Controller\Touch Hybrid?

[ziggyb63]

Will there be a (cheaper!) Controller\Touch hybrid ever produced by Logitech? Something with the Controller's functionality to control the music played on multiple devices, but with the Touch's dimensions\screen and in-wall mounting feature?

I have multiple SB3, a controller\receiver and a Boom, and it would be cool to have multiple wall-mounted touchscreen devices to control each of these around the house; I don't need all of the Touch's capabilities (a DAC, digital\analog outs etc.) so maybe a stripped down version just with WiFi\wired ethernet?

And yeah, I've know the other alternatives, touchscreen PCs, iTouch, Nokia 770s etc....

[bluegaspode]

Controller MK2
Yeah - I'd love such a thingy too ... and if it had an infrared transmitter like the controller, it could even be used as a master remote (either with the help of the custom SqueezeIR-applet, or some official ways provided by logitech)

[funkstar]

My gut feeling is there are too many different permutations possible when using the Touch as a reference platform. I guess we will need to wait for Marketing to work out which are likely to be the most popular.

The issue about having multiple versions with certain functionality dropped from each one, is that your cost base is actually likely to go up. You would have more product lines to keep track of, a more complex support system and your software is also going to get more complex to cater to these variations.

I can see the idea of dropping the screen to produce a replacement for the Receiver, that makes sense. But removing the DAC and outputs, USB, SD card slot, reducing the memory and processor speed probably wouldn't reduce the cost very much. You are still leaving the most expensive elements of the Touch intact (screen, casing and the software and support costs). But if in wall installations did become a significant market, then I guess it is possible.

[JohnSwenson]

Most of the connectors on the back are directly connected to the main chip set so getting rid of them just saves the cost of the connector itself. The analog outs are the only ones that have separate chips. The big difference would be getting rid of the connector board. All in all probably $5 in manufacturing costs.

I'm not sure what the ratio is but that might save $25 to $40 in retail price. Its not going to be a huge difference. I don't think that would fly as a separate product.

John S.

[ziggyb63]

Hmmm, a shame, as people seem to feel the hybrid touchscreen only option is not financially viable as a product offering from Logitech. I could see a product like this potentially sharing the same codebase as the current Controller (OK, Controller has a headphone out...), but I get the idea that the main PCB+screen would make up the majority of the cost.

With Logitech manufacturing a wall mount for the Touch, I assume they are expecting it to be used as a controller-only-type device - I can't see them wanting people to run analog cable\digital in-wall to connect to some pre-amp; but the current price point is a bit prohibitive for a multi-room installation, at least for me...

[iPhone]

With Logitech manufacturing a wall mount for the Touch, I assume they are expecting it to be used as a controller-only-type device - I can't see them wanting people to run analog cable\digital in-wall to connect to some pre-amp; but the current price point is a bit prohibitive for a multi-room installation, at least for me...

Basically that's exactly what I'm planning to do. Buy several Squeezebox Touchs then
I'm going to put a Touch in the wall in the main living area (kitchen, keeping room, living room, breakfest area) using POE and driving a pair of ceiling speakers. Then one in the wall of every bedroom except the Master using POE driving auto sensing self powered speakers mounted on wall or ceiling.

As for price, I can get 3 Touch for the price of a basic Sonos setup. I'm way ahead with Touch.

[ziggyb63]

Buy several Squeezebox Touchs then

Yeah, I got 5 separate "zones" with existing SB3s. Adding 5 Touchs at $299 a pop (and 5 wall mounts at $49) just to control the existing SB3s is too much. Will wait a few years until they appear on Ebay\Audiogon

Having said that, will undoubtedly get at least one to stream the handful of 24/96 Flacs I have.

[Phil Leigh]

Having said that, will undoubtedly get at least one to stream the handful of 24/96 Flacs I have.

I can confirm they sound great (I have 60+ DVD-A's ripped at varying qualities...24/48, 24/88.2, 24/176.4 and 24/192 and they all sound great via external DAC.

[ziggyb63]

I can confirm they sound great (I have 60+ DVD-A's ripped at varying qualities...24/48, 24/88.2, 24/176.4 and 24/192 and they all sound great via external DAC.

Yeah, I have about 40 DVD-A's I ripped, then used SOX manually to get to 24/48 - but I then deleted the original rips Guess I am going to have to re-do them all again....

Can't wait, 24/96 out to my Benchmark DAC1... wonder if I will be able to tell the difference....?

[Phil Leigh]

Yeah, I have about 40 DVD-A's I ripped, then used SOX manually to get to 24/48 - but I then deleted the original rips Guess I am going to have to re-do them all again....

Can't wait, 24/96 out to my Benchmark DAC1... wonder if I will be able to tell the difference....?

I'm sure a lot of the perceived improvement is because the mix/master is better...not just because of the higher sampling rate. Not all DVD-A's show a massive improvement over redbook - some barely at all.

The most frustrating part is trying to find "better than redbook" versions of stuff... Why can I get Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt but not Luck of The Draw???

Why is the only high-rez Dire Straits album Brothers In Arms? (my least favourite!!!)