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I am - belatedly, I know - getting into digital audio & was intending to build a system around a Windows Laptop (& a NAS) using JRiver &/or HQPlay software. But recently I've been reading good things about the Squeezebox Touch which I had previously disregarded due to it's discontinuation by Logitech. Without enraging the partisans, can someone explain to me the advantages of going with a Squeezebox Touch over a Laptop (or dedicated PC) & NAS - or are their potential synergies to using all of them together?
Edits: 07/29/14 07/29/14Follow Ups:
I have been using a Duet for the past 5 or 6 years, at least partly inspired by Larry's comments on it.
My music is stored on a 2terabyte hard drive which has usually been plugged in to a standard desk top PC and thus to the LAN via a Netgear router.
Some months ago the PC, which had been built for me by a local shop, had to go in for minor servicing and for a few days I plugged the hard drive into a VERY cheap Acer netbook.
The sound of the system changed instantly and for the better.
It has lead me to now be considering having a number of small (and cheap) laptops around the house performing separate functions. Almost everything I do requires very little in terms of computing power and I suspect the separation of functions (or church and state) may have instant and permanent benefits.
"can someone explain to me the advantages of going with a Squeezebox Touch over a Laptop"
In two words: No fan.
In a few more: No moving parts period. Remote control iOS application off the shelf.
I looked for a "Netbook" or "Laptop" with no fan or HD diligently to no avail.
On the other hand I question it's long term viability. But at my age, I question mine too, so moving right along I'm enjoying mine!
Regards, Rick
to use software that allows great versatility as to how you can choose playback options. In my case I most enjoy and listen nearly always to a random shuffle of several different genres of music....
Last night it was Rock & Alt-Country & Singer-Songwriter & Jug & Bluegrass. No building a playlist, just checking those boxes in the Logitech Media Software, leaving the computer room, going to my listening chair with my IPad and opening the IPeng 7 APP and seeing the artwork for the album that each song came from as well as skipping a song I may not wish to hear and controlling the volume and all other functions with my feet up!
The Touch is the best choice for me, I used the Duet for a number of years then about 4 months or so ago someone here at AA put up a post saying he had no further use for his Touch and whoever contacted him first could have it for the cost of shipping. I jumped and when I got it it was in the original box with the plastic film over parts and it appeared to have never been used. Cost was 25 bucks!!
It is one very well thought out device.
So, the main advantage is the convenience and the software - which allows you to do things that JRiver (for example) does not?
(It sounds like you did indeed get a bargain!)
Well, convenience certainly. OTOH, I do not know what things one can do with the SBT that you cannot do with JRiver. I own both.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you use a laptop, you need a cord from your Laptop to your DAC. So, either you have your Laptop sitting next to your stereo gear or if it's on your Lap, you are 'Tethered' to the DAC with a long Cord. Not sure about this, as I use an SBT.
My SBT sits next to my DAC, is small with a small Cord, can be accessed by my Laptop via LMS. It also streams Spotify, which I mostly use. So, I see it as a convenience.
Cut-Throat
Thanks everyone, this has been instructive & helpful (esp. the links, LWR). One final question: What is LMS?
LMS is Logitech Media Server. Very Cool Software indeed.
It is a free download on the Logitech Site and it is used on a Laptop or tablet or phone to control a Squeezebox Touch.
Cut-Throat
You can also use LMS to control the SqueezePlay app (PC/Mac) which emulates the SBT.
.
Ah Ha! Thanks. I think I may give the Squeezebox a whirl!
So, are you streaming your data? If yes, does that limit resolution?
I can play any audio format one can stream, even 4xDSD and multichannel.Oh, but not all that with the SBT. It does just fine with PCM in stereo. ;-)
Edits: 07/31/14
Yes, I stream Spotify at 320kbps.... So, yes it limits resolution. Would I be able to tell in a Blind Test?
I would not put any of my money on it. So, it's really not that relevant in the Grand Scheme of Audio to me.
Cut-Throat
Well, my PC sits next to my DAC but I can sit comfortably and control it from my iPad or Android phone. It will handle all that my SBT can plus DSD and multichannel.
Oh, I can run LMS on the PC for Internet radio.
As much as I would not like a PC next to my DAC, I could see that it would work. However I have other issues as well.
My biggest issue at the moment is that the Spotify Pluggin and Smart Mix Pluggin that have been developed for the SBT are so useful that I would not want to give them up. Spotify as modified by the SBT community is about 95% of my Source currently.
The Squeezebox Touch is almost a Perfect Audio Source. I will glady switch when I find something better. Not something Equal, But something with more Capability than I currently Have.
Cut-Throat
It is a silent PC constructed for the purpose. It runs SqueezePlay/SqueezeServer. Of course, I am biased by my insistence on playing uncompressed high-resolution multichannel files and that disqualifies almost anything other than a PC. But I do not see any down-side and I have given my SBT to my daughter.
Ipeng 7 to control with your laptop. It has a more pleasing and versatile interface. And you can make it use a white letters on black background which is way better in the dark!
Review
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ipeng-7-squeezebox-remote/id767266886?mt=8
http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Squeezebox-Players/New-iPeng-7-a-Squeezebox-App-for-iOS-7/td-p/1149787
There are more reviews at Google
I've heard good things about IPeng, but as I understand, it only runs on Apple? Correct?
I also happen to like LMS a lot!.... to me, it is a perfectly designed Application. Also, I use Custom Pluggins that I believe you have to Use LMS for. Correct?
Cut-Throat
I do not know the answers to either of those.
I have not felt the need for it nor if it even works on a MAC. Yes, convenience and the great design of LMS and more so how IPeng 7 folds into LMS and actually improves the functionality
http://www.stereophile.com/content/logitech-squeezebox-touch-network-music-player-page-3
Modifying as in the following link allows the USB connection to output high rez files.
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2012/05/enhanced-digital-output-applet-for-squeezebox-touch/
And they sound great
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