Topic: evolution of the squeezebox

[Nick's Picks]

http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_duet.html

just picked one up.
love the remote!

to all you folks on "the wheel" project.
add this to your list of things to buy.

[lnarachi]

Nick, are you using the wireless or wired ethernet connection?
Do you have to use the wire to get fidelity on 24 bit flac files?

My friend has the earlier SB3 and isn't happy with the fidelity compared to his CD transport.

He isn't using the DAC on the SB.

Have you compared a file via the SB versus a CD you make from the file on your playback rig?

Thanks
Larry

[Nick's Picks]

just ordered it...so time will tell.
I'll probably use a wired jack as proximity to my router is pretty close to the stereo any way.

[Brian Skalinder]

Have you compared a file via the SB versus a CD you make from the file on your playback rig?

I compared SB3, wired and wireless, digital out v. CD/DVD transport digital out to the same gear.  I couldn't hear a difference.  Could be my playback gear, environment, and ears simply aren't capable of revealing the differences (if they actually exist).

[bgalizio]

Have you compared a file via the SB versus a CD you make from the file on your playback rig?

I compared SB3, wired and wireless, digital out v. CD/DVD transport digital out to the same gear.  I couldn't hear a difference.  Could be my playback gear, environment, and ears simply aren't capable of revealing the differences (if they actually exist).

Same here as well. Also, you can easily do 24bit FLACs wirelessly through the SB3. The SB3 is limited to 24/48 content, though, as it resamples 24/96 down to 24/48 on the fly. Not sure if that's the case with the new Duet or the Transporter.

[run_run_run]

I need one, the remote looks A+

[Jammin72]

The Duet uses a different output circuit (DAC and Analog Output Stage) than the SB3.  I would only use it if you're planning on feeding a digital signal to your rig.  The control setup is slick though... one remote controls all the output boxes and no more staring across the room at the little display!

As far as digital output quality even folks like Wes Phillips and John Atkinson over at Stereophile use terms like "slight" and "a little" to describe the difference of the digital output in the SB3 over some of their favorite transports when being sent into more advanced DAC's and reference systems.

[Since85]

So,

You would go analog out with an SB3, but digital out with the new duet?

Also, The transporter does 24/96 natively, and has a really high end (supposedly) D/A converter, thus the really high price tag...

Some company called Boulder Cables does mods to the SB3. I have also seen other 3rd party power supplies as well. Any opinions?
http://www.boldercables.com/servlet/Search?category=MODIFICATIONS
http://www.welbornelabs.com/modsandmodules.htm

I really want to get one of these (squeezebox or duet), but do not know which way to go, and insights appreciated!!

Besides having the Dead catalog on a hard drive someday (wheel project), I would love to stream my 24/48 masters to the stereo as well.

[Nick's Picks]

nope, I plan analog out for now...digital out when I get a good DAC in my system again.

[som]

<<<sigh>>>

I feel so old....I just can't get away from the need to have a piece of physical media. My LPs and CDs would look so sad, watching from their dusty shelves while the Squeezebox has all the fun.



Wait....I AM old!

[Jammin72]

So,

You would go analog out with an SB3, but digital out with the new duet?

Also, The transporter does 24/96 natively, and has a really high end (supposedly) D/A converter, thus the really high price tag...

Some company called Boulder Cables does mods to the SB3. I have also seen other 3rd party power supplies as well. Any opinions?
http://www.boldercables.com/servlet/Search?category=MODIFICATIONS
http://www.welbornelabs.com/modsandmodules.htm

I really want to get one of these (squeezebox or duet), but do not know which way to go, and insights appreciated!!

Besides having the Dead catalog on a hard drive someday (wheel project), I would love to stream my 24/48 masters to the stereo as well.

I'd go digital out of either box if I could and use it strictly as a "transport".  I was just pointing out what has been discussed on the Slim Devices forum, that the new Box doesn't have quite the sound analog of it's previous cousin. (Though I'm sure like most things audio it's minimal) The good news is that the new remote will still operate the older boxes. Since the new boxes are less expensive it makes it easier to setup multiple setups in the home.

You're right the Transporter is right up there with many reference sources but of course it's not cheap.  The Truth mod by Modwright with a tube stage seems intriguing...



http://www.modwright.com/products/index.php?product_id=28

[BC]

Also, The transporter does 24/96 natively, and has a really high end (supposedly) D/A converter, thus the really high price tag...

As far as it's measured performance it is in the same league as any DAC separates: Benchmark DAC1, Bel Canto v3, and more. Very impressive IMHO.

http://stereophile.com/mediaservers/207slim/

This is some kick-ass resolution!!

Fig.3 Slim Devices Transporter, 1/3-octave spectrum with noise and spuriae of (from top to bottom at 3kHz): dithered 1kHz tone at –90dBFS, 16-bit data; dithered 1kHz tone at –90dBFS, 24-bit data; dithered 1kHz tone at –120dBFS, 24-bit data. (Right channel dashed.)

[Since85]

OK,

But are any of those power supply/other mods woth the $? Is it just better to spend the $$ on a transporter?

Also, is there a mod possible to make the squeezebox capable of 24/96? Any thoughts/insights appreciated!!
 
Nick, what made you decide to go with the duet vs. a squeezebox? Could one just get a squeezebox, and but that remote separately?

[Since85]

Sorry to flood the forum, but this PS looks very interesting.....

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/80596


What y'all think?

[Colin Liston]

The Duet just made CNET's editor's choice.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-media-receivers/logitech-squeezebox-duet/4505-6739_7-32815168.html

[johnlynn]

I just went to the slimdevices site to upgrade my software and it appears you can buy this new Duet as two solo units. For those that don't need the fancy remote with the Duet or don't want to spend $300 for the SB3, the base (stereo/network interface box) of the Duet is available for $149. This is great for those that install the server software on a laptop or have their PC near or in their listening room. All functions of the squeezeboxes can be controlled easily via a web-style interface.

I've had my SB3 for about a year and love it. I'd recommend one to anyone on this site. 

[Since85]

Still wondering about any opinions on mods for the squeezebox. Worth the $$ or not

Also, how does it handle a 24/96 file? Does it convert to 24/48 on the fly? If so, does it sound OK?

Thanks for any info.

[scervin]

I heard a squeezebox>Bel Canto Pre/DAC 3>Pass Labs X350.5>Salk HT3's this past weekend and it sounded great!!  Question is how do you get the tunes from CD to the HD with all the artist info?

 I upgraded my old '99 version of EAC to the latest and found that I can rip compressed and it converts the file to FLAC....sweet!  I used freedb to get the artist info, but how is everyone else doing this?  Once you get the files do you DL the squeezebox software (like itunes) and you are ready to go.  Might get this Duet for multiple rooms and to get the CD's out of my basement.

Thanks,
SC

[cheshirecat]

Still wondering about any opinions on mods for the squeezebox. Worth the $$ or not

Also, how does it handle a 24/96 file? Does it convert to 24/48 on the fly? If so, does it sound OK?

Thanks for any info.

Most of the mods to the SB2/3 are the typical things that you would find in any mod for audio gear; different caps.  Sure they will change the sound a bit, is it a must have, I'd say no.  Is it worth it... meh.

I did pick up an elpac power supply for the thing, hacked off the end and defeated the 12V sections to give me a straight up 5v power supply.  Sure there was maybe a little difference, but I'm sure that may have more to do with the fact that elpac puts out a solid 5.00V wheras the stock power supply was ~5.2V... go figure and with all mods YMMV.

[rasta]

I've heard there is trouble w/ MAC's and the SB3's.  Anybody using OSX leopard?

[bgalizio]

I've heard there is trouble w/ MAC's and the SB3's.  Anybody using OSX leopard?

Yes, I use a Mac with 10.5.2. and a SB3. No problems on my end.

[Tim]

I heard a squeezebox>Bel Canto Pre/DAC 3>Pass Labs X350.5>Salk HT3's this past weekend and it sounded great!!  Question is how do you get the tunes from CD to the HD with all the artist info?

 I upgraded my old '99 version of EAC to the latest and found that I can rip compressed and it converts the file to FLAC....sweet!  I used freedb to get the artist info, but how is everyone else doing this?  Once you get the files do you DL the squeezebox software (like itunes) and you are ready to go.  Might get this Duet for multiple rooms and to get the CD's out of my basement.

Thanks,
SC

scott, is this what you're talking about http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,91895.0.html

[lnarachi]

I took a pass on the Duet after hearing it on a friends stereo. Instead, I went with a device that takes the USB out from my computer and converts it to AES/EBU digital out.

http://www.cryo-parts.com/pclink.html


Since I have a DAC (Northstar Design M192) that has the AES/EBU input, I just run that cable the 50 feet or so from the computer to the DAC.

CONS: I have to select music from the computer instead of a cool remote....I remote desktop with a small laptop to the music server and use Foobar to play my files.

PROS: This box was only 129 bucks..not the 400 the Duet costs..
Sound quality is not compromised.

[scervin]

I took a pass on the Duet after hearing it on a friends stereo. Instead, I went with a device that takes the USB out from my computer and converts it to AES/EBU digital out.

http://www.cryo-parts.com/pclink.html


Since I have a DAC (Northstar Design M192) that has the AES/EBU input, I just run that cable the 50 feet or so from the computer to the DAC.

CONS: I have to select music from the computer instead of a cool remote....I remote desktop with a small laptop to the music server and use Foobar to play my files.

PROS: This box was only 129 bucks..not the 400 the Duet costs..
Sound quality is not compromised.

Please explain the sound "compromise".  Going digi out to the Bel Canto sounded better than the Raysonic to many ears.  CI Audio PS was utilized.

I'll be waiting to hear Nick' comments as well.

[pfife]

 I upgraded my old '99 version of EAC to the latest and found that I can rip compressed and it converts the file to FLAC....sweet!  I used freedb to get the artist info, but how is everyone else doing this?  Once you get the files do you DL the squeezebox software (like itunes) and you are ready to go.  Might get this Duet for multiple rooms and to get the CD's out of my basement.

yes, thats exactly what I did.   Slimserver (the squeezebox software) is functionally exactly like Itunes.   You designate your music directory, and it reads all of the tags for the songs, and creates a library.   You can set it up to scan for new stuff every day, so all you do is put new files in the directory and it will pick them up itself, or you can tell it to scan if you wanna listen to something right away that you just added.

Slimserver also allows you to stream your music anywhere.

Once slimserver is set up, when you initially start up your sb3 (or other product, presumably) you just tell the sb3 which computer on your network is running slimserver, and it connects.  Then you browse through the library using artist or song or album or whatev.

[scervin]

 I upgraded my old '99 version of EAC to the latest and found that I can rip compressed and it converts the file to FLAC....sweet!  I used freedb to get the artist info, but how is everyone else doing this?  Once you get the files do you DL the squeezebox software (like itunes) and you are ready to go.  Might get this Duet for multiple rooms and to get the CD's out of my basement.

yes, thats exactly what I did.   Slimserver (the squeezebox software) is functionally exactly like Itunes.   You designate your music directory, and it reads all of the tags for the songs, and creates a library.   You can set it up to scan for new stuff every day, so all you do is put new files in the directory and it will pick them up itself, or you can tell it to scan if you wanna listen to something right away that you just added.

Slimserver also allows you to stream your music anywhere.

Once slimserver is set up, when you initially start up your sb3 (or other product, presumably) you just tell the sb3 which computer on your network is running slimserver, and it connects.  Then you browse through the library using artist or song or album or whatev.

My reason for going with the Duet is that I plan to have a PC in the spare bedroom closet and use it like a server so no laptop to choose songs.  The display would be behind locked rack door so I like the idea of having it all on the remote.

Can't wait to hear more about this.  Sounds pretty neat.

[rasta]

If I want to run the Duet or the SB3 into my own DAC is one a smarter option than the other?  (less expensive if not paying for the DAC)