SqueezeBox Touch vs. Sonos ZP90
Posted by: epike222 on 29 June 2011
What’s the consensus between the SqueezeBox Touch and Sonos ZP90? Good things are said about both, but I haven't found a direct comparison. I’m leaning toward the functionality of the Sonos, but I would go with the Touch if it sounded better. I would run either through a DAC or some sort, and then into my 202.
Don't think there is a consensus. Personally, I prefer the Sonos user interface, looks and feel, especially via an iPad, it's great! It doesn't do hires but who cares at this stage. If and when Sonos releases a hires version you can always sell your ZP90 on ebay and upgrade. The resell value of the Sonos stuff is close to its RRP.
The SB has lower jitter. I have a Sonus and uses a similar/same Cirrus Logic chip to Apple. There are upgrades available that take the ZP90 to another level though if that aspect is a worry. The Sonus interface is superb. Both will work nicely through a Naim DAC.
All the best, Guy
a DAC of some sort
What is that???? Naim only makes one
Thanks for the replies. Guy, have you listened to the SB Touch?
I have used a SB Touch with my naim Dac the last six months.
+ Easy to set up, works all the time, price, like the look better than the Sonos, nice app to my iphone( especially when I´m using headphones and dont have to move a muscle when changing tunes), think the quality of the sound is good, can show a neat little picture of the albumcover on the screen and my girlfriend likes it as well and find it easy to use.
- it doesn't serve me beers
It would probably be nice with a NDX, but I actually like the little SB (meaning; cant afford it, and honestly, cant say I need it at the moment)
The Squeezy Touch really benefits from a better power supply, and using that with a good DAC is enough for me to stop bothering about "high-end" renderers.
+1 for SB Touch: I've been using it for a while now, directly into my supernait. No issues at all, I found it has a nice interface (I use the controller) and the sound did benefit from the DIY tweaks of the software (switch off analog section, USB input, volume, screen and so on).
SB touch lets you play hi-res up to 24bit./96kHz - I think the Sonos can't do any more than redbook.
But, as a not too much more expensive alternative, you could consider a cheap netbook and a modestly priced async USB to s/pdif converter, and run whatever media player takes your fancy.