Digital Transmission

[Rare Bird]

Any ideas to think about

My main computer is on the other side of the room to the stereo! like wise is the outboard hard drive.

The USB DAC is connected to the stereo amplifier.

is it possble to get my Hard drives FLAC files to play through the DAC on the other side of the room without wires controlled from the media player on my main computer?

A feeling something like Squeezebox might be mentioned..

Bear in mind it mus be able to transfer FLAC.

[Themis]

Wait for the Squeezebox Touch, Andre. This is one of the best digital transports available out there : http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/pr...box-touch.html
Or else, a Transporter (but it is more expensive and will be discontinued soon, I guess). http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/pr...ansporter.html

In the meanwhile, you can have a look at the Squeezebox Duet http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/pr...ebox-duet.html or even a Classic (which should be discontinued soon, also) http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/pr...x-classic.html

[trailer]

Wait for the Squeezebox Touch, Andre. This is one of the best digital transports available out there : http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/pr...box-touch.html

Isn't that quite a bold statement to make since it hasn't yet been released?

[Themis]

Isn't that quite a bold statement to make since it hasn't yet been released?

Well, no, as I know directly one of the beta testers.
Also, some of the beta testers include dac designers, so the digital output stage has been measured and analyzed. Well, some can always doubt, but I'm confident knowing the feedback quality and independence of some of knowledgeable testers out there.

[trailer]

I certainly wasn't doubting you, it was just an interesting statement to make.

If it is that good, and for the price, it could be a bargain indeed.

[Themis]

No worries, your statement was totally justified !

Yep, it seems a bargain, indeed. The digital output stage has been completely redesigned (compared with their other products) to minimize noise and RF interference. A very clean implementation.
The analog part is not bad at all, as well.

Yes there are some significant differences in the S/PDIF implementation. In the SB3 the S/PDIF comes out of the FPGA and goes to a CMOS chip, cap, resistors etc and a EMI suppression network. The jitter on the signal coming out of the FPGA is greater than the raw clocks due to electrical noise inside. The EMI suppression network causes an impedance change with frequency which increases reflections on the connection to the DAC, this can lead to increased jitter in the DAC receiver.

On the Touch the output from the FPGA gets reclocked by the clock from the oscillators. There are two oscillators so there needs to be a clock mux. In the SB3 that mux is inside the FPGA, but on the Touch its done with a very low jitter external MUX connected directly to the main oscillators. The output circuit does not have the EMI suppression network so it has a much better match to the output transmission line so reflections will be lower. The output driver seems to have been chosen so it will meet the EMI requirements without needing the separate suppression network. The result is quite a bit lower jitter at the DAC.

The Touch uses a voltage output DAC whose outputs go directly to the jacks, no active devices or caps in the path, its about as simple as you can get.

I'll be getting one as soon as it comes out to replace my SB Classic.

[Rare Bird]

Thanks Demitri was hoping Squeeze box wasnt gonna be mentioned. Any other options, i'm trying to avoid buying another laptop as i'm wanting to use the one i planed for the system! Buying a Sqeezebox, i may aswell buy another laptop, i'm not bothered about the remote control or other room options.Just a case of transmitting the files wireless from main pooter to hifi USB DAC

[Primalsea]

You could look at the latest Chord Dac it has USB and I think Blutooth. Also there is the smaller Gem Dac which has similar features

[Rare Bird]

You could look at the latest Chord Dac it has USB and I think Blutooth. Also there is the smaller Gem Dac which has similar features

Could i not incorporate a blue tooth dongle in the USB DAC?

[Primalsea]

Andre,

do a google search for this

Gefen Wireless USB 2.0 Extender USB extender - External

I think its what you want and its possible that you could find a cheaper version.