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USB or Squeezebox Touch from Mac to DAC

Folks,

My first question on Audiogon - so hoping to get useful responses!!

My Setup:

Mac (Runinng Squeezebox server) - All FLAC files!
Squeezebox Touch
Peachtree Nova (as DAC only)
Nait-5i reciever
Harbeth C7 Speakers

The dealer where I brought my speakers told me that I could signifcantly improve my sound by getting rid of Squeezebox and using USB directly from my Mac to the Nova.

Q:

a) Is that true?
b) My Mac is in another room - so will have to be a veeeery long USB. Does that still work?
c) How do I control the music (remote) if I use USB?

Thanks in advance...

Raj
rmata
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
A slight downside to Steve's SynchroMesh is that it is tuned for one set of frequencies: so you have to choose 44.1kHz (most of your CDs) or 96kHz (for hires stuff).

You can purchase a software to enable the USB port on the SB Touch to work with USB-SPDIF devices so it opens up 24/192 capability on the Touch.

But I still find a dedicated Mac Mini to sound better (with the right software and USB-SPDIF device).
rmata OP
9 posts
 
Thanks, folks!

Looks like i will need to invest on a mac mini.

However, why do i need a usb to spdf device - and why cant i feed usb direct from mac mini to the peachtree nova dac?

Thanks,
Raj
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Raj - you dont "need" a USB converter with your DAC. It just depends on what kind of SQ you are after. Remember, it is the USB interface that is the most critical part of this. The more you spend on a converter and the S/PDIF and/or USB cable, the better the SQ.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I recall the Nova had a synchronous USB connection that did 24/96

It's decent but not great. Steve's Offramp is by far one of the best USB-SPDIF devices and would be significantly better than the Nova's internal USB.

I remember comparing a SonicWeld Diverter to the Nova's internal USB and it was simply no contest.
cool_jeeves
15 posts
 
RMata thanks for asking all teh questions that I had wanted to ask. I considered also a long optical cable (minijack at one end and regular toslink at the other) from my mac to the dac, but in the end settled for an iMac.
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