Logitech Touch now launched

[Ali Tait]

Myself and others have found the same thing-no appeciable difference using an SB with an earlier Standac or via the SB's own outputs.The Caiman my be a different story however.

[Labarum]

Why is that Brian?

Because both the optical and coaxial S/PDIF connection between a Squeezebox and a 7520 or Caiman would be at least as good as a USB connection. S/PDIF would probably be better.

And because the use of S/PDIF does not require digging deep into the Linux of the Logitech Touch.

And because, as I said, the USB socket is best left free for other uses.

If there was a need to marry a Touch to a USB only external DAC, that would be a different case.

[NRG]

Attaching USB storage doesn't interest me (I'll continue to stream over a wired network) but streaming higher bitrate audio does and given the limitations of SPDIF even at 44.1/16 trying to use 24/96 is likely to make the problems worse. So streaming over a differential bus would seem to be a better choice and I'm reading good things about Stans 7520 in USB mode....

There is only one file to be changed as far as I could tell from the link you posted and the f/w may get fixed in the future anyhow...I think its worthy of investigation...

[Peter Stockwell]

Assuming the integrity of the analogue replay chain, there must be an issue with interconnects or interfaces, or you have a rogue Standac. Have you asked Stan?

No, I didn't ask Stan. I've already sold the Dac, so the point is moot. I found with an airport express that the Dac was essential and an enormous boost.

I used the same type of interconnects between the dac and amp, as I use now with the squeezebox, and the same configuration of interconnects are used with the phono stage. LP is clearly superior to the streaming, when I have the same material on LP as on the hard disk.

I find that I listen most to the squeezebox, nearly everything on the squeezebox I have on CD, I think I have one album on LP and hardisk only. I have to force myself to listen to LP, it sounds great but it doesn't have the music that I most listen too (The LP collection is mostly 70s/80s bought albums) CD represents what I like now, and so does the squeezebox.

[nb2]

Yes, I know, against all standard logic, but that's what I found when I took the Beresford out of my system, no appreciable difference. The CD player and the TT are audibly better, and sometimes by a wide margin, particularly with respect to bass performance.

Hi, did you try higher end dacs with the squeezebox ?
I have a Squeezebox Classic with a Beresford TC-7520 upgraded with LM4562NA

I also find very little difference between the TC-7520 and the internal Squeezebox dac.

I ketp the Beresford because of the USB input which is sometimes useful for me.

I'm still looking for a better dac to improve the Squeezebox.
(Which, unlike common advice, I actually find very good ...)

[Peter Stockwell]

Hi, did you try higher end dacs with the squeezebox ?

I'm still looking for a better dac to improve the Squeezebox.
(Which, unlike common advice, I actually find very good ...)

No, but I'm thinking about. I was thinking of getting a transporter, but I've been exploring the "Touch" forum over on the slimdevices fora (Squeezebox forum).

This is what I like: You can attach a local usb drive to the touch, which will then be accessible over your wired, or wireless, network. You'll be able to update your music files from your main computer. You then have a choice to use a squeezecenter on your main computer or what they are calling TinySC on the Touch (The touch contains a 500MHz ARM processor running Linux). So now no need for a NAS, your Touch will do that for you!

And I note one more who's not convinced of the external dac route with a Squeezebox classic (SB3)

[nb2]

No, but I'm thinking about. I was thinking of getting a transporter, but I've been exploring the "Touch" forum over on the slimdevices fora (Squeezebox forum).

This is what I like: You can attach a local usb drive to the touch, which will then be accessible over your wired, or wireless, network. You'll be able to update your music files from your main computer. You then have a choice to use a squeezecenter on your main computer or what they are calling TinySC on the Touch (The touch contains a 500MHz ARM processor running Linux). So now no need for a NAS, your Touch will do that for you!

And I note one more who's not convinced of the external dac route with a Squeezebox classic (SB3)

I'm also very interested in the Touch.
For me, the major drawback from the Squeezebox Classic is the necessity of running Squeezecenter on some other device (PC, NAS etc ...)
If I can plug an external usb disk on the touch, and have most of the Squeezecenter functions, this will be more than great !!!
(Is it possible to power an external USB disk through the touch USB ?)
24/96 support is also a big step up.

I am not sure an external dac is useless with a Squeezebox, but which one ?

I think the Beresford TC-7520 is great to improve a PC soundcard.
But with a Squeezebox, I don't think so.
I think difference is too small if you are tight on money.
And I think you want more improvement if you can afford more.

A lot of dacs are about to be released between 500 and 1500 euros, I'll wait a little and will test them.

[Ali Tait]

I didn't notice any difference with the Standac but there was with my Audionote Dac Zero.

[Peter Stockwell]

but there was with my Audionote Dac Zero.

where dat ?

[Peter Stockwell]

(Is it possible to power an external USB disk through the touch USB ?)
24/96 support is also a big step up.

Dunno, the touch will have it's own power supply. I was assuming I could use one of them portable hard drives, but your question is valid. Someone will have to go fishing on the SB forum.