Got the Touch, Now What?

Tpy, it might just be your wireless signal strength/available bandwidth. Try running wired and see if you have the same problem. Is your wireless router 802.11g or 802.11n? The best way to deliver wireless would be to get a wireless router that does 802.11n ON THE 5GHZ BAND (aka a "dual band" 802.11n router), and get a 5GHZ 802.11n wireless bridge that will pick up the signal deliver it to your SB through the wire. The 2GHZ band is very noisy so going to 5GHZ can greatly improve signal strength. HOWEVER, the range is not as long as 2GHZ, so YMMV depending on how far your router is from your SB.

If it's a long distance, you can get 2 more wireless bridges and connect them with a crossover cable at the point in between your router and SB. One bridge picks up the signal from your router and the other broadcasts it again (when set to access point mode), effectively acting as a signal booster.

You can pick up refurbished a WNHDE111 wireless bridge for a little over $40. For a router, I recommend the Linksys WRT-400n, about $60 refurb.

I would like to share my experience with the Squeezebox Touch.

I have been running a Squeezebox Touch system for about 5 months now, and it is equal to or better than most high dollar CD\SACD systems I have heard.
(but only when done right)

The system must be set up correctly for ultimate sound quality.

I have been involved in computers for over 25 years, and an Audiophile for 38. This setup assumes you have a home network (wired & wireless) and a desktop computer. (but we will NOT use the desktop for playing your music) If you need a bit of help with computers, get a friend to set this up for you - it will be worth it.

The complete system below runs about $1240.00 including the Touch. (not at all expensive in the Audio world - you can probably sell your CD player for that)

The system should be run with wired ethernet cable for flawless playback. (yes it's a little harder -but do it anyway)

OK - Let's go..

File Storage - purchase an HP Mediasmart Home Server. (about $450.)
This small box holds up to 4 hard drives with RAID backup and more space than you will ever need. Besides holding your entire music library, it can back up all your home computers, collect pictures and videos from your computers, and you can access all of it from anywhere.
You can place this server anywhere in your home with an ethernet cable into your switch or router. When tested against various desktop computers, the server always sounds better.

File Storage - purchase the DbPoweramp download for $39. and put the program into your desktop computer.
This fantastic program has every single thing you need to rip & convert your music file Library. (it even has automatic batch ripping so you can use 2 CD drives at the same time for continuous ripping if you wish - all you do is keep inserting CDs.)

Use your Desktop to Rip your music as Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) onto the server.
You can also download HDTracks high resolution 96-24 FLAC files and put them on as well.

Install the free download of Squeezebox Server onto your home server.

Connect the Squeezebox Touch in your listening room and run ethernet cable to connect it to your network. Connect it with a digital Coax to a good DAC for the highest quality sound. (If you do not have a DAC yet, use the analog outs and connect it that way until you do get a DAC)

The Squeezebox Touch will automatically find the Squeezebox Server on your home server and be able to see and play the library, but there are settings that will make playback better..

In the Squeezebox Server program on your server, change the settings to send a stream of PCM instead of a FLAC file. (Easy to find & do) This means that the server is doing the work of converting the FLAC files instead of the Squeezebox Touch. (The server has more power and resources for this, and avoiding this on the tiny Squeezebox Touch produces a pronounced increase in sound quality)

So now that you are listening to some of the best sound you have ever heard from your system..what's next?

The perfect remote control... an Apple iPad with The Squeezepad application.
This iPad program controls your Squeezebox and is truly a beautiful touchpad interface with crystal clear large album artwork. The iPad connects wirelessly in your network.

That's it..
If you are moving into digital files and the Squeezebox Touch this is the way to go.
I can guarantee you will love the sound of this particular setup.
IF you have a quality DAC it is way beyond good..stunning is the word.

Have fun & Enjoy your music!

Joe

Joe -- Thanks for your great suggestions. I've been using my Touch for about 2 months and am loving it. I have a few questions:

1. Can you be a bit more specific about how to change it send a PCM instead of FLAC stream. I'm using an iMac with iTunes so, since my understanding is these don't do FLAC, maybe it already is doing that? I've been converting my FLACs to WAV with XLD.

2. I've read that sound will be greatly improved by using Pure Music. And it clearly improves things when I play files on the computer itself, but I don't think it is going to the Touch. I've also heard that the Touch won't play music via Pure Music. Any thoughts or suggestions?

3.Is the DbPowerAmp download you mention a substitute for iTunes or Pure Music? Or does it work with these?

Thanks again for the great post. It seems lots of people are getting into the Touch and most could some guidance as to how to get the best out of it.