I wanted to share something that surprised me recently. It may be useful to other miniDSP SHD-series owners, especially those using these units as their main streamer, DDC, or digital front end.
This is not definitive guidance, just my own discovery and an attempt to document what’s happening. If this info about Qobuz Connect being enabled is out there already, I have not found it. Please double-check everything for your own system and feel free to correct or add details. I will update this post if the community finds anything that needs refinement.
If your SHD/SHD Studio/SHD Power is currently:
then do NOT update the SHD firmware or install Device Console until you’ve performed complete backups.
Updating Volumio is safe.
Updating SHD firmware is not.
The SHD firmware update (the Device Console / 1.5.x generation):
The discovery below applies to a Volumio update, not the DSP firmware. These two things are separate, and understanding that is key.
Every SHD-series unit contains two independent computers:
This distinction explains everything about the new behavior.
Updating Volumio updates the streamer OS only.
Updating SHD firmware updates the DSP/XMOS side and wipes / resets the device.
After release of Volumio 3.874, SHD users (myself included) began seeing a prompt for:
After installing it (in my case, from the Volumio phone app), the SHD suddenly appeared inside the official Qobuz app as a Qobuz Connect device—just like WiiM, Eversolo, and other native Connect endpoints.
No firmware update required.
No Device Console.
No DSP changes.
No subscription prompts.
Just Volumio quietly enabling Connect support.
This is technically possible because:
So Connect is coming in through the Volumio side, not the SHD firmware.
Because Connect lives in the Volumio board, not the DSP board:
If you are happy with your current setup, you can keep it 100%.
Volumio 3.874 simply adds a more modern streaming protocol on top.
For reasons known only to Volumio, the OTA update can show up:
Not everyone sees it in the same place.
On my system, it appeared on the phone app first.
The web interface didn’t offer it until later.
So if you didn’t see it before, it might appear now.
Qobuz Connect does not alter the way the SHD processes audio:
The only change is the input path:
The SHD can now receive audio directly from the Qobuz app without needing the Volumio web interface or plug-ins.
One user who updated to Volumio 3.874 reported:
No idea yet whether this is isolated or systemic, but it’s worth being careful:
Better safe than sorry.
Even though Volumio updates don’t touch DSP content, it’s always good to:
These are general best practices, not requirements.
Volumio 3.874 adding Qobuz Connect is a very nice surprise and makes the unit significantly easier to use. It behaves like a modern Connect-capable streamer now.
Good news: you can keep your entire DSP/Dirac configuration exactly as it is.
You do not need to update firmware, install Device Console, or change your workflow to gain Qobuz Connect.
Just update Volumio and leave the rest alone.
This post reflects my own experience discovering Qobuz Connect on SHD hardware after updating Volumio, and my attempt to understand what’s happening under the hood. It’s not official information, and I strongly recommend doing your own due diligence before making any changes.
If anyone has more detailed technical knowledge, or if miniDSP staff happens to see this and wants to clarify anything, I’d be grateful. I will gladly update this post to correct or expand anything as needed.
This is not definitive guidance, just my own discovery and an attempt to document what’s happening. If this info about Qobuz Connect being enabled is out there already, I have not found it. Please double-check everything for your own system and feel free to correct or add details. I will update this post if the community finds anything that needs refinement.
Before anything else: Important warning for SHD users who rely on DSP or Dirac
If your SHD/SHD Studio/SHD Power is currently:
- running Dirac Live, or
- doing crossover work, or
- using miniDSP’s internal DSP blocks, or
- still using the legacy plugin/software workflow
then do NOT update the SHD firmware or install Device Console until you’ve performed complete backups.
Updating Volumio is safe.
Updating SHD firmware is not.
The SHD firmware update (the Device Console / 1.5.x generation):
- wipes all DSP configuration inside the SHD
- erases stored Dirac filters
- removes compatibility with the old plugin
- is a one-way migration unless you saved legacy installers
The discovery below applies to a Volumio update, not the DSP firmware. These two things are separate, and understanding that is key.
1. The key architecture detail most SHD owners don’t know
Every SHD-series unit contains two independent computers:
(1) The DSP board
- SHARC DSP core
- Handles Dirac Live, EQ, crossovers, routing
- Fixed internal sample rate (96 kHz)
- Can be wiped by firmware updates
- Controlled by the old plugin or by Device Console
(2) The streaming board (ARM)
- Runs Volumio
- Handles Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, DLNA, etc.
- Outputs PCM to the DSP board
- Updates separately through Volumio itself
- Does not affect DSP/Dirac configuration
This distinction explains everything about the new behavior.
Updating Volumio updates the streamer OS only.
Updating SHD firmware updates the DSP/XMOS side and wipes / resets the device.
2. What changed: Volumio 3.874 quietly added Qobuz Connect (Nov 2025)
After release of Volumio 3.874, SHD users (myself included) began seeing a prompt for:
After installing it (in my case, from the Volumio phone app), the SHD suddenly appeared inside the official Qobuz app as a Qobuz Connect device—just like WiiM, Eversolo, and other native Connect endpoints.
No firmware update required.
No Device Console.
No DSP changes.
No subscription prompts.
Just Volumio quietly enabling Connect support.
This is technically possible because:
- Qobuz Connect was launched earlier in 2025
- Volumio is an official Qobuz Connect partner
- The SHD runs a miniDSP-tuned build of Volumio on its ARM board
So Connect is coming in through the Volumio side, not the SHD firmware.
3. Good news: You can keep your Dirac / DSP setup exactly as it is
Because Connect lives in the Volumio board, not the DSP board:
- Your Dirac filters remain
- Your DSP routing remains
- Your EQ remains
- Your crossovers remain
- Your legacy plugin workflow remains
- No need to install Device Console
- No need to update SHD firmware
- Your sound remains exactly as it was
If you are happy with your current setup, you can keep it 100%.
Volumio 3.874 simply adds a more modern streaming protocol on top.
4. Why some people won’t see the update in the same place
For reasons known only to Volumio, the OTA update can show up:
- in the Volumio phone app,
- in the Volumio web interface,
- or in Device Console as a “Volumio update available” message.
Not everyone sees it in the same place.
On my system, it appeared on the phone app first.
The web interface didn’t offer it until later.
So if you didn’t see it before, it might appear now.
5. Internal audio behavior stays the same
Qobuz Connect does not alter the way the SHD processes audio:
- Everything still goes through the 96 kHz fixed DSP pipeline
- All DSP/Dirac operations run as before
- Digital outputs remain capped at 24/96
The only change is the input path:
The SHD can now receive audio directly from the Qobuz app without needing the Volumio web interface or plug-ins.
6. Known issue: Spotify Connect volume spike
One user who updated to Volumio 3.874 reported:
► Spotify Connect suddenly jumping to 100% output volume
No idea yet whether this is isolated or systemic, but it’s worth being careful:
- Start with amps off
- Set volume low the first time
- Test with a non-critical source before playing anything serious
Better safe than sorry.
7. Before updating Volumio: Basic precautions
Even though Volumio updates don’t touch DSP content, it’s always good to:
- Take screenshots of Volumio settings
- Note your network configuration
- Backup any important playlists
- Save Dirac project files on your PC (always useful)
- Export your SHD presets if you haven’t done so recently
These are general best practices, not requirements.
8. Bottom line
If you use your SHD as a streamer or digital front end
Volumio 3.874 adding Qobuz Connect is a very nice surprise and makes the unit significantly easier to use. It behaves like a modern Connect-capable streamer now.
If you depend heavily on SHD-based DSP
Good news: you can keep your entire DSP/Dirac configuration exactly as it is.
You do not need to update firmware, install Device Console, or change your workflow to gain Qobuz Connect.
If you don’t like tinkering
Just update Volumio and leave the rest alone.
9. Disclaimer and invitation for corrections
This post reflects my own experience discovering Qobuz Connect on SHD hardware after updating Volumio, and my attempt to understand what’s happening under the hood. It’s not official information, and I strongly recommend doing your own due diligence before making any changes.
If anyone has more detailed technical knowledge, or if miniDSP staff happens to see this and wants to clarify anything, I’d be grateful. I will gladly update this post to correct or expand anything as needed.
Last edited:
