Does anyone own the Wyred4sound DAC 2? - Page 6

Yeah, I remember reading that on 6moons before I bought the DAC2, so I knew it was a potential problem. When I filled out my registration I mentioned I was having crashing issues, but they pretty much said the same thing they said after the 6moons review. But my problem is a little different, because if I don't do things in a certain order I get the restart prompt after I start playback, not when I try to disconnect the DAC2. Given how much I enjoy the DAC2, this issue doesn't bug me too much as it occurs fairly rarely, but it would be nice if it could simply be fixed with some updated drivers...still, I can understand why you'd want to avoid using your computer as your source :)

So why not just use a Squeezebox and forget all the rest of the nonsense?  Install the software, point it at your music, plug in the Squeezebox, digi over coax, and you're done?  Every thread I read where people are using computer as source seems to end up discussing one problem or another like this.  Not trying to be a Squeezebox evangelist, but I'm sure you have better things to do with your time that be bothered with this problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel 

So why not just use a Squeezebox and forget all the rest of the nonsense?  Install the software, point it at your music, plug in the Squeezebox, digi over coax, and you're done?  Every thread I read where people are using computer as source seems to end up discussing one problem or another like this.  Not trying to be a Squeezebox evangelist, but I'm sure you have better things to do with your time that be bothered with this problem.

I'm not familiar at all with the squeezebox.  I know of its existence but It is not clear to me how it works.  this is my setup now so maybe you could help clarify how the squeezebox touch could fit into my system.   I use an iMac and my music is now on 2 1 TB external drives.  I use either iTunes, Fidelia, Audirvana, or Amarra as a player.  Out of the iMac USB>W4S DAC-2> LCD or external amp. 

How does the squeeze box operate?  does it bypass the Mac? or the DAC-2?  Does it have its own DAC?  I'm an old school audiophile and I'm still catching up on computer audio.

I'm definitely considering getting a Squeezebox, but I just don't have the extra cash for one right now. Plus, if it really did start to bother me I could always just use the digital out of my Mac to go into the DAC2, but for some reason I prefer USB. Either way, I still hope that W4S can fix this issue. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel 

There's mention of issues like this in the 6moons write up:

 

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/wyred4/dac.html

 

The reviewer experienced some problems.  In the Wyred response at the end of the article:

 

"the USB driver for the DAC does not like to be toggled. We do not normally experience OS crashing or blue screens if the device is disconnected or terminated after the media player is shut down. Also, it is very important to not disconnect the AC power from the DAC while it is communicating with the computer. In most cases, the end user shouldn't have any similar problems when using the DAC-2 as their device."

 

Quite frankly, it's stuff like this that made me give up on using a computer as my source.  Too many headaches.  I moved to Squeezebox several years ago and haven't looked back since.

I follow this procedure and it still crashes my iMac.   At night what I often do is follow the recommended procedure and then hook up the DAC-2 to my WD HD Media player through its TOSLINK to use headphones while watching HD content on my video system.  When I return the DAC-2 it crashes my iMac.  I've had my iMAc for 2 years now and it has never crashed once in that time.   So unless W4S can tell me a way how to prevent these crashes or perhaps fix the software the crashes are a deal breaker for me and I'll have to sell the unit. I simply cannot have my iMac crashing all the time.  It's more than an inconvenience.  Tonight or tomorrow I'll send an email and see what they have to say.

I know the feeling, I use macbook pro and it never crashes.  Ever.

As for Squeezebox....

What you would do is install their server software, SqueezeCenter, on your iMac.  There is a Mac version, although I run a Windows server that it runs on.  SqueezeCenter can either import your music into a big database of it's own, or you can just tell it to sync itself to your iTunes.

But their software isn't for playing, it's for streaming.  So instead of your iMac being the playback device, you would purchase a Squeezebox unit, most likely the Squeezebox Touch.  It retails for $299, I've seen it as cheap as $250 street price.  I've also purchased one for a friend from the for-sale forum on headfi for $215 shipped.

The player connects over your network to your iMac.  It can operate over wifi, but the audiophile recommendation is to use wired ethernet into your router.  But if a wired connection isn't feasible, wireless will work.  The Squeezebox connects to the server software, streams the music from your Mac, and then connects into your stereo system like any other component.  You can either use the internal Squeezebox dac, and connect via normal rca interconnects to a line level input on your pre-amp.  Or you can skip the pre-amp, connect straight into an amplifier, and use the digital volume control on the Squeezebox.

Alternatively, the Squeezebox also has optical and coax digital connections, so you can use the dac of your choice.

Here you go.  Get this and your problems are over:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/555340/squeezebox-touch-barely-used

No affiliation.

Never mind, that's an Australia-only deal.  But keep your eyes open, they show up all the time.

Does your iMac have an optical out? Mine is "hidden" in the headphone jack (you have to use a weird adapter, but Belkin makes some). If so, you could always connect the iMac to the DAC2 with a TOSLINK. That would probably prevent any crashes, since it doesn't require the computer to switch drivers (its still uses "Built In Output", not "Wyred 4 Sound USB Interface"). I know that I've never had any crashes when I use the optical out, so it might be an alternative to dealing with the USB issues. Anyway, do let us know what you hear from W4S, especially if they have plans to update the USB drivers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel 

I know the feeling, I use macbook pro and it never crashes.  Ever.

 

As for Squeezebox....

 

What you would do is install their server software, SqueezeCenter, on your iMac.  There is a Mac version, although I run a Windows server that it runs on.  SqueezeCenter can either import your music into a big database of it's own, or you can just tell it to sync itself to your iTunes.

 

But their software isn't for playing, it's for streaming.  So instead of your iMac being the playback device, you would purchase a Squeezebox unit, most likely the Squeezebox Touch.  It retails for $299, I've seen it as cheap as $250 street price.  I've also purchased one for a friend from the for-sale forum on headfi for $215 shipped.

 

The player connects over your network to your iMac.  It can operate over wifi, but the audiophile recommendation is to use wired ethernet into your router.  But if a wired connection isn't feasible, wireless will work.  The Squeezebox connects to the server software, streams the music from your Mac, and then connects into your stereo system like any other component.  You can either use the internal Squeezebox dac, and connect via normal rca interconnects to a line level input on your pre-amp.  Or you can skip the pre-amp, connect straight into an amplifier, and use the digital volume control on the Squeezebox.

 

Alternatively, the Squeezebox also has optical and coax digital connections, so you can use the dac of your choice.

 

I have no stereo system now other than my headphone rig.  I have no router, My Mac is equipped with Airport Extreme.

This is why I'm having trouble understanding the concept of using the squeezebox because I'm always going to be listening to my headphone rig while I next to the Mac and if the Mac has to be on anyway then what advantage do I get with the squeezebox?  (I'd love to get one because I'm kind of bored and I do want a new gadget to play with).  

The advantage of the Squeezebox is that there's nothing to configure.  You pop it out of the box and it just works.  It has a remote control, etc.  But I see your point, if the only time you're using your headphones is when you're sitting at your Mac, then I certainly see the temptation to use the Mac as your source.  In that case, I think your best bet is to get on the phone with W4S.  I'm sure they can either tell you how to work around this, or an outright fix.  At the end of the day, it's a software problem.  So it's got to be fixable without you getting rid of the unit.

That said, I would just use the spdif out from the Mac, it seems all the problems are related to USB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel 

The advantage of the Squeezebox is that there's nothing to configure.  You pop it out of the box and it just works.  It has a remote control, etc.  But I see your point, if the only time you're using your headphones is when you're sitting at your Mac, then I certainly see the temptation to use the Mac as your source.  In that case, I think your best bet is to get on the phone with W4S.  I'm sure they can either tell you how to work around this, or an outright fix.  At the end of the day, it's a software problem.  So it's got to be fixable without you getting rid of the unit.

 

That said, I would just use the spdif out from the Mac, it seems all the problems are related to USB.

well if I were to use the Squeezebox in another room and stream wifi to it I'd still end up using the DAC inside the squeezebox with the LCD's right?   How good is that DAC?

Also, i've heard the SPDIF connection is not as good as the USB but I do not know for sure because I haven't tested it yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorAnt 

well if I were to use the Squeezebox in another room and stream wifi to it I'd still end up using the DAC inside the squeezebox with the LCD's right?   How good is that DAC?

 

Either way.  You can use the internal DAC, which I do not use so can't comment but the reviews are quite positive.  You'd just feed the red/white analog outs into a pre-amp or whatever your application calls for.  Or, you can get a DAC of your choice, and use the digital outs from the Squeezebox.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorAnt 

 

Also, i've heard the SPDIF connection is not as good as the USB but I do not know for sure because I haven't tested it yet.

 

Go by what you hear with your own ears, don't base things on what other people tell you.  Most of the DAC world is using coax spdif and are quite happy with it, myself included.  Get a decent digital cable and let your ears decide.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel 

Either way.  You can use the internal DAC, which I do not use so can't comment but the reviews are quite positive.  You'd just feed the red/white analog outs into a pre-amp or whatever your application calls for.  Or, you can get a DAC of your choice, and use the digital outs from the Squeezebox.
 

 

Go by what you hear with your own ears, don't base things on what other people tell you.  Most of the DAC world is using coax spdif and are quite happy with it, myself included.  Get a decent digital cable and let your ears decide.

Once I settle on an amp for my rig I'll give both a real listen. I'm using the RCA outs of the DAC-2 right now.  Without a real amp to get the best out of the rig I'm hesitant to start comparing. 

What I realy want to do is find a dedicated music server and move away from and out of the iMac altogether.  But it is an area I've yet to research.  

Why move away from the iMac?  The iMac will be a perfect music server for the Squeezebox, no need to spend any more $ on the computer side, it ain't gonna make your gear sound any better.