Transporter vs. Squeezebox Touch w/PS AudioDL-III

I left my DAC on 24/7 for the three years I owned it. They don't use a lot of power or get warm, so just leave it in a well ventilated spot. They don't require any special maintenance, calibration or alignment.

The Transporter is an excellent piece of equipment. You won't be disappointed if you buy it. I did not end up with the SB3/DAC combo because it "beat" the Transporter but because I thought the other was a better value. (Transporters were $2,000 at the time with no discounts around. Now they are not too hard to find for about $1,300.)

I've got an indirect comparison. I auditioned the Transporter a few years back and ended returning it and kept the SB3/Lavry DAC combo I've been using since.

I acquired a Touch 10 days ago and after comparing it directly to the SB3/Lavry combo (synced and level-matched) I decided to sell the Lavry.

When I concentrated only on hearing differences, I thought the Lavry was still ever so subtly better. However, when I was just listening to music for enjoyment, there were several times I forgot which unit was playing and had to check the input selector on the amp to determine which one was in-use.

Given the display modules for the Transporter are no longer being manufactured, I don't know how much longer the Transporter is going to be in production. Right now they are not too hard to find for about $1,300, but that is still quadruple the list price of the new Touch.

I'm personally very happy with the analog out of the new Touch but there are undoubtedly some who would still want to use an external DAC.

So, that's one opinion for you. The Transporter does have its followers so you should have like-minded people in your camp no matter what option you choose.

Everything I've seen says that the display module used in the SB3/Classic and Transporter is no longer being manufactured.

However, that doesn't necessarily indicate a repair problem since there are probably a fair number in reserve for service purposes. The number needed for service is going to be far lower than needed to continue new manufacture.

Just think - you can buy NOS (new old stock) vacuum tubes that are 40, 50 or more years old without too much problem, though some are very pricey due to rarity now.

If you are thinking Transporter, I wouldn't worry too much about this particular issue. (Of course, I have no connection with Logitech so have no way to know for sure.)