Few squeezebox questions...

[Pezerinno]

Hi guys, I'm thinking of of getting a squeezebox 3 and stream my music to my hifi instead of using my cd player.

Can the squeezebox handle .wav files ok over a 802.11g network (~1GB per 2 albums)? Also I rip my cds with EAC and leave them as .Wavs (space is cheap these days) as wavs aren't taggable I sort them into 'artist-album' folder name then 'artist-track' file name - will the squeezebox be able to handle this OK in this format?

It would appear the squeezebox could be used as a pre-amp? What are the disadvantages of doing so? I will be running the squeezebox into a DAC-1 and it will be the only source. A power amp would obviously be cheaper than a power/pre and one less box/cable to clutter the place up.

Thanks :thumbsup:

[garyt]

Hi guys, I'm thinking of of getting a squeezebox 3 and stream my music to my hifi instead of using my cd player.

Can the squeezebox handle .wav files ok over a 802.11g network (~1GB per 2 albums)? Also I rip my cds with EAC and leave them as .Wavs (space is cheap these days) as wavs aren't taggable I sort them into 'artist-album' folder name then 'artist-track' file name - will the squeezebox be able to handle this OK in this format?

It would appear the squeezebox could be used as a pre-amp? What are the disadvantages of doing so? I will be running the squeezebox into a DAC-1 and it will be the only source. A power amp would obviously be cheaper than a power/pre and one less box/cable to clutter the place up.

Thanks :thumbsup:

I can't help with most of your queries, but I do know the SB doesn't use 802.11g, but the 'b' variety.
Not too sure what difference this will make to data transfer rates (if any).
Gary

[Pezerinno]

I believe the latest squeezebox edition uses 802.11g.

[Strobe]

The Squeezebox 3 is most definitely 11g and WPA encryption if that matters. Should be fine streaming wavs as long as you have a good wireless conncetion as it has a reasonable buffer. I'll give it a quick go over my network to make sure though. Check thread later on.

[andrew1810]

It is definitely wireless g and can manage wav files fine as long as you don't stretch the connection too far.

I stream AIFF files which are the same size as wav's and haven't had any drop-outs, even when its running as wireless b.

Its the Roku which is b only.

[Pezerinno]

Thanks for the replies. WPA is needed so thats good.

Does anyone know about the other questions?

[andrew1810]

Yes, it will work fine with WAV's like this, but I'm not sure why you would want to.

AIFF files are totally lossless like WAV, but support tags, or FLAC is also lossless (imagine them as zip files, everything is intact inside)

For the pre-amp question, try the audiophile section at http://forums.slimdevices.com

[andrew1810]

Also, you can download slimserver and test it on your computer to get an idea of how the tagging etc. works

If you use softsqueeze you can emulate the squeezebox on your pc

Andrew

[Pezerinno]

Thanks Andrew :thumbsup:

[Strobe]

Wv's stream fine with me as well - but iTunes got confused. As Andrew says much better to rip to a tag supporting lossless format such as AIFF.

[ChrisOH]

Hi Nick,

If you are running the SP/DIF out of the SB into a DAC1 then your question about the suitability of the SB as a pre amp is redundant. What you need to know is whether the DAC 1 can be used as a pre-amp, the answer to which I dont know.

Chris

[Pezerinno]

Hi Chris - the Dac can be used as a pre-amp however is impractical due to no remote (which is really needed in my case). I have decided to stick with a seperate pre/power as there were possible other complications.

[ChrisOH]

Hi Nick,

Have you bought the DAC1 yet? If not then have a look at the SB+ as an option.http://www.at-tunes.co.uk/ I got one and use it directly into a power amp. Cost is roughly the same.

Chris

[Pezerinno]

Thanks for that Chris - very interesting. How would it compare sound wise to a SB3 + DAC1? If I had an external dac then I would have connected my dvd player as well for DVD-As but thats no biggy.

What is the difference between the SB2 and 3 - is it mainly cosmetic? Is there still firmware updates for the SB2?

[andrew1810]

The SB2 and SB3 are pretty much identical in terms of hardware, the only difference I think is a small change to the power supply in the unit itself and the second internal aerial.

I still have an SB2 as the form factor works better in my hifi rack and the firmware, server software etc. are identical, so nothing to worry about there.

In terms of the SB+, have a look at http://pinkfishmedia.net/forum
The person who makes them (Patrick Dixon) posts regularly over there, also check this thread:
http://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20315&highlight=squeezebox

It has a good review of the SB+ (before things get geeky)

[ChrisOH]

Hi Nick,

I never compared the two, I just decided that the SB+ was the way for me. Patrick offers money back but I did not feel the need.

Chris