Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 37
  1. #1
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Analog Synagogue
    Posts
    4,363

    Squeezebox/Digital Set Up

    Hey everyone. It's been a while since I have started a thread, so here goes...

    I have now had my Squeezebox for about a month or so, and I am absolutely in love with it. I see no other device which compliments analog better. I now have my analog focus in my main system, and ripped files streamed into my HT room. Superb.

    It took a while, but I finally got ALL of my files fully tagged with cover art. This aspect makes the Squeezebox even more fun for me, don't ask me why. When I browse the albums, organized alphabetically by artist, and see each cover it's like filing through my LPs...fun!!!

    I should also say that I am fully enjoying the Wolfson DAC which the SB comes equipped with. It's surprisingly smooth, and of course very detailed. I only listen to FLAC or 320 kb MP3, and they are excellent through this device.

    So, this brings me to my point. I have the SB analog out to my HT pro. Great stuff. I am using my Mission 707s and everything is great. The other way I am listening has been with my AKGs, plugged directly into the 1/8th jack on the SB. Very enjoyable as well. A nice impedance match with lots of headroom provided by the variable control.

    I know that Ajani has made legendary the benefits of SB in a headphone system. That's got me thinking about "upgrading" my SB set up. I want to output the SB into my TeraDak Fathom, but then what? The Fathom only has analog out, and I have no headphone amp to facilitate that.

    I have thought of a couple of options here. I could output to my big and bulky (but incredible sounding) Bozak preamp which has fantastic headphone ability. The problem here is a HUGE footprint which I would rather avoid.

    I could buy an RCA to female 1/8th and plug into that directly. I wonder how good that would sound though.

    Any thoughts here guys?

  2. #2
    Ajani
    Guest
    I think the best option would be to buy a headphone amp... there are a number of affordable ones out there...

    I'd be tempted to try either the HiFiMan EF2A, $170:

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HMEF2A

    Or the Musical Fidelity V-Can, $200:

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MFVCAN

    If you really don't want to use the bulky pre or spend much money at all, then you could always try the RCA to female 1/8th adapter... I've never tried one, so I have no idea how well it would work, but it should be cheap enough to be worth the risk...

  3. #3
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    No info to add, but it just tickles me to hear your delight with this device, when some on hear deny its use for critical listening.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  4. #4
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    No info to add, but it just tickles me to hear your delight with this device, when some on hear deny its use for critical listening.
    I don't recall anyone on AR denying the use of a Squeezebox for critical listening... As far as I know there is quite a fan following for it here...

  5. #5
    Music Junkie E-Stat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    5,462
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    I don't recall anyone on AR denying the use of a Squeezebox for critical listening... As far as I know there is quite a fan following for it here...
    I'm very happy with mine as well, but the wall wart power supply is measurably noisy. Adding an aftermarket linear will reduce some false brightness and improve focus and resolution. I use a Welborne Labs unit with mine. It has about half a joule of storage, uses a low noise tranny, Schottky diodes and a polypropylene bypass cap. Here is a pic of the board outside of the aluminum enclosure.

    rw

  6. #6
    Music Junkie E-Stat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    5,462
    Quote Originally Posted by poppachubby
    Any thoughts here guys?
    If you have an iPhone or iPad, I highly recommend the iPeng app. Since my Touch is located in a closet, the remote control is useless to me and in any case has no display or search capabilities. With the iPhone app, I can control the unit anywhere within Wi-Fi range while viewing the play list or album art.

    rw

  7. #7
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Analog Synagogue
    Posts
    4,363
    Quote Originally Posted by E-Stat
    If you have an iPhone or iPad, I highly recommend the iPeng app. Since my Touch is located in a closet, the remote control is useless to me and in any case has no display or search capabilities. With the iPhone app, I can control the unit anywhere within Wi-Fi range while viewing the play list or album art.

    rw
    I use a Blackberry which is a part if my wifi network when in range. I wonder if there'd be an app for it?

  8. #8
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    76
    Quote Originally Posted by poppachubby

    Any thoughts here guys?
    Sorry but I dont have an answer to your question exactly.

    But here is a link that you might be interested in and promises to improve your sb if you have the touch:

    http://soundcheck-audio.blogspot.com...oolbox-20.html

  9. #9
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Analog Synagogue
    Posts
    4,363
    I do indeed have a Touch Dawn,,,,thanks!

  10. #10
    Music Junkie E-Stat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    5,462
    Quote Originally Posted by poppachubby
    I use a Blackberry which is a part if my wifi network when in range. I wonder if there'd be an app for it?
    Sorry, I confess that I know little about BBs. Do they offer the equivalent of the iPhone App Store?

    rw

  11. #11
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Analog Synagogue
    Posts
    4,363

    Here we go...

    OK here's the first combination, gotta start somewhere. I have it set up but won't listen until tonight. I will be using my trusty AKG K240S.

    Squeezebox Touch
    TeraDak Valab 8 x TDA1543
    Bozak 919 (smokin headphone section)
    AudioQuest King Cobra RCA
    Tributaries Delta 75ohm Coax
    AR Pro Series II PR920


  12. #12
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    I don't recall anyone on AR denying the use of a Squeezebox for critical listening... As far as I know there is quite a fan following for it here...
    I'm one those big followers, but there has been discussion on its ability to be used as a critical listening source. If my memory serves me right I think you were one that said that it has too many short comings for use with audiophile gear without an external DAC.

    "The issue is sound quality... I'd have to connect the Squeezebox/computer to a DAC to get decent sound... So IF the Marantz, Rotel, Cambridge, Olive units maintain the kind of sound quality those brands are known for, then you won't need a DAC to get good sound... Just plug them into your integrated amp (like a CD player) and listen to some sweet tunes...

    My existing setup is a Squeezebox Classic ($300) connected to a Benchmark DAC1 ($1K) with an Audioquest digital cable ($30). So total = $1,330... Considering the reputation for sound quality of Marantz's cd players, the $800 NA7004 music server might sound just as good as my $1,330 setup (plus look a lot nicer - just one box)..." Your own words

    I'm glad he is enjoying it as I do with all of mine.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  13. #13
    Vinyl Fundamentalist Forums Moderator poppachubby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Analog Synagogue
    Posts
    4,363
    I think the onboard DAC is quite listenable. I had it running direct into my main system and it sounded great. Admittedly, I haven't done any AB tests, but I usually don't subscribe to such things. With digital equipment, my ears tell me the story almost instantly.

    Tonight's listening should prove interesting and I will be sure to run the Squeezebox direct into the Bozak as well as my DAC. I'll report back my findings. The K240S are painfully transparent so it will be a good way to get a handle on it, at least for my own taste.

    I basically don't listen to any digital unless it comes through a Philips TDA 154x chip. The Wolfson is a first for me in a long time, and I have heard many. Actually, I have found Yamaha to have some pretty smooth sounding stuff, but only for short listening periods. It gets on my nerves after an album or so and I begin to hear the artifacts which I despise.

  14. #14
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    I'm one those big followers, but there has been discussion on its ability to be used as a critical listening source. If my memory serves me right I think you were one that said that it has too many short comings for use with audiophile gear without an external DAC.

    "The issue is sound quality... I'd have to connect the Squeezebox/computer to a DAC to get decent sound... So IF the Marantz, Rotel, Cambridge, Olive units maintain the kind of sound quality those brands are known for, then you won't need a DAC to get good sound... Just plug them into your integrated amp (like a CD player) and listen to some sweet tunes...

    My existing setup is a Squeezebox Classic ($300) connected to a Benchmark DAC1 ($1K) with an Audioquest digital cable ($30). So total = $1,330... Considering the reputation for sound quality of Marantz's cd players, the $800 NA7004 music server might sound just as good as my $1,330 setup (plus look a lot nicer - just one box)..." Your own words

    I'm glad he is enjoying it as I do with all of mine.
    If what you mean by "critical listening source" is to use the Squeezebox with no external DAC, then obviously it is not going to compete with a $2K CD player... If you mean to use it in a much lower cost and quality system, then it would be fine... So in place of a $300 - $500 CDP, I'd have no issue with a standard Squeezebox... But it is not good enough to be used with no external DAC in a high quality setup... What is so hard to understand about that?

    Would you put a $300 CDP as the source for a $10K Stereo? If you would then the Squeezebox would be fine for you, but most audiophiles would not make a pairing like that... Hence the Squeezebox would be inadequate by itself...

    As I said before: many of us use the Squeezebox, just not without an external DAC... Some even upgrade the Power supply as well...
    Last edited by Ajani; 01-09-2011 at 03:37 PM.

  15. #15
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    If what you mean by "critical listening source" is to use the Squeezebox with no external DAC and/or upgraded power supply then obviously it is not going to compete with a $2K CD player... If you mean to use it in a much lower cost and quality system, then it would be fine... So in place of a $300 - $500 CDP, I'd have no issue with a standard Squeezebox... But it is not good enough to be used with no external DAC or PS in a high quality setup... What is so hard to understand about that?

    Would you put a $300 CDP as the source for a $10K Stereo? If you would then the Squeezebox would be fine for you, but most audiophiles would not make a pairing like that... Hence the Squeezebox would be inadequate by itself...

    As I said before: many of us use the Squeezebox, just not without an external DAC and/or upgraded power supply...
    Nice try,, you should read your own postings, I come from the world, say what you mean and mean what you say, so there is no confusion on what is being said....HAVE A NICE DAY.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  16. #16
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    Nice try,, you should read your own postings, I come from the world, say what you mean and mean what you say, so there is no confusion on what is being said....HAVE A NICE DAY.
    Huh? My post is clear... You are the person who claims that I don't like the Squeezebox... I've been using one for 3 years, so I fail to see where you dreamed that up from...

    Perhaps you should re-read my post, and try to actually understand what I said rather than imagine a conflict that doesn't exist...

    Have a nice day too...

  17. #17
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    Huh? My post is clear... You are the person who claims that I don't like the Squeezebox... I've been using one for 3 years, so I fail to see where you dreamed that up from...

    Perhaps you should re-read my post, and try to actually understand what I said rather than imagine a conflict that doesn't exist...

    Have a nice day too...
    There you go again, did I ever call you by name?

    All I said was that there are some that did not feel the SB was good enough for critical listening.

    You jump in and saying that the SB is very good and many on hear support its use yes or no?

    I then pull a post of your own words where you say that the SB only sounded "DECENT" when use with an external DAC. Now did I say anything about compared to a $2k CDP? I don't think so. Once again you jump on that soapbox and spout off about XYZ dollar gear and transports and that the SB can never compare. So now who is not reading or reading into what is being said.

    Now for my original post was to have a laugh on how Poppy is enjoying this digital device, knowing that he is a old school vinyl listener and is have even more fun being able to view his collection.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  18. #18
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    There you go again, did I ever call you by name?

    All I said was that there are some that did not feel the SB was good enough for critical listening.

    You jump in and saying that the SB is very good and many on hear support its use yes or no?

    I then pull a post of your own words where you say that the SB only sounded "DECENT" when use with an external DAC. Now did I say anything about compared to a $2k CDP? I don't think so. Once again you jump on that soapbox and spout off about XYZ dollar gear and transports and that the SB can never compare. So now who is not reading or reading into what is being said.

    Now for my original post was to have a laugh on how Poppy is enjoying this digital device, knowing that he is a old school vinyl listener and is have even more fun being able to view his collection.
    The problem with "not calling me by name" is that in your response you quoted me, in a manner to imply that I am somehow anti-squeezebox... So perhaps you should take your own advice and say what you mean...

    I stand by my original point from way back in the other thread:

    The Squeezebox sound quality is fine for $300, but not good enough by itself in an audiophile system... It's not as good as even a $1K DAC like my Benchmark... But there has never been any shame in that, as it costs less than a third of the Benchmark's price...

    I still fail to see what you find to argue with in any of my posts...

  19. #19
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    I don't recall anyone on AR denying the use of a Squeezebox for critical listening... As far as I know there is quite a fan following for it here...
    This is why I pulled your quote, In my first post my comment was just in general, then you jumped in with this (above) So if you would have said with a external DAC DECENT sound could be achieved, you would have been consisted in your position, but you did not. So if anyone would read your postings from the other thread, they would conclude that the SB has weak DAC's and an external DAC is needed to just achieve a DECENT listening sound. Did I miss read that or what?????
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  20. #20
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    This is why I pulled your quote, In my first post my comment was just in general, then you jumped in with this (above) So if you would have said with a external DAC DECENT sound could be achieved, you would have been consisted in your position, but you did not. So if anyone would read your postings from the other thread, they would conclude that the SB has weak DAC's and an external DAC is needed to just achieve a DECENT listening sound. Did I miss read that or what?????
    My "Jumping in" did not require nor justify your quote in any manner... What I said stands: AFAIK no one on AR has denied the use of the Squeezebox for critical listening... There are loads of fans of it here... So the only reason to quote me is to claim that I am one of the persons who would not use the Squeezebox for critical listening... Which makes no sense to anyone, since I've used one in combination with my DAC1 for that purpose for over 3 years!

    Compared to my $1K Benchmark, the Squeezebox internal DAC is weak... What is your issue?

    Since DECENT is relative, I don't see what there is to argue on that... Would you prefer I say to achieve GREAT sound, use an external DAC? But that would imply that my DAC1 sounds GREAT... If I remember my reasoning (from that thread you so quickly referenced from MONTHS ago) I used DECENT rather than GREAT as GREAT sounds arrogant and over-hypes the DAC1... But since you feel offended by the word DECENT for some reason, feel free to substitute whatever word you like...

    However, no choice of wording you like will change my opinion that the Squeezebox doesn't sound as good as my DAC1/other more expensive units... It's fine for $300, but it won't cut it in higher quality setups (unless you add an external DAC)...

    So we can waste more time arguing about lord alone know what, or just move on and let the OP's thread get back on track... Especially since in your first post here you admitted to having nothing to add anyway...

  21. #21
    Retro Modernist 02audionoob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    2,908
    I'd say Ajani's position on the Squeezebox has been clear and consistent on this and every thread.

    I keep wishing I had a use for a headphone amp. I like the looks of the EF2A posted above. I was impressed with the sound quality of the headphone output of my Bellari VP130 when I had it. I almost kept it for that alone, but I'm ultimately anti-headphone, so off it went.

  22. #22
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    I think you are seeing the issue, you keep comparing it to your $1k DAC anyone that buys a SB would know that it will not compete on the same level as a more expensive DAC or should not be able to. And the reason for buying one is for the convenience of playback and storage of their music. For the price paid the DAC's in a SB are hard to beat in that price range. Now if it was the Transport model then there would be something to argue about since it is in the same price range as your DAC.

    So just as you keep comparing the SB to your DAC, It gets under my skin when I see people trying to straddle the fence on issues, Its just in my nature to call them on it.

    Peace!
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  23. #23
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    [quote=02audionoob]I'd say Ajani's position on the Squeezebox has been clear and consistent on this and every thread.

    Ok. tell me what is his position then?
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  24. #24
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    I think you are seeing the issue, you keep comparing it to your $1k DAC anyone that buys a SB would know that it will not compete on the same level as a more expensive DAC or should not be able to. And the reason for buying one is for the convenience of playback and storage of their music. For the price paid the DAC's in a SB are hard to beat in that price range. Now if it was the Transport model then there would be something to argue about since it is in the same price range as your DAC.

    So just as you keep comparing the SB to your DAC, It gets under my skin when I see people trying to straddle the fence on issues, Its just in my nature to call them on it.

    Peace!
    So since I've never said that the SB's internal DAC is subpar for a $300 product, then you have had no reason to argue with my either back in my old thread or in this one...

    You are arguing a point I have neither made nor implied...

  25. #25
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
    So since I've never said that the SB's internal DAC is subpar for a $300 product, then you have had no reason to argue with my either back in my old thread or in this one...

    You are arguing a point I have neither made nor implied...
    Did you bump your head or something, what does the word WEAK mean:

    weak/wēk/Adjective
    1. Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •