jay27

Yes, a hard drive connects directly to the Squeezebox Touch.<br /> <br /> In my experience, the SB Touch's software is a bit buggy (disconnects from hd randomly, fails to connect timely, skips to next song before current song is complete...).<br /> <br /> Not sure what everyone else's experience is. Most of my time with the unit is in the car as well. Not sure if that has anything to do with it.<br /> <br /> The DAC in the SB Touch is solid and I don't think an external one is necessary if the only thing you're considering is sound quality.<br /> <br /> If the software didn't give me issues, it would be awesome. I'm not sure there is anything else out there like it, even today.

Does the downsampling take place once the 24/96 file is placed onto the iPod or when it is played through the iPod? In other words, if you extract a digital signal from the iPod and use a DAC with 24/96 capabilities, will the file be in high res? Or has the file been downsampled already?

I'm looking for a solution to work in an automobile. I was wondering if you guys have come across anything that fits the bill.

I was thinking that the devilsound dac would go really well with the iPad. However, I cannot locate one! Are they discontinued? Does anyone know of an alternative dac that is portable?

Perhaps this is a better location for my question: Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't using the digital output on any device bypass the DAC of that device? In other words, if you use the digital output from the SB Touch, you are no longer hearing the DAC of the SB Touch, but rather, you are hearing the DAC of the unit it is connected to. Is this correct? If this is correct, wouldn't the SB Touch sound exactly the same as any other device if using the digital output? If not, what would distinguish the sound from device to device?

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't using the digital output on any device bypass the DAC of that device?<br /> <br /> In other words, if you use the digital output from the SB Touch, you are no longer hearing the DAC of the SB Touch, but rather, you are hearing the DAC of the unit it is connected to. Is this correct?<br /> <br /> If this is correct, wouldn't the SB Touch sound exactly the same as any other device if using the digital output? What would then distinguish the sound from device to device?