Do I need a V-Link??

PSOVLSK

Just ordered a Squeezbox which will be connected to my MF V-DAC. Do I need a V-Link? For that matter, will I even need to use the V-DAC? Obviously new to the digital domain.

pyrocyborg

Hi! Some people answered some of my questions on one of my many recent threads! What I can say is you won't need a V-Link as the V-Link does the link between the PC/Laptop USB and your receiver DAC (or external DAC, which is your V-DAC). The squeezebox is doing that job in your setup. Also, I don't know if I am right or no, but I guess a V-DAC already does the same job of a V-Link, but with a DAC.

For it's part, your squeezebox will be connected wirelessly (or by ethernet cable) to your router, neglecting the use of a quality USB cable from your PC to a V-Link or a V-DAC. This way, you will stream your files directly from your PC to your squeezebox and there will be no quality loss except if your wireless is saturated or a poor quality router.

Then, you have the choice to connect your squeezebox optical output to your V-DAC so that it's your MF V-DAC that will do the digital to analog conversion (and not the squeezebox DAC, which is supposed to be average at best... or your receiver one's, if you're using a receiver). Supposedly that your MF V-DAC is better than the integrated DAC on the squeezebox, but to ensure that it's your V-DAC doing the job, you need absolutely to connect your squeezebox outputs via digital cable to your MF V-DAC input.

Then, from your MF V-DAC ouputs, you'll use your RCA interconnects to your receiver/amp/pre-amp inputs.

PSOVLSK

Thanks for the in-depth response. You confirmed a few of my suspicions about how to hook things up and the role that each unit plays in the process.

I also ordered a power supply for the DAC, so hopefully I'll see some improvement there. My favorite part of the order was a $2 cable with a $4 shipping charge. Gotta love it.

I'm sure I'll be reading every thread about the Squeezbox as I try to get it hooked up. As I said, I'm a complete noob...never owned any type of digital music player. My only experience is downloading songs onto my daughter's iTouch.

falconcry72

pyrocyborg wrote: »

Hi! Some people answered some of my questions on one of my many recent threads! What I can say is you won't need a V-Link as the V-Link does the link between the PC/Laptop USB and your receiver DAC (or external DAC, which is your V-DAC). The squeezebox is doing that job in your setup. Also, I don't know if I am right or no, but I guess a V-DAC already does the same job of a V-Link, but with a DAC.

For it's part, your squeezebox will be connected wirelessly (or by ethernet cable) to your router, neglecting the use of a quality USB cable from your PC to a V-Link or a V-DAC. This way, you will stream your files directly from your PC to your squeezebox and there will be no quality loss except if your wireless is saturated or a poor quality router.

Then, you have the choice to connect your squeezebox optical output to your V-DAC so that it's your MF V-DAC that will do the digital to analog conversion (and not the squeezebox DAC, which is supposed to be average at best... or your receiver one's, if you're using a receiver). Supposedly that your MF V-DAC is better than the integrated DAC on the squeezebox, but to ensure that it's your V-DAC doing the job, you need absolutely to connect your squeezebox outputs via digital cable to your MF V-DAC input.

Then, from your MF V-DAC ouputs, you'll use your RCA interconnects to your receiver/amp/pre-amp inputs.

You're a fast learner, pyrocy!!!:biggrin:

falconcry72

PSOVLSK wrote: »

...My only experience is downloading songs onto my daughter's iTouch.

Is it a Squeezebox Touch? What are you going to use it to play? Internet radio, or files from your computer?

tonyb

Congrats, If I may suggest.....that you read up on the SB threads we have going and other threads on getting good sound from your computer as a head start. That way you won't be in the dark and setup will be that much easier for you. Enjoy.

pyrocyborg

PSOVLSK wrote: »

I'm sure I'll be reading every thread about the Squeezbox as I try to get it hooked up. As I said, I'm a complete noob...never owned any type of digital music player. My only experience is downloading songs onto my daughter's iTouch.

Until a few days back, I didn't even know what a DAC was... haha! As for the 2$ cable, if it's a toslink, most people think it's going to be okay for most uses. High quality digital cables are for higher-end gear and/or long runs (or to ensure there will be no need to replace the cable every few years)... but yeah, it does the same when I try to get some cables from Monoprice or such: I gotta get a few more things to make it worthy in Canada.

Anyways, what you can do for your setup is try first to hook up your squeezebox directly to your amp combo/receiver with RCA interconnect, see if you like the sound. If it sound worse than what you expected, connect your V-DAC between and enjoy a CD-Like experience if your files are in a lossless format (for example, FLAC). Many people like the V-DAC + Squeezebox combo from what I can see, but as much are okay with just the squeezebox... it's all in your tastes (and depending on the rest of you gear... :P)

pyrocyborg

falconcry72 wrote: »

You're a fast learner, pyrocy!!!:biggrin:

Thanks Falcon, you're a great teacher too... haha!

PSOVLSK

falconcry72 wrote: »

Is it a Squeezebox Touch? What are you going to use it to play? Internet radio, or files from your computer?

Yes, SB Touch. I'll probably use it for both internet radio and files from the computer.

tonyb wrote: »

Congrats, If I may suggest.....that you read up on the SB threads we have going and other threads on getting good sound from your computer as a head start. That way you won't be in the dark and setup will be that much easier for you. Enjoy.

I've already started and I'm getting tired head. I like to think I'm fairly adept with most things audio, but throwing a computer into mix makes it a whole new ballgame for me. Not that I'm computer illiterate, I just don't know much beyond your basic internet, e-mail, office, etc.

pyrocyborg wrote: »

As for the 2$ cable, if it's a toslink, most people think it's going to be okay for most uses.

The cable is to hook up the V-DAC to the "upgraded" power supply. I have an extra Toslink that I thought I needed a few months ago that has never been used. Basic cable from Amazon...a Belkin I think.

heiney9

The SQB is easy to integrate into a system.

I believe Steveinaz, made a youtube video for hooking it up.

falconcry72

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Yes, SB Touch. I'll probably use it for both internet radio and files from the computer.

How are you getting the files on your computer? It's important that they are ripped correctly (with a program like EAC, in accurate mode, or something comparable) and saved in a lossless format (like FLAC).

Have fun, man!:biggrin: Computer-based audio can be equally as hifi as a several thousand dollar cd transport, if done correctly, and it makes everything soooo convenient!