Streaming music is convenient, but there’s still nothing quite like playing a full album on vinyl. The challenge is combining that analogue experience with modern smart home audio. In this guide, I’ll show you how to build a DIY system that lets you stream your record player to AirPlay speakers like HomePods using a Raspberry Pi and Home Assistant.

This setup creates what I’ll refer to throughout as the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge — a simple, network-accessible tool that connects your turntable to your smart speakers.

What Is the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge?

The Vinyl AirPlay Bridge is a lightweight streaming solution that captures audio from your turntable and broadcasts it over your network to AirPlay-enabled devices. It includes a simple web interface where you can select speakers, control playback, and adjust volume.

It also integrates with Home Assistant, allowing you to automate playback — for example, automatically streaming to a HomePod when you start your record player.

What You’ll Need

Turntable Requirements

Your record player should have a built-in preamp or a line-out option. This ensures the audio signal is at the correct level for digital input.

My turntable of choice

USB Audio Interface

You’ll need a compact USB audio interface to capture the audio signal. The Behringer UCA202 is a popular choice due to its affordability and reliability.

Check out the Behringer UCA202

Raspberry Pi

A Raspberry Pi acts as the core of the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge. A Raspberry Pi 5 is recommended for best performance, along with a wired Ethernet connection for stability.

Raspberry Pi Starter Kit

My Code!

I’ve done most of the heavy lifting for you and have packaged the code that makes the magic happen along with a comprehensive readme with setup guide and a boilerplate service so it starts automatically on boot. You can find the code on my Github.

Network Setup

• Assign a static IP address to your Raspberry Pi
• Ensure all AirPlay devices are on the same network
• Use Ethernet where possible for lower latency
  
  Follow the instructions in the repository!

How the System Works

The Vinyl AirPlay Bridge captures audio from your turntable via the USB interface and processes it on the Raspberry Pi. It then streams that audio over your local network to any AirPlay-compatible device.

You access the system through a browser-based interface hosted on the Raspberry Pi. From there, you can:

• Select one or multiple AirPlay speakers
• Start streaming instantly
• Adjust playback volume

The interface automatically discovers available devices on your network, including HomePods and Apple TVs.

Setting Up the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge

1. Prepare the Raspberry Pi

• Install Raspberry Pi OS
• Connect the USB audio interface
• Update the system and install required dependencies

2. Install the Software

The Vinyl AirPlay Bridge runs on a Python-based application. After downloading the code, follow the setup instructions to install required libraries and dependencies.

3. Configure Auto Start

To ensure the service runs automatically, create a system service that launches on boot. This keeps the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge always ready to stream.

4. Access the Web Interface

Once running, access the interface by navigating to your Raspberry Pi’s IP address with port 5050 using HTTP.

From here, you can select your audio source and choose which AirPlay speakers to stream to.

Streaming Your Vinyl

Using the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge is straightforward:

• Open the web interface
• Select your AirPlay speaker
• Start playback on your turntable

The audio will begin streaming across your network with minimal delay.

Home Assistant Integration

One of the most powerful features of the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge is its integration with Home Assistant.

If your turntable is connected to a smart plug or contact sensor, you can use that trigger to automatically start streaming.

How It Works

• The Vinyl AirPlay Bridge exposes an API endpoint
• Home Assistant sends a POST request to start streaming
• You specify the target speaker and volume level

Example Use Case

When the turntable lid is opened, a contact sensor triggers an automation that instantly streams audio to a designated HomePod.

Optional: Siri Shortcuts Integration

If you’re not using Home Assistant, you can still control the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge using Siri Shortcuts.

By sending a simple web request, you can create shortcuts to:

• Start streaming to specific speakers
• Control playback without opening the interface

Performance and Limitations

While the Vinyl AirPlay Bridge works well, there are a few considerations:

• Some latency is expected due to network streaming
• Wired connections significantly improve reliability
• Setup requires basic technical knowledge

This is not a plug-and-play solution, but it offers flexibility that commercial products often lack.

Final Thoughts

The Vinyl AirPlay Bridge is a practical way to combine analogue audio with a modern smart home setup. It lets you enjoy vinyl records while still taking advantage of distributed audio across your home.

If you’re comfortable with a bit of DIY and want more control over your audio setup, this is a highly rewarding project that brings together Raspberry Pi, Home Assistant, and AirPlay in a clean and functional way.

The post How to Stream Vinyl to AirPlay Speakers with Raspberry Pi and Home Assistant appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

There are generally two ways to make the lights in your home smart. The simplest and often most affordable option is a smart bulb. I’ve used plenty of smart bulbs over the years and still do. However, I’ve also installed smart switches, and in many cases I actually prefer a smart switch over a smart bulb.

Sometimes it’s simply easier to tap or elbow a wall switch as you walk into a room rather than rely on a voice assistant or presence sensor. That’s where a device like the Repenic Smart Dimmer really stands out.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that struck me about the Repenic Smart Dimmer is its build quality. These smart dimmers are made from stainless steel and feel incredibly premium in the hand.

They’re available in multiple finishes including silver, white, bronze and black. The unit I’ve been testing is the black version, and it looks fantastic once installed. Unless you know it’s a smart device, you’d easily mistake it for a high-end traditional dimmer switch.

At the rear is the dimmer module itself. It doesn’t protrude excessively, but if you have a narrower back box (as I do), you may need a spacer. Repenic recommends a wall box depth of at least 25mm.

The Repenic Smart Dimmer is available in 1-gang, 2-gang, 3-gang and 4-gang versions, making it easy to replace existing switches throughout your home. They also offer multi-way dimmers for 2-way and 3-way control setups.

This is undeniably a premium product, and the price reflects that. A 1-gang Repenic Smart Dimmer costs around £79, making it one of the more expensive smart light switches available. However, compared to other switches I’ve reviewed previously, the build quality here genuinely feels superior.

One feature I particularly like is that replacement modules are available for around £30. If the module ever fails, you can keep the stainless steel faceplate and simply swap out the internal module, which is both cost-effective and environmentally sensible.

Find the latest price here: REPENIC_SMART_DIMMER_AFFILIATE_LINK

Specifications and Compatibility

The Repenic Smart Dimmer is a Zigbee device, which means you’ll need a compatible Zigbee hub. I’ve been using it with Home Assistant and a Zigbee 3.0 USB dongle, and it has been extremely reliable.

This is not a Wi-Fi switch with a standalone app. It’s designed for more advanced smart home users running platforms such as Home Assistant, Homey or similar systems. Repenic also states that it is compatible with Philips Hue bridges.

Because it uses Zigbee, you can integrate the Repenic Smart Dimmer into Apple Home and other ecosystems via your smart home controller. In my setup, it’s exposed to Apple Home through Home Assistant as a dimmable light, and everything works locally with excellent responsiveness.

Another major benefit for UK users is that the Repenic Smart Dimmer does not require a neutral wire. That makes it suitable for many UK homes where neutral wiring may not be present at the switch.

It must be used with a dimmable, non-smart light bulb.

Installation Process

If you’re not confident working with mains wiring, always use a qualified electrician. That said, installing a light switch is relatively straightforward if you know what you’re doing.

I started by turning off the power at the consumer unit. After removing the old switch, I took photos of the existing wiring to make sure I could replicate the setup correctly.

To install the Repenic Smart Dimmer, you first remove the knob by pulling it off. Then unscrew the outer components to separate the module from the faceplate.

Wiring is simple:

• The wire that was connected to COM or Live on the old switch goes to Live (L).
• The L1 cable connects to the terminal marked with the wavy line.
• The earth wire must be connected to the faceplate, as this is a metal switch.

I found it easiest to wire the module first, then secure the plastic backing and earth connection using the gold retaining screw. After that, I fixed the unit into the back box, reattached the metal faceplate, secured the front screw, and pushed the knob back on.

To enter Zigbee pairing mode once powered on, turn on the dimmer, then press the knob twice, holding it for three seconds on the second press. The light will flash twice to confirm pairing mode.

In Home Assistant, simply add a new Zigbee device and the Repenic Smart Dimmer is detected quickly. You can then name it, assign it to a room, and expose it to Apple Home if required.

Everyday Use and Smart Home Integration

Out of the box, the Repenic Smart Dimmer works exactly like a traditional dimmable light switch. You can turn the light on or off and adjust brightness by twisting the knob. No app configuration is required for basic functionality.

This makes it ideal for households where not everyone wants to use voice assistants or smartphone apps. It behaves like a normal dimmer but adds powerful smart functionality in the background.

In my setup, the Repenic Smart Dimmer is integrated into multiple automations. It’s part of scheduled routines that turn lights off at night and on in emergency scenarios. It’s also included in Apple Home scenes for “lights on” and “lights out”.

Within Home Assistant, you can access detailed metrics including current, voltage, power consumption and energy usage. You can also configure:

• Default power-on brightness level
• Startup behaviour after power loss
• Responsiveness of the dimming rotation
• Activity logs

Because the Repenic Smart Dimmer is fully integrated into Home Assistant, you can build advanced automations based on state changes. For example:

• Set different brightness levels depending on time of day
• Trigger other smart home devices when the switch turns on
• Control heating or cooling systems based on conditions
• Use power or current readings as automation triggers

If a device is available in your smart home system, the Repenic Smart Dimmer can potentially control or interact with it.

Downsides to Consider

The biggest downside to the Repenic Smart Dimmer is price. At around £79 for a 1-gang version, it’s significantly more expensive than many alternatives.

It’s also clearly aimed at more advanced smart home users. To get the most from the Repenic Smart Dimmer, you’ll need a Zigbee hub and a platform like Home Assistant or Homey. This isn’t a beginner plug-and-play Wi-Fi switch.

Final Verdict – Is the Repenic Smart Dimmer Worth It?

The Repenic Smart Dimmer is a beautifully built, reliable and highly capable Zigbee smart light switch. In several weeks of testing, it hasn’t gone offline once, and it feels like a premium, long-term addition to a serious smart home setup.

If you value build quality, local Zigbee control, and deep Home Assistant integration, the Repenic Smart Dimmer is an excellent choice.

The post Repenic Smart Dimmer Review – Premium Zigbee Smart Light Switch for Advanced Smart Homes appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.