[saturdayboy]

this may be a stupid question:

recently got an isabella with built-in dac, and have been experimenting with connection options. i like the sound the best when feeding the dac via usb cable, but don't like the idea of having to connect computer directly into dac.

is there any way to stream the music into dac via usb wirelessly?
(something like a sonos zp90 or appletv with usb audio out)

if not, vinnie should make one (battery powered of course!)

[Mariusz]

Squeezebox Logitech Touch

[saturdayboy]

thank you!!!

[srb]

Squeezebox Logitech Touch

I don't see how the Squeezebox Touch can let saturdayboy utilize his preferred USB input on his DAC.
 
The Touch gets its audio data either via wired Ethernet connection or 802.11g wireless.  The digital audio output is either S/PDIF coaxial or optical. (The USB port is only used to host a USB storage drive or memory device and does not ouput USB audio)
 
Likewise, the Apple TV USB port is only used for service and diagnostics and the Airport Express USB port is only used for a USB printer connection or third party remote control device, neither can output USB audio.
 
It sounds like some kind of wireless USB transmitter and receiver would be needed to facilitate using the DAC's USB input wirelessly, but I don't know if using one of those devices will still allow the DAC to recognized as a USB audio device.
 
Steve

[Mariusz]

UR right (about USB on Touch) but why not wireless streaming?
If you got to have USB, then go with Mac mini & Apple remote or iPod touch or iPhone with remote application.
 

[Vinnie R.]

Hi saturdayboy,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

It sounds like some kind of wireless USB transmitter and receiver would be needed to facilitate using the DAC's USB input wirelessly, but I don't know if using one of those devices will still allow the DAC to recognized as a USB audio device.

Steve makes a good point, but I don't know of a USB transmitter and receiver that will allow you to do this (but it might exist) or how it would impact the quality of the datastream.

but don't like the idea of having to connect computer directly into dac.

Why?  It is because you don't want a computer too close to your home audio system? (noise?)
I use a Macbook and feed USB direct to the Isabellina dac, and like Mariusz suggests, you can use an iPhone or iPod Touch (or the iPad) as a remote, and the Macbook running off the hard drive is quiet, battery powered, and sounds sweet! 

All the best,

Vinnie

[saturdayboy]

vinnie (and all),

thanks for the replies. the reason i don't want to have to connect directly to dac via usb is because i often want to be able to use my macbook (my only computer) while i listen to music on my main system through isabella.

anyways, i did some internet searches on the topic and some guy named John Swensen who was a beta tester for the squeezebox touch suggests that it can be done with some type of firmware hack/mod. i'll try to contact him to see how it's done.

[Earman]

The OP's issue really isn't about wireless, but finding a music source other than his Macbook that outputs USB audio, irrespective of whether it's wired or wireless. For that, I'd suggest a cheapo netbook PC.

Having said that, I've got a Squeezebox connected to my Isabella via Toslink and my PC connected to it via USB. Listening carefully to a variety of tunes on high end headphones directly from the Isabella, I don't hear a difference between the two inputs running FLAC files ripped directly from CDs. (I would challenge any "golden ears" audiophile to distinguish them in a blind test.)

What's your non-USB source that doesn't sound as good as the USB?