Qute Vs. Squeezebox

Posted by: Elbow on 23 September 2011

Hi guys,

My serious listening is almost exclusively done from my main system from vinyl. I also have a Squeezebox connected to a smaller system at home. I was thinking of getting into streaming the music that I have on my Mac to my main system and was considering a Qute as a first step (bypassing the Qute amp feature and plugged directly into my 552). Am I likely to see much benefit from this in terms of sound quality over just using my squeezebox touch into the 552? I'm sure that the DAC in the Qute has to be better than the one in the SB, but is it that much better? Don't think I'm yet ready to buy an nDac as well (although that is an option for later). I can't see myself moving from using vinyl as my main source, so this is more for casual/secondary listening.

Thanks

Posted on: 23 September 2011 by guitardave

Yes, the dac in the Qute is much better than that in the Touch. I have had them both in my home for a couple of months, and I am a long time Squeezebox user (Duet and now Touch). The Touch is a great streaming device to a dac, but as a complete source the Qute is better. It really sounds quite good all by itself, using its own amp, IMO.

The Touch was an improvement in streaming over the Duet, used just as a stream source. I was quite surprised by this. I really did not expect it. It does output a bit perfect stream according to some tests I have seen at the Anedio site.

Posted on: 23 September 2011 by james n

Given the cost difference between the Qute and Touch, i think the touch would be a good way of streaming music into your main system via its analogue outputs. If you find you want more then you could add an external Dac (Rega / Naim etc).

James

Posted on: 23 September 2011 by Elbow

Thanks guys