Squeezebox V/S DAC Discusssion

[Bluu]

I think you want to say why a remote for a touch device and why is it touch if you have a remote.

You say one has to walk to operate, I say use remote. Then you say why to operate touch screen by remote and not by TOUCH.

I tell you bluu it very difficult to satisfy customer now a days. hyeah:

All in lighter mood BTW.

See! I knew it! You are silly

 

[pdhanwada]

I have a squeezebox and MHDT havana dac($1000). I am not able to make out difference between with outboard dac and sb dac.

sb touch is very good.

I would go with sb touch.

Thanks
Pandu

 

[Bluu]

Good to know! If my demo of the Audiozone is similar to your experience, it will mean that I will not need to spend on a DAC anytime soon

 

[anm]

hi - any experience of duet/ receiver dacs?

I have a squeezebox and MHDT havana dac($1000). I am not able to make out difference between with outboard dac and sb dac.

sb touch is very good.

I would go with sb touch.

Thanks
Pandu

 

[pdhanwada]

The Biggest of the differences I found were when I replaced my technics cd player with squeezebox and also when I got the room treatment done.

Our system consists of n of elements which one creates the main difference is hard to say and if the difference which we are expecting is not found dont know where the problem.

I know My Havana is of high quality. The problem may be elsewhere like, speaker, amp pream.

Bottom line difference due to what is not easily found.

Difference between MHDT Vs receiver dac was also not significant.

Thanks
Pandu

 

[Bluu]

I'm guessing you don't use the Havana with the Squeezebox then? What is the Havana used for in your rig? Have you tried using the Havana as a DAC instead of the S'box? If all other things remain constant and you don't hear a difference, then the S'box DAC is suspiciously good!

Maybe you could do a quick test with your favorite tracks for us. Try using the onboard and outboard DACs without changing anything else. I'm very intrigued to know how a 1000USD DAC is not outperforming the S'box.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I know. I just think that using a remote to control a touch based device is silly. However, that is only my opinion

Most electronics is "touch based". You know... knobs, switches.... hyeah:

Ok. Let me take the lead and start the discussion on Squeezebox v/s dedicated DAC with laptop/pc.

Going back to basics, and even below that, I'm sure that the best way to connect your PC to your hifi is ... a cable (or two. Or four; I used to have analogue in/out and toslink in/out). I have no doubt that it is the cheapest way to do it --- and I do sometimes think of my squeezebox as something that I used to do for 1/10 the price with a piece of wire . $200 for the duet? I think I paid that in uk pounds for mine!

Whilst thinking about the competition between the Duet's inbuilt DAC and an external unit, remember also that the remote is actually more expensive than the receiver!

Given that I am no longer able to string wire between my PC and my hifi, I am very happy with my Duet. I don't do nearly enough serious listening, these days, to consider trying an external-DAC upgrade to that. A few years back, I probably would have (but then the marketing men hadn't thought of external DACs then!)

 

[Kevian]

199 USD @ http://www.crutchfield.com/p_596DUET/Logitech-Squeezebox-Duet.html?tp=7046
179 USD @ http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=338535&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE refurbished

 

[Bluu]

Most electronics is "touch based". You know... knobs, switches.... hyeah:

LOL!

Typical.

 

[pdhanwada]

I'm guessing you don't use the Havana with the Squeezebox then? What is the Havana used for in your rig? Have you tried using the Havana as a DAC instead of the S'box? If all other things remain constant and you don't hear a difference, then the S'box DAC is suspiciously good!

Maybe you could do a quick test with your favorite tracks for us. Try using the onboard and outboard DACs without changing anything else. I'm very intrigued to know how a 1000USD DAC is not outperforming the S'box.

My primary setup

pc >wireless router> squeezeboxtouch > digital coax >MHDT >Acoustic zen silver ref interconnects > B&K preamp>acoustic zen matrix ref interconnects > B&K 7270 Amp > Canare blue jeans cables(bi wired) > Paradigm S4 speakers

My setup without dac

pc >wireless router> squeezeboxtouch > audioquest interconnects> B&K preamp>acoustic zen matrix ref interconnects > B&K 7270 Amp > Canare blue jeans cables(bi wired) > Paradigm S4 speakers

As my preamp has multiple inputs. I switch between the first and second one and tried to find the difference. Havent found significant diff yet. I havent done the blind test yet. Need help. To do a blind test I would need a audio enthusiast. If anybody willing to help me out I am more than grateful.


My system has pretty good resolution. Not sure where is the problem.

Since the squeezebox has arrived, It has been a wonderful experiance.
Spending more and more time listening to the music.



Thanks
Pandu

 

[Kevian]

Thanks Pdhanwada. I really want to order SB right now. But I don't have a citicard for Borderlinx or ShopnShip account(doesn't accept SBI net banking). Hence I am leaning on groupbuy who have either of above mentioned accounts.

cheers!!

 

[pdhanwada]

Kevian

You look like staying in secundrabad. You are probably about 10 km away from my place. If you have time you can visit my place.

Thanks
Pandu

 

[Bluu]

Kevian

You look like staying in secundrabad. You are probably about 10 km away from my place. If you have time you can visit my place.

Thanks
Pandu

You stole the words out of my mouth! Kevian, please do the honors for a blind test.

 

[Kevian]

Kevian

You look like staying in secundrabad. You are probably about 10 km away from my place. If you have time you can visit my place.

Thanks
Pandu

Sure, I'll ping you after this weekend. Thanks a lot for the invite man. I stay near Trimulgherry. you?

cheers!!

 

[pdhanwada]

Kevian,

Will send my mobile number via PM. I live near Apollo hospital jubilee hills.

you can call me anytime.

Thanks
Pandu

 

[Kevian]

Bluu bro, I am not yet sonically qualified to do any honors. But, yes I prefer it to be called as a "service" which I'd do happily. We probably need someone like Sidvee or Quad to do the honors on blind test.

cheers!!

 

[Kittu]

Trimulgherry?

You mean Tirumalagiri near KV ... Btw did u spell that in french or spanish .

 

[Kevian]

You mean Tirumalagiri near KV ... Btw did u spell that in french or spanish .

Yeah, to be specific, KV is closer to my house. And brits spelled it that way...sorry

 

[Kittu]

Yeah, to be specific, KV is closer to my house. And brits spelled it that way...sorry

Btw, I am talking with Dev (Bass Treble) to check the price of SB Duet in singapore , if I get a close pricing to aramex or borderlinx then will get from singapore. If not lets pull the plug from Aramex. Are you in ?

 

[pdhanwada]

Bluu bro, I am not yet sonically qualified to do any honors. But, yes I prefer it to be called as a "service" which I'd do happily. We probably need someone like Sidvee or Quad to do the honors on blind test.

cheers!!

Me too in the same situation. I need an extra pair of ears to confirm. Need not be qualified. Dont worry about qualification. It should be the way that if you dont hear it dont worry abouot it.

Thats what I have done lately.

Thanks
Pandu