SqueezeBox - any good?

Rambaud · 6 Aug 2006 at 12:07

Thinking about getting one - the wireless version.

But £200.00 is a lot of dosh.

Looking for comments (good and bad).

Or other options?

Rambaud · 6 Aug 2006 at 20:35

Thanks for the input.

PC is upstairs, hi-fi is downstairs.

Just bought a Lite DAC-AH as a cheapie external DAC.

Rambaud · 6 Aug 2006 at 20:43

One of the disadvantages is that I don't think APE file format is supported?

Although FLAC is, I believe.

I have e-mailed Slim Devices.

Rambaud · 7 Aug 2006 at 07:54

davidcotton said:
Flac is supported as thats what I use with the squeezebox 3.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Rambaud · 8 Aug 2006 at 16:24

Rambaud said:
One of the disadvantages is that I don't think APE file format is supported?

It seems that APE files are supported.

Extract of e-mail reply:

"The Squeezebox and SlimServer software does support the APE file format (by converting to FLAC on the fly as it reads the file). Looking at the Forums on SlimDevices.com website I see that a number of users are reporting that APE tags and playlists could be handled better and I get the impression that most people are batch converting their APE files to FLAC."

Rambaud · 10 Aug 2006 at 12:27

Mr_Sukebe said:
Putting it in context, one of the chaps I know uses a squeezebox to front a £3k digital pre-amp, and loves his. In his view, the digital output is not quite as good as a dedicated transport, but he feels that the functionality makes up for it.
So overall, bit of a winner of a product if you need the functionality.

Just bought a Wireless Squeezebox 3 (£209.00 inc delivery).

Decided on this route too,instead of spending money on a new CDP - or uprating my Pioneer Lasedisc player. Saved me about £800.00.

Rambaud · 10 Aug 2006 at 13:29

Mr_Sukebe said:
How'd it save you £800?

I had a budget of £1000.00 to upgrade my CD player.

Rambaud · 10 Aug 2006 at 13:51

But, as mentioned above, I do have an external DAC.

Rambaud · 10 Aug 2006 at 16:12

BF-Bert said:
Let us know how you get on with the squeezebox, I quite fancied one of these for a convenient way of letting the kids listen to music without letting them get their hands anywhere near the rest of the kit

What's the rest of your kit Rambaud?

There are a few cheaper options (from ~ £80.00) but with more limited formats - although mp3 is often available. But I wanted to use a lossless format (I chose APE), so the SqueezeBox seemed to be the best choice in my circumstances.

Main kit is in a state of flux at the moment - just moved house.

I was a vinyl fan (Linn LP12 turntable etc), until arrival of large dog (Great Dane) made me decide to switch to CDs.

I have a Meridian Pre-Amp feeding John Bowers Active 1 speakers (uprated by Russ Andrews). CDP is a mixture of (cheap) DVD/CD players. Plus various Kimber cable interconnects, Russ Andews powercords, Quad II valve amp, etc.

Rambaud · 11 Aug 2006 at 15:55

Arrived this morning.

Took a bit longer than necessary to set up as operator failed to read the instructions fully. :rolleyes:

It's not connected yet to my external DAC, as I just wanted to get it up and running. Don't know if it needs "burning in", but I have left it playing for the past few hours anyway.

First impression is that it seems to be well made and compact. Sound quality through the Meridian pre-amp is more than acceptable, although I changed the standard phono cables to Kimber ones.