Transporter Question

I'd just use the transporter via ethernet and take the mini's mixer, PS and TOS out of the loop. Store your files attached to the Imac or add the mini into the network and your done.

Before buying a Transporter I would go over to the Logitech forum and checkout the rumours that it is being discontinued. It may even be that some of the cheap ones being offered are end-of-line.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

@js:
Presumably you mean connect the Transporter to the router via ethernet? This is not possible due to distance. So would it mean getting internet radio wirelessly (via router) and going via aux in (via toslink>digital input) to access music on the Mac Mini? I realise that I can add the Mac Mini to the Squeeze Server network wirelessly but surely the Toslink would be better? And presumably if going via Toslink i will still have to control using Apple remote?

@likesmusic
I have become aware of the rumours, but at the end of the day, is the Transporter a good DAC? My understanding is that it is a very good product (over engineered same say - not a bad think in my book, reminds my of early Sony CDPs) and Logitech still support the early Slim Devices machines that they didn't manufacture.

Transporter owners (or people who have heard it) over to you.

Regards

Neil

I've been using a Transporter as my only source for slightly less than three years. It's now driving a 252/SC2, 300, Guru QM10 system and despite being the least expensive component (source last!) keeps me very happy. Sean Adams, the designer really did an excellent job here and has built a true audophile network streamer that compares well against more established brands. I suspect it will be discontinued sooner or later as it's not really Logitech's thing, but let's enjoy it while it lasts.

My Transporter's 'tweaked' with a linear psu for the cpu and display as I did not want a switched mode psu on the same circuit as the preamp - I then treated it to a Powerline and a Hiline.

I rip using dBpoweramp to FLAC which then get stored on a Buffalo NAS. A dedicated XP machine runs Squeezebox Server which streams via WiFi to the Transporter.

The Transporter's sound is very detailed - some call it clinical, but I like it. I suspect the Naim DAC will better it and that is what I intend to do as soon as the DAC ships, but the Transporter remains a really great streamer and one that I have no problem recommending.

What DaveBK said. I echo all of what he said except my system is one grade down, consisted of 202/200/HiCap/NAPSC/Harbeth M30 before I sold my Transporter.

I have since changed to Weiss DAC2 + Macbook Pro and Squeezebox 2. And I miss my Transporter a lot.

I never found the sound clinical at all. There was a lot of detail but the sound was never thin. In fact it is probably better rounded than the DAC2 that I currently own, but I can never prove it since I sold my Transporter already.

But I can definitely opine that the sound was much smoother and at the same time more detailed than both the Squeezebox + Benchmark DAC1 and + Lavry DA10 that I previously owned.

Overall the (stock) Transporter is the best kept secret. If anything, it was probably under-priced to be taken seriously. This plus the fact that Slim Devices was never marketed as a Hi-End audio company. And it is now fully diluted by being part of a joystick company.

Well like they say, "that's the way the cookie crumbles"

But if I was in the market for a player, I would still get a Transporter, this kind of devices should last a long time with no moving parts.

Thanks Guys.

I've just put in an offer on one. See if it is accepted. I realise that these will not be around for too much longer and that stock will be getting scarce so I thought I better get one will I can (stretching the budget a little but might have a SB3 and DacMagic to get rid of to help finance the deal).

Having an all in one unit really appeals. Using iPeng as a remote and playing Spotify from Mac Mini thru the Transpoter as well.

See if he bites.

Regards

Neil

Good luck... hope the seller bites!

Done deal. Had a bit of a problem with my credit card blocking payment - fraud protection - happy about that, but the Transporter will be on its way from the US and all for £900! I'll have a look at the power lead that is supplied and then decide to upgrade or not. Happy Bunny.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBk:
.. I suspect the Naim DAC will better it and that is what I intend to do as soon as the DAC ships...

@DaveBk: The Naim DAC is only half the story. What will you be using for streaming duties when the Transporter goes? Uniti, HDX, or ...?

Cheers,
Steve

Not wishing to speak out of turn for DaveBk, but from what he has said, I believe he is going to stream with the Transporter and connect it to the Naim Dac....

Ready to be corrected.

No need, you're spot on. Transporter becomes the streamer feeding the DAC.

Waiting like an expectant father....

quote:

Not wishing to speak out of turn for DaveBk, but from what he has said, I believe he is going to stream with the Transporter and connect it to the Naim Dac....

I'm going to do exactly the same. I did the tests with high quality non-reclocking DAC and found out that Transporter has very low jitter on S/PDIF -- as the sound from TP had better clarity, soundstage and transients than any other digital transports I tried with the same DAC. If you like analytical sound -- just use TP through built-in DAC. It sounds as > 5 K$ CDP. Very neat investment.

The Transporter has landed! Two weeks to get it installed as ParcalForce were taking their time about letting me know where it was as I had to pay Import Duty. I chased it myself and collected it today. Will most probably get a letter next week.

First impressions are very positive. I can understand why some people find it 'clinical'. I will leave it at that for the moment as I have not had a lot of time to play with it as yet.

An issue however: Music now stored on a 500Gb G-Drive linked to Mac Mini which wirelessly connects to the Transporter. The Transporter is not seeing all the music that is in iTunes. Tracks missing from albums etc. I have rescanned but no change. The music library has been moved a few times. Firstly to a new Mac Mini (300Gb was transferred to a new spec one as the original had a small problem - no extra charge!) and then to the new external HD as I was running out of room. Any ideas?

Cheers

Neil

quote:

Originally posted by badlyread:
The Transporter has landed! Two weeks to get it installed as ParcalForce were taking their time about letting me know where it was as I had to pay Import Duty. I chased it myself and collected it today. Will most probably get a letter next week.

First impressions are very positive. I can understand why some people find it 'clinical'. I will leave it at that for the moment as I have not had a lot of time to play with it as yet.

An issue however: Music now stored on a 500Gb G-Drive linked to Mac Mini which wirelessly connects to the Transporter. The Transporter is not seeing all the music that is in iTunes. Tracks missing from albums etc. I have rescanned but no change. The music library has been moved a few times. Firstly to a new Mac Mini (300Gb was transferred to a new spec one as the original had a small problem - no extra charge!) and then to the new external HD as I was running out of room. Any ideas?

Cheers

Neil

I recall vaguely that something similar happened to me where tracks and artworks were missing. How about "completely" uninstall and re-install the Squeezecenter from scratch.

Sometimes, believe it or not, it isn't enough to re-install Squeezecenter to fix problems, you also have to manually delete the cache, which isn't cleared by de-installation.

You can find out where the cache is by

Open Web Control > Settings >Basic Settings > View Previous Scan Details

The windows defaults is c:\programdata\squeezebox\cache

Possibly 'best' to delete the entire \programdata\squeezebox directory.

The new touch squeezebox is supposed to have a better digital out than SB classic, maybe it matches TP quality for that purpose, you can add a better DAC later...

quote:

The new touch squeezebox is supposed to have a better digital out than SB classic, maybe it matches TP quality for that purpose,

It's hard to believe after a first glance at Touch's power supply. You can put in the best quartz crystal in the circuit but if power supply is not good you will not get a good clock. Transporter features a very high quality circuitry around super-fine clock.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have uninstalled/reinstalled and all seems to be ok (I will confess to not having checked all the music I have).

Will hopefully be doing some serious listening over the weekend.

Neil