My controversial post of the year...

BlueFox

FTGV wrote: »

Apparently it can sound quite good playing lossless files with one of these http://www.wadia.com/products/transports/170i/ and a good outboard DAC.

And, the upgraded 171 model lets the iPod sound even more fantastic. In regard to this thread, Mr T would say, "I pity the fool who still uses a CD player." :biggrin:

steveinaz

Trey
Something I forgot to mention, my first download of LMS (logitech media server) went south some how, and I thought I had made a major mistake buying the Touch....so after tinkering, messing around, etc; I decided to delete and re-download LMS and do a fresh install--EUREKA (was the word I used). Some setting, or some "thing" was corrupt with the first download making my touch sound like ****. Once I did the re-install everything was right on.

tonyb

Also if you use the variable volume control, set it to fixed and use the volume in your pre or whatever else your using. Those volume controls in the SB/Sonos units introduce alot of noise.

LuSh

DKG999 - if the Sonos was unaffected then I'd suggest it's the networking in general exclusive to your test that made the difference. The Sonos runs off its entirely own network if I remember correctly which likely means the networks you used weren't good enough. What kind of wireless routers were you using? Make and model? How much were they and are they dual band?

tonyb

Lush- Doug uses a SB, not a Sonos, just so you know.

steveinaz

Exactly Tony, The Touch requires a little "optimizing" first, to get best performance. I relocated my cable modem/gateway to get 100% signal strength to my Touch. You need to drill down into the "advanced settings" and make sure everything is configured properly.

markmarc

Took me bowl of popcorn to read thru this thread, fun stuff and was good to see all the old-timers chirp in.

I have no qualms with those using SB's as their music transport system. if I were to go that route I would definitely upgrade the power supply. Obviously, the quality of the DAC is paramount some good names have been mentioned in the sub 1K category. If going between 1-2K that's where the leap really begins IMHO. If you desire a bit more warmth and musicality the Nekko D100 is a nice way to go over many mentioned in the price range. I'll always give up a hair of sheer detail in return for an equal touch of musicality.

In the end, it's still about finding ones own personal musical nirvana with the financial limitations set.

vstarkwell

Interesting thread, I've been trying to learn more about the SBT/Sonos angle. If I'm following this correctly does this sound right?.

For example: Mac Time capsule (1Tb), for storage purposes -> served to a Mac Mini, Mac Book etc; -> to a DAC -> SBT/Sonos or Sonos/SBT? -> Amp -> Speakers

Would I be best served connecting Ethernet to Mac Time Capsule? If I'm not making sense or am missing something please let me know.

tonyb

Sb or the Sonos, whichever you use, would go into the dac, then the amp.

steveinaz

If you're going to have a wireless setup, it's best to limit to one wireless jump. It's not a matter of fidelity, but more a matter of possible drop-outs doing multiple wireless jumps. Note I said "possible." My setup initially had 2 jumps, and worked fine. Now my laptop is run ethernet to my cable modem.

Ext HD--wired-->Computer serving LMS--wired-->modem--wireless (or wired)-->Squeezebox Touch

vstarkwell

tonyb wrote: »

Sb or the Sonos, whichever you use, would go into the dac, then the amp.

Thanks!!

vstarkwell

steveinaz wrote: »

If you're going to have a wireless setup, it's best to limit to one wireless jump. It's not a matter of fidelity, but more a matter of possible drop-outs doing multiple wireless jumps. Note I said "possible." My setup initially had 2 jumps, and worked fine. Now my laptop is run ethernet to my cable modem.

Ext HD--wired-->Computer serving LMS--wired-->modem--wireless (or wired)-->Squeezebox Touch

Thanks for touching on the "wireless jump" as that was one of the things I was interested in but forgot to ask initially. Your example above has me asking what is "LMS" ?

I currently am using a Rotel-865BX CDP yet have no idea where the internal DAC fits into the hierarchy of good DACs. That being said I really like the sound I'm getting from it in conjunction with my Sansui AU-717. My goal is to eventually re-rip all of my CD's into AIFF contingent on them fitting onto at least a 1Tb HD, if not then ALAC and from there a wireless setup of the nature you guys have been discussing.

steveinaz

LMS is Logitech Media Server software that you load on the computer that will "host" your music library. You leave it running in the background, and it provides the interface to access your music.

vstarkwell

steveinaz wrote: »

LMS is Logitech Media Server software that you load on the computer that will "host" your music library. You leave it running in the background, and it provides the interface to access your music.

Thanks for explanation.

Serendipity

Pardon my ignorance, but I have a real difficult time understanding the concept of a squeezebox. I have the HP Digital Entertainment Center z560, which has a quality sound card with optical and coax out. If I feed it into a decent DAC like the $5,000 Esoteric D-07, mod my PC to tap the master clock, and sync the clock to the Esoteric DAC, wouldn't this outperform a squeezebox?

Face

Yes it would.

Serendipity

Face wrote: »

Yes it would.

Thank you. I am looking at a Esoteric D-07 DAC and a pair of Parasound HALOs.

This will be my next significant upgrade.

FTGV

Combined with a good media player like JRiver MC in WASAPI mode I can't see it being inferior.

Face

Serendipity wrote: »

Thank you. I am looking at a Esoteric D-07 DAC and a pair of Parasound HALOs.

This will be my next significant upgrade.

FYI, that is not a warm sounding DAC. While I enjoy the sound of it, I would say it's on the detailed side of neutral.