How do folks connect music server to system for highest quality playback?

etcarroll · « **on:** 19 Jun 2010, 12:17 pm »

For a 'proof of concept' project, I used an old PC in the basement to install Vortexbox. Ripped about 10 classical CDs.

Accessed it via my htpc and played back the mp3 rips in my theater area, that's fine.

But I'd like to play back the .flac copies via my 2 channel system. How do folks do that?

I'm thinking of getting the SB Duet, and connecting that to my pre-amp.

What I'd like to do is get a good DAC and use that, but not sure what the sequence would be for hook-up, SB->DAC->Preamp? Or some other arrangement?

Anyone doing this presently with good results?

Gene

lcrim · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 01:11 pm »

You have the sequence correct. Personally I keep my Squeeze Boxen and music server on wired connections and avoid wireless to keep the connectivity stout and turn off the wireless cards and spurious electrical noise emitted to a minimum.

etcarroll · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 01:51 pm »

I agree with you Larry, but I may not have ability to run a hardwire to my 2-channel system.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 02:11 pm »

I also use a modded SB3, running 1TB of FLAC - I have a dedicated old Dell that runs my music and nothing else. It is connected directly via ethernet to my Bolder SB3. I have my SB3 directly feeding an electronic Xover that then directly feeds my amp, and sub amp.

I used to run wireless, but found that the odd wireless hickup was frustrating, and for $100 bought an off lease headless PC. I later bought an lcd monitor off Craigslist for $40.

eclein · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 02:28 pm »

Gene- I use SB Duet-Coax output(thats connected via ethernet cable to my router) to DAC to my TWO.2 integrated..works great. The DAC in my case is acting like another component/tube buffer if you will. Alot of these DACs can be pre-amps as well like the Mav. and mine can be jumpered to turn it into one..I playback .wav files but either way works.
The cool part is you can sit wherever your comfortable and pick and chose your tunes without having to move and change CD's..elevates the whole recliner pilot theme to new heights!!

etcarroll · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 03:13 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 19 Jun 2010, 02:28 pm

Gene- .......

The cool part is you can sit wherever your comfortable and pick and chose your tunes without having to move and change CD's..elevates the whole recliner pilot theme to new heights!!

Jeez Ed, you read me like a book!

I liked the Mav 1, and that would work for me, but once I heard Levi's modified EE DAC, I knew what I wanted. Just have to figure out how to get there.

eclein · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 03:23 pm »

The EE got me too Gene..someday it will be last years model then I'll be able to jump. If you get a Duet let me know because for like $30 shipped the little linear power supply from Parts Express is a game changer...I wouldn't believe it unless I tried it. I have all the info you need..links etc. to hook it all up...Ed

mfsoa · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 03:26 pm »

Gene,

I'd be thinking about the Touch and not the Duet.

I don't think the Duet can do hi-rez audio, and from what's being said the Touch is just a better piece of gear, performance-wise.

Just something else to ponder...

-Mike

wywires · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 03:31 pm »

I use a PS Audio DAC Link III using the USB input with good results. I've compared the playback to my Esoteric SA 60 and it is surprisingly close at a fraction of the cost. Audio advisor sells the DAC Link for $699 and they can be had used for alot less.

eclein · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 03:48 pm »

+1 on the Touch if thats in the budget, its a better performer but doesn't the fact you need to be near the unit itself kinda negate the whole being mobile, sit anywhere and control your music selection benefit or am I wrong?? I don't have one so I don't know specifics.

lcrim · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 04:19 pm »

The Touch does include a remote. There is also the ability, which I tend to use more, of connecting to SqueezeBoxServer via an HTML (web browser) from my laptop and making changes from that interface. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've gotten up and walked to the Touch to use the touch screen.

satfrat · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 04:36 pm »

Quote from: etcarroll on 19 Jun 2010, 03:13 pm

Jeez Ed, you read me like a book!

I liked the Mav 1, and that would work for me, but once I heard Levi's modified EE DAC, I knew what I wanted. Just have to figure out how to get there.

Well you sorta answered your own question already. Even tho I don't use a Logitech product myself, I've heard a modified SB3 with a handful of DACS and the best sound stage I've heard to date was hands down an Eastern Electric Dac. For the money, they are hard to beat.

Myself, I use an Empirical Off-Ramp 3 w/Ultraclock & Paul Hynes power supply, connecting to my HTPC with a Locus Design Nucleus USB cable. For a Dac, I use the MHDT Havana NOS Dac. I like this combination better than just using the USB of the EE Dac,,, but not by much. In place of Logitech products, I simply use a J.River Media Center and USB cable. I'm not a big fan of Logitech products myself as I like using a monitor screen over having to read the front of any Logitech product for negotiating my library. BUT a SB3/EE Dac would have been a much cheaper way to go than my route.

Cheers,
Robin

mikel51 · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 05:54 pm »

I'm a fan of a modwright modified squeezebox transporter. This has beaten out all the different combinations of DAC and soundcards and usb output that I have tried. For me, second best was a Lynx sound card to a nice tube dac (Kora Hermes).

fwinston · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 06:54 pm »

Modwright Transporter connected by CAT6 wire to my Linksys router.

jtsnead · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 19 Jun 2010, 03:23 pm

The EE got me too Gene..someday it will be last years model then I'll be able to jump. If you get a Duet let me know because for like $30 shipped the little linear power supply from Parts Express is a game changer...I wouldn't believe it unless I tried it. I have all the info you need..links etc. to hook it all up...Ed

will this work with the Touch

etcarroll · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 07:30 pm »

Robin -

Just read some reviews of the Havana DAC, that's intriguing. I'd love to hear your setup.

srb · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 07:39 pm »

Quote from: jtsnead on 19 Jun 2010, 07:24 pm

will this work with the Touch [?]

The Parts Express power supply can be used with the Touch, but since it can only ouput 2A maximum, it does not have enough power for a USB drive directly connected to the Touch. I believe the stock power supply for the Touch is a 3A unit.

Steve

eclein · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 07:47 pm »

Quote from: jtsnead on 19 Jun 2010, 07:24 pm

will this work with the Touch

Here is the link for PS and adapters if interested in trying it:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=120-536%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&FTR=120-536&CFID=24256478&CFTOKEN=42329450
Adapters:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=120-537

There is a post where several folks have used it, tweaked it for the Touch so its doable as Steve mentioned

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 10:31 pm »

I have a SB3 & a Bolder modified Elpac linear power supply into a MHDT Havana Dac and love it.

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jun 2010, 10:36 pm »

I'm taking the Less Is More route: I'll be getting one of the new Mac Mini Server (1 TB on-board), and connecting to the DAC in my Peachtree Audio Nova via Optical.