Squeezebox forum

[michaelhigh]

I've got a question for the Squeezebox Touch-DAC crowd... I was just visiting the Logitech forum for grins and it seemed like a good lot of people there were struggling with the process of mating their Touches with DAC's. Is this confusion common? It seems like everyone here is operating with confusion-less ease. Am I naive to think that this is a plug-and-play situation? It seemed over there that the main guy, John Swenson, was getting tired of walking these neophytes though the options of getting this thing up and running. Can those in the know shed some light on what I witnessed? There is an actual thread over there called "Connecting a Touch to an external DAC", as if it's brain surgery or something. If this is too hairy I might just beg off the sweat. Thanks in advance for insight.:scratch:

[Stratmangler]

The Touch can operate as a self contained entity - it can run its' own server client (TinySC), although it's a bit limited compaired to a PC/Mac/Intelligent NAS solution.

Touch also has a USB connection.

John Swenson is probably getting a bit steamed due to the number of people trying to get the Touch to output digital stream via the USB, just because the folk concerned have heard of asynchronous USB/DAC interfacing.

Hook the Touch up via S/PDIF (either the RCA or Toslink outputs will do) to an external DAC and enjoy the results - life is too short to obsess about whether your connection is asynchronous or not.

Just for the record, I have a Caiman DAC, which is connected to a SB3 (Squeezebox Classic) - it sounds excellent !

I also have an EMU 0202, which connects via what I believe is an asynchronous USB connection - it too sounds excellent.

Which do I prefer from a sonic ability POV ?

I don't.

The Caiman sits between my SB3/DVD Player/Sky+ box, so it sees the most useage.

The EMU 0202 sees usage when I'm transcribing vinyl records - that's about it.

[michaelhigh]

The Touch can operate as a self contained entity - it can run its' own server client (TinySC), although it's a bit limited compaired to a PC/Mac/Intelligent NAS solution.

Touch also has a USB connection.

John Swenson is probably getting a bit steamed due to the number of people trying to get the Touch to output digital stream via the USB, just because the folk concerned have heard of asynchronous USB/DAC interfacing.

Hook the Touch up via S/PDIF (either the RCA or Toslink outputs will do) to an external DAC and enjoy the results - life is too short to obsess about whether your connection is asynchronous or not.

Just for the record, I have a Caiman DAC, which is connected to a SB3 (Squeezebox Classic) - it sounds excellent !

I also have an EMU 0202, which connects via what I believe is an asynchronous USB connection - it too sounds excellent.

Which do I prefer from a sonic ability POV ?

I don't.

The Caiman sits between my SB3/DVD Player/Sky+ box, so it sees the most useage.

The EMU 0202 sees usage when I'm transcribing vinyl records - that's about it.

So, tell me if I got this right. Here's three scenarios: 1)Can I send the Touch out to the DAC then out of the DAC to an aux in on a receiver? 2)Can I send my computer USB out to the Touch in and then out the Touch to a DAC then out to a receiver? 3)Can I do both at the same time? If so, what are the best methods of hookup? I'm so new to PC audio, I've been doing conventional analog setups for decades. Right now I'm not displeased with my conventional setup from computer sound card to receiver, out to speakers. I have a good ear and chances are I would benefit from the DAC, not to mention mods and tweaks...(I ain't EVEN ready for that sticky wicket yet). So,...?

[Ali Tait]

1.Yes.
2.Yes.
3.Yes. Just hook your hard drive or pc or whatever is supplying the music in digital form into the usb port on the back of the Touch. Then, use either the rca or toslink connectors to connect the Touch to.the external dac of your choice. Connect the dac to the amp/receiver of your choice,and Bob is your relative!

[Ali Tait]

Or,you could also use the analogue outs on the back of the Touch into an amp direct,thereby using the Touch's internal dac. Choice is yours!

[jbloggs]

If you are using an external HDD->USB in of Touch, seemingly it is best that the external HDD should have its own power supply and not draw it from USB port on Touch...

I have used a few DAC's with SB3 and Touch via coax and toslink (I use a small file server with SqueezeBox Server installed for storage) and it has always been straight plug and play...

[StanleyB]

John Swenson is probably getting a bit steamed due to the number of people trying to get the Touch to output digital stream via the USB, just because the folk concerned have heard of asynchronous USB/DAC interfacing.
Poor souls. Swapping good sync for asynch:mental:.

[Clive]

If you are using an external HDD->USB in of Touch, seemingly it is best that the external HDD should have its own power supply and not draw it from USB port on Touch...

I have used a few DAC's with SB3 and Touch via coax and toslink (I use a small file server with SqueezeBox Server installed for storage) and it has always been straight plug and play...
I think also that the USB drive needs to be formatted FAT32, not NTFS, which is a pain.

[Ali Tait]

Pretty sure mine is NTFS Clive, I'll check tonight. Maybe the Touch works with either.

[Clive]

Pretty sure mine is NTFS Clive, I'll check tonight. Maybe the Touch works with either.
I should have double checked....you're right!

So ignore my incorrect comment.:rolleyes:

http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Squeezebox_Touch_-_USB_Compatibility

[michaelhigh]

1.Yes.
2.Yes.
3.Yes. Just hook your hard drive or pc or whatever is supplying the music in digital form into the usb port on the back of the Touch. Then, use either the rca or toslink connectors to connect the Touch to.the external dac of your choice. Connect the dac to the amp/receiver of your choice,and Bob is your relative!

I love Bob already... By the way, who is Bob? Thanks Ali. You have unlocked the secrets of the universe.:lol:Looking forward to the streamlined approach.

[michaelhigh]

If you are using an external HDD->USB in of Touch, seemingly it is best that the external HDD should have its own power supply and not draw it from USB port on Touch...

I have used a few DAC's with SB3 and Touch via coax and toslink (I use a small file server with SqueezeBox Server installed for storage) and it has always been straight plug and play...

I guess the whole separate power supply issue is the next hurdle to clear. How does one achieve that? Is the USB powering the computer hard drive by default? Clarification here is needed and appreciated. Thank you all.

[michaelhigh]

Poor souls. Swapping good sync for asynch:mental:.

Hello Stan. I'm Mike, pleased to make your acquaintance. Is there a specific place on AoS I can go to read your musings? I need to catch up. It's nice to talk to experts, that's what I appreciate most about places like this. I like to hang out where knowledge is freely exchanged. If I have anything I can contribute in that vein (knowledge; of what I'm unsure) I certainly will. Thanks again.

[michaelhigh]

I think also that the USB drive needs to be formatted FAT32, not NTFS, which is a pain.

Now we're talking mods, right? Good thing these postings won't evaporate into thin air, I'm going a little too fast for my reasoning to catch up. If by and large I can get plug and play from Ali's suggestions, how do these mods figure into my plan? Improved sound, no doubt.

[jbloggs]

I guess the whole separate power supply issue is the next hurdle to clear. How does one achieve that? Is the USB powering the computer hard drive by default? Clarification here is needed and appreciated. Thank you all.

You can use an external HDD (with it's own power supply rather than taking power from USB of Touch) with the Touch, put your music on external HDD, plug it into USB port of Touch and use the Touch's own server to scan music on external HDD, also by connecting the Touch to router and you can use the Touch's server to stream music from your external HDD to those devices, I think it can copy with 2 additional devices...

A list of devices that are know to work with the Touch's USB can be found Here (http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Squeezebox_Touch_-_USB_Compatibility)

[michaelhigh]

You can use an external HDD (with it's own power supply rather than taking power from USB of Touch) with the Touch, put your music on external HDD, plug it into USB port of Touch and use the Touch's own server to scan music on external HDD, also by connecting the Touch to router and you can use the Touch's server to stream music from your external HDD to those devices, I think it can copy with 2 additional devices...

A list of devices that work with the Touch's USB can be found Here (http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Squeezebox_Touch_-_USB_Compatibility)

Is this an exhaustive list? If I need a hard drive to load, I ought to be able to go to the computer store and consult with sales folk about compatability, eh? Then, at the computer store I should have a wide range of hard drives to choose from and expert advise with which to make my choice of HDD, eh?:scratch:

[Clive]

Is this an exhaustive list? If I need a hard drive to load, I ought to be able to go to the computer store and consult with sales folk about compatability, eh? Then, at the computer store I should have a wide range of hard drives to choose from and expert advise with which to make my choice of HDD, eh?:scratch:
The list in the link simply show drives that people have tried. Most "should" work but I suppose the Touch is not a general purpose computer so the disk driver won't have the amount of testing PC drivers get.

Also, if the disk is powered from the USB port the Touch only likes disks that conform to the USB standard for power. Some disks want more power than the USB spec, these don't work with the Touch. Hence the general advice to use self-powered disks or disks plugged into an active hub.

[Ali Tait]

I love Bob already... By the way, who is Bob? Thanks Ali. You have unlocked the secrets of the universe.:lol:Looking forward to the streamlined approach.
Hi Michael,
"Bob's your uncle" is just a saying we have over here that we say after explaining how to do something not too difficult step by step.
As for hard drive query,obviously you need an external one that has it's own power supply. I use a Drobo, which works just fine, though I am going to look for a mini fanless pc I can use to fun Squeezecenter as from what I read this can improve sound quality,but were I you I wouldn't worry about that yet unless you intend to run the Touch from your existing pc,in which case just connect the Touch to your pc with an ethernet cable. Otherwise,buy an independantly powered hard drive or NAS such as the Drobo, download your music to it, and connect directly to the Touch via usb. The Touch will then automatically scan the music for you (leave it alone while it does this!). The music will then be ready to play. If you have a smartphone,you can use it to control the Touch and browse your playlists by downloading the relevant app. Ipeng for the Iphone, or Squeezecommander if you have an android phone like me.

[michaelhigh]

Hi Michael,
"Bob's your uncle" is just a saying we have over here that we say after explaining how to do something not too difficult step by step.
As for hard drive query,obviously you need an external one that has it's own power supply. I use a Drobo, which works just fine, though I am going to look for a mini fanless pc I can use to fun Squeezecenter as from what I read this can improve sound quality,but were I you I wouldn't worry about that yet unless you intend to run the Touch from your existing pc,in which case just connect the Touch to your pc with an ethernet cable. Otherwise,buy an independantly powered hard drive or NAS such as the Drobo, download your music to it, and connect directly to the Touch via usb. The Touch will then automatically scan the music for you (leave it alone while it does this!). The music will then be ready to play. If you have a smartphone,you can use it to control the Touch and browse your playlists by downloading the relevant app. Ipeng for the Iphone, or Squeezecommander if you have an android phone like me.
Man, thanks a million. This is all the necessary info, bar none. As I said earlier, this is all so very new to me, and in one fell swoop, you and Clive have convinced me I'm not too far away from maximum quality, and that the async crowd are probably barking up the wrong tree. I can already hear an improvement having ripped my CD's to flac in MediaMonkey, and if I can get it to play nice with the other devices I'm well-set. Brilliant, perhaps easy for you, but I am always ready to learn. Much thanks. I will no doubt refer back to these posts many times to make sure I have it right!

[Ali Tait]

It's all pretty new to me too! Lots of peeps on here to help though.

[michaelhigh]

It's all pretty new to me too! Lots of peeps on here to help though.

It just seems to me that it's old hat over there, everyone carrying DAC's in their sigs and whatnot. I talk to ordinary people, some musicians, and even they look at me with bewilderment when I mention lossless files and servers and like that.:scratch:You have been better than a friggin' flowchart. I tend to work best offa things like that, and I like to get it right the first time if at all possible. I start to feel much better about myself then. As in, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.:lol:Yippee!

[Ali Tait]

Yes I know how you feel, I was totally clueless when I started,yet had the Touch playing music 10 minutes after connecting it up. Ir's very easy to use.