Better source macbook air or squeezebox touch?

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grimmace19
grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
in Going Digital
Ok guys, I know the answer to many will be "listen and decide for yourself" but, I'm interested in what would be better from a tech standpoint for a source fed into a dac, a macbook air running tidal through USB into my hegel or, using my squeezebox touch via digital coax into the hegel running tidal through a third party plugin on it.

Any thoughts? Experiences?
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,973
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    My only thought is does the doc have asynchronous sub input? If not the touch is the better option. Other than that I don't know that there will be much difference...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,139
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    I am using a modded touch with az cables with s4 speakers and I am very happy with the performance. This is one hell of an office set up.
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  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
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    At my house I think Tidal sounds the best coming from the Squeeze Box.
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
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  • polk500
    polk500 Posts: 1,171
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    Not quite the same I've try a few difference set-ups and Spotify (tried tidal like Spotify more) from the Squeeze Box analog to Yammy sounds pretty good.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
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    grimmace19 wrote: »
    Ok guys, I know the answer to many will be "listen and decide for yourself" but, I'm interested in what would be better from a tech standpoint for a source fed into a dac, a macbook air running tidal through USB into my hegel or, using my squeezebox touch via digital coax into the hegel running tidal through a third party plugin on it.

    Any thoughts? Experiences?

    Basically it comes down to using the Hegel's USB or digital coax connections....if I understand this right. Guess that all depends on how well the USB is in the Hegel but my guess is....you'll like it a tad better than the digital coax.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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