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

Posted by: Thorsten_L on 06 June 2010

Hi!

Two (three) ways of harddisk-replay I think are pretty cool with the NAIM DAC.

But which would be better in terms of sound quality?

1a)
MacMini > 3,5mm to optical Toslink > Naim DAC, controlled headlessly via Ipod Touch.
~ 850€

1b)
MacMini > HiFace > Naim DAC, controlled headlessly via Ipod Touch.
~950€

2)
Squeezebox Touch > Naim DAC, controlled via Ipod Touch
~ 600€

Are 1a) and 1b) really ~ 300€ better???
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by themrock
quote:
Themrock, you are talking about the Squeezbox Touch, right? I think Thorsten decided to buy an Ipod Touch

Yes my mistake.
But he should buy the SB-Touch Winker
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by likesmusic:
If you're thinking of spending large hundreds on a solution, shouldn't you in fairness add the Linn Sneaky-DS to your shortlist?


That things is like $3000 isnt it? Why not just get a Uniqute at that point?
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by JYOW
quote:
If you're thinking of spending large hundreds on a solution, shouldn't you in fairness add the Linn Sneaky-DS to your shortlist?

Sneaky DS is much cheaper than $3000, probably around $1200 or somewhere around that territory.

It also includes a integrated amp like the UniCute. I would have a listen to the Cute first for obvious reasons.

In any case the Touch would be a very good companion for your nDAC, at least for the interim.
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by garyi
As 'shallow' as it is Patrick raises an important aspect to this whole distributed audio thing. The Graphical User Interface.

For this reason alone I would never buy a linn, its just the most horrid GUI on earth, regardless of the sound.

This is where an ATV, PC, Mini or Linux can win using XBMC, it takes a bit of work for sure, but in general the hardest part is ensuring a 'folder.jpg' in each music folder. Then you get a result better than anything else I have seen on the market.
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by themrock
quote:
In any case the Touch

Which Touch (Logitech or Ipod) Smile
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by JYOW
Logitech Squeezebox Touch
Posted on: 08 June 2010 by likesmusic
re the UnitiQute vs Linn Sneaky DS - I thought the UnitiQute was a lot more expensive - mebbe I'm wrong.

And does the UnitiQute support gapless playback?

(fwiw, I don't think that either are an elegant way of feeding a naim DAC across a network - there must be less wasteful solutions).
Posted on: 09 June 2010 by Thorsten_L
Yesterday, I connected the Ipod Touch 64GB to the nDAC with Apple-Lossless files...for a 333€-transport absolutely fantastic.

Not as good as the CD5XS, but no worse than for example the HK DVD37....

With my Grado 325si´s...stunningly good sound, this little Ipod Touch.
Posted on: 09 June 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
the hardest part is ensuring a 'folder.jpg' in each music folder.


http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/f....php?showtopic=57392

This makes it very easy.

-Patrick

ps - You can change the variable to "Artist" and download artist jpgs as well which I think can be used in XBMC, and surely can be used in any Foobar config.