Squeezebox interfacing???

The Squeezebox is an excellent unit for streaming audio data from a computer to a stereo system.

You have the process correct, except for the "SQ is ethernet connected to a fast external hard drive and pulls the files out of HD". (I believe there is an NAS that can be rigged to work with the Squeezebox without an intervening computer.) Rather, attach your laptop to a large external drive, install the Slimserver software on your laptop (it works on Mac, Linux, and Windows), configure your wireless (or wired) ethernet connection to communicate between the laptop and SQ, connect the optical digital out from the SQ to the DAC, and you're done!

You can control the volume both from the Squeezebox (digital volume control) or the preamp (analog volume control). I prefer to simplify it and make a single point to control the volume for everything (ie, the preamp) and leave the Squeezebox volume at max.

Also, you are correct that you can interact with the Squeezebox using its provide remote control, or you can use the laptop (this provides more functionality in my opinion).

Good luck!

Michael

Ok.
but,
The HD, atleast for me, will not/can not be connected to laptop at all, just the Squeezebox.

See I need/want the laptop available and away from cabinent (i.e on lap, on end table, etc.) directing traffic wirelessly but having data transmissions wired as I do not see the need for the broadband monthly cost, nor trust the wirelss data transmission process with the buffering issues and such.

The plan is to remove one of my CD players from cabinent and put HD(s),DAC, & Squezebox in that location. Keeping the cabinent full(slightly aesthetic, moreover functional).

Can't this be accomplished without whatever a NAS is?

Also:
Sidenote

I do have the TIVO HD machine in the cabinent... which could be another opportuntiy altogether to serve audio, but I do not believe I can push music through that device AND have the TV run video simultaneously(i.e. watching sports on mute with tunes through the two channel setup.

Get an NAS external hard drive (ethernet connection) and connect it to your wireless router. Most wireless routers have at least a couple of ethernet ports too. Then direct Slimserver to make your music library directory the HDD on the router. Laptop will then control the music on networked HDD.