Computer Audio Asylum: RE: Many Questions about getting as hi-end a PC Audio system as possible with what I currently own:)! by John Swenson

I'm a big fan of the Squeezebox system, particularly the Squeezebox Touch. Its just 2 channel audio, it doesn't do video and it doesn't do multichannel audio (well you can play something like a 5.1 DTS encoded WAV file and hook the S/PDIF up to a DTS decoder, it does work).

Hooking the S/PDIF out to a good DAC can give exceptionally good sound, but like ANY S/PDIF setup exactly how good is going to be very dependent on the DAC used.

With SB system you put the server (SBS) on another computer on your network somewhere, the server reads the music files and streams them to the server. A BIG advantage is that the computer does not have to be in the listening room, you can stick it in another room the basement whatever.

To play your own music collection the server does have to be running. The server can run on almost any computer, but because many people don't want to leave their main computer on all the time some people have built or bought a dedicated headless server just for serving the SBs (and there WILL be more than one, these things reproduce at an alarming rate). It doesn't even have to be a special computer. The server can run on almost anything.

There is a device called the VortexBox which is a low powered server computer which comes with all the software preinstalled, plug it in, transfer the files and its ready to go. It also has a built in optical drive and automatic ripping software to make ripping easy if you have not already done that. You can put this off in a corner somewhere and forget it. It doesn't have a screen or keyboard, its just a box that serves up the music.

You can also download the software for free and convert any old computer into a vortexbox server. (it includes its own OS)

A very big advantage of the SB system is you are not stuck to just one place to listen. The server can stream to MANY different players all over the house. There are even virtual players (programs that behave like players), my wife has one on her laptop so she can listen to music when she is out on the patio. We have one on every computer in the house so we can listen to music when working on the computer. There are also hardware players in several rooms and of course the main listening system.

There are many different ways to control the system. You can use the player itself, the server also has a web page you can use to control any of the players from ANY computer that has a web browser. There are apps for ipods, androids, windows mobile etc. The iPeng app for the ipod Touch is very popular for controlling SBs. There are also dedicated programs for PCs and Macs that give the fancy graphical interface. (and even a couple for the iPad)

Its a very flexible whole house system that can give very good results in a good stereo system.

John S.