Logitech is finally killing the Squeezebox slowly but surely.

coolsax

looks like one of the best music streamers on the market is getting the ole' screwjob. so I guess get them while you can, b/c the SB is no longer going to be what it was. They don't understand what they have and what to do with it, if you believe the current and former employees posting in the following forum.


http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?96188-New-Squeezebox-Radio

coolsax

if you google search squeezebox and go the link that should talk about squeezebox it now brings up their new rebranded and dumbed down product.

mdaudioguy

Not really surprised at all. The Duet concept was cool - buy a receiver and a controller and then add more zones by buying additional receivers. Then the apps came out and killed the market for the controllers. Then they stopped selling the receiver separately, probably as a way to get rid of all the controllers they still had... If you read some history on Logitech, it seems they've been a flaky company for long time. Many fans of the original Slim Devices lamented the day that Logitech purchased that company.

tonyb

Kinda wondering if the digital music server market is getting all too competitive these days. Lots of ways to get music off the 'puter and onto your home stereo. Thats not to say the SB is still a top notch product, so why screw with a good thing ? In my twisted mind, a dumbed down product is a way to cut costs, or they are looking to sell the brand off.

Sonos too has discontinued their really nice controller in favor for the free app. When given the choice of a 375 buck controller or a free app, most like the "free" idea better. I like the controller, call me nuts.

I would imagine the day a HT receiver incorporates a music server on the same level as a SB/Sonos unit isn't too far off, given the compact size of these units. Receivers are always looking for those bells and whistles to add on to draw a percentage of the market or stand out above the rest. Thing with that is, you still have to keep a certain price point in a receiver so I'm sure something else will suffer.

Also keep in mind that any software based product is just leased. If the company kills the software, the hardware becomes useless, most the time anyway. Makes you wonder about the life cycle of such products. Once a SB/Sonos unit is sold, thats about it for the profit realized by the company. No additional hardware to buy from them, no costs for upgraded software, and the products can last years. You have to keep selling alot of units to turn a profit. Kinda reminds me of kitchen appliances, you know that old fridge that lasted 30 years with no repairs needed. They couldn't make money after awhile so they made them cheaper, broke down easier, which means you had to buy a newer one sooner. Wonder if something newer is on the horizon to make these small music servers obsolete ? Time will tell, who knows, could be alot to do about nothing. In the end, you can't control the outcome so just enjoy the tunes.

gce

tonyb wrote: »

Kinda wondering if the digital music server market is getting all too competitive these days. Lots of ways to get music off the 'puter and onto your home stereo.

Maybe so, I know my Yamaha has the capability of streaming Flac and this kinda cuts out the middle man (SBT). I guess the only advantage to the SB or Sono is that you can add a better DAC but I hear it really wouldn't make a big difference if you're running an AVR. So if more and more AVR's come out with this capability it will cut out the middle man.

heiney9

Let's not forget that just because a device (like a receiver) has the ability to stream doesn't mean it will still deliver the same sound quality as something like the SBT. There are infinite levels of streaming and associated audio quality on the hardware end.

Not saying it won't be as good, just pointing out there are some variables and adding streaming to a receiver doesn't automatically make it as good as a stand alone.

H9

nspindel

heiney9 wrote: »

Let's not forget that just because a device (like a receiver) has the ability to stream doesn't mean it will still deliver the same sound quality as something like the SBT.

You are absolutely right. However, I think that point is moot in the eyes of a company like Logitech. A company that sells a $15 mouse is not interested in servicing the audiophile market. They are not interested in sound quality, only mass marketability.

nspindel

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Many fans of the original Slim Devices lamented the day that Logitech purchased that company.

I'm an owner of a SlimDevices-branded Squeezebox 3. You can bet your bottom dollar on that!

gce

nspindel wrote: »

You are absolutely right. However, I think that point is moot in the eyes of a company like Logitech. A company that sells a $15 mouse is not interested in servicing the audiophile market. They are not interested in sound quality, only mass marketability.

That's my point exactly. The more the masses have the ability to buy an AVR to stream there audio files the more a SB or other middle man device will lose sales. Sad but true!

heiney9

Actually in this age of technology and rapid change the Squeezbox has had a very long lifecycle. The original Slim Devices Squeezbox (SLIMP3) had to come out in about 2001 or so?

A 11 year life cycle is a good run for something that was basically unchanged, but sad to see it end w/o a compatible device being offered.

H9

nspindel

Looks like I picked the right time to get back into vinyl!!!

tonyb

gce wrote: »

Maybe so, I know my Yamaha has the capability of streaming Flac and this kinda cuts out the middle man (SBT). I guess the only advantage to the SB or Sono is that you can add a better DAC but I hear it really wouldn't make a big difference if you're running an AVR. So if more and more AVR's come out with this capability it will cut out the middle man.

I dunno man, dacs make a huge improvement over a standard HT receiver, not to mention a pre amp, amp, dac, digital server scenario. Receivers can't do multi room either, play different songs in each room or group them as you see fit. The nice things about these slick SB/Sonos units is the software, which receivers still lack. It would be a nasty headache to configure every step instead of having a software program do it all for you. Don't under estimate ease of use and setup, the general public is still fairly dumbed down when it comes to digital anything.

tonyb

nspindel wrote: »

Looks like I picked the right time to get back into vinyl!!!

Looks like you picked a fine time to stop smoking crack too.:cheesygrin:

Joking of course....

mdaudioguy

nspindel wrote: »

I'm an owner of a SlimDevices-branded Squeezebox 3. You can bet your bottom dollar on that!

Oh yeah, well I gots one, too, and you ain't getting it back!! :razz:

nspindel

Where'd ya get that? :cheesygrin:

dkg999

I think the "writing on the wall" is that the modern day tuner is going to be a digital file server, internet radio, satelite radio, and lastly but lowly over-the-air broadcast tuner. I've been pretty impressed with Marantz latest music server, and I'm sure that over the next few years we are going to see rapid enhancements in this segment. You'all figure it out while I pop a CD into my player and enjoy some tunes!

nspindel

dkg999 wrote: »

You'all figure it out while I pop a CD into my player and enjoy some tunes!

Right on. My copy of Mobile Fidelity Abbey Road vinyl, Japanese pressing, that I won on eBay showed up today. I'm going to go drop the needle....

stretchl

tonyb wrote: »

looks like you picked a fine time to stop smoking crack too.:cheesygrin:

Joking of course....

rotflmao!

tonyb

nspindel wrote: »

Where'd ya get that? :cheesygrin:

Sorry pal, couldn't resist. Remember the movie "Airplane" ?

nspindel

Of course. And stop calling me Shirley.

Not to worry, I got the joke :biggrin: I know you like looking at grown men, naked......

tonyb

:cheesygrin:

nspindel wrote: »

Of course. And stop calling me Shirley.

Not to worry, I got the joke :biggrin: I know you like looking at grown men, naked......

Shhhh......damn you !! :cheesygrin::cheesygrin: