radio Now Playing enhancing internet radio, seamless support for Spotify, Deezer, TIDAL, SoundCloud and Qobuz, and easy integration into DIY builds, it offers unmatched flexibility. For music lovers who want their local library and streaming subscriptions in one place, Lyrion is a proven, community-powered solution.
