How do I get spotify onto my main system?

Thanks Gary,

I considered that but didn't want to risk plugging it in without checking first as I am aware that USB can carry power too.  I thought that would be too easy!!

I'll give it a try.

Many thanks.

A Logitech Touch gives you a nice spotify interface without tethering your laptop/pc. It has optical and coax digital outs, so you should still get much of the benefit of your Naim DAC.

Jason,

I use a HiFace to do just this, plugging the coax into my nDAC.

M

likesmusic / Mr Underhill,

Thank you both for your replies.  I will look at both options out of interest.  At present, I was just looking at at a no cost/ v. cheap option for connecting my laptop to the dac, if possible.  Reason being, my HDX/nDAC is the main source and everything eventually ends up on there.  I have just started using Spotify as a means of finding new music.  I'm not too sure of the streaming quality it outputs, but I guess its not fantastic, so I will stream and try new music, then if I like an album, buy the CD so i can get the best quality sound that way.  I don't think Spotify would end up as being a main source for me, just a means to find new music, but it would be nice to hear it through something a bit better than my laptop's built in speakers!

Hoping the USB lead from laptop to DAC will do the trick, but I've checked and haven't got a lead with a standard size USB plug on both ends. I think I've got just about every other version than that (micro, mini etc)!!  So once I get a new lead, I'll give it a try.

Thanks for your help.

USB from laptop to nDAC won't do the trick, I'm afraid.

For now I'm using Airfoil to send a wireless signal to an Airport Express hooked up to the nDAC directly. Sound is tolerable but leaves a lot to be desired. I'm assuming that a hiface or similar will provide substantially better sound once I get a dedicated computer set up near the nDAC. That said, I'm not sure how much better Spotify will be given that it is limited to 320 kbps.

Jason,

I don't think there is a true low cost option that will give you any real fidelity.

You could, for instance. put the earphone outs from the laptop into your preamp - but this will NOT be great!

The HiFace was £100, and gives me a result that is surprisingly good, even on the no cost Spotify service that I use - and I use it for EXACTLY the same reason as you.

No normal cable can convert the USB output into a spdif signal. Such cables do exist, but they are still >= the cost of the HiFace.

If you want to spend less you can look into Gary's suggestion, as some USB DAC solutions can be got for less; but you get what you pay for!

M

Jason,

In a similar price range to the HiFace but Apple specific would be an AirPort Express or Apple TV. If you have an iPhone/Touch/Pad and have signed up for Spotify premium then you can stream wirelessly from the mobile device to the AirPort Express/Apple TV which you could connect to the nDAC - this is how I use Spotify now and it works well (but you need the premium service). I understand there is also a way to do this from a PC (without mobile device) using AirFoil although I have never tried it.

Guys,

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I did manage to get up and running last night using the suggestion Mr underhill described, the headphone jack on laptop to the rca input on my preamp.  It's ok, but not brilliant as expected really, which is why I wanted to try and get an option to utilise the nDAC.

I shall have a look over the options described but as usual in this game...you always end up spending more than you expect!!

Thanks again.

Jason.

I use Ipod touch into the usb of my nDac and control it with the spotify app, sound quality is quite good.

Gerry