I have the Roady2 receiver and I have heard the SkyFi and SkyFi2 and I can definitely say that the sound is no more than a 64kbps mp3 AT BEST. I had it plugged into my PPA w/silver DIY cable and listened with my old CD3K's and then HD650s. It sounds miserable through both cans and also my stereo setup - Accuphase E-211 and JM Lab Electra 906's.
I had real high hopes for the XM service, and for some reason had it in my head that it was "CD Quality" but it is definitely AM radio quality or worse. FM is far superior, IMHO. I can stand the Roady in my car via the FM modulator. If I'm driving, the road noise and other background noises help make the crappy quality bearable.
Sorry if it sounds like I'm on a rant, but I was definitely let down with the quality of sound through XM. I got the original Roady and a year free of service as a graduation present from my cousins. I thought the original Roady (crappy) was the problem, so I bought the Roady2, but it was marginally better (10%?) due to better DACs and newer technology, etc, etc.
As far as diversity of stations, commercial free-ness, and being able to see what song is playing, it's awesome, but I'm going to let my free 1-yr subscription lapse when it ends and not renew. For 9.99$ a month, I'd rather buy a used CD each month and listen to free FM stations (far superior) rather than an XM subscription.
I had real high hopes for the XM service, and for some reason had it in my head that it was "CD Quality" but it is definitely AM radio quality or worse. FM is far superior, IMHO. I can stand the Roady in my car via the FM modulator. If I'm driving, the road noise and other background noises help make the crappy quality bearable.
Sorry if it sounds like I'm on a rant, but I was definitely let down with the quality of sound through XM. I got the original Roady and a year free of service as a graduation present from my cousins. I thought the original Roady (crappy) was the problem, so I bought the Roady2, but it was marginally better (10%?) due to better DACs and newer technology, etc, etc.
As far as diversity of stations, commercial free-ness, and being able to see what song is playing, it's awesome, but I'm going to let my free 1-yr subscription lapse when it ends and not renew. For 9.99$ a month, I'd rather buy a used CD each month and listen to free FM stations (far superior) rather than an XM subscription.
