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Hardware installation

The recommended method for connecting your Arcam Solo to Home Assistant is using a USB-to-serial adapter. This is generally the easiest and most reliable option.

What you'll need:

  • A USB-to-serial adapter (available from electronics stores or online retailers like Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, etc.). Make sure it has the correct connector for your Arcam Solo's serial port (typically a DB9 or DE9 connector).
  • A USB port on your Home Assistant host (or a device accessible by Home Assistant over the network).
  • A suitable serial cable to connect the adapter to your Arcam Solo.

Installation Steps:

  1. Connect the USB side of the USB-to-serial adapter to a spare USB port on your Home Assistant host (or a device accessible by Home Assistant over the network).
  2. Connect the other end of the USB-to-serial adapter to the serial port on the back of your Arcam Solo using the appropriate serial cable.

Important Considerations:

  • Driver Installation: Depending on your Home Assistant setup (e.g., Home Assistant OS, Home Assistant Supervised, Home Assistant Container, etc.), you may need to install drivers for the USB-to-serial adapter. Home Assistant OS usually handles this automatically for common adapters. If you're using a different installation method, consult the Home Assistant documentation for information on installing drivers.

  • Device Path (Recommended: By ID): After connecting the adapter, you'll need to identify the device path for the serial port. Using the device path by ID is the most reliable method, as it remains consistent even if other USB devices are added or removed.

    To find the device path by ID:

    1. Access your Home Assistant host's terminal (e.g., via SSH or the Home Assistant terminal add-on).
    2. Use the following command: ls -l /dev/serial/by-id/

    3. This command will list the devices in the /dev/serial/by-id/ directory. Look for a device that corresponds to your USB-to-serial adapter. The output will look something like this:

      lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 Oct 26 10:00 usb-Prolific_Technology_Inc._USB-Serial_Controller-if00-port0 -> ../../ttyUSB0

    4. The device path by ID is the part before the -> symbol. In the example above, it would be usb-Prolific_Technology_Inc._USB-Serial_Controller-if00-port0. This is the value you will use in the integration configuration.

  • Alternative Device Paths (Less Reliable): While using the /dev/serial/by-id/ path is recommended, you can also use device paths like /dev/ttyUSB0, /dev/ttyUSB1, /dev/ttyACM0, or /dev/ttyACM1. However, these paths can change if the order of USB devices changes.

Warning: This method is not recommended due to potential instability or other issues arising from the Arcam Solo's VOUT pins interacting with the ESP microchip. It's strongly advised to use the serial adapter method (refer to the previous section).

However, if you're comfortable with hardware modifications and are willing to take the risk, here's a guide for using an ESP32 microcontroller as a serial-to-network bridge:

Disclaimer: Modifying your Arcam Solo can void the warranty and potentially damage the unit. Proceed with caution and at your own risk.

What you'll need:

  • ESP32 development board (e.g., ESP32 DevKitC)
  • Soldering tools
  • Appropriate wires
  • Phillips screwdriver

Important Notes:

  • Ensure the Arcam Solo is disconnected from power and any connected speakers before starting.
  • Double-check all connections before powering on the Arcam Solo again.

Installation Steps:

  1. Disassemble the Arcam Solo: Remove the top cover according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  2. Locate the Serial Port: The serial port is typically easy to identify on the Arcam Solo's mainboard. Look for pins labeled TX, RX, 5V, and GND.
  3. Remove the Serial Port: Carefully remove the existing serial port from the Arcam Solo. This usually involves removing a few screws and disconnecting a ribbon cable.
  4. Connect the ESP32:
    • Connect a wire from the ESP32's RX pin to the Arcam Solo's TX pin.
    • Connect a wire from the ESP32's TX pin to the Arcam Solo's RX pin.
    • Connect the ESP32's 5V pin to the Arcam Solo's 5V pin.
    • Connect the ESP32's GND pin to the Arcam Solo's GND pin.

Handy Tip: Standard male-to-male DuPont cables can be used to connect the ESP32 to the Arcam Solo's mainboard after removing the original serial port connector.

  1. Flash the ESP32:
    • Install and configure the ESPHome development environment.
    • Flash the ESP32 with firmware like esphome-stream-server (https://github.com/oxan/esphome-stream-server) configured for serial communication with the Arcam Solo at a baud rate of 38400.
    • Refer to the ESPHome and esphome-stream-server documentation for detailed flashing instructions.

Important Considerations:

  • This guide provides a general overview. Consult the specific documentation for your ESP32 board and chosen firmware for detailed flashing and configuration steps.
  • Remember, using the ESP32 method is not recommended due to potential compatibility issues. Proceed with caution and be prepared for potential troubleshooting challenges.

Alternative:

For a simpler and more reliable setup, consider using the recommended serial adapter method outlined in the previous section.