Add MA_BETA14_IMPACT.md

Required by F-Droid for Flutter apps using --split-per-abi: each
per-ABI APK gets a unique versionCode = base * 10 + abiCode
(armeabi-v7a=1, arm64-v8a=2, x86_64=3).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>

MA_BETA14_IMPACT.md

@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+# Music Assistant 2.8.0 Beta 14 — Impact on Ensemble
+
+**Date:** 2026-03-03
+**Current server:** 2.8.0 beta 12
+**Target server:** 2.8.0 beta 14 (released March 2, 2026)
+
+---
+
+## Summary
+
+Beta 14 is a large release (50+ PRs). The headline change — merging multi-protocol players into a single entity — directly overlaps with Ensemble's client-side Cast↔Sendspin consolidation logic. Sendspin also received a major v4.0 overhaul. Most changes should degrade gracefully but player ID persistence will break on upgrade.
+
+---
+
+## Breaking: Player Merging (PR #3150)
+
+MA now merges players that support multiple protocols (e.g. a Chromecast with Cast + Sendspin) into a **single player entity** server-side. Previously these appeared as two separate players.
+
+> *"After this change, all your players will be reset. If you previously had multiple players in Music Assistant per protocol, this will now show up as one single player."*
+
+### What Ensemble does today
+
+Ensemble handles this client-side in `music_assistant_provider.dart:4271-4406`:
+
+- `_castToSendspinIdMap` maps Cast IDs → Sendspin IDs
+- When Sendspin is grouped: hides Cast player, shows Sendspin (renamed to base name)
+- When ungrouped: hides Sendspin, shows original Cast
+- Mappings persisted to database for cold start restoration
+
+### Impact on Ensemble
+
+| Component | Location | Impact | Severity |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| `_castToSendspinIdMap` + consolidation logic | `provider:4271-4406` | Dead code — server no longer sends separate players | Medium |
+| `isManuallySyncedPlayer()` ID translation | `provider:533-595` | Lookups against stale map fail silently (returns `false`) | Low |
+| Player selection persistence | Settings + DB | **Stored player IDs invalid after upgrade** — all players reset | **High** |
+| `_handlePlayerUpdatedEvent()` ID matching | `provider:2956-3358` | Events arrive with new merged IDs, old translation won't match | Medium |
+| Database-persisted Cast↔Sendspin mappings | `DatabaseService` | Stale data, won't match anything | Low |
+
+### Assessment
+
+The consolidation logic should degrade gracefully — it won't find Sendspin suffixes to strip or Cast pairs to merge, so the server's already-merged players pass through `filterPlayers()` as-is. The main risk is **player selection breaking** because saved player IDs no longer exist.
+
+### Action required
+
+1. Verify the existing fallback logic (`provider:4427-4465`) gracefully re-selects when the stored `selectedPlayerId` doesn't exist in the player list
+2. Remove or gate the Cast↔Sendspin consolidation code behind a server version check (on beta 14+ it's unnecessary and could cause confusion)
+3. Clear stale database mappings on first connection to a beta 14+ server
+
+---
+
+## Sendspin v4.0 (PR #3158)
+
+Major rewrite of the Sendspin server.
+
+### Changes
+
+- New `SendspinPlaybackSession` coordinator architecture
+- Per-member DSP pipelines, dynamic group membership, late-join audio backfill
+- Max buffer capacity 5 → 30 seconds
+- Multiple Sendspin servers with automatic failover
+- Per-client codec/sample-rate/bit-depth options
+- Album artwork persists during skip/pause
+- Reduced latency for live streams
+
+### Impact on Ensemble
+
+| Change | Impact |
+|---|---|
+| New session architecture | **Likely compatible** — sendspin-js only bumped 2.0.0 → 2.0.1 (minor), suggesting wire protocol didn't fundamentally change |
+| Per-client codec options | `stream/start` may contain new fields — safe if Ensemble ignores unknown fields |
+| Multiple servers with failover | Ensemble's 3-tier connection strategy may need awareness |
+| Buffer increase | No client impact |
+
+### Action required
+
+1. Test Sendspin connection against beta 14 — verify `client/hello`, `stream/start`, state reporting all still work
+2. Confirm unknown fields in protocol messages are ignored gracefully
+
+---
+
+## Sendspin-Chromecast Bridge (PR #3255)
+
+Replaces the inline experimental Sendspin mode in `ChromecastPlayer` with a dedicated bridge. Cast devices now use a Cast receiver app with an embedded JS Sendspin client.
+
+### Impact on Ensemble
+
+- **Direct impact: None** — Ensemble is a Sendspin client itself, not going through Cast
+- **Indirect:** Changes how grouped Cast players behave, which could affect `GroupVolumeManager`
+
+---
+
+## Group Volume / Grouping Fixes
+
+| PR | Change | Ensemble Impact |
+|---|---|---|
+| #3192 | Fix grouping for players whose native protocol is also a protocol of other players | Bidirectional grouping translation — may affect group detection logic |
+| #3205 | Fix group mute for protocol-synced players (`player.state.group_members` vs `player.group_members`) | `GroupVolumeManager` may see different/correct member lists |
+| #3277 | Fix `volume_up`/`volume_down` for group players | Server-side fix, should improve behavior |
+| #3118 | Fix sync groups losing members on power off | Affects dynamic group management |
+
+### Action required
+
+1. Test group volume behavior — may "just work better" with server-side fixes
+2. Verify `GroupVolumeManager` handles any changes to `group_members` field population
+
+---
+
+## Sendspin Bug Fixes
+
+| PR | Fix | Ensemble Relevance |
+|---|---|---|
+| #3191 | DSP not applying for Sendspin players | DSP config stored on parent player, looked up by protocol player ID — now fixed |
+| #3249 | Update to aiosendspin 4.2.0 | Library update, potential behavior changes |
+| #3250 | Metadata sending wrong progress when paused | Progress reporting fix — Ensemble's position tracker may see better data |
+| #3258 | Floating point for internal audio data | Audio quality improvement, no client impact |
+
+---
+
+## New APIs — Opportunities
+
+| Feature | PR | Details | Ensemble Opportunity |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| Playback speed | #3198 | `player_queues/set_playback_speed`, stored in `queue.extra_attributes["playback_speed"]` | Great for audiobooks/podcasts |
+| Save queue to playlist | #3149 | `save_as_playlist` command on player queue controller | Easy feature add |
+| Mixed-media playlists | #3216 | Playlists can contain tracks + podcasts + audiobooks. DB schema bumped to v30. `get_playlist_tracks()` returns `Sequence[PlaylistPlayableItem]` | Playlist screens may need to handle heterogeneous items |
+| Genres v2 | #3164 | New browsing category with icons and SVG support | New library section |
+
+---
+
+## Also Changed in Beta 13 (Skipped)
+
+Relevant changes from beta 13 (between current beta 12 and target beta 14):
+
+- Group volume mute support (#3034)
+- Frontend prepared for multiprotocol support (#1409) — groundwork for beta 14 merging
+- IPv6 support for zeroconf, stream server, AirPlay (#3086)
+- Snapcast player availability alignment (#3104)
+- DLNA reconnection fix (#3132)
+
+---
+
+## Recommended Action Plan
+
+### Before upgrading
+
+- [ ] Verify player selection fallback handles missing player IDs gracefully
+- [ ] Back up current configuration
+
+### Immediate (after upgrading)
+
+- [ ] Test Sendspin protocol compatibility (connection, streaming, state reporting)
+- [ ] Test player list — confirm merged players appear correctly without client-side consolidation
+- [ ] Test group volume behavior with new server-side fixes
+- [ ] Test player selection persistence across app restarts
+
+### Short-term
+
+- [ ] Remove or version-gate Cast↔Sendspin consolidation code
+- [ ] Clear stale database mappings on beta 14+ detection
+- [ ] Test mixed-media playlist handling if playlists are used
+
+### Opportunistic
+
+- [ ] Add playback speed control (audiobook/podcast feature)
+- [ ] Add save-queue-to-playlist
+- [ ] Explore Genres v2 browsing

README.md

@@ -175,6 +175,7 @@ For access outside your home network, you'll need to expose Music Assistant thro
 A huge thank you to my sponsors! 💖
 
 <a href="https://github.com/pcsokonay"><img src="https://github.com/pcsokonay.png" width="60px" alt="pcsokonay" /></a>
+<a href="https://github.com/githubchb"><img src="https://github.com/githubchb.png" width="60px" alt="githubchb" /></a>
 
 ## License
 

android/app/build.gradle

@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ android {
     }
 }
 
+def abiCodes = ['armeabi-v7a': 1, 'arm64-v8a': 2, 'x86_64': 3]
+android.applicationVariants.configureEach { variant ->
+    variant.outputs.each { output ->
+        def abiVersionCode = abiCodes[output.getFilter('ABI')]
+        if (abiVersionCode != null) {
+            output.versionCodeOverride = variant.versionCode * 10 + abiVersionCode
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 flutter {
     source '../..'
 }

android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml

@@ -54,12 +54,6 @@
             </intent-filter>
         </receiver>
 
-        <provider
-            android:name=".ArtworkContentProvider"
-            android:authorities="com.collotsspot.ensemble.artwork"
-            android:exported="true"
-            android:grantUriPermissions="true" />
-
         <meta-data
             android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.application"
             android:resource="@xml/automotive_app_desc" />

android/app/src/main/kotlin/com/collotsspot/ensemble/ArtworkContentProvider.kt

@@ -1,84 +0,0 @@
-package com.collotsspot.ensemble
-
-import android.content.ContentProvider
-import android.content.ContentValues
-import android.database.Cursor
-import android.net.Uri
-import android.os.ParcelFileDescriptor
-import android.util.Base64
-import java.io.File
-import java.net.HttpURLConnection
-import java.net.URL
-import java.security.MessageDigest
-
-/**
- * ContentProvider that serves artwork images to Android Auto.
- *
- * Android Auto only supports content:// and android.resource:// URIs for artwork.
- * This provider accepts a base64url-encoded HTTP URL in the path, downloads the
- * image (with disk caching), and returns a ParcelFileDescriptor.
- *
- * URI format: content://com.collotsspot.ensemble.artwork/{base64url_encoded_http_url}
- */
-class ArtworkContentProvider : ContentProvider() {
-
-    companion object {
-        private const val CONNECT_TIMEOUT_MS = 5000
-        private const val READ_TIMEOUT_MS = 10000
-    }
-
-    override fun onCreate(): Boolean = true
-
-    override fun openFile(uri: Uri, mode: String): ParcelFileDescriptor? {
-        val encoded = uri.lastPathSegment ?: return null
-        val httpUrl: String
-        try {
-            httpUrl = String(Base64.decode(encoded, Base64.URL_SAFE or Base64.NO_WRAP))
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
-            return null
-        }
-
-        val cacheDir = File(context?.cacheDir, "artwork")
-        if (!cacheDir.exists()) cacheDir.mkdirs()
-
-        val hash = md5(httpUrl)
-        val cacheFile = File(cacheDir, hash)
-
-        if (!cacheFile.exists()) {
-            try {
-                val connection = URL(httpUrl).openConnection() as HttpURLConnection
-                connection.connectTimeout = CONNECT_TIMEOUT_MS
-                connection.readTimeout = READ_TIMEOUT_MS
-                connection.instanceFollowRedirects = true
-                try {
-                    connection.inputStream.use { input ->
-                        cacheFile.outputStream().use { output ->
-                            input.copyTo(output)
-                        }
-                    }
-                } finally {
-                    connection.disconnect()
-                }
-            } catch (e: Exception) {
-                cacheFile.delete()
-                return null
-            }
-        }
-
-        return ParcelFileDescriptor.open(cacheFile, ParcelFileDescriptor.MODE_READ_ONLY)
-    }
-
-    override fun query(uri: Uri, projection: Array<String>?, selection: String?,
-                       selectionArgs: Array<String>?, sortOrder: String?): Cursor? = null
-    override fun getType(uri: Uri): String = "image/*"
-    override fun insert(uri: Uri, values: ContentValues?): Uri? = null
-    override fun delete(uri: Uri, selection: String?, selectionArgs: Array<String>?): Int = 0
-    override fun update(uri: Uri, values: ContentValues?, selection: String?,
-                        selectionArgs: Array<String>?): Int = 0
-
-    private fun md5(input: String): String {
-        val digest = MessageDigest.getInstance("MD5")
-        val bytes = digest.digest(input.toByteArray())
-        return bytes.joinToString("") { "%02x".format(it) }
-    }
-}

android/app/src/main/kotlin/com/collotsspot/ensemble/MainActivity.kt

@@ -1,19 +1,12 @@
 package com.collotsspot.ensemble
 
-import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
 import android.content.Context
-import android.content.Intent
-import android.content.IntentFilter
 import android.database.ContentObserver
-import android.hardware.display.DisplayManager
 import android.media.AudioManager
-import android.os.Build
 import android.os.Handler
 import android.os.Looper
 import android.provider.Settings
-import android.app.UiModeManager
 import android.util.Log
-import android.view.Display
 import android.view.KeyEvent
 import com.ryanheise.audioservice.AudioServiceActivity
 import io.flutter.embedding.engine.FlutterEngine
@@ -24,10 +17,7 @@ import io.flutter.plugin.common.MethodChannel
 class MainActivity: AudioServiceActivity() {
     private val TAG = "EnsembleVolume"
     private val CHANNEL = "com.collotsspot.ensemble/volume_buttons"
-    private val AA_CHANNEL = "com.collotsspot.ensemble/android_auto"
     private var methodChannel: MethodChannel? = null
-    private var aaChannel: MethodChannel? = null
-    private var carModeReceiver: BroadcastReceiver? = null
     private var isListening = false
 
     // Volume observer for lockscreen volume changes
@@ -40,10 +30,6 @@ class MainActivity: AudioServiceActivity() {
     // Guard flag to ignore volume changes triggered by our own setStreamVolume calls
     private var ignoringVolumeChange = false
 
-    // Android Auto projection tracking via display listener
-    private var isAATracked = false
-    private var displayListener: DisplayManager.DisplayListener? = null
-
     override fun configureFlutterEngine(flutterEngine: FlutterEngine) {
         super.configureFlutterEngine(flutterEngine)
         Log.d(TAG, "Configuring Flutter engine, setting up MethodChannel")
@@ -88,65 +74,6 @@ class MainActivity: AudioServiceActivity() {
                 }
             }
         }
-
-        // Android Auto / car mode detection
-        aaChannel = MethodChannel(flutterEngine.dartExecutor.binaryMessenger, AA_CHANNEL)
-
-        // Receive AA connection signal from Dart side
-        aaChannel?.setMethodCallHandler { call, result ->
-            when (call.method) {
-                "notifyAAConnected" -> {
-                    Log.d(TAG, "AA tracked via Dart notifyAAConnected")
-                    isAATracked = true
-                    result.success(null)
-                }
-                else -> result.notImplemented()
-            }
-        }
-
-        carModeReceiver = object : BroadcastReceiver() {
-            override fun onReceive(context: Context, intent: Intent) {
-                when (intent.action) {
-                    UiModeManager.ACTION_ENTER_CAR_MODE -> {
-                        Log.d(TAG, "Car mode ENTERED")
-                        isAATracked = true
-                        aaChannel?.invokeMethod("onAndroidAutoConnected", null)
-                    }
-                    UiModeManager.ACTION_EXIT_CAR_MODE -> {
-                        Log.d(TAG, "Car mode EXITED")
-                        aaChannel?.invokeMethod("onAndroidAutoDisconnected", null)
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        val carModeFilter = IntentFilter().apply {
-            addAction(UiModeManager.ACTION_ENTER_CAR_MODE)
-            addAction(UiModeManager.ACTION_EXIT_CAR_MODE)
-        }
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
-            applicationContext.registerReceiver(carModeReceiver, carModeFilter, Context.RECEIVER_EXPORTED)
-        } else {
-            applicationContext.registerReceiver(carModeReceiver, carModeFilter)
-        }
-
-        // Detect AA disconnect via display removal (projection mode)
-        val dm = getSystemService(Context.DISPLAY_SERVICE) as DisplayManager
-        displayListener = object : DisplayManager.DisplayListener {
-            override fun onDisplayAdded(displayId: Int) {}
-            override fun onDisplayChanged(displayId: Int) {}
-            override fun onDisplayRemoved(displayId: Int) {
-                if (!isAATracked) return
-                val hasExtraDisplay = dm.displays.any {
-                    it.displayId != Display.DEFAULT_DISPLAY
-                }
-                if (!hasExtraDisplay) {
-                    Log.d(TAG, "AA projection ended (all extra displays removed)")
-                    isAATracked = false
-                    aaChannel?.invokeMethod("onAndroidAutoDisconnected", null)
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        dm.registerDisplayListener(displayListener, Handler(Looper.getMainLooper()))
     }
 
     /// Start observing system STREAM_MUSIC volume changes.
@@ -297,13 +224,6 @@ class MainActivity: AudioServiceActivity() {
 
     override fun onDestroy() {
         stopVolumeObserver()
-        carModeReceiver?.let {
-            try { applicationContext.unregisterReceiver(it) } catch (_: Exception) {}
-        }
-        displayListener?.let {
-            val dm = getSystemService(Context.DISPLAY_SERVICE) as DisplayManager
-            dm.unregisterDisplayListener(it)
-        }
         super.onDestroy()
     }
 }

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_favorite_off.xml

@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M16.5,3c-1.74,0 -3.41,0.81 -4.5,2.09C10.91,3.81 9.24,3 7.5,3 4.42,3 2,5.42 2,8.5c0,3.78 3.4,6.86 8.55,11.54L12,21.35l1.45,-1.32C18.6,15.36 22,12.28 22,8.5 22,5.42 19.58,3 16.5,3zM12.1,18.55l-0.1,0.1 -0.1,-0.1C7.14,14.24 4,11.39 4,8.5 4,6.5 5.5,5 7.5,5c1.54,0 3.04,0.99 3.57,2.36h1.87C13.46,5.99 14.96,5 16.5,5c2,0 3.5,1.5 3.5,3.5 0,2.89 -3.14,5.74 -7.9,10.05z"/>
-</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_repeat.xml

@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M7,7h10v3l4,-4 -4,-4v3H5v6h2V7zM17,17H7v-3l-4,4 4,4v-3h12v-6h-2v4z"/>
-</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_repeat_all.xml

@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M7,7h10v3l4,-4 -4,-4v3H5v6h2V7zM17,17H7v-3l-4,4 4,4v-3h12v-6h-2v4z"/>
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M4,22h16v2H4z"/>
-</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_repeat_one.xml

@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M7,7h10v3l4,-4 -4,-4v3H5v6h2V7zM17,17H7v-3l-4,4 4,4v-3h12v-6h-2v4z"/>
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M13,15V9h-1l-2,1v1h1.5v4z"/>
-</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_shuffle.xml

@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M10.59,9.17L5.41,4 4,5.41l5.17,5.17 1.42,-1.41zM14.5,4l2.04,2.04L4,18.59 5.41,20 17.96,7.46 20,9.5V4h-5.5zM14.83,13.41l-1.41,1.41 3.13,3.13L14.5,20H20v-5.5l-2.04,2.04 -3.13,-3.13z"/>
-</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_shuffle_on.xml

@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M10.59,9.17L5.41,4 4,5.41l5.17,5.17 1.42,-1.41zM14.5,4l2.04,2.04L4,18.59 5.41,20 17.96,7.46 20,9.5V4h-5.5zM14.83,13.41l-1.41,1.41 3.13,3.13L14.5,20H20v-5.5l-2.04,2.04 -3.13,-3.13z"/>
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M4,22h16v2H4z"/>
-</vector>

android/app/src/main/res/drawable/ic_auto_smart_shuffle.xml

@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    android:width="24dp"
-    android:height="24dp"
-    android:viewportWidth="24"
-    android:viewportHeight="24"
-    android:tint="#FFFFFF">
-  <!-- Shuffle arrows -->
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M10.59,9.17L5.41,4 4,5.41l5.17,5.17 1.42,-1.41zM14.5,4l2.04,2.04L4,18.59 5.41,20 17.96,7.46 20,9.5V4h-5.5zM14.83,13.41l-1.41,1.41 3.13,3.13L14.5,20H20v-5.5l-2.04,2.04 -3.13,-3.13z"/>
-  <!-- Sparkle -->
-  <path android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
-      android:pathData="M19,1l-1.26,2.74L15,5l2.74,1.26L19,9l1.26,-2.74L23,5l-2.74,-1.26z"/>
-</vector>

lib/main.dart

@@ -70,9 +70,6 @@ void main() {
           androidNotificationIcon: 'drawable/ic_notification',
           androidShowNotificationBadge: false,
           androidStopForegroundOnPause: false,  // Keep service alive when paused for background playback
-          androidBrowsableRootExtras: {
-            'android.media.browse.SEARCH_SUPPORTED': true,
-          },
         ),
       );
       _logger.log('🎵 AudioService initialized - background playback and media notifications ENABLED');

lib/providers/music_assistant_provider.dart

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import 'dart:async';
 import 'dart:convert';
-import 'dart:math';
 import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/painting.dart';
 import 'package:audio_service/audio_service.dart' as audio_service;
@@ -100,14 +99,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   Timer? _idleServiceTimer;
   static const _idleServiceTimeout = Duration(minutes: 30);
 
-  // Artwork content:// URI helper for Android Auto compatibility
-  static const _artworkAuthority = 'com.collotsspot.ensemble.artwork';
-  static Uri? _contentArtUri(String? httpUrl) {
-    if (httpUrl == null) return null;
-    final encoded = base64Url.encode(utf8.encode(httpUrl));
-    return Uri.parse('content://$_artworkAuthority/$encoded');
-  }
-
   // Local player state
   bool _isLocalPlayerPowered = true;
   int _localPlayerVolume = 100; // Tracked MA volume for builtin player (0-100)
@@ -126,7 +117,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   TrackMetadata? _pendingTrackMetadata;
   TrackMetadata? _currentNotificationMetadata;
   Completer<void>? _registrationInProgress;
-  Completer<void>? _reconnectInProgress;
 
   // Local player service
   late final LocalPlayerService _localPlayer;
@@ -240,22 +230,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     };
   }
 
-  /// Check if a server player ID matches our local builtin player ID.
-  /// MA beta 14+ wraps Sendspin player IDs with 'up' prefix and lowercases
-  /// them when merging into universal_player entities, so we need flexible matching.
-  /// e.g. local "ensemble_Chris_CP21.260" matches server "upensemble_chris_cp21.260"
-  bool _isBuiltinPlayer(String serverPlayerId, String builtinPlayerId) {
-    if (serverPlayerId == builtinPlayerId) return true;
-    return serverPlayerId.toLowerCase() == 'up${builtinPlayerId.toLowerCase()}' ||
-           serverPlayerId.toLowerCase() == builtinPlayerId.toLowerCase();
-  }
-
-  /// Check if a server player ID is an Ensemble player (this or other device)
-  bool _isEnsemblePlayer(String serverPlayerId) {
-    final lower = serverPlayerId.toLowerCase();
-    return lower.startsWith('ensemble_') || lower.startsWith('upensemble_');
-  }
-
   /// Player filter from MA user settings (empty = all players allowed)
   List<String> get playerFilter => _playerFilter;
 
@@ -707,40 +681,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     }
   }
 
-  /// Get the display artist string for a track, using podcast/radio/audiobook context when applicable
-  String _trackDisplayArtist(Track track) {
-    if (isPlayingAudiobook) {
-      return _currentAudiobook!.authorsString;
-    }
-    if (isPlayingPodcast) {
-      return currentPodcastName ?? 'Podcasts';
-    }
-    if (isPlayingRadio) {
-      return currentRadioStationName ?? track.artistsString;
-    }
-    // Fallback: check if track URI looks like an audiobook chapter
-    final uri = track.uri ?? '';
-    if (uri.contains('audiobook') || uri.contains('/chapter/')) {
-      // Try to find audiobook from cached data
-      final book = _findAudiobookForTrack(track);
-      if (book != null) {
-        _currentAudiobook = book;
-        _logger.log('📚 Auto-restored audiobook context: ${book.name}');
-        return book.authorsString;
-      }
-    }
-    return track.artistsString;
-  }
-
-  /// Try to find the audiobook that owns this track/chapter from cached data
-  Audiobook? _findAudiobookForTrack(Track track) {
-    final uri = track.uri ?? '';
-    for (final book in SyncService.instance.cachedAudiobooks) {
-      if (uri.contains(book.itemId)) return book;
-    }
-    return null;
-  }
-
   String get lastSearchQuery => _lastSearchQuery;
   Map<String, List<MediaItem>> get lastSearchResults => _lastSearchResults;
 
@@ -945,29 +885,13 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         // Restore selected player from settings
         final lastSelectedPlayerId = await SettingsService.getLastSelectedPlayerId();
         if (lastSelectedPlayerId != null) {
-          _selectedPlayer = players.cast<Player?>().firstWhere(
+          try {
-            (p) => p!.playerId == lastSelectedPlayerId,
+            _selectedPlayer = players.firstWhere((p) => p.playerId == lastSelectedPlayerId);
-            orElse: () => null,
-          );
-          if (_selectedPlayer != null) {
-            _logger.log('📦 Restored selected player from database: ${_selectedPlayer?.name}');
-          }
-        }
-        // Fallback to local/builtin player
-        if (_selectedPlayer == null) {
-          final builtinId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-          if (builtinId != null) {
-            _selectedPlayer = players.cast<Player?>().firstWhere(
-              (p) => p!.playerId == builtinId,
-              orElse: () => null,
-            );
-            if (_selectedPlayer != null) {
-              _logger.log('📦 Defaulted to local player: ${_selectedPlayer?.name}');
-            }
-          }
-        }
-        if (_selectedPlayer != null) {
             _cacheService.setCachedSelectedPlayer(_selectedPlayer);
+            _logger.log('📦 Restored selected player from database: ${_selectedPlayer?.name}');
+          } catch (_) {
+            // Player not in cached list
+          }
         }
 
         _logger.log('📦 Loaded ${players.length} players from database (instant)');
@@ -1029,9 +953,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         _logger.log('📦 Pre-loaded library for favorites: ${_albums.length} albums, ${_artists.length} artists');
         _syncLibraryStatusToService();
         notifyListeners();
-        audioHandler.invalidateAutoChildren(const [
-          'cat|artists', 'cat|albums', 'cat|playlists', 'cat|home',
-        ]);
       }
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('⚠️ Error loading library from cache: $e');
@@ -2025,12 +1946,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   }
 
   Future<void> checkAndReconnect() async {
-    // Deduplicate: if a reconnect is already in progress, join it
-    if (_reconnectInProgress != null) {
-      _logger.log('🔄 checkAndReconnect called — already in progress, joining existing attempt');
-      return _reconnectInProgress!.future;
-    }
-
     _logger.log('🔄 checkAndReconnect called - state: $_connectionState');
 
     if (_serverUrl == null) {
@@ -2038,9 +1953,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       return;
     }
 
-    _reconnectInProgress = Completer<void>();
-
-    try {
     // IMMEDIATELY load cached players for instant UI display
     // This makes mini player and device button appear instantly on app resume
     if (_availablePlayers.isEmpty && _cacheService.hasCachedPlayers) {
@@ -2056,27 +1968,15 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       if (_selectedPlayer == null && _availablePlayers.isNotEmpty) {
         final lastSelectedPlayerId = await SettingsService.getLastSelectedPlayerId();
         if (lastSelectedPlayerId != null) {
-            _selectedPlayer = _availablePlayers.cast<Player?>().firstWhere(
+          try {
-              (p) => p!.playerId == lastSelectedPlayerId,
+            _selectedPlayer = _availablePlayers.firstWhere(
-              orElse: () => null,
+              (p) => p.playerId == lastSelectedPlayerId,
             );
-          }
+          } catch (e) {
-          // Fallback to local/builtin player
-          if (_selectedPlayer == null) {
-            final builtinId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-            if (builtinId != null) {
-              _selectedPlayer = _availablePlayers.cast<Player?>().firstWhere(
-                (p) => p!.playerId == builtinId,
-                orElse: () => null,
-              );
-            }
-          }
-          // Last resort: first available (only if no builtin player configured)
-          if (_selectedPlayer == null) {
-            final builtinConfigured = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-            if (builtinConfigured == null) {
             _selectedPlayer = _availablePlayers.first;
           }
+        } else {
+          _selectedPlayer = _availablePlayers.first;
         }
       }
       _logger.log('⚡ Loaded ${_availablePlayers.length} cached players instantly (sorted)');
@@ -2108,13 +2008,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         }
       }
     }
-
-      _reconnectInProgress!.complete();
-    } catch (e) {
-      _reconnectInProgress!.completeError(e);
-    } finally {
-      _reconnectInProgress = null;
-    }
   }
 
   // ============================================================================
@@ -2136,43 +2029,16 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     };
     audioHandler.onPlay = () {
       _logger.log('🎵 Notification: Play pressed');
-      if (_selectedPlayer != null) {
+      playPauseSelectedPlayer();
-        resumePlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
-        unawaited(refreshPlayers());
-      }
     };
     audioHandler.onPause = () {
       _logger.log('🎵 Notification: Pause pressed');
-      if (_selectedPlayer != null) {
+      playPauseSelectedPlayer();
-        pausePlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
-      }
     };
     audioHandler.onSwitchPlayer = () {
       _logger.log('🎵 Notification: Switch player pressed');
       selectNextPlayer();
     };
-    audioHandler.onBrowseActivity = () {
-      _cancelIdleServiceTimer();
-    };
-    audioHandler.onAAConnected = () async {
-      final playerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-      if (playerId != null && _selectedPlayer?.playerId != playerId) {
-        final builtinPlayer = _availablePlayers
-            .where((p) => p.playerId == playerId)
-            .firstOrNull;
-        if (builtinPlayer != null) {
-          _logger.log('🎵 AA connected: auto-selecting builtin player "${builtinPlayer.name}"');
-          selectPlayer(builtinPlayer);
-        }
-      }
-    };
-    audioHandler.onAADisconnected = () async {
-      final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-      if (builtinPlayerId != null) {
-        _logger.log('🎵 AA disconnected: pausing builtin player');
-        pausePlayer(builtinPlayerId);
-      }
-    };
 
     // Player registration is now handled in _initializeAfterConnection()
     // which runs after authentication completes (when auth is required)
@@ -2600,11 +2466,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   /// 2. Start the foreground service to prevent background throttling
   /// 3. Reset position for new track and start position timer
   void _handleSendspinStreamStart(Map<String, dynamic>? trackInfo) async {
-    final aaDisc = audioHandler.aaDisconnectedAt;
-    if (aaDisc != null && DateTime.now().difference(aaDisc).inSeconds < 2) {
-      _logger.log('🎵 Sendspin: Ignoring stream/start (AA disconnected ${DateTime.now().difference(aaDisc).inMilliseconds}ms ago)');
-      return;
-    }
     _logger.log('🎵 Sendspin: Stream starting');
 
     // Ensure PCM player is initialized and ready
@@ -2647,46 +2508,25 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
     // Keep the foreground service active to prevent Android from throttling
     // the PCM audio playback when the app goes to background.
-    // Use updateLocalModeNotification (NOT setRemotePlaybackState) to avoid
+    // We use setRemotePlaybackState to maintain the notification without
-    // conflicting mediaItem.add() calls — _updatePlayerState() also calls
+    // actually playing audio through just_audio.
-    // updateLocalModeNotification with the real track data.
-    _cancelIdleServiceTimer();
-    if (_currentTrack != null) {
-      final track = _currentTrack!;
-      final trackArtworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
-      final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
-      final artistWithPlayer = '${displayArtist} • ${_selectedPlayer?.name ?? ''}';
-      final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
-        id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
-        title: track.name,
-        artist: artistWithPlayer,
-        album: track.album?.name ?? '',
-        duration: track.duration,
-        artUri: _contentArtUri(trackArtworkUrl),
-      );
-      audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
-        item: mediaItem,
-        playing: true,
-        duration: track.duration,
-        position: _positionTracker.currentPosition,
-      );
-    } else {
-      // No track data yet — use stream metadata as fallback
     final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
       id: 'sendspin_pcm_stream',
       title: title ?? 'Playing via Sendspin',
       artist: artist ?? 'Music Assistant',
       album: album,
-        artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
+      artUri: artworkUrl != null ? Uri.parse(artworkUrl) : null,
       duration: durationSecs != null ? Duration(seconds: durationSecs) : null,
     );
-      audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
+
+    // Initialize notification with position 0
+    _cancelIdleServiceTimer();
+    audioHandler.setRemotePlaybackState(
       item: mediaItem,
       playing: true,
+      position: Duration.zero,
       duration: mediaItem.duration,
-        position: _positionTracker.currentPosition,
     );
-    }
 
     // Start notification position timer for Sendspin PCM
     _manageNotificationPositionTimer();
@@ -2697,8 +2537,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
   /// Handle Sendspin stream end - server stopped sending PCM audio data
   /// This is called when audio streaming ends (pause, stop, track end, etc.)
   void _handleSendspinStreamEnd() async {
-    // Use position tracker (server-synced) instead of PCM elapsed time which resets to 0 each stream
+    // Capture current position before stopping
-    final lastPosition = _positionTracker.currentPosition;
+    final lastPosition = _pcmAudioPlayer?.elapsedTime ?? Duration.zero;
     _logger.log('🎵 Sendspin: Stream ended at position ${lastPosition.inSeconds}s');
 
     // Stop notification position timer
@@ -2707,47 +2547,28 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     // Pause PCM playback (preserves position) instead of stop (resets position)
     await _pcmAudioPlayer?.pause();
 
-    // Update foreground service to show paused state with last position.
+    // Update foreground service to show paused/stopped state with last position
-    // Use updateLocalModeNotification (NOT setRemotePlaybackState) to avoid
+    // Don't completely clear it - keep showing the notification
-    // conflicting mediaItem.add() calls with _updatePlayerState().
+    // in case user wants to resume
-    _cancelIdleServiceTimer();
-    if (_currentTrack != null) {
-      final track = _currentTrack!;
-      final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
-      final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
-      final artistWithPlayer = '${displayArtist} • ${_selectedPlayer?.name ?? ''}';
-      final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
-        id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
-        title: track.name,
-        artist: artistWithPlayer,
-        album: track.album?.name ?? '',
-        duration: track.duration,
-        artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
-      );
-      audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
-        item: mediaItem,
-        playing: false,
-        duration: track.duration,
-        position: lastPosition,
-      );
-    } else {
     final metadata = _currentNotificationMetadata;
     final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
       id: 'sendspin_pcm_stream',
       title: metadata?.title ?? 'Music Assistant',
       artist: metadata?.artist ?? 'Paused',
       album: metadata?.album,
-        artUri: _contentArtUri(metadata?.artworkUrl),
+      artUri: metadata?.artworkUrl != null ? Uri.parse(metadata!.artworkUrl!) : null,
       duration: metadata?.duration,
     );
-      audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
+
+    // Show paused state with preserved position
+    _cancelIdleServiceTimer();
+    audioHandler.setRemotePlaybackState(
       item: mediaItem,
       playing: false,
-        duration: mediaItem.duration,
       position: lastPosition,
+      duration: mediaItem.duration,
     );
   }
-  }
 
   void _startReportingLocalPlayerState() {
     _localPlayerStateReportTimer?.cancel();
@@ -2950,7 +2771,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       final mediaType = event['media_type'] as String?;
       _cacheService.invalidateSearchCache();
       _scheduleLibraryRefresh(mediaType ?? 'artist');
-      audioHandler.invalidateAutoChildren(const ['cat|favorites', 'cat|home', 'cat|fav_tracks', 'cat|fav_albums', 'cat|fav_artists']);
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('Error handling media item added event: $e');
     }
@@ -2963,7 +2783,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       final mediaType = event['media_type'] as String?;
       _cacheService.invalidateSearchCache();
       _scheduleLibraryRefresh(mediaType ?? 'artist');
-      audioHandler.invalidateAutoChildren(const ['cat|favorites', 'cat|home', 'cat|fav_tracks', 'cat|fav_albums', 'cat|fav_artists']);
     } catch (e) {
       _logger.log('Error handling media item deleted event: $e');
     }
@@ -4002,17 +3821,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     if (_api == null) return _cacheService.getCachedArtistAlbums(cacheKey) ?? [];
 
     try {
-      // Ensure library is loaded for artist matching
-      if (_albums.isEmpty) {
-        final syncService = SyncService.instance;
-        if (!syncService.hasCache) {
-          await syncService.loadFromCache();
-        }
-        if (syncService.cachedAlbums.isNotEmpty) {
-          _albums = syncService.cachedAlbums;
-        }
-      }
-
       _logger.log('🔄 Fetching albums for artist "$artistName"...');
 
       // Use already-loaded library albums instead of re-fetching from API
@@ -4041,11 +3849,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         }
       }
 
-      // Only cache if the library is loaded — empty results during cold start
-      // are likely due to SyncService not having finished yet
-      if (allAlbums.isNotEmpty) {
       _cacheService.setCachedArtistAlbums(cacheKey, allAlbums);
-      }
       _logger.log('✅ Cached ${allAlbums.length} albums for artist "$artistName"');
       return allAlbums;
     } catch (e) {
@@ -4187,8 +3991,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       // Smart sort: local player first, then playing, then on, then off
       players.sort((a, b) {
         // Local player always first
-        final aIsLocal = builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(a.playerId, builtinPlayerId);
+        final aIsLocal = builtinPlayerId != null && a.playerId == builtinPlayerId;
-        final bIsLocal = builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(b.playerId, builtinPlayerId);
+        final bIsLocal = builtinPlayerId != null && b.playerId == builtinPlayerId;
         if (aIsLocal && !bIsLocal) return -1;
         if (bIsLocal && !aIsLocal) return 1;
 
@@ -4265,8 +4069,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           return false;
         }
 
-        if (_isEnsemblePlayer(player.playerId)) {
+        if (player.playerId.startsWith('ensemble_')) {
-          if (builtinPlayerId == null || !_isBuiltinPlayer(player.playerId, builtinPlayerId)) {
+          if (builtinPlayerId == null || player.playerId != builtinPlayerId) {
             _logger.log('🚫 Filtering out other device\'s player: ${player.name}');
             filteredCount++;
             return false;
@@ -4274,7 +4078,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         }
 
         if (!player.available) {
-          if (builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(player.playerId, builtinPlayerId)) {
+          if (builtinPlayerId != null && player.playerId == builtinPlayerId) {
             return true;
           }
           filteredCount++;
@@ -4495,31 +4299,19 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         }
 
         // Priority 2: Local player (default fallback)
-        // Try available first, then accept unavailable (Sendspin may still be registering)
         if (playerToSelect == null && builtinPlayerId != null) {
-          playerToSelect = _availablePlayers.cast<Player?>().firstWhere(
+          try {
-            (p) => _isBuiltinPlayer(p!.playerId, builtinPlayerId) && p.available,
+            playerToSelect = _availablePlayers.firstWhere(
-            orElse: () => null,
+              (p) => p.playerId == builtinPlayerId && p.available,
             );
-          if (playerToSelect != null) {
             _logger.log('📱 Selected local player: ${playerToSelect.name}');
-          } else {
+          } catch (e) {
-            // Player exists but not yet available (Sendspin registration in progress)
+            _logger.log('⚠️ Local player not available');
-            playerToSelect = _availablePlayers.cast<Player?>().firstWhere(
-              (p) => _isBuiltinPlayer(p!.playerId, builtinPlayerId),
-              orElse: () => null,
-            );
-            if (playerToSelect != null) {
-              _logger.log('📱 Selected local player (pending availability): ${playerToSelect.name}');
-            } else {
-              _logger.log('⚠️ Local player not in player list yet — waiting for Sendspin registration');
-            }
           }
         }
 
-        // Priority 3: First available player (only if no local player configured)
+        // Priority 3: First available player
-        // Don't fall back to another player if builtin player is configured but not yet registered
+        if (playerToSelect == null) {
-        if (playerToSelect == null && builtinPlayerId == null) {
           playerToSelect = _availablePlayers.firstWhere(
             (p) => p.available,
             orElse: () => _availablePlayers.first,
@@ -4527,13 +4319,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           _logger.log('🔄 Fallback to first available player: ${playerToSelect.name}');
         }
 
-        if (playerToSelect != null) {
         selectPlayer(playerToSelect);
-        } else {
-          // Builtin player not yet registered — keep current selection if any,
-          // otherwise leave unselected until Sendspin registration completes
-          _logger.log('⏳ No player selected — awaiting builtin player registration');
-        }
       }
 
       // Preload track data and images in background for swipe gestures
@@ -4584,22 +4370,23 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
     // Switch audio handler mode based on player type
     final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-    final isBuiltinPlayer = builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(player.playerId, builtinPlayerId);
+    final isBuiltinPlayer = builtinPlayerId != null && player.playerId == builtinPlayerId;
     if (isBuiltinPlayer) {
       audioHandler.setLocalMode();
       // Update notification for builtin player using local mode method (keeps pause working)
       if (_currentTrack != null && (player.state == 'playing' || player.state == 'paused')) {
         final track = _currentTrack!;
         final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
-        final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
+        final artistWithPlayer = track.artistsString.isNotEmpty
-        final artistWithPlayer = '${displayArtist} • ${player.name}';
+            ? '${track.artistsString} • ${player.name}'
+            : player.name;
         final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
           id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
           title: track.name,
           artist: artistWithPlayer,
           album: track.album?.name ?? '',
           duration: track.duration,
-          artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
+          artUri: artworkUrl != null ? Uri.tryParse(artworkUrl) : null,
         );
         // Position comes from actual player in updateLocalModeNotification
         audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
@@ -4618,29 +4405,8 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           item: mediaItem,
           playing: player.state == 'playing',
         );
-      } else if (_currentTrack != null) {
-        // Builtin player is idle but we have track data — show paused notification
-        // instead of clearing, to avoid artwork flash when AA toggles play/pause
-        final track = _currentTrack!;
-        final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
-        final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
-        final artistWithPlayer = '${displayArtist} • ${player.name}';
-        final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
-          id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
-          title: track.name,
-          artist: artistWithPlayer,
-          album: track.album?.name ?? '',
-          duration: track.duration,
-          artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
-        );
-        audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
-          item: mediaItem,
-          playing: false,
-          duration: track.duration,
-        );
-        _startIdleServiceTimer();
       } else {
-        // Builtin player is idle with no track - clear notification
+        // Builtin player is idle - clear notification (fixes issue #42)
         audioHandler.clearRemotePlaybackState();
         _startIdleServiceTimer();
       }
@@ -4651,15 +4417,16 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         final track = _currentTrack!;
         final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
         // Include player name in artist line: "Artist • Player Name"
-        final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
+        final artistWithPlayer = track.artistsString.isNotEmpty
-        final artistWithPlayer = '${displayArtist} • ${player.name}';
+            ? '${track.artistsString} • ${player.name}'
+            : player.name;
         final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
           id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
           title: track.name,
           artist: artistWithPlayer,
           album: track.album?.name ?? '',
           duration: track.duration,
-          artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
+          artUri: artworkUrl != null ? Uri.tryParse(artworkUrl) : null,
         );
         // Use position tracker for consistent position
         final position = _positionTracker.currentPosition;
@@ -4789,6 +4556,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         return;
       }
       // Sendspin PCM player - continue to start timer
+      _logger.debug('🔔 Starting notification timer for Sendspin PCM player');
     }
 
     // Only run timer if player is playing
@@ -4831,30 +4599,19 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     }
 
     final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
-    final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
+    final artistWithPlayer = track.artistsString.isNotEmpty
-    final artistWithPlayer = '${displayArtist} • ${_selectedPlayer!.name}';
+        ? '${track.artistsString} • ${_selectedPlayer!.name}'
+        : _selectedPlayer!.name;
     final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
       id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
       title: track.name,
       artist: artistWithPlayer,
       album: track.album?.name ?? '',
       duration: track.duration,
-      artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
+      artUri: artworkUrl != null ? Uri.tryParse(artworkUrl) : null,
     );
 
     _cancelIdleServiceTimer();
-
-    // Use updateLocalModeNotification for builtin players to avoid
-    // conflicting mediaItem.add() calls with _updatePlayerState()
-    final isBuiltinPlayer = _sendspinConnected && _pcmAudioPlayer != null;
-    if (isBuiltinPlayer) {
-      audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
-        item: mediaItem,
-        playing: isPlaying,
-        duration: track.duration,
-        position: position,
-      );
-    } else {
     audioHandler.setRemotePlaybackState(
       item: mediaItem,
       playing: isPlaying,
@@ -4862,7 +4619,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       duration: track.duration,
     );
   }
-  }
 
   Future<void> _preloadAdjacentPlayers({bool preloadAll = false}) async {
     if (_api == null) return;
@@ -5232,7 +4988,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
       final isPlayingOrPaused = _selectedPlayer!.state == 'playing' || _selectedPlayer!.state == 'paused';
       final isIdleWithContent = _selectedPlayer!.state == 'idle' && _selectedPlayer!.powered;
-      final shouldShowTrack = _selectedPlayer!.available && (isPlayingOrPaused || isIdleWithContent || isPcmPlaying);
+      final shouldShowTrack = _selectedPlayer!.available && (isPlayingOrPaused || isIdleWithContent);
 
       if (!shouldShowTrack) {
         if (_currentTrack != null) {
@@ -5276,10 +5032,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       }
 
       if (queue != null && queue.currentItem != null) {
-        if (queue.currentIndex != null) {
-          audioHandler.updateQueueIndex(queue.currentIndex!);
-        }
-
         final queueTrack = queue.currentItem!.track;
         final trackChanged = _currentTrack == null ||
             _currentTrack!.uri != queueTrack.uri ||
@@ -5371,19 +5123,20 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         final track = _currentTrack!;
         final artworkUrl = _api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512);
         final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-        final isBuiltinPlayer = builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId, builtinPlayerId);
+        final isBuiltinPlayer = builtinPlayerId != null && _selectedPlayer!.playerId == builtinPlayerId;
 
         if (isBuiltinPlayer) {
           // Local playback - use local mode notification (keeps pause working)
-          final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
+          final artistWithPlayer = track.artistsString.isNotEmpty
-          final artistWithPlayer = '$displayArtist • ${_selectedPlayer!.name}';
+              ? '${track.artistsString} • ${_selectedPlayer!.name}'
+              : _selectedPlayer!.name;
           final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
             id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
             title: track.name,
             artist: artistWithPlayer,
             album: track.album?.name ?? '',
             duration: track.duration,
-            artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
+            artUri: artworkUrl != null ? Uri.tryParse(artworkUrl) : null,
           );
           // Position comes from actual player in updateLocalModeNotification
           audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
@@ -5394,15 +5147,16 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         } else {
           // Remote MA player - show notification via remote mode
           // Include player name in artist line: "Artist • Player Name"
-          final displayArtist = _trackDisplayArtist(track);
+          final artistWithPlayer = track.artistsString.isNotEmpty
-          final artistWithPlayer = '$displayArtist • ${_selectedPlayer!.name}';
+              ? '${track.artistsString} • ${_selectedPlayer!.name}'
+              : _selectedPlayer!.name;
           final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
             id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
             title: track.name,
             artist: artistWithPlayer,
             album: track.album?.name ?? '',
             duration: track.duration,
-            artUri: _contentArtUri(artworkUrl),
+            artUri: artworkUrl != null ? Uri.tryParse(artworkUrl) : null,
           );
           // Use position tracker for consistent position (single source of truth)
           final position = _positionTracker.currentPosition;
@@ -5417,7 +5171,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       } else {
         // No queue data available from API
         final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-        final isBuiltinPlayer = builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId, builtinPlayerId);
+        final isBuiltinPlayer = builtinPlayerId != null && _selectedPlayer!.playerId == builtinPlayerId;
 
         // For builtin player, try to preserve cached track data since queue API doesn't return it
         // The cached track was set in selectPlayer() and contains valid data
@@ -5468,9 +5222,9 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
           final mediaItem = audio_service.MediaItem(
             id: track.uri ?? track.itemId,
             title: track.name,
-            artist: _trackDisplayArtist(track),
+            artist: track.artistsString,
             album: track.album?.name,
-            artUri: _contentArtUri(_api?.getImageUrl(track, size: 512)),
+            artUri: _api != null ? Uri.tryParse(_api!.getImageUrl(track, size: 512) ?? '') : null,
             duration: track.duration,
           );
           audioHandler.updateLocalModeNotification(
@@ -5505,23 +5259,15 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       // For pause: Don't refresh - we already did optimistic UI update
       // The player_updated event from MA will handle final state sync
     } else {
-      // Always try resume first — even if player reports "idle", the server
+      // If player is idle with no active queue but has a last-known track, re-queue it
-      // queue may still be intact (e.g., Sendspin sends "stopped" on pause).
+      final isIdle = _selectedPlayer!.state == 'idle';
-      // Only fall back to re-queuing if resume fails.
+      final lastKnown = _cacheService.getLastKnownTrack(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
-      final playerId = _selectedPlayer!.playerId;
+      if (isIdle && lastKnown != null) {
-      await resumePlayer(playerId);
+        _logger.log('🔄 Player idle with last-known track - re-queuing "${lastKnown.name}"');
-
+        await playTrack(_selectedPlayer!.playerId, lastKnown);
-      // Sendspin PCM streaming has ~5s buffering delay on resume.
+      } else {
-      // For audiobooks, seek back to compensate so the user doesn't miss narration.
+        await resumePlayer(_selectedPlayer!.playerId);
-      final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-      if (builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(playerId, builtinPlayerId) && _sendspinConnected && isPlayingAudiobook) {
-        final pos = _positionTracker.currentPosition.inSeconds;
-        if (pos > 10) {
-          _logger.log('📚 Seeking back 10s to compensate for Sendspin buffering');
-          unawaited(seek(playerId, pos - 10));
       }
-      }
-
       // For resume: Refresh in background to get updated track info
       unawaited(refreshPlayers());
     }
@@ -5629,9 +5375,6 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
         _syncLibraryStatusToService();
         notifyListeners();
         _prefetchAlbumImages();
-        audioHandler.invalidateAutoChildren(const [
-          'cat|artists', 'cat|albums', 'cat|playlists', 'cat|home',
-        ]);
       }
       syncService.removeListener(onSyncComplete);
     }
@@ -5987,6 +5730,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
 
         final itemJsonList = queue.items.map((item) => jsonEncode(item.toJson())).toList();
         await DatabaseService.instance.saveQueue(playerId, itemJsonList);
+        _logger.debug('💾 Persisted ${queue.items.length} queue items to database');
       } catch (e) {
         _logger.log('⚠️ Error persisting queue to database: $e');
       }
@@ -6051,40 +5795,25 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     try {
       await _api?.playRadio(playerId, track);
     } catch (e) {
-      _logger.log('Radio failed, falling back to single track: $e');
+      final errorInfo = ErrorHandler.handleError(e, context: 'Play radio');
-      try {
-        await playTrack(playerId, track);
-      } catch (fallbackError) {
-        final errorInfo = ErrorHandler.handleError(fallbackError, context: 'Play radio fallback');
       _error = errorInfo.userMessage;
-        ErrorHandler.logError('Play radio fallback', fallbackError);
+      ErrorHandler.logError('Play radio', e);
       notifyListeners();
       rethrow;
     }
   }
-  }
 
   Future<void> playArtistRadio(String playerId, Artist artist) async {
     try {
       await _api?.playArtistRadio(playerId, artist);
     } catch (e) {
-      _logger.log('Artist radio failed, falling back to shuffled tracks: $e');
+      final errorInfo = ErrorHandler.handleError(e, context: 'Play artist radio');
-      try {
-        final results = await searchWithCache(artist.name);
-        final tracks = (results['tracks'] ?? []).whereType<Track>().toList();
-        if (tracks.isEmpty) rethrow;
-        tracks.shuffle(Random());
-        await _api?.playTracks(playerId, tracks, startIndex: 0);
-        await _api?.toggleShuffle(playerId, true);
-      } catch (fallbackError) {
-        final errorInfo = ErrorHandler.handleError(fallbackError, context: 'Play artist radio fallback');
       _error = errorInfo.userMessage;
-        ErrorHandler.logError('Play artist radio fallback', fallbackError);
+      ErrorHandler.logError('Play artist radio', e);
       notifyListeners();
       rethrow;
     }
   }
-  }
 
   Future<String?> getCurrentStreamUrl(String playerId) async {
     return await _api?.getCurrentStreamUrl(playerId);
@@ -6095,7 +5824,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       // Get builtin player ID - this is cached so should be fast
       final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
 
-      if (builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(playerId, builtinPlayerId) && _sendspinConnected) {
+      if (builtinPlayerId != null && playerId == builtinPlayerId && _sendspinConnected) {
         _logger.log('⏸️ Non-blocking local pause for builtin player');
 
         // CRITICAL: Don't await these - they can block the UI thread
@@ -6197,7 +5926,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     try {
       // Optimistic local stop for builtin player on skip - non-blocking
       final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-      if (builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(playerId, builtinPlayerId) && _sendspinConnected) {
+      if (builtinPlayerId != null && playerId == builtinPlayerId && _sendspinConnected) {
         _logger.log('⏭️ Non-blocking local stop for skip on builtin player');
         // Stop current audio immediately - fire and forget, but log errors
         unawaited((_pcmAudioPlayer?.pause() ?? Future.value()).catchError(
@@ -6216,7 +5945,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
     try {
       // Optimistic local stop for builtin player on previous - non-blocking
       final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-      if (builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(playerId, builtinPlayerId) && _sendspinConnected) {
+      if (builtinPlayerId != null && playerId == builtinPlayerId && _sendspinConnected) {
         _logger.log('⏮️ Non-blocking local stop for previous on builtin player');
         // Stop current audio immediately - fire and forget, but log errors
         unawaited((_pcmAudioPlayer?.pause() ?? Future.value()).catchError(
@@ -6630,7 +6359,7 @@ class MusicAssistantProvider with ChangeNotifier {
       }
 
       final builtinPlayerId = await SettingsService.getBuiltinPlayerId();
-      if (builtinPlayerId != null && _isBuiltinPlayer(playerId, builtinPlayerId)) {
+      if (builtinPlayerId != null && playerId == builtinPlayerId) {
         _localPlayerVolume = volumeLevel;
         FlutterVolumeController.setVolume(volumeLevel / 100.0);
       }

lib/screens/new_home_screen.dart

@@ -430,13 +430,12 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
                       ),
                     ),
                   ),
-                // Bottom fade gradient to mask content behind mini player (4+ rows only)
+                // Bottom fade gradient to mask content behind mini player
-                if (_countEnabledRows() >= 4)
                 Positioned(
                   left: 0,
                   right: 0,
                   bottom: 0,
-                    height: BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight,
+                  height: BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight + 22.0,
                   child: IgnorePointer(
                     child: DecoratedBox(
                       decoration: BoxDecoration(
@@ -445,8 +444,10 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
                           end: Alignment.bottomCenter,
                           colors: [
                             colorScheme.background.withOpacity(0.0),
+                            colorScheme.background.withOpacity(0.25),
                             colorScheme.background.withOpacity(0.85),
                           ],
+                          stops: const [0.0, 0.5, 1.0],
                         ),
                       ),
                     ),
@@ -502,8 +503,9 @@ class _NewHomeScreenState extends State<NewHomeScreen> with AutomaticKeepAliveCl
       builder: (context, constraints) {
         // Each row is always 1/3 of screen height
         // 1 row = 1/3, 2 rows = 2/3, 3 rows = full screen, 4+ rows scroll
-        // Reserve space for the mini player overlay at the bottom.
+        // With extendBody: true, constraints include the area behind the nav bar.
-        final miniPlayerSpace = BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight + 22.0;
+        // Subtract mini player overlay space (mini player + its margins sit above the nav bar).
+        final miniPlayerSpace = BottomSpacing.miniPlayerHeight + 22.0; // 84 + 22 = 106
         final availableHeight = constraints.maxHeight - miniPlayerSpace;
 
         // Account for margins between rows (2px each, 2 margins for 3 rows).

lib/screens/new_library_screen.dart

@@ -159,8 +159,10 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
   // PERF: Separate ValueNotifier for efficient UI updates (RestorableInt doesn't implement ValueListenable)
   final ValueNotifier<int> _tabIndexNotifier = ValueNotifier<int>(0);
 
-  // Scroll-to-hide filter bars (0.0 = hidden, 1.0 = visible)
+  // Scroll-to-hide filter bars
-  final ValueNotifier<double> _filterBarVisibility = ValueNotifier<double>(1.0);
+  bool _isFilterBarVisible = true;
+  double _lastScrollOffset = 0;
+  static const double _scrollThreshold = 10.0;
   bool _isLetterScrollbarDragging = false; // Disable scroll-to-hide while dragging
 
   // Options menu overlay - stored to close on navigation
@@ -857,11 +859,17 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
     }
 
     if (notification is ScrollUpdateNotification) {
-      final delta = notification.scrollDelta ?? 0.0;
+      final currentOffset = notification.metrics.pixels;
-      if (notification.metrics.pixels <= 0) {
+      final delta = currentOffset - _lastScrollOffset;
-        _filterBarVisibility.value = 1.0;
+
-      } else {
+      if (delta.abs() > _scrollThreshold) {
-        _filterBarVisibility.value = (_filterBarVisibility.value - delta / _filterRowHeight).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+        final shouldShow = delta < 0 || currentOffset <= 0;
+        if (shouldShow != _isFilterBarVisible) {
+          setState(() {
+            _isFilterBarVisible = shouldShow;
+          });
+        }
+        _lastScrollOffset = currentOffset;
       }
     }
     return false;
@@ -903,11 +911,13 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
   }
 
   void _onLetterScrollbarDragChanged(bool isDragging) {
+    setState(() {
       _isLetterScrollbarDragging = isDragging;
       // Show the filter bar when starting to drag
       if (isDragging) {
-      _filterBarVisibility.value = 1.0;
+        _isFilterBarVisible = true;
       }
+    });
   }
 
   void _animateToCategory(int index) {
@@ -932,7 +942,6 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
     _pageController.dispose();
     _selectedTabIndex.dispose();
     _tabIndexNotifier.dispose();
-    _filterBarVisibility.dispose();
     _artistsScrollController.dispose();
     _albumsScrollController.dispose();
     _playlistsScrollController.dispose();
@@ -1440,12 +1449,7 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
             child: Column(
               children: [
                 // Two-row filter: Row 1 = Media types (hides on scroll), Row 2 = Sub-categories (always visible)
-                ValueListenableBuilder<double>(
+                _buildFilterRows(colorScheme, l10n, showLibraryTypeRow: _isFilterBarVisible),
-                  valueListenable: _filterBarVisibility,
-                  builder: (context, visibility, _) {
-                    return _buildFilterRows(colorScheme, l10n, barVisibility: visibility);
-                  },
-                ),
                 // Connecting banner when showing cached data
                 // Hide when we have cached players - UI is functional during background reconnect
                 if (!isConnected && syncService.hasCache && !context.read<MusicAssistantProvider>().hasCachedPlayers)
@@ -1542,25 +1546,23 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
   // Consistent height for filter rows
   static const double _filterRowHeight = 36.0;
 
-  Widget _buildFilterRows(ColorScheme colorScheme, S l10n, {required double barVisibility}) {
+  Widget _buildFilterRows(ColorScheme colorScheme, S l10n, {required bool showLibraryTypeRow}) {
     return Column(
       mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
       children: [
         // Row 1: Media type chips (hides when scrolling)
-        ClipRect(
+        AnimatedContainer(
-          child: Align(
+          duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 200),
-            alignment: Alignment.bottomCenter,
+          curve: Curves.easeOutCubic,
-            heightFactor: barVisibility,
+          height: showLibraryTypeRow ? _filterRowHeight : 0,
-            child: SizedBox(
+          clipBehavior: Clip.hardEdge,
-              height: _filterRowHeight,
+          decoration: const BoxDecoration(),
           child: Padding(
             padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 12),
             child: _buildMediaTypeChips(colorScheme, l10n),
           ),
         ),
-          ),
+        if (showLibraryTypeRow) const SizedBox(height: 12), // Space between rows
-        ),
-        SizedBox(height: 12 * barVisibility), // Space between rows
         // Row 2: Sub-category chips (left) + action buttons (right) - always visible
         SizedBox(
           height: _filterRowHeight,
@@ -4912,7 +4914,7 @@ class _NewLibraryScreenState extends State<NewLibraryScreen>
 
           try {
             // Start radio from this track
-            await maProvider.playRadio(player.playerId, track);
+            await maProvider.api?.playRadio(player.playerId, track);
           } catch (e) {
             if (mounted) {
               ScaffoldMessenger.of(context).showSnackBar(

lib/screens/search_screen.dart

@@ -130,8 +130,10 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
   // Advanced search scorer with fuzzy matching, stopword removal, etc.
   final SearchScorer _searchScorer = SearchScorer();
 
-  // Scroll-to-hide search bar (0.0 = hidden, 1.0 = visible)
+  // Scroll-to-hide search bar (vertical scroll only)
-  final ValueNotifier<double> _searchBarVisibility = ValueNotifier<double>(1.0);
+  bool _isSearchBarVisible = true;
+  double _lastVerticalScrollOffset = 0;
+  static const double _scrollThreshold = 10.0;
 
   // Filter chip position tracking for animated sliding highlight
   final Map<String, GlobalKey> _filterKeys = {};
@@ -312,7 +314,10 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
 
   void requestFocus() {
     if (mounted) {
-      _searchBarVisibility.value = 1.0;
+      setState(() {
+        _isSearchBarVisible = true;
+        _lastVerticalScrollOffset = 0;
+      });
       _focusNode.requestFocus();
     }
   }
@@ -331,7 +336,6 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     _pageController.dispose();
     _filterScrollController.dispose();
     _activeFilterNotifier.dispose();
-    _searchBarVisibility.dispose();
     super.dispose();
   }
 
@@ -343,12 +347,17 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
     }
 
     if (notification is ScrollUpdateNotification) {
-      final delta = notification.scrollDelta ?? 0.0;
+      final currentOffset = notification.metrics.pixels;
-      const maxHeight = kToolbarHeight + 16;
+      final delta = currentOffset - _lastVerticalScrollOffset;
-      if (notification.metrics.pixels <= 0) {
+
-        _searchBarVisibility.value = 1.0;
+      if (delta.abs() > _scrollThreshold) {
-      } else {
+        final shouldShow = delta < 0 || currentOffset <= 0;
-        _searchBarVisibility.value = (_searchBarVisibility.value - delta / maxHeight).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+        if (shouldShow != _isSearchBarVisible) {
+          setState(() {
+            _isSearchBarVisible = shouldShow;
+          });
+        }
+        _lastVerticalScrollOffset = currentOffset;
       }
     }
     return false;
@@ -525,20 +534,13 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
       body: SafeArea(
         child: Column(
           children: [
-            // Search bar - slides away with scroll
+            // Animated search bar - hides on scroll down
-            ValueListenableBuilder<double>(
+            AnimatedContainer(
-              valueListenable: _searchBarVisibility,
+              duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 200),
-              builder: (context, visibility, child) {
+              curve: Curves.easeOutCubic,
-                return ClipRect(
+              height: _isSearchBarVisible ? kToolbarHeight + 16 : 0,
-                  child: Align(
+              clipBehavior: Clip.hardEdge,
-                    alignment: Alignment.bottomCenter,
+              decoration: const BoxDecoration(),
-                    heightFactor: visibility,
-                    child: child!,
-                  ),
-                );
-              },
-              child: SizedBox(
-                height: kToolbarHeight + 16,
               child: Padding(
                 padding: const EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(16, 8, 16, 8),
                 child: Row(
@@ -646,7 +648,6 @@ class SearchScreenState extends State<SearchScreen> {
                 ),
               ),
             ),
-            ),
             // Main content
             Expanded(
               child: !isConnected

lib/services/music_assistant_api.dart

@@ -68,14 +68,6 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
 
   MusicAssistantAPI(this.serverUrl, this.authManager);
 
-  /// Check if a URL string has an explicit port (e.g., ":80", ":8095").
-  /// Dart's Uri.hasPort returns false for default ports (80/443) even when
-  /// explicitly specified, so we check the raw string instead.
-  bool _hasExplicitPort(String url) {
-    final withoutScheme = url.replaceFirst(RegExp(r'^https?://'), '');
-    return RegExp(r'^[^/:]+:\d+').hasMatch(withoutScheme);
-  }
-
   // Guard to prevent multiple simultaneous connection attempts
   Completer<void>? _connectionInProgress;
   bool _isDisposed = false;
@@ -153,7 +145,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
           queryParameters: {'client_id': clientId},
         );
         _logger.log('Using custom WebSocket port from settings: $_cachedCustomPort');
-      } else if (_hasExplicitPort(serverUrl)) {
+      } else if (uri.hasPort) {
         // Port is already specified in URL, keep it
         finalUri = Uri(
           scheme: uri.scheme,
@@ -259,6 +251,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
   void _handleMessage(dynamic message) {
     try {
       final data = jsonDecode(message as String) as Map<String, dynamic>;
+      _logger.debug('Received message: ${data.keys}');
 
       // Check for server info message (first message on connect)
       if (data.containsKey('server_version')) {
@@ -1988,6 +1981,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
               currentIndex = queueResult['current_index'] as int?;
               shuffleEnabled = queueResult['shuffle_enabled'] as bool?;
               repeatMode = queueResult['repeat_mode'] as String?;
+              _logger.debug('🔀 Queue metadata: shuffle_enabled=$shuffleEnabled, repeat_mode=$repeatMode');
 
               final currentItemData = queueResult['current_item'] as Map<String, dynamic>?;
               final currentItemName = currentItemData?['name'] as String?;
@@ -2490,7 +2484,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
           port: _cachedCustomPort,
           path: '/flow/$playerId/$streamId.$extension',
         );
-      } else if (_hasExplicitPort(serverUrl)) {
+      } else if (uri.hasPort) {
         // Use port from URL
         finalUri = Uri(
           scheme: uri.scheme,
@@ -3202,7 +3196,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
     if (_cachedCustomPort != null) {
       // Use cached custom port from settings
       baseUrl = '${uriObj.scheme}://${uriObj.host}:$_cachedCustomPort';
-    } else if (!_hasExplicitPort(serverUrl)) {
+    } else if (!uriObj.hasPort) {
       if (useSecure) {
         // For HTTPS, don't add port 443 (it's the default)
         baseUrl = '${uriObj.scheme}://${uriObj.host}';
@@ -3309,7 +3303,7 @@ class MusicAssistantAPI {
     if (_cachedCustomPort != null) {
       // Use cached custom port from settings
       baseUrl = '${uri.scheme}://${uri.host}:$_cachedCustomPort';
-    } else if (!_hasExplicitPort(serverUrl)) {
+    } else if (!uri.hasPort) {
       if (useSecure) {
         // For HTTPS, don't add port 443 (it's the default)
         baseUrl = '${uri.scheme}://${uri.host}';

lib/services/pcm_audio_player.dart

@@ -69,7 +69,6 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
   bool _isFeeding = false;
   bool _isStarted = false;
   bool _isAutoRecovering = false;  // Tracks auto-recovery from setup errors
-  bool _userPaused = false;  // True when pause is user-initiated (not transitional)
   Completer<void>? _feedCompleter;  // Tracks when current feed operation completes
 
   // Error callback for operation failures
@@ -236,9 +235,7 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
     if (_shouldBlockFeeding) {
       // If we're paused and audio is arriving, this is likely a new stream
       // starting before the stream/start message. Queue for auto-recovery.
-      // BUT: don't auto-recover if the user explicitly paused — the arriving
+      if (_state == PcmPlayerState.paused && !_isAutoRecovering) {
-      // audio is just the tail end of the previous stream.
-      if (_state == PcmPlayerState.paused && !_isAutoRecovering && !_userPaused) {
         _logger.log('PcmAudioPlayer: Audio arriving while paused - initiating auto-recovery');
         _isAutoRecovering = true;
         _addToBuffer(audioData);
@@ -495,7 +492,6 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
 
     if (_state == PcmPlayerState.paused) {
       // Resume from pause - need to re-initialize since we released on pause
-      _userPaused = false;
       _logger.log('PcmAudioPlayer: Resuming from pause at ${elapsedTime.inSeconds}s');
       _state = PcmPlayerState.resuming;
 
@@ -551,7 +547,6 @@ class PcmAudioPlayer {
     }
 
     _logger.log('PcmAudioPlayer: Pause requested');
-    _userPaused = true;
 
     // Set pausing state FIRST to stop feed loop from starting new feeds
     _state = PcmPlayerState.pausing;

lib/services/position_tracker.dart

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import 'dart:async';
 import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
+import 'debug_logger.dart';
 
 /// Single source of truth for playback position tracking.
 ///
@@ -12,6 +13,8 @@ import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 /// All consumers (UI, notification) should listen to [positionStream]
 /// instead of calculating position themselves.
 class PositionTracker {
+  final DebugLogger _logger = DebugLogger();
+
   // Current state
   String? _playerId;
   bool _isPlaying = false;
@@ -97,6 +100,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
     Duration? duration,
     double? serverTimestamp,
   }) {
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker.updateFromServer: pos=${position.toStringAsFixed(1)}s, isPlaying=$isPlaying, playerId=$playerId');
     final bool playerChanged = _playerId != playerId;
     final bool playStateChanged = _isPlaying != isPlaying;
     final bool durationChanged = duration != null && _duration != duration;
@@ -175,8 +179,11 @@ class PositionTracker {
       final newAnchorPos = anchorIsGettingStale && !playerChanged && !playStateChanged && isPlaying
           ? currentInterpolated  // Keep our interpolated position, just refresh the anchor time
           : anchorPos;           // Use server position for other cases
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Anchor updated ${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s -> ${newAnchorPos.toStringAsFixed(1)}s (playerChanged=$playerChanged, playStateChanged=$playStateChanged, positionDiff=${positionDiff.toStringAsFixed(1)}, suspiciousReset=$isSuspiciousReset, anchorStale=$anchorIsGettingStale)');
       _anchorPosition = newAnchorPos;
       _anchorTime = DateTime.now();
+    } else if (positionDiff > 2) {
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Anchor NOT updated (suspiciousReset=$isSuspiciousReset, staleTimestamp=$hasStaleTimestamp, interpolated=${currentInterpolated.toStringAsFixed(1)}s)');
     }
 
     _isPlaying = isPlaying;
@@ -220,6 +227,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
 
   /// Clear tracker state (e.g., when disconnecting)
   void clear() {
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker.clear() called');
     _stopInterpolationTimer();
     _playerId = null;
     _isPlaying = false;
@@ -229,9 +237,20 @@ class PositionTracker {
   }
 
   void _startInterpolationTimer() {
-    if (_interpolationTimer != null) return;
+    if (_interpolationTimer != null) {
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Timer already running, skipping start');
+      return;
+    }
 
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Starting interpolation timer (anchor=${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s)');
     _interpolationTimer = Timer.periodic(const Duration(milliseconds: 250), (timer) {
+      // Log every 4 ticks (1 second) if no emission happened
+      if (timer.tick % 4 == 0) {
+        final pos = currentPosition;
+        if (pos.inSeconds == _lastEmittedSeconds) {
+          _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Timer tick ${timer.tick}, pos=${pos.inSeconds}s unchanged');
+        }
+      }
       _emitPosition();
     });
 
@@ -240,6 +259,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
   }
 
   void _stopInterpolationTimer() {
+    _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Stopping interpolation timer (was ${_interpolationTimer != null ? "running" : "null"})');
     _interpolationTimer?.cancel();
     _interpolationTimer = null;
   }
@@ -251,6 +271,7 @@ class PositionTracker {
     // Only emit if second changed (reduces unnecessary updates)
     if (seconds != _lastEmittedSeconds) {
       _lastEmittedSeconds = seconds;
+      _logger.debug('⏱️ PositionTracker: Emitting position ${seconds}s (anchor=${_anchorPosition.toStringAsFixed(1)}s, playing=$_isPlaying)');
       _positionController.add(pos);
     }
   }

lib/services/sendspin_service.dart

@@ -321,6 +321,8 @@ class SendspinService {
       final data = jsonDecode(message) as Map<String, dynamic>;
       final type = data['type'] as String?;
 
+      _logger.log('Sendspin: Received message type: $type');
+
       switch (type) {
         case 'server/hello':
           // Server acknowledged our client/hello - we're registered!

lib/widgets/expandable_player.dart

@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@ class ExpandablePlayerState extends State<ExpandablePlayer>
   ColorScheme? _lightColorScheme;
   ColorScheme? _darkColorScheme;
   String? _lastImageUrl;
-  int _colorExtractionId = 0;
 
   // Queue state
   PlayerQueue? _queue;
@@ -758,17 +757,13 @@ class ExpandablePlayerState extends State<ExpandablePlayer>
   Future<void> _extractColors(String imageUrl) async {
     if (_lastImageUrl == imageUrl) return;
     _lastImageUrl = imageUrl;
-    final extractionId = ++_colorExtractionId;
 
     try {
       final colorSchemes = await PaletteHelper.extractColorSchemes(
         CachedNetworkImageProvider(imageUrl),
       );
 
-      if (!mounted) return;
+      if (colorSchemes != null && mounted) {
-      if (extractionId != _colorExtractionId) return;
-
-      if (colorSchemes != null) {
         setState(() {
           _lightColorScheme = colorSchemes.$1;
           _darkColorScheme = colorSchemes.$2;
@@ -2061,7 +2056,7 @@ class ExpandablePlayerState extends State<ExpandablePlayer>
         : colorScheme.primaryContainer;
     // Create a darker shade for the "unplayed" portion of progress bar
     final collapsedBgUnplayed = Color.lerp(collapsedBg, Colors.black, 0.3)!;
-    final expandedBg = adaptiveScheme?.surface ?? colorScheme.surface;
+    final expandedBg = adaptiveScheme?.surface ?? const Color(0xFF121212);
     final expandedPrimary = adaptiveScheme?.primary;
     // Always update to current value - don't preserve stale adaptive colors
     _currentExpandedBgColor = expandedBg;

lib/widgets/media_context_menu.dart

@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ class _MediaContextMenuOverlayState extends State<_MediaContextMenuOverlay>
       switch (widget.mediaType) {
         case ContextMenuMediaType.artist:
           final artist = widget.item as Artist;
-          await maProvider.playArtistRadio(player.playerId, artist);
+          await maProvider.api?.playArtistRadio(player.playerId, artist);
           break;
         case ContextMenuMediaType.track:
           final track = widget.item as Track;
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ class _MediaContextMenuOverlayState extends State<_MediaContextMenuOverlay>
           switch (widget.mediaType) {
             case ContextMenuMediaType.artist:
               final artist = widget.item as Artist;
-              await maProvider.playArtistRadio(player.playerId, artist);
+              await maProvider.api?.playArtistRadio(player.playerId, artist);
               break;
             case ContextMenuMediaType.track:
               final track = widget.item as Track;

lib/widgets/volume_control.dart

@@ -238,7 +238,6 @@ class _VolumeControlState extends State<VolumeControl> {
                   children: [
                     // The slider with gesture detection for precision mode
                     GestureDetector(
-                      behavior: HitTestBehavior.opaque,
                       onHorizontalDragStart: (details) {
                         setState(() {
                           _isDragging = true;

pubspec.yaml

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 name: ensemble
 description: A minimalistic Music Assistant client built with Flutter
 publish_to: 'none'
-version: 3.0.4+56
+version: 3.0.5+57
 
 environment:
   sdk: '>=3.0.0 <4.0.0'