1. Introduce the CM5
I was not really interested in computer modules until I got a RaspberryPi CM5. It has native eMMC or NVMe for a shorter boot time, and I also found the Web UI response time becomes much faster and smoother, that’s really great. Another advantage of CM5 is the system integration performance. That makes it possible to build a nicer and more professional streamer/DAC project based on the CM5 and IO board.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/compute-module-5/?variant=cm5-104032
2. How to use a CM5?
The best way to use the CM5 is to install it to an official CM5 IO board. The IO board is not expensive, but it has perfect size and rich interfaces to build a high-end digital audio project.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/compute-module-5-io-board/
The other way is to use a third party CM5 adapter board, such as Waveshare Mini Base Board (B). But in this case, the CM5 will be no different with a RaspberryPi 5 except the eMMC and NVME.
An official CM5 passive cooler(heatsink) would be always preferred for all CM5 applications
https://www.pishop.ca/product/raspberry-pi-compute-module-5-passive-cooler/
3. How to select a best suitable CM5 module for you?
CM5 has many P/Ns for different Wifi/Memory/eMMC configurations.
Since NVMe SSD has faster speed and much bigger storage, a CM5 without eMMC would be highly recommended if you prefer NVMe.
If you don’t use an NVMe SSD, then for sure please select the CM5 with eMMC .
If you don’t use Wifi, please choose a CM5 without Wifi for less EMI noise and lower price.
A CM5 P/N will be in format of CM5WMMEEE, in which
W: Wifi, 0 without, 1 with
MM: RAM memory size, 02 2GB, 04 4GB, 08 8GB, 16 16GB
EEE: eMMC size, 000 no eMMC, 016 16G, 032 32G, 064 64G
4. How to install a Audio OS into a CM5
All Audio OS that works for a RaspberryPi 5 will work for CM5. Let’s take Volumio for example.
You can download the Volumio from the link below
https://volumio.com/get-started/
And make sure you installed a flash tool such as RaspberryPi imager or Etcher
https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
The following two methods are confirmed working to install the Volumio to a CM5 with NVMe SSD or with eMMC. (CM5 with both eMMC and NVME is not recommended)
A. Install Volumio into the NVMe SSD of a CM5 without eMMC (recommended).
Step1: Flash the Volumio image normally into a SD card by the RaspberryPi imager or Etcher
Step2: Insert both of the SD card and the NVMe SSD into the IO board or the adapter board. Connect the ethernet cable. Connect a USB-C power adapter to power up. Run Volumio software setup as usual. Make sure music is playing properly. Reboot if it is required.
Step3: In the Volumio Web UI main setting page, select System - Install to Disk - Install to Disk NVMe, It will take around 3 minutes to finish moving the whole system into the NVMe SSD. Then remove the USB-C power connector to power off, remove SD, install USB-C cable to power on again, Now Volumio will reboot from NVMe.
If you want, you can also use the follow steps for this configuration
B. Install Volumio into CM5 with eMMC
Step1: Download RPiboot software by click Windows installer from the link below
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/compute-module.html
Install it by running the downloaded rpiboot_setup.exe on a PC with Windows11 or higher version.
Step2: Run the installed rpiboot-CM-CM2-CM3 on your PC. A command line window will pop up and show it’s waiting for BCM2385.
Step3: Short nRPI_BOOT on J2 of the IO board with a jumper( to disable eMMC Boot). Then connect a USB-C cable from USB port J11 on the IO board to your PC. The green LED on the IO board will light up, the command line window will show some messages. After a while, you will find there is a new USB mass storage drive (the eMMC) added to your PC.
Step4: Using RaspberryPi imager (or any other USB flasher such as Etcher) to flash the Volumio image or other Audio OS image into the new USB mass storage drive. After finish, disconnect the USB-C cable on the IO board
Step5: Remove the jumper from the J2 of the IO board. Connect an ethernet cable to the IO board, then connect a USB-C power adapter to USB port J11. The Volumio or other player software will start and you will find the IP address from your router. Now the new CM5 music player is ready for use. With the higher performance NVMe or eMMC, the Volumio boot time is reduced to less than 29 seconds.
5. How to build a CM5 based digital audio streamer/DAC project?
A StationPi CM5 would be highly recommended to build a CM5 based project in a more professional way, though you can use a CM5 with adapter board such as Waveshare Mini Base Board (B) to replace a standard RaspberryPi 5 (a #50B GPIO spacer would be required when the CM5 heatsink is installed https://iancanada.ca/products/50b-gpio-spacer-connector) for all current RPi based audio applications.