Where to go - MacMini/HiFace/Ipod Touch or Squeezebox Touch/Ipod Touch

1b would sound best IMO.
Worth the extra cash? Depends on your personal finances, but if you can afford the NDAC, yes.

Get the BNC version of the Hiface rather than RCA to ensure highest possible quality.

Seconded.

I was a long term user of SB3/dac and used to the server program. Changing to the Touch was disapointing. Mac Mini/Hiface wil produce better SQ.

MacBook/Mac/PC (used to sync library only) > 1TB AppleTV > iTouch > DAC

you still need a computer somewhere in #2, for all intents and purposes. Unless you are only going to connect up a USB drive to the SB.

If you already have a computer you can use, there are many more options than the above at prices less than #2.

...mmmh, from different readings on the forum I thought that the SB-Touch was a great digital source, on par with CD5X and close to TP...
Keith, can you elaborate on your disappointment? Was that related to sound quality or functionality?

My experience is that sound quality via the digital out is very good. But the ergonomics is quite poor with the small screen and small letters displayed on the screen. Menu arrangement is also a little confusing.

Other than that it is a much better sounding unit than the Squeezebox Classic. I haven't the Transporter anymore to compare so I am not sure how they compare.

Other than the usability and a few bugs still to be worked out, it is a good sounding machine. IMHO of course.

quote:

Originally posted by r-tee:
MacBook/Mac/PC (used to sync library only) > 1TB AppleTV > iTouch > DAC

In my experience, I went from Apple TV via optical > NDAC to Mac Mini>HiFace>Chord BNC-BNC>NDAC and the latter was a vast improvement.

Can I just confirm, because I am not really getting this.

A SB touch is a device that looks like a touch screen remote, but infact is tethered to the hifi and a person has to use a crap little remote, or stand up and walk to the hifi. Or they can buy an ipod touch with a touch screen to control the device that is a touchscreen.

What the hell is the point of the SB touch? Or have I misunderstood what it is?

quote:

Keith, can you elaborate on your disappointment? Was that related to sound quality or functionality?

When I ordered the pre-launch Touch back in October I was using a SB3/Lavry DA10. In January I changed my streaming to Mac Mini/Pure Music/HiFace/Ndac and eventually settled on Mac Mini/Pure Music/Weiss Dac2.

When the Touch arrived I found it awkward to use. The screen is at a set angle which didn't suit the height of my stand. I couldn't read the display from my listening seat, and the sound quality was way down on my existing setup. As Garyi said the touch screen is a total waste of time. So I moved it on after about a week.

Yes, the SB touch requires either to use a basic remote, or to move from your sofa and use the touch-screen....In this sense is like the HDX.
In my case, I already have a SB Duet, so I'll use the Controller, which is a more user-friendly remote, not as nice as an ipod touch, but it works pretty well.
So, the only reason why I'm thinking to buy a SB Touch is purely because of the digital-out quality, which in my understanding, is on par with the CDX5 and with macmini/hiface...

I think people are gonna say that because they paid out for a device that makes no sense.

Its not like the HDX at all really, but in relation to this conversation The HDX has a video feed so those wishing can use their TV to view.

Does the touch have this?

Truely the touch seems utterly pointless.

Well for my money it would be a mini, or if a PC exists with a good form factor and is silent that. I would choose this for a couple of reasons. Firstly you have a great source for video should you wish to go down that route, and its a full on computer so can be doing other tasks for you whilst acting as a transport.

quote:

So, the only reason why I'm thinking to buy a SB Touch is purely because of the digital-out quality, which in my understanding, is on par with the CDX5 and with macmini/hiface...

Equal to Mac Mini/HiFace... please demo it yourself before believing such.

quote:

and its a full on computer so can be doing other tasks for you whilst acting as a transport.

Not really a good idea. Get a mini - dedicate it to audio.

Mac Mini controlled with iPod touch or Ipad is a great solution (I would say that, becasue that is what I have, albeit into a SN).

The iPad makes a great remote, even with just the iPod touch/iPhone app zoomed by 2X. A new iPad-specific remote app is presumably in the works.

The HiFace and BNC-BNC route is an upgrade that purports to offer better SQ, but I've not heard it.

Hi Thorsten,

wait for Marantz streamer (roughly 700-800€), Cambridge streamer (guess same price range) or Opera Audio D-Linear 7 as a streamer for your NDAC....
Hifi Show in Munich showed a lot of promising devices popping up next!
(And Stefan sells Marantz as well ;-)

Ralf

quote:

Originally posted by r-tee:
MacBook/Mac/PC (used to sync library only) > 1TB AppleTV > iTouch > DAC

hi r-tee,

does this set-up work well ? I have the macbook pro feeding a lavry dac, also have a time capsule. Are there benefits to be had?

cheers

quote:

Originally posted by r-tee:
MacBook/Mac/PC (used to sync library only) > 1TB AppleTV > iTouch > DAC

What are you using the iPod Touch for? Just as a remote or some sort of wireless link?

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:


What the hell is the point of the SB touch? Or have I misunderstood what it is?

It is a wired or wireless streamer. What's not to get?

quote:

Originally posted by T38.45:
Hi Thorsten,

wait for Marantz streamer (roughly 700-800€), Cambridge streamer (guess same price range) or Opera Audio D-Linear 7 as a streamer for your NDAC....
Hifi Show in Munich showed a lot of promising devices popping up next!
(And Stefan sells Marantz as well ;-)

Ralf

Yep.

Will buy the Ipod Touch right now and then wait a bit more.

@all
Thank you.

Maybe also the UnityServe...but €-wise...aaaagh...

PAtrick, so you can hold the device in your hand whilst sat at the sofa?

That would make more sense.

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
PAtrick, so you can hold the device in your hand whilst sat at the sofa?

That would make more sense.

If you are asking why the Touch over the other SB products? Then hi res capability is the obvious answer. The Album art and silly "Apps" are just a add-on.

Regarding controlling a SB, yes you use an iTouch/Phone/Pad or a laptop.

It isnt any different than ALL other streaming products or computers. Youve got to control it somehow.

That said, it definitely isn't for me due to HORRIBLE GUI and inability to handle a huge archive.

-Patrick

quote:

Will buy the Ipod Touch right now and then wait a bit more

Right decision.
Great sound.
Easy navigation.
Easy setup
The display is for me big enough and when i am far away i use the ipod touch with ipeng.
You need only a computer for setup.
the only down is at the moment, but it will be fixed,as logitech said, (hope so)is:
When you begin to play a flac (album ,playlist)it stops after 1 second and then go on, but this happens only 1 time at the beginning.

Themrock, you are talking about the Squeezbox Touch, right? I think Thorsten decided to buy an Ipod Touch...

If you're thinking of spending large hundreds on a solution, shouldn't you in fairness add the Linn Sneaky-DS to your shortlist? It's reasonable to assume that it's digital out would be better than anything an Apple TV or mini could manage through an optical mini-jack, you get 24/192 streaming, and a variety of pc/handheld/iPhone type interfaces which now seem to be fairly stable. (I haven't got one!)

Just bought the Ipod Touch.

Will wait and observe more...