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Adding a Squeezebox - Upgrading Path?

I am thinking of getting a Squeezebox for my source, cd's are being ripped to Apple Lossless. Would hooking this Squeezebox up to my used Theta Pro Progency DAC make a difference or is this technology surpassed by the stand alone Squeezebox

This is for a small living room system that I am slowly upgrading. Currently it is older Paradigm Titan Monitor speakers, powered by a 10 year old Onkyo receiver and fed by an Onkyo 6 disc changer which has an outboard DAC Theta Pro Progency that we picked up (used) several years ago.

Main system is Vandersteen 2ceSignatures, Classe CAP 151 integrated amp and Classe 1.5 cd player. Vandersteens are too big for the living room.
Can the paradigms handle some major upgrading or should I be looking at speakers as well? We have been listening to Dali Ikon 6's and we're also fond of Totems. Major issue here is that the speaker needs to be quite close to the wall in this room...pulling the Titans another 6 inches from the wall,now they are about 8" from the wall has actually been helpful.

Have been away from reading all the audio mags for a few years and am amazed by the changes such as pc audio........ah yes, the audio bug has bitten again!
Thanks for any and all suggestions..
audiowoman

Showing 3 responses by extra_action

extra_action
52 posts
 
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
extra_action
52 posts
 
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
extra_action
52 posts
 
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
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