Beatles USB via Squeezebox Touch

My understanding was that you could plug the USB apple into the back of the Touch and it would play that way. I've been scanning forums all day and it seems that some people are copying the files to iTunes (or whatever) and then streaming them that way. But it seems to me that it would be much more direct, less connections, to go right into the Touch USB port. And that way it would play flac directly without needing to convert (I use an iMac and iTunes which won't play flacs without first converting them, but plan to switch to Pure Music soon).

Is there a way to play the USB apple directly through the USB input on the back of the Touch? You'd think that would be possible.

Help -- I need somebody?

I've been able do that, but it seems to me that the sounds should be better going directly into the back of the Touch via the usb port, because that bypasses iTunes, my router, wireless, etc. With my iMac and iTunes, I had to convert to wav, which I think would also not be as good as going directly with the flac into the back of the Touch. But I'm just guessing.

Can anyone with more knowledge with in on this?

Mapman and Kal -- So you're both saying that I will get better sound by copying the Beatles USB files to me computer (iTunes) and then stream it to the Touch -- rather than run it directly into the back of the Touch? That's good to know. I had assume that the more direct connection to the Touch would be better. I'm new at this but starting to get the hang of computer audio and liking it alot. Many thanks for your help -- I suspect there are lots of other folks learning the ropes of this new world through these forums.

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to feed as USB drive (like hte Beatles set) directly to the Touch through its USB port? That didn't work for me, and I'm convinced that copying the files is the way to go. But I'm just wondering.

Interesting. From a quick search, Fat 32 seems to be a more efficient space saving file format. Stevenstone, ae you saying that it should be Fat 32? Is yours Fat 32? I'm not really a computer person, so any clarification would help. Did you have to do anything to the Beatles USB or Touch to get it to run?

So far, I copied the files to my iTunes and streamed them into my Touch, with then goes through a PSB DAC III. I compared the USB-Touch to CD on my Linn Genki, and then my Linn Akkurate CD player (using a few tracks from Pepper -- She's Leaving Home, W/in you W/o you, and A Day in the Life.

The high rez Touch sounded better on each track than the Genki (smoother, more detail, better soundstage), but the Akkurate topped the Touch in pretty much the same way, also had a bit more palpability, presence, and slam on Ringo's drums (esp on ADITL). I guess that's to be expected, given the price of he various units, but those are just initial reactions.

Thanks to all for your helpful comments.