[Suntory_Times]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebathingape /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes. I am just surprised at how apparent the differences are. Before i got the Dacmagic etc i didnt know the difference would be that big. So i wonder what the more expensive Dacs sound like

It depends on the sound signiture, I honestly think once you go past the dac magic diminishing returns are very high (and to me atm is not worth going beyond at this point in time, they I do recognise that there are generally subtle increase in quality).

 

[katzer1]

I have a behringer deq2496 which is my dac for now.
When I connected the duet to the amplifier directly (speakers, not headphones) I wasn't that impressed with the duet's DAC. The sound was flat and dull.
Things improve considerably with the Behringer in the middle.
It is not even a subtle difference, it is a different sound altogether.
just my 2 cents.

Erez

p.s.
The speakers are ProAc Studio One (good'n'old) and the amp is ROTEL RA-951.

 

[mirh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebathingape /img/forum/go_quote.gif ..Didnt try with headphones....

Could you try it? Is the difference more obvious on speaker or headphone?

 

[thebathingape]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times /img/forum/go_quote.gif It depends on the sound signiture, I honestly think once you go past the dac magic diminishing returns are very high (and to me atm is not worth going beyond at this point in time, they I do recognise that there are generally subtle increase in quality).

Good to know. There are probably other parts in my system i can focus on more. But for now i am happy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Could you try it? Is the difference more obvious on speaker or headphone?

Yes i can try this weekend. I am getting HD650 today so that has first priority

 

[V-DiV]

I love the convenience of my Squeezebox Duet with the remote for listening in bed or sitting in the living room - my whole music collection in my hand without needing a computer nearby.

I enjoyed the Squeezebox for a while without a dedicated DAC but eventually realized that the Squeezebox DAC or it's analog section, was holding back my headphone system so I recently upgraded. I am happy with the improvement that the VDA-2 brings over the SB DAC - a bit greater resolution, a little more and deeper bass, and especially the cleaner, more relaxed highs. The VDA-2 is significantly better at resolving complex and loud passages.

The biggest limitation of the Squeezebox for me is that it won't stream high-res files, such as are available for download at HDtracks high resolution audiophile music downloads, Linn Records - specialists in Classical, Jazz and Celtic music and a few others. So for now I would be limited to only listen to these (if I bought some) if I connect my DAC & amp directly to my computer. The Squeezebox Transporter can stream hi-res files (limited to 24/96 I think), but it is too pricey an upgrade for me.

Does anyone know if there is a relatively inexpensive method to wirelessly stream hi-res files and still be able to take advantage of a good remote with graphical interface?

 

[katzer1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-DiV /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... The biggest limitation of the Squeezebox for me is that it won't stream high-res files, such as are available for download at HDtracks high resolution audiophile music downloads, Linn Records - specialists in Classical, Jazz and Celtic music and a few others. So for now I would be limited to only listen to these (if I bought some) if I connect my DAC & amp directly to my computer. The Squeezebox Transporter can stream hi-res files (limited to 24/96 I think), but it is too pricey an upgrade for me. ...

I just looked up hdtracks.com, all of their content is available in flac, which squeezbox natively plays (aiff is converted to a mid format).
Are 88khz/24bit flac files different than other files? are they downsampled when transported to the squeezbox device?
Do I need special hw / software to take advantage of 88khz/24bit files?

 

[jsaliga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-DiV /img/forum/go_quote.gif The biggest limitation of the Squeezebox for me is that it won't stream high-res files, such as are available for download at HDtracks high resolution audiophile music downloads, Linn Records - specialists in Classical, Jazz and Celtic music and a few others. So for now I would be limited to only listen to these (if I bought some) if I connect my DAC & amp directly to my computer. The Squeezebox Transporter can stream hi-res files (limited to 24/96 I think), but it is too pricey an upgrade for me.

SqueezeCenter 7.3.3 (it's an interim beta build) can stream 24/96 FLAC files to my Squeezebox Duet.

--Jerome

 

[V-DiV]

I'm almost certain that Squeezecenter downsamples hi-res files before sending to Squeezebox.

 

[jsaliga]

Yes, it does and I should have mentioned that.

But the point is that you can use hi res files with your Squeezebox. I buy 24/96 content from HD Tracks and other sources fairly often. I convert FLAC to WAV and use a program called Disc Welder to burn DVD-A discs with them. There are times when I just don't feel like reaching for the disc to put in my universal player. So it's nice to know that I can put the original FLACs on my music storage and play it with SqueezeCenter.

--Jerome