Battery Power for Touch and BM2

[MartinT]

Since the combination of Logitech Squeezebox Touch and Beresford Bushmaster 2 is so popular, I thought I'd start a new thread for those looking to maximise the performance of the two combined, using an inexpensive 5V/12V battery and charger. This setup provides battery power for both the BM2 (12V main output) and Touch (5V USB output), dramatically increasing their sound quality, while using only a single charger to keep it all charged and running.

Ingredients

Logitech Touch
Bushmaster 2
20,000mAH 12V/5V battery as originally linked by Stan, from Ankaka (http://www.ankaka.com/incredible-20000mah-battery-charger-universal-portable-battery_p409.html) or other sources
14.5V charger supplied with the battery, or better still a quality 14-15V linear power supply like my Paul Hynes PR3, with 2.5mm DC plug
2.5mm to 2.1mm DC power cable to supply the BM2
USB to 2.5mm DC power cable to supply the Touch
Belden 1694A co-ax cable such as provided by Mark Grant
EDO (Enhanced Digital Output) app for the Touch
Remote control app of choice for phone or tablet


I modified the USB phone power cable supplied with the battery by cutting off the accessory end and soldering a 2.5mm DC plug for the Touch. Note that the BM2 has a 2.1mm socket but the battery and Touch use 2.5mm sockets. The included DC cable has a 2.1mm tip suitable for the BM2. I will make up custom DC cables from better wire in due course.

The neat trick here is that a single charger effectively keeps the battery charged and supplies both units. A linear supply (in my case connected to my regenerator) sounds even better than the supplied switched mode charger. It can be easily disconnected for ultimate battery-only listening, where there is enough charge available for a good day's listening.

Further enhancements are setting the BM2 to LED sleep mode and using the EDO app (this is really mandatory) to send digital output only and disable the analogue outputs. Also, set the screen to timeout when playing music, or use the TT3 tools to disable it permanently and use a remote control app such as Squeeze Remote for Windows 8 or iPeng for iOS.

Finally, wired ethernet from the PC sounds preferable to the Touch's wireless networking, which struggles somewhat.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/11341823744_a8cc94350e_o.jpg

[John]

When I used a 2pc set up with Jplay I found cat 7 cables made a difference so might be worth a try (I know I get shot down for this but its not expensive so worth a try) I have no idea if it work in this set up

[MartinT]

Since my house is wired with Cat5e, using a different patch cable from the wall socket isn't going to work. I even go through another switch since there is only one socket but four components that need ethernet in my music room.

[StanleyB]

I have wired my NSA310 NAS directly into my Touch via the RJ45 sockets on both units. Works a treat and no buffering delays.

[MartinT]

That's ideal, Stan, but in my case my PC is in the study and is staying there. I get no buffering delays either and have experimented with yanking out the Ethernet from the Touch. There are always several seconds worth of buffered music remaining (with EDO set to small buffers).

[MartinT]

I mentioned before that the Touch EDO app is mandatory. Well, if you want to go much further, you need to install the TT3 tools which help shut down everything unnecessary inside the Touch. It goes too far, in my opinion, but that's only because it disables the display and infra-red permanently, and I like to have those functions available occasionally. It's easy enough to re-enable those two items after installation (but leave the display to sleep when playing music).

You will need:

EDO (http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?94512-Announce-Enhanced-Digital-Output-app-USB-Dac-and-192k-Digital-Ouput) app
TT3 (http://soundcheck-audio.blogspot.ca/2011/11/touch-toolbox-30.html) (Touch Toolbox 3.0) tools download
WinSCP (http://winscp.net/eng/download.php#download2) or similar to SSH into the Touch
PuTTY (http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/) to give you a terminal interface
TCP Optimiser (http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php) to optimise Windows communications
Fidelizer (http://www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer/) to optimise Windows processes


You should definitely disable the analogue outputs, and disable wireless if you can. I also set the volume lock to 100%, but only do this if you are running the BM2 into a preamp. This set of mods will make your Touch / BM2 streaming system sound extremely good indeed.

[Theadmans]

My wife and son are out this evening - leaving me with a large glass of Laphroig and a battery powered Squeezebox Touch and BM2 !

.......this is IMHO the best my system has ever sounded.

Yesterday I was still getting power dropouts with my Anker battery and split DC cable running to an old Btech headphone amp to maintain the current. Today I have gone back to the 12v motorcycle bulb. This time I have mounted it inside a Saxo Pepper pot (I kid you not). The bulb inside the pepper pot no longer reveals all the dusting I need to do. Meanwhile the holes in the pepper pot designed to dispense pepper - now keep the bulb cool !!! But more importantly power to the BM2 is constant.

[brian2957]

Nice idea Adam . Does the addition of the pepper pot ' spice up ' the sound :lol: Glad you got it working mate . Battery power is the way to go IMO. Enjoy your evenings music :D

[MartinT]

Well done, Adam. Did you adapt the USB cable yourself or buy a ready made one?

[Theadmans]

I bought this ready made Lindy cable to power my Touch :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LINDY-USB-to-2-5mm-Inner-5-5mm-Outer-DC-Adapter-Cable-1-5m-/121128492167?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccesor ies_MobilePhoneDataCables_JN&hash=item1c33d21c87

The bulb in the pepper pot is working great. You only get a slight glow from the back of my rig through the pepper pot holes. My wife asked me about this and I decided to not comment on the grounds that she might try to have me commited ! :lol:

[MartinT]

That Lindy cable looks fine. I've ordered a USB plug on eBay so that I can make up my own DC cable. I have a lot of spare Kimber PSB so I'll use that, and also make a custom 2.1 to 2.5 DC cable while I'm at it.

[Theadmans]

In honour of the bulb in the Pepper pot (sustaining the charge to my BM2 from my Anker Battery)......I decided this evening to listen to Art Pepper "Meets the Rhythm Section" (1957).

I have a particularly wonderful 24-192 Vinyl Rip of this fine album to play through the battery powered Touch and BM2. What can I say - a large glass of Shiraz and this album - wow just wow !

Given that legend has it that Art was strung out on heroin and uninformed of this session until the last minute - and using a taped up horn - this is just superb music. As others have commented the bass provided by the battery solution is just awesome. Bass in my system has always been good - I know a lot of you will scoff but I play the BM2 through a Musical Fidelity X10D tube buffer (with full Rock Grotto makeover) - see here -

http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/thread/1961/work-progress?page=15

- the bass with this baby inserted was very - very good but unbelievably the battery power takes it up another level :):):):)


P.S The good news also is that I got past Sunday Lunch without my wife noticing the missing pepper pot from the condiments cupboard.

[brian2957]

Excellent Adam . My missus hasn't noticed the 12V car battery under the hifi unit either ( yet ):lol:

[MCRU]

Guys not a shameless plug (no pun intended) but you really need to be fitting these babies as they are the defacto audiophile dc plug (I sell 100's)

They are available in 2.1mm and 2.5mm and are a doddle to solder to even really thick cable like the kimber and pure silver variants, the vast majority
of the linear psu's nick builds me have these on as standard now. Oyaide do make a good plug! Yes I use them on my touch but don't use batteries
for obvious reasons but Martin's ideas are brilliant and the touch IMO was the best hifi product in the last 20 years.

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/Oyaide/8cd9e88d.jpg

[MartinT]

Nice plugs, David. I've been scouring eBay for good DC plugs without much success.

[StanleyB]

In honour of the bulb in the Pepper pot (sustaining the charge to my BM2 from my Anker Battery)......
I reckon that many people would have questioned the solution that I suggested ;).

[brian2957]

Nice plugs, David. I've been scouring eBay for good DC plugs without much success.

I use these ones Martin and they're very good IMO http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130872175771?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=130872175771&_osacat=0&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_ssn=pcarena-bristol&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xswitchcraft+ 2.5mm+plug&_nkw=switchcraft+2.5mm+plug&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[MartinT]

Interesting, Brian - I never saw those.

[brian2957]

Iinitially used the cheaper plugs but these are much better . Bigger lugs to connect the cables to and an altogether much more solid feel . If I had the money I would probably go with Davids plugs , but these are a viable alternative IMO.

[MartinT]

I reckon that many people would have questioned the solution that I suggested ;).

It's hard to believe until you hear it :)

[MartinT]

Here are my two made up DC cables using MCRU's excellent Oyaide plugs, a USB solder connector from Maplin, and some spare Kimber PSB cable. Most tricky to solder was the USB plug, requiring a steady hand and some careful cable trimming.


USB to 2.5mm plug for battery to Touch
2.5mm plug to 2.1mm plug for battery to BM2


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/11466825804_aba0cb4782_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwtaylor/11466825804/)
DC Power Cables (http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwtaylor/11466825804/) by martinwtaylor (http://www.flickr.com/people/martinwtaylor/), on Flickr

If one battery works well, why not try two! The smaller battery is an 8800mAH PowerBank 5V USB extender phone battery for use with Samsung/HTC etc. Has a 2A USB output and runs the Touch very well for about a full day. It all sounds marginally better having split batteries.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/11466896746_cf3d257da1_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwtaylor/11466896746/)
Batteries for Touch BM2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwtaylor/11466896746/) by martinwtaylor (http://www.flickr.com/people/martinwtaylor/), on Flickr

[MartinT]

Calling Alex (Magiccarpetride), are you able to summarise your favourite settings for the Touch yet? You really must try it on battery power.

[magiccarpetride]

Calling Alex (Magiccarpetride), are you able to summarise your favourite settings for the Touch yet? You really must try it on battery power.

Some of you know that I've been doing a lot of experimenting with the Touch. I've discovered it is possible to affect the sound quality by tweaking not only the hardware components in the Touch, but also the software. Here is what I did:

1. Apply EDO mods.

2. Apply ALL of the Soundcheck's TT3.0 mods. Very important to turn the screen off and to kill all the daemon jobs (tt -k).

3. Do the following modifications in file /usr/bin/TT (changing Alsa buffer range, tcp, kernel and priority sections):

#Alsa Buffer range
MAXBUF=999999999
MINBUF=3200

#set tcp/ip parameters
tcp () {
echo "42958848" > /proc/sys/net/core/rmem_max
echo "42958848" > /proc/sys/net/core/rmem_default
echo "655360" > /proc/sys/net/core/wmem_max
echo "65536" > /proc/sys/net/core/wmem_default
echo "4096 42958848 42958848" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_rmem
echo "4096 65536 655360" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_wmem
echo "10648 11160 11160" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_mem
echo "3000" > /proc/sys/net/core/netdev_max_backlog # tt3
echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_window_scaling
echo "0" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_timestamps # tt3
echo "1" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_moderate_rcvbuf # tt3
echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_sack
echo "1" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_dsack
echo "1" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_fack
echo "1800" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_keepalive_time # changed from 3000 to 1800 # tt3
echo "300" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_keepalive_intvl # tt3
echo "1" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_tw_reuse # new # tt3
echo "1" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_tw_recycle #new # tt3
echo "10" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_keepalive_probes # tt3
echo "32" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_default_ttl # tt3
echo "10" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/ipfrag_time # tt3
echo "128" >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_max_syn_backlog # tt3
echo "40" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_fin_timeout #new # tt3
echo 2147483646 > /proc/sys/net/core/optmem_max #new
echo 20 > /sys/module/snd_usb_audio/parameters/nrpacks #new
#chmod 666 /sys/module/snd_usb_audio/parameters/index #only do these if you know what you are doing
#echo -2,0,0,-2,-2,-2,-2,-2 > /sys/module/snd_usb_audio/parameters/index #only do these if you know what you are doing
chmod 666 /sys/module/ehci_hcd/parameters/log2_irq_thresh
echo 6 > /sys/module/ehci_hcd/parameters/log2_irq_thresh
chmod 666 /sys/module/ehci_hcd/parameters/park
echo 3 > /sys/module/ehci_hcd/parameters/park
echo 999999999 > /sys/bus/usb/drivers/usbhid/module/parameters/mousepoll
#chmod 666 /sys/module/snd_spdif/parameters/enable #only do this if you are using usb
#echo N,N,N,N,N,N,N,N > /sys/module/snd_spdif/parameters/enable #only do this if you are using usb

}

#set kernel parameters
kernel () {
echo 1 > /sys/class/rtc/rtc0/max_user_freq
echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_compat_yield
echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_child_runs_first #tt3
echo 1 > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_ratio # tt3
echo 40 > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_ratio # tt3
echo 5000 > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_writeback_centisecs # tt3
echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/swappiness # tt3
echo 16384 > /proc/sys/fs/inotify/max_user_watches # tt3
echo "disabled" > /sys/bus/usb/devices/usb1/power/wakeup # tt3
echo 2048 > /proc/sys/kernel/msgmni # new # tt3
echo 65535 > /proc/sys/kernel/msgmax #new
echo 65535 > /proc/sys/kernel/msgmnb #new
echo 40960 > /proc/sys/fs/file-max #new processes * 512 80*512
echo 50 > /proc/sys/vm/vfs_cache_pressure #new
echo 24188 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_features #new
echo 0 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_app_win #new
#echo "500 516000 256 2048" > /proc/sys/kernel/sem
echo "1000 1024000 512 2048" > /proc/sys/kernel/sem #try different values - these are my current settings
echo 268435456 > /proc/sys/kernel/shmmax # new # tt3
#scheduler
echo 100000000 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_min_granularity_ns
echo 600000000 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_latency_ns
echo 300000000 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_wakeup_granularity_ns
echo 10000000 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_rt_period_us
echo 9999999 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_rt_runtime_us
echo 2147483646 > /proc/sys/kernel/sched_migration_cost
}

#change process priorities
prio () {

rm $LOG2

SEC=0

while [ "`ps -edf | grep jive_alsa | grep -v grep `" = "" ]
do
sleep 1
let SEC=SEC+1
echo "seconds: $SEC" >>$LOG2
done
ps -edf >>$LOG2

PIDJIVEALSA=`pidof jive_alsa` #def: 45
PIDJIVE=`pidof jive` #def: -
PIDSIRQTASKLET0=`pidof sirq-tasklet/0` #def: 89 interrupt handler - should be higher then interrupts
PIDSIRQHRTIMER=`pidof sirq-hrtimer/0` #def: 40 htimer of rtkernel - should be also very high
PIDWATCHDOG=`pidof watchdog/0` #def: 99
PIDLOADAVG=`pidof loadavg` #def: 50
PIDOFPSXCPUTMR=`pidof posixcputmr/0` #def: 98
PIDIRQ47=`pidof IRQ-47` #def: 40 SPDIF -- any impact?
PIDIRQ14=`pidof IRQ-14` #def: 40
PIDIRQ37=`pidof IRQ-37` #def: 40 USB can be put very low
PIDIRQ34=`pidof IRQ-34` #def: 90 dma for processor ?
PIDSIRNETTX=`pidof sirq-net-tx/0` #def: 40 network transmit
PIDSIRNETRX=`pidof sirq-net-rx/0` #def: 40 network receive
PIDEVENTS=`pidof events/0` #def: 1
PIDKRC=`pidof krcupreemptd` #def: 1

#def sched_other
PIDKSWP=`pidof kswapd0`
PIDKMMC=`pidof kmmcd`
PIDKHUB=`pidof khubd`
PIDKBLK=`pidof kblockd/0`
PIDKHLP=`pidof khelper`
PIDDSCH=`pidof desched/0`
PIDKTHR=`pidof kthreadd`
PIDUNIO=`pidof unionfs_siod/0`

##def 40
PIDSIRQH=`pidof sirq-high/0`
PIDSIRQT=`pidof sirq-timer/0`
PIDSIRQB=`pidof sirq-block/0`
PIDSIRQS=`pidof sirq-sched/0`
PIDSIRQR=`pidof sirq-rcu/0`
PIDIRQ10=`pidof IRQ-10`
PIDIRQ42=`pidof IRQ-42`
PIDIRQ41=`pidof IRQ-41`
PIDIRQ22=`pidof IRQ-22`
PIDIRQ57=`pidof IRQ-57`
PIDIRQ29=`pidof IRQ-29`
PIDIRQ33=`pidof IRQ-33`
PIDIRQ17=`pidof IRQ-17`
PIDIRQ123=`pidof IRQ-123`
PIDIRQ122=`pidof IRQ-122`
PIDIRQ7=`pidof IRQ-7`
PIDIRQ102=`pidof IRQ-102`
PIDIRQ8=`pidof IRQ-8`
PIDIRQ11=`pidof IRQ-11`
PIDIRQ12=`pidof IRQ-12`
PIDIRQ25=`pidof IRQ-25`
PIDIRQ45=`pidof IRQ-45`

PRIOJIVEALSA=94
PRIOJIVE=1
PRIOSIRQTASKLET0=97
PRIOSIRQHRTIMER=96
PRIOWATCHDOG=0
PRIOLOADAVG=95
PRIODOFPSXCPUTMR=99
PRIOIRQ47=36
PRIOIRQ14=0
PRIOIRQ37=0
PRIOIRQ34=98
PRIOSIRNETTX=91
PRIOSIRNETRX=91
PRIOEVENTS=1
PRIOKRC=1

PRIOSIRQH=89
PRIOSIRQT=92
PRIOSIRQB=89
PRIOSIRQS=89
PRIOSIRQR=89
PRIOIRQ10=0
PRIOIRQ42=90
PRIOIRQ41=0
PRIOIRQ22=0
PRIOIRQ57=90
PRIOIRQ29=90
PRIOIRQ33=90
PRIOIRQ17=0
PRIOIRQ123=0
PRIOIRQ122=0
PRIOIRQ7=0
PRIOIRQ102=0
PRIOIRQ8=0
PRIOIRQ11=0
PRIOIRQ12=0
PRIOIRQ25=93
PRIOIRQ45=90

echo "PID - Jive-Alsa: $PIDJIVEALSA" >>$LOG2
echo "PRIO: $PRIOJIVEALSA" >>$LOG2
chrt -f -p $PRIOJIVEALSA $PIDJIVEALSA >>$LOG2 2>&1
#chrt -f -p $PRIOJIVE $PIDJIVE >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQTASKLET0 $PIDSIRQTASKLET0 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQHRTIMER $PIDSIRQHRTIMER >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOWATCHDOG $PIDWATCHDOG >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOLOADAVG $PIDLOADAVG >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIODOFPSXCPUTMR $PIDOFPSXCPUTMR >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ47 $PIDIRQ47 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ14 $PIDIRQ14 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ37 $PIDIRQ37 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ34 $PIDIRQ34 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRNETTX $PIDSIRNETTX >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRNETRX $PIDSIRNETRX >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOEVENTS $PIDEVENTS >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOKRC $PIDKRC >/dev/null 2>&1

chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQH $PIDSIRQH >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQT $PIDSIRQT >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQB $PIDSIRQB >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQS $PIDSIRQS >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOSIRQR $PIDSIRQR >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ10 $PIDIRQ10 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ42 $PIDIRQ42 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ41 $PIDIRQ41 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ22 $PIDIRQ22 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ57 $PIDIRQ57 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ29 $PIDIRQ29 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ33 $PIDIRQ33 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ17 $PIDIRQ17 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ123 $PIDIRQ123 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ122 $PIDIRQ122 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ7 $PIDIRQ7 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ102 $PIDIRQ102 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ8 $PIDIRQ8 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ11 $PIDIRQ11 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -o -p $PRIOIRQ12 $PIDIRQ12 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ25 $PIDIRQ25 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p $PRIOIRQ45 $PIDIRQ45 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 154 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 155 >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDKSWP >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDKMMC >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDKHUB >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDKBLK >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDKHLP >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDDSCH >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDKTHR >/dev/null 2>&1
chrt -f -p 1 $PIDUNIO >/dev/null 2>&1
}



Now, the above configuration mods are reflecting my individual preferences in how my system should sound. These may not sound optimal on your systems, so I encourage experimentation. Try messing with the above parameters; don't worry, you won't be able to break anything. However, keep in mind that it is very easy to push the Touch to its limits and it will then start hiccuping, breaking up, even refusing to play!

Worry not, reverting to the old config and rebooting will fix everything back to normal:)

But there are certain combinations of the above parameters that will definitely impart a different character to the sound. It will be up to you to decide if such changes are keepers, or whether it's necessary to move on. But it's a good tool for fine tuning your audio system...

Of course, goes without saying that now, with BM MKII running off Ankaka battery, such tweaks are much more prominent, as it gets much easier to hear the effect of various mods.

Enjoy!

[MartinT]

Many thanks, Alex. I will take them small steps at a time, especially as I have not yet tried the tt -k daemon killer until satisfied that I can control everything from Squeeze Remote and get control back again.

[seoirse2002]

+1

[magiccarpetride]

Many thanks, Alex. I will take them small steps at a time, especially as I have not yet tried the tt -k daemon killer until satisfied that I can control everything from Squeeze Remote and get control back again.

Feel free to experiment to your heart's content, Martin. A simple reboot (i.e. unplug the Touch and plug it in again) will restore everything back to normal. Your biggest issue will be choosing between various types of overall sound characteristics that the config changes will impart on your Touch (i.e. drier, more analytical sound vs wetter, juicier, more 'phat' type of sound). But it's a nice problem to have :)

[MartinT]

Has anyone, like me, tried a 5V battery to power the Touch yet?

[rep]

Has anyone, like me, tried a 5V battery to power the Touch yet?

Hi,

I have been testing with the Power Bank phone charger on my Squeezebox Touch which have given noticeable improvements in SQ.

Have problems with it retaining charge and am not sure if I have a duff one, also it will not power the Touch whilst it is being charged (a minor inconvenience)

Edit : Problem turned out to be network related which I only found out after applying EDO mods to my Touch, whilst the display was on ( I have TT 3 mods installed) it was obvious the network for what ever reason was losing connection, a homeplug reboot cured it

[MartinT]

Ah - good stuff. My 5V battery is connected to charge from the 12V battery's USB outlet, which works fine (even when it's charging). The Touch gets a great step-up in sound quality, rather like the BM2 itself.

[Covenant]

Ah - good stuff. My 5V battery is connected to charge from the 12V battery's USB outlet, which works fine (even when it's charging). The Touch gets a great step-up in sound quality, rather like the BM2 itself.
Have you compared the Touch with a linear supply versus the battery Martin?

[magiccarpetride]

Has anyone, like me, tried a 5V battery to power the Touch yet?

I was reluctant, because I'm using a linear PSU to power the Touch, but the voltage is greater than 5 (if memory serves, it's 12V, or even 15V?)

So what you're saying is that 5V is sufficient to power the Touch?

[MartinT]

Have you compared the Touch with a linear supply versus the battery Martin?

Yes, I moved up from a linear PSU to the battery. The battery is better.

[MartinT]

So what you're saying is that 5V is sufficient to power the Touch?

The Touch must only be fed from a 5V DC supply. See the label on the underside.

[magiccarpetride]

The Touch must only be fed from a 5V DC supply. See the label on the underside.

Thanks for clarifying, Martin. OK, my next project is to hook the Touch into the Ankaka battery. You say it improves the sound even more? Wow! So you're feeding both the BM II and the Touch from the same battery?

[MartinT]

In phase one I fed the Touch direct from the +5V USB socket on the Ankaka battery.

Now I'm at phase two and the Touch has its own 5V phone battery, itself fed from the Ankaka USB socket to keep it charged up. See my photo in post #21. This configuration sounds superb.

[Alp]

Yes, I moved up from a linear PSU to the battery. The battery is better.t

+1
I have just replaced the both the "Best of Both Worlds" Linear PSUs (with S-Booster) for my Touch and BM2 with the Ankaka battery. The sound is all round significantly better, but especially the bass which is deeper, much better defined and more dynamic. I would say the biggest difference was made to the BM2 powering the Touch from the battery was adding more icing on the cake. Thanks to Martin for suggesting this approach.

[Covenant]

Has anyone found a socket that I can buy to connect the bulb of wheat into? I am fed up with the bits of tape lash-up. I want to fit and forget! Dont mind a spot of soldering if necessary

[Covenant]

I may have answered my own question :)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-1mm-Jack-Socket-Power-Plugs-for-RG59-2-CCTV-Cable-Power-12v-DC-Connectors-/181312916297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a37178b49

[Theadmans]

Nice spot Jerry - I've ordered a set - will be good to get rid of the insulating tape lash up !

[Covenant]

Nice spot Jerry - I've ordered a set - will be good to get rid of the insulating tape lash up !
Still might not be perfect Adam. The wires on that grain of wheat bulb are really delicate and may snap when tightened. It all needs to go in a little metal box I think.

[Theadmans]

Still might not be perfect Adam. The wires on that grain of wheat bulb are really delicate and may snap when tightened. It all needs to go in a little metal box I think.

...got the new jack sockets in the post this morning. Stripped off all the insulating tape and fitted the bulb to the new female socket. Even though the wires from the grain of wheat bulb are thin these sockets have an ingenious clamping method which holds the wires in very well.

Very pleased with these Jerry. With the taped up bulb occasionally I would get a faulty connection - with this new socket it hopefully should be much better.

[Covenant]

...got the new jack sockets in the post this morning. Stripped off all the insulating tape and fitted the bulb to the new female socket. Even though the wires from the grain of wheat bulb are thin these sockets have an ingenious clamping method which holds the wires in very well.

Very pleased with these Jerry. With the taped up bulb occasionally I would get a faulty connection - with this new socket it hopefully should be much better.
Great, glad I haven't wasted your money or mine! Not received mine yet.

[Covenant]

The new jack socket work well as you said Adam. I leave the Anker plugged in all the time and I dont like leaving the grain of wheat bulb on as it gets hot. I might add a micro switch of some sort and stick it all in a box.
Anyway its all sounding really good atm.
I wonder what Stan has around the corner. I wonder if he has tried the Sabre dac yet?

[John]

I heard a Caiman prototype that sounded really good