music server setup questions

Connect Squeezebox to Wifi Network. Rip to computer using program of choice.. Run Logitech MEdia server on the computer and point it to your music files.

Connect SB to DAC using spdif coax or toslink. Make sure network connection is fairly strong, 80% or better if possible, to avoid delays/rebuffering.

That should be a fairly optimal setup right from the start. Sound quality should be similar to or better than with a CD transport similar digital connection to DAC.

To keep things simple and effective, Sonos or Bluesound (affiliated with NAD and PSB) network streaming systems are worth a look. They use a standard network data connection (can be wireless) to computer music server and can be used with external DAC of choice.

I have been using similar Logitech Squeezebox system (discontinued) for a number of years with excellent results and old Roku Soundbridge prior to that.

I have started to run PLEX media server in addition to Logitech MEdia Server on my computer music server, and connect to that from an Amazon Fire TV box with TOSLINK out to my DAC in my second system. Nice for high quality streaming of all media types, not just music, and the server and web clients are free. You pay $5 for the app on a mobile device (for mobile access from anywhere with an internet connection, like a smartphone), Ipod or tablet or same price for app on the AMazon Fire TV (Android) device.

DB,

You can do it either way and compare.

A wireless network cnnoection helps isolate music making streamer and DAC elctronically and physically from often noisy general purpose computer. Its an insurance policy against noise or other computer artifacts degrading the sound. Squeezebox is essentially a computer designed for high quality music streaming. General purpose computers often are not.

Plus I can vouch for the sound quality of the Squeezebox architecture. Cannot do the same for most commercia l computers out there or how well the USB connection to external DAC will perform case by case.