"The dealer where I brought my speakers told me that I could signifcantly improve my sound by getting rid of Squeezebox and using USB directly from my Mac to the Nova.
Q:
a) Is that true?"
That depends entirely on the computer, playback software and USB interface that you use. The USB interface is the most important hardware piece, but the software pieces can be an impediment to achieving good SQ if you are not diligent.
Another option is just to reclock the Squeezebox Touch with something like the Synchro-Mesh. This will improve things a LOT, but still not quite as good as the BEST USB interface and software. This will cost you around $600 compared to at least $3000 for the USB solution.
To get to the good USB level, you will need to spend significantly more, both on the computer, the software and the USB coonverter or USB DAC.
Here are some tips about USB:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/
"b) My Mac is in another room - so will have to be a veeeery long USB. Does that still work?"
USB cables are limited to 16 feet and the better the cable, the better the result. This will ultimately limit the performance unless you spend big bux on the cable. You are looking at probably $800 for a 16-footer to get a good result.
You may be better off to just reclock the Touch and stay wireless.
"c) How do I control the music (remote) if I use USB?"
You can control it from the host computer or by using an iPad with caveats. If you use Mac, you can use the Remote app on the iPad, however adjusting volume from Remote adjusts iTunes. iTunes does not have a decent volume control. You would need Amarra, Pure Music, Audirvana etc.. which have good digital volume controls. These must be controlled from the host computer or you must use another screen control app to control them.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Q:
a) Is that true?"
That depends entirely on the computer, playback software and USB interface that you use. The USB interface is the most important hardware piece, but the software pieces can be an impediment to achieving good SQ if you are not diligent.
Another option is just to reclock the Squeezebox Touch with something like the Synchro-Mesh. This will improve things a LOT, but still not quite as good as the BEST USB interface and software. This will cost you around $600 compared to at least $3000 for the USB solution.
To get to the good USB level, you will need to spend significantly more, both on the computer, the software and the USB coonverter or USB DAC.
Here are some tips about USB:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/
"b) My Mac is in another room - so will have to be a veeeery long USB. Does that still work?"
USB cables are limited to 16 feet and the better the cable, the better the result. This will ultimately limit the performance unless you spend big bux on the cable. You are looking at probably $800 for a 16-footer to get a good result.
You may be better off to just reclock the Touch and stay wireless.
"c) How do I control the music (remote) if I use USB?"
You can control it from the host computer or by using an iPad with caveats. If you use Mac, you can use the Remote app on the iPad, however adjusting volume from Remote adjusts iTunes. iTunes does not have a decent volume control. You would need Amarra, Pure Music, Audirvana etc.. which have good digital volume controls. These must be controlled from the host computer or you must use another screen control app to control them.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio