Remote DAC connection to Computer -Shoot Me Now

Companies that specialize in USB interfaces can help with this if you buy the right gear. USB can outperform your CD player.

There are quite a few companies that are trying to jump on the USB bandwagon now that have little experience with this. It is just a checkbox for the marketing types I think.

Do they even tell you what kind of USB interface it is? Does it need USB 2.0? Adaptive or Async?

Another problem is that many of these USB interfaces are not great quality. I would not expect it to beat the CD player spinning a CD. You may go to a lot of trouble just to find that the CD is better.

However, if the quality is not great and the CD Player has a S/PDIF input to the DAC as well, then you can consider a high-quality outboard USB converter.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I'd be interested to see if you are able to send files with a Mac. Try and borrow some ones laptop before you purchase the Mac Mini. The OS is the same so that shouldn't matter.

Marantz,
The Audiolab USB input is looking for connectivity that supports asynchronous mode for its onboard Sabre chips. This requires a handshake via software drivers between your media serving computer and the dac to control clocking and data transfer rates. It seems clear that neither of your tried wifi devices will support this. True for (virtually?) all other such devices.

If you have access to a USB-to-S/PDIF converter, you might try streaming into the S/PDIF digital inputs of the Audiolab. These are running in isosynchronous or other similar mode, and won't have the handshake restraints of the USB port. This solution should also work with the Squeezebox (which outputs S/PDIF?) short of the hack SB adaptation that you already mention.

Most conventionally for asynch USB, just use a laptop or mac mini, etc. with direct USB cable (<15 ft)to DAC, running media software as per your Audiolab user manual. You can then remote network that computer with rest of home data system to your heart's desire.

Good luck.

Thanks for your excellent response. I did come across the "asynchronous mode" and figured that may be the cause. Your response explaining that term makes it very clear that’s the issue. .

I have been researching the mac mini. That should, as you said, be the best solution for a long-term music server. Wow...that sure don't give the Ammara software away. Probably try the Pure Music first.

Thanks Again!

Very frustrated. I have a new MAC mini. I’ve configured my Audiolab 8200CDQ to the mac. Mac sees the DAC. I have the RCA outputs of the 8200CDQ hooked to my amplifier. I start the 8200CDQ and it says its connected via USB. Start ITUNES and play a song. Not a peep will come out of my amplifier!!!!! When I turnoff the 8200CDQ, the music now goes to my amplifier. I’m perplexed at what’s wrong. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!