Is the Squeezebox Touch complicated?

A month or two ago I was hot and heavy to get into being able to play hi res files from HD Tracks and such, so I got a squeezebox touch. Since having gotten the squeezebox, I've used it a LOT, just getting to know it.

These are some of my observations. In my system, it sounds no better or worse than my Sonos, when playing "standard" definition files. I've also found that there isn't a whole lot of hi res music that I'm interested in. So far, I have about a dozen albums in hi res format, but really have to wonder if it was all worth the expense of the hi res downloads.

The squeezebox is quirky. Sometimes is doesn't want to work and needs a reset. Sometimes it won't read my library and I'm running mine hard wired to my router and have my music on an NAS. The available software is also quirky. The Logitech software plain sucks and iPeng is rough around the edges.

Quite frankly, in terms of usability, the Sonos system is head and shoulders about the squeezebox. The Sonos always works and the software is refined.

Of course the downside to the Sonos is that it doesn't do hi res and you can't control it with an IR or RF remote (which is a biggie for me).

When I'm having a party or something and pass the ipad around so that guests can add to the play list and control the music, I use the Sonos. It's just plain fool proof. When I'm kicking back and just listening to music, I use the Touch because I can control it with my Harmony 900 via RF.

In the end I just kept both. The Sonos is reliable and the Touch was so cheap that keeping it isn't a big deal.

I've had a few problems with my Squeezebox Touch, but for me they've been nothing more than annoyances. I have mine pulling files off of a Synology NAS. My biggest annoyance is when the Touch decides that it doesn't want to see the files on the NAS or it just stops responding requiring a reset. Lately, it won't play files that I bought on iTunes, although it used to. The remote control software for it (Apple and Droid) is also a bit buggy. What I do like about the Touch is the ability to play hi def files and being able to control it with my Harmony remote.

Still, when I'm having a party or something and want trouble free running, I use my Sonos. The Sonos is more refined and does sound pretty darned good. It's also easier to use overall.

Honestly, if I had it to do all over again, I would probably just stick with the Sonos. I've never had to reset it. It just does what it's supposed to do all of the time. It sounds good and the software is rock solid.

At this point, I just keep the Touch because it was so cheap that getting rid of it just isn't worth the trouble.

The Touch isn't bad, it just has its quirks.