Which Squeezebox?

[anbj99]

Hi,

I have no squeezebox device yet, which device should you buy to get the best sound when i connect it to my amplifier? I want to use my iPad controlling the device.

Anders

[toby10]

SqueezeBox Touch

[Squeezed_Rotel]

A used Transporter or a new Transporter SE

[dasmueller]

I second the Touch. Have 2 and love them.

[ralphpnj]

Hi,

I have no squeezebox device yet, which device should you buy to get the best sound when i connect it to my amplifier? I want to use my iPad controlling the device.

Anders

SqueezeBox Touch

A used Transporter or a new Transporter SE

Without knowing what exactly equipment you will connecting the Squeezebox device to it is difficult to give a reasonable recommendation. If you have some very expensive high end audio equipment then the Transporter might be the way to go, however if you somewhat less expensive equipment than the Touch would be the way to go.

At present the main difference in audio quality between the Transporter and the Touch is the better DAC and balanced outputs of the Transporter. If you will not be using the built in DAC, i.e. connecting the Squeezebox device to an external DAC or a home theater receiver with a DAC, then by all means get the Touch and save yourself quite a bit of money.

I have a Transporter and a Touch and can say that the sound quality differences between the two pretty much come down to the balanced analog outputs of the Transporter being slightly better than the RCA analog outputs of the Touch. And even then the differences are not that great. Yes the Touch is that good.

[Recoveryone]

I agree with ralph, but also look at where you want to be in the future.

[ralphpnj]

I agree with ralph, but also look at where you want to be in the future.

If future proofing one's purchase is a major concern then the Touch is the better choice because using the digital outputs one can then upgrade to almost any external DAC, even one with balanced analog outputs, or upgrade to almost any home theater receiver. Mind you, I'm not knocking the Transporter, it's just that the Touch is a more "future proof" device.

[guidof]

If future proofing one's purchase is a major concern then the Touch is the better choice because using the digital outputs one can then upgrade to almost any external DAC, even one with balanced analog outputs, or upgrade to almost any home theater receiver. Mind you, I'm not knocking the Transporter, it's just that the Touch is a more "future proof" device.

+1!

As a player into an external DAC the Touch is an excellent platform, capable of delivering superb sound.

Even when used with its own internal DAC, it ain't chopped liver, by any means.

And for the money, it's a bargain to boot.

Guido F.