USB or Squeezebox Touch from Mac to DAC

Rmata,

Listen to Steve (Audioengr), and also use your critical thinking when exploring options. Steve indeed knows a lot, but also tends to steer people in the direction of his products, which is particularly hard to perceive for the newcomers. The Synchro-Mesh he recomends is his own product.

Probably the best usb to S/PDIF converter out there is Steve's Off-Ramp, but you can also get an Audiophilleo 2 for $580 which is also excellent. So not necessarily going to spend $3k if going the USB route. BTW, with the Audiophilleo you also don't need a digital cable, which is also an expensive piece.

As for the remote, you can use JRiver Media Center as the player software on the Mac and get JRemote on an iPad and be done. Check out www.computeraudiophile.com for a review of both. BTW, JRiver is $50 and JRemote is $10.

If I were you I would probably opt for either getting another computer for the other room and using the Mini for music, or getting a computer for music, have JRiver installed, maybe an iPad with JRemote (if you don't get a laptop), a USB to S/PDIF converter, and be done.

BTW, I do have a Squeezebox Touch which I love, but think I will ultimately end up with a computer and USB to S/PDIF converter into the DAC.

I hope this helps!

A slight downside to Steve's SynchroMesh is that it is tuned for one set of frequencies: so you have to choose 44.1kHz (most of your CDs) or 96kHz (for hires stuff).

You can purchase a software to enable the USB port on the SB Touch to work with USB-SPDIF devices so it opens up 24/192 capability on the Touch.

But I still find a dedicated Mac Mini to sound better (with the right software and USB-SPDIF device).

Thanks, folks!

Looks like i will need to invest on a mac mini.

However, why do i need a usb to spdf device - and why cant i feed usb direct from mac mini to the peachtree nova dac?

Thanks,
Raj

Raj - you dont "need" a USB converter with your DAC. It just depends on what kind of SQ you are after. Remember, it is the USB interface that is the most critical part of this. The more you spend on a converter and the S/PDIF and/or USB cable, the better the SQ.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I recall the Nova had a synchronous USB connection that did 24/96

It's decent but not great. Steve's Offramp is by far one of the best USB-SPDIF devices and would be significantly better than the Nova's internal USB.

I remember comparing a SonicWeld Diverter to the Nova's internal USB and it was simply no contest.