Recommendation for replacing SB Touch.

Posted by: Taylormade on 07 December 2012

I've been using a SB touch to stream music to a Rega DAC and then to a Nait XS.

 

My wife, however, is tired of the logitech interface software which we use, iPeng.  The newest changes to the app are annoying to me as well.

 

I'm confused to some degree as to what the best replacement would be for the SB touch.  It appears that the Naim products already have built in DACs but I already have the rega.  

 

Advice would be much appreciated, especially from SB touch users who have changed them out for something else.

 

Thanks!

Posted on: 07 December 2012 by naimUnT
NAIM does not have a standalone streamer but comes packaged as Pre, DAC and/or integrated amplifier! The Qute can be used as a streamer but I believe the DAC chip is the same one used in the Rega, a Wolfson. However, as you know, it's the implementation of a DAC that makes it sound unique even if its using the same chip. Some may feel its a waste to pay for a UQ solely as a streamer, others have actually enjoyed the UQ in this way.
Posted on: 07 December 2012 by naimUnT
One other option is a Mac Pro or Mac Mini with Pure Music into the Rega DAC but you will be limited to redbook and 48. The Rega DAC is one of the most analog sounding DACs I've heard, very musical.
Posted on: 07 December 2012 by Edouard
Originally Posted by naimUnT: Some may feel its a waste to pay for a UQ solely as a streamer, others have actually enjoyed the UQ in this way.

The UQ solely offers a streamer, a Dac, Internet radio, DAB, FM, wifi, usb connection and more...

It's a wonderful all in one source, I have one feeding my 552/300, no external Dac in between,  and I am amazed with the beautiful music I get, the streamer/Dac is definitely high quality

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by Olly

If you want a great interface, don't care about hi-res and want to spend <£500 rather than £1000+ then a Sonos Connect.

 

Olly

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by Iver van de Zand

Depends a bit on the budget, I guess. Most important is that you try to keep your system balanced. As such the ND5XS is an extremely good buy. It would implicate you sell bothe the Rega and the Touch. I have already seen some 2nd hand offerings for the ND5XS. Worth considering !

Posted on: 09 December 2012 by Taylormade

Interesting.  The Mac Mini or the ND5 XS would be viable solutions.  The Sonos Connect doesn't support high resolution files as far as I can tell.

 

Has anyone compared the ND5 XS with the Rega DAC?  

Posted on: 09 December 2012 by GlenW

I replaced my Squeezebox Touch with a UQ in the weekend.  I questioned the cost of the UQ when most of the time I use it a a streamer alone but will use the Internet radio as well and it is a very convenient way to hook up iPhone/Pod for sharing other's music.  I am contemplating reducing the box count and may (if it sounds OK to me) change to just the UQ and 7-ES3s.

The UQ also can serve as a useful 'digital hub' in the same way as the NDAC.

 

I got the 24/96 version purely because I can't justify the extra $ for higher bitrates that I cannot hear a difference with.

After a bit of testing I settled on Asset as the UPNP server of choice.  Tried a few other but nothing worked as well as Asset and I was able to simplify what appears to NStream on the iPad.  Works well.

Posted on: 09 December 2012 by pt109
Originally Posted by Taylormade:

Has anyone compared the ND5 XS with the Rega DAC?  

Did compare Rega DAC to UnitiQute, using MacBook Pro with toslink.

Naim is noticeably better IMO.

I also replaced a SBT with a UQ, used as streamer only.

 

 

Posted on: 09 December 2012 by pcstockton

You can use another server and app and keep the Squeezebox.  With Whitebear Server I think you can run any server into a SB.  Whether that server has an app or not is another issue.

 

J River Media Center and JRemote (app) come to mind as ones you would LOVE.

 

-patrick

Posted on: 09 December 2012 by Bertie Norman

Logitech do a great app for free which controls the SBT - well worth trying.

Are you happy with the sound quality from your existing set up? If not then start looking at alternatives. 

Posted on: 10 December 2012 by Kendrick

Sonos has an excellent interface and by most a accounts better than SB/Ipeng.  In standard form, sound quality may fall slightly short of the SB but when modified by Wired4Sound, Sonos is a superb digital source.  I first used the unmodified Sonos in a similar system (Rega Dac and Naim XS) with very good results.  Later, the $550 modification brought better clarity and focus.  Subsequent system upgrades (Dac, power supply, and the amazing Lessloss power cable) have shown me just how good that Sonos can be, once modified.  Even 320k music from Spotify or Mog sGreat very close to CD files. 

Posted on: 10 December 2012 by MangoMonkey

If you're used to the Rega sound, moving to the ND5XS will be a step down in some ways, but will be better in other ways...

 

:-)

 

If you're happy with the SQ, maybe try Sonos from Amazon and see if you like it? You can always return it if it doesn't work out.

 

If you're willing to deal with a change in sound, ND5XS is really the way to go. Don't do the Naim Dac unless you can budget for a good streamer. I'm not sure how much you'll like the mac mini's user interface over the Logitechs.