Logitech Squeezebox sound compared to CD Player


I am thinking of getting a Logitech Sqeezebox Touch and was wondering how good it would sound compared to my CD Player which is a Denon DVD-2930ci universal player & a Jolida JD-100A? I have itunes on an external HD (CD's have been imported to via WAV)and also use Media Monkey for my FLAC imported CD's and HD Tracks Hi-Res downloads. Also, are the cables I use to connect to my preamp as crucial to sound as they would be to my CD players? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks to everyone.
128x128tune_man

Showing 4 responses by rbautista

I highly recommend installing SoundCheck's software mod and his recommendation of using a linear power supply and ethernet cable. His mod disables the wireless which aides in improving the sound. On his blog, he a has very detailed step by step instructions on how to install. Take no longer than 10-20min to get installed.

The veiled sound people say is the stock sound. The SoundCheck software mod and disabling wireless gets rid of the veiled sound. There is still debate about the linear power supply. In my system, it made a difference. I was getting clicking sounds from the switching power supply that came with the SBT.

Even after the mods are installed, you can still tweak to your liking such as the buffer and SPDIF process priority. If you read the Logitech SBT forum, there are some good suggestions. Again, in my system, just changing the buffer value from 3400 to 4000 made the mid-range fill more solid (3D) and more warmth and texture to the instruments. The default 3400 made my system very smooth silky like, but lost a little dynamics. Sorry for rambling, but as you can tell, there is a lot of flexibility in the SBT software & hardware. For the value and the convenience of being able to scan your entire library at your fingertips, you can't beat it.
Mapman,

It may not sound veiled at first, but once you apply SoundCheck's mod that disables wireless you will discover how more transparent and detailed the sound gets. Veiled may not be the correct term to use if you are using wireless but you will know what I mean once you try the software mod. From what I understand from SoundCheck's philosophy, you improve the sound quality by having less services running. Believe me, I was skeptical at first being a developer, but his mods do make a difference. With his mods, you can disable and enable each of the mods to make your own conclusion on what best suits your system and ears.

To get around using the SBT wireless since I didn't want to wire the house with long run ethernet cable, I bought a bridge/ethernet to wireless adapter from Netgear. Even though I'm running wireless, the SBT touch doesn't have to run it's wireless service and turn on it's internal wifi radio that could interfere with the inner workings.

Here is the url to his blog so you can read up on his mod and philosophy. http://soundcheck-audio.blogspot.com/
IMO, if you have a SBT and haven't tried Soundcheck's TT3 mod, then you are really missing out. It may not make sense why wireless being disabled has any SQ affects or any of the mods, but this is one of those where you have to let your ears be the judge. It only takes about 10min to install. If you don't like, you can do a factory reset and be back to where you were. On the SB forums, there are a couple of users who try to do measurements to disprove. The numbers make sense, but when you listen it's the complete opposite. I'm not trying to start a flame war on wired vs wireless or sounding like a Soundcheck fanboy, but this is one of those you have to hear it for yourself and make your own judgement if there is an improvement or not.

Another great thing about the mod is that it is free unless you choose to donate to his development.
Mapman,

I do use an external DAC. What you mean by "tried mod to disable wireless" always adds confusion on the SB forums. So we are on the same page, when I say disabling the wireless mod actually means the wireless radio is ON. When you try the mod and do a tt -s, you will know what I mean. In my setup, I have the wireless mod enabled which means the wireless radio is OFF. I have compared the the two and having the wireless radio OFF (mod enabled) made a big improvement in my system. The music was smoother, less digital hash/grain, and transparent.

Like you, I have never used the onboard DAC only with an external DAC. I agree with you that SBT+external DAC is comptetitive more expensive setups, but the mods did bring the SBT to another level in my system. (**Warning bold statement/opinion coming up**) I truly believe the SBT with the mods can compete with transports costing in the 2-3K range and SBT+mod+external dac competing with CD players in the 5K range.

Another great thing about the mods, you can tune to your liking. I compare it to having different filters on the DAC. With different combinations of mods disabled/enabled, you get a different flavor of sound. Some good, some bad depending on the combination. If you go to the SB forum under the Audiophile section, you will read about the different results and peoples settings.

Based upon your responses and reading your thread on your system setup, it seems you haven't tried the mod. You may have your reasons for not trying them which is fine. I just think you are missing out :)

PS. Not trying to be rude, but don't want to clog up the thread with us going back and forth on why wireless should or shouldn't make a difference. I'd be happy to discuss on a separate thread so we can keep this one on track.