I have a Squeezebox that I use with an external DAC (Lavry DA-10) and find that a wonderful combination.
The DAC that is built-in to the Squeezebox is good (especially for the money) but easily improved on. The Squeezebox is very receptive to an external DAC. I don't know anything about your Theta Pro but if you like it now, you should like it with a Squeezebox. If, perchance, you happen to prefer the SB's internal DAC, then all the better. You have a DAC you can sell to recoup some money.
I don't have an opinion on the speakers you're suggesting as I'm not familiar enough with either them or your preferences. |
Thanks for your comments Mlsstl, appreciate that.
No one else has any thoughts on this for me?? |
I do not have a Squeezebox myself so I cannot give specific information. However, there are many threads that you should be able to find in the archives on computer based audio generally and the Squeezebox in particular. I follow these as I too am learning about computer based audio. Here is another site that is useful to learn about such things. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/ |
I run my Squeezebox through my Audio Logic DAC with great success. I did add a power supply to the SB upgraded by Bolder Audio. The upgraded power supply makes a noticeable, thought not significant addition. |
Squeezebox is the best 'bang for the dollar' when using an external DAC. Careful, when you access the favorite's internet live feeds, such as RadioParadise, you might even be spending a bit less time in iTunes from your computer.
Go for it. |
Unclejeff, how did you get RadioParadise to stream to the Squeeze?
Thx.
--Neil |
Go to
1) Internet Radio
2)Staff Picks
3)Most Popular
4) Radioparadise
Then, add to favorites.
This used to be harder, like I ha to have my computer on and the Gateway Modem connected to both slimdevices and my computer. Now, just the Gateway is all I need.
Careful, this station has all but trivialized my 2,500+ itunes music library. |
I was a relatively early adopter of network music appliances such as the squeezebox. I started out with the Turtle beach music server and slowly migrated through the squeezebox releases.
I currently use an Apple TVM( main listening room) and Express in the bedroom. Both are connected to external DAC's. I migrated away from the squeezebox appliances for the simple reason that the apple UI is significantly better than the Squeezebox UI. If you are planning on using a DAC i would recommend the Apple products. Not only is there better support but far better integration into a home network. For the same price as teh squeezebox the apple tv does video. Add an itouch for a remote and you have a front end thats about as good as it gets |
Thanks, Unclejeff. I added it and I'll try it. I've been using Pandora, Slacker, Rhapsody, and Live Music Archive, as if I need another source, but, you know how it is . . .
--Neil |
Okay, this is probably perfectly obvious and perhaps I am just having a senior moment here, but I have a set up question. I will be hooking up a squeezebox to my amp, probably to the "disc" outputs or aux , cd is being used for cd player. Now I want to add my Theta DAC but to the squeezebox only. Where do I hook it up? I know that I will use digital coax cable between Theta and Squeezebox but where do the RCA connectors go on the amp as I do not want the Theta to interact with the Cd Player....?? or does it not connect to amp at all but everything just between the squeezebox and dac... |
Just connect the Theta's RCA outs to the Aux in on your amp, assuming your CD player still occupies the CD in's on your amp. Quite honestly apart from Phono in and Tape out all the other RCA in's on your amp or preamp are fair game.
You did not mention a pre or integrated amp so i assume you will be using the volume control on the Squeezebox |
Integrated amp will be used. So then I use the aux for between the Theta and the amp. then the Squeezebox goes into another line level....and it is connected to the Theta and so to play the Squeezebox with the Theta engaged I use the aux button on amp. Meaning that if i want to hear the Sqeezebox on its own I use the button for whatever I hooked the Sqeezebox too - for example there is a disc setting on this amp...
Thanks, Audiowoman |
The squeezebox should not be directly connected to the integrated amp. Always run it through the Theta. If you want to hear it without an outboard DAC remove the Theta from the chain.
If you like you can make the connections as you suggested but i suspect you will pick up distortion and noise. Some network music servers disengage the analog out when the Digital is engaged; i am uncertain whether the squeezebox will do the same |
Okay, just so I am clear, I hook the Theta to the amp say to aux 1, then the Theta to the Squeezebox with the digital coax and then when I use the aux input for the Theta to play through the amp, the Squeezebox will be a part of that?
thanks so much for your help on this. |
I have a Roku Soundbridge, not Squeezebox.
Hooking that to a relatively low cost mhdt Paradisea tube DAC made a huge difference.
I suspect the same would be true for the Squeezebox using a good external DAC.
Try it with the DAC you have and listen. You have nothing to lose.
If the sound is still not what you're looking for, you can try other DACs. Benchmark and mhdt tube DACs are two radically different sounding ones that are both relatively affordable and would be a good indicator of what is possible with an external DAC. |
Okay, I think I may still be wired up wrong here! Originally I hooked the Theta to the integrated amp via Kimber Kable interconnect and then the Theta and the Squeezebox via digital coax. The result was no sound at all. Now I have the Squeezebox hooked to the Theta with the digital coax and the Squeezebox hooked into the integrated amp with the Kimber Kable interconnect. This works, but I can detect no difference between the Squeezebox alone and with the Theta hooked up......now either the Theta is not making a significant difference here or I have something hooked up wrong.....earlier responses suggested to hook the theta outputs to the amp but I got no sound at all......please help! |
"Originally I hooked the Theta to the integrated amp via Kimber Kable interconnect and then the Theta and the Squeezebox via digital coax."
This sounds like the right connections to get the squeezebox to feed the DAC.
Not sure why it didn't work though. Some sort of setup/configuration on Squeezebox and/or DAC I'm guessing. |
With that set up there was no sound and the blue light on the Theta did not light up indicated that it was locked on.
with my current configuration both blue lights are lit up on the Theta.
I guess since it works all is well, just leaves a lingering doubt for me if the Theta is actually engaged here, since pulling the coax out of the Squeezebox makes no discernable difference to the sound..... |
Okay here is your Monday night laugh at the "girl"!!!
I took what Mapman had to say and checked everything out again when I got home tonight. I rehooked everything as he said it should be and still no sound....looked things over carefully again and "big red face now" found that my Theta was set on the toslink setting rather than the coax setting of the digital outputs......pressed that button in and voila great sound happening.......yes, the theta makes a very discernable difference to the sound, major impact...
you know that Squeezebox on its own is not half bad, but the Theta brings the grin back to my face, albeit my red face....
thanks mapman!
Happy Audiowoman. |
Yes, as I said squeezebox + external DAC = Bliss(!) |
There ya go!
Glad you were able to work it out. |
