gadget geek

Hi gang. I've been following this thread for some time. Any updates on a general consensus with the Samsung drive vs the Pioneer?

Hello there. I just finished up comparing the sound of the Logitech SBT with the MacBook Pro 2010 i7 as a transport. I was intrigued by the fact that many people feel the Apple products sound superior to the Logitech device. Since I own most of the products involved, I figured it would be a worthwhile exercise. The equipment: MacBook Pro mid 2010 i7 Logitech Squeezebox Touch Arcam rDac connected to multi-analog input of Rotel 1570 preamp/processor Amplification - Rotel 1077 Speakers: PSB Synchrony One Full Range No Subwoofer connected, no other D/A processing engaged. I should note that I connected the MacBook Pro to my Arcam rDac via USB while the SBT was connected via coax digital. I created a playlist of Apple Lossless music files, started playback of both sources simultaneously, and then switched between inputs for serval hours and did some serious listening. I had 3 other "serious" audiophile friends listen. One other person simply switched the digital input on the Arcam device as we wrote down what device sounded superior to us. Our intent of this test was to see if we could accurately determine whether it was the Squeezebox Touch or MacBook Pro playing the lossless files through the Arcam and if so, which one sounded superior. Now...I understand my testing had flaws. Basically you want to use the same connection type, same cable (USB vs digital Coax), etc. However I wanted to see whether it was worth my investment to look at using the MacMini as a transport. The Overall Result....nobody could accurately pinpoint which device sounded superior. As a matter of fact, it was our opinion that it was very difficult to discern any differences. Yes audio is subjective, but in this case....4 enthusiastic audiophiles could not accurately identify or pinpoint a flavour to either the SBT or the MacBook Pro. Anyways...my point here is not to argue or strengthen my theory that the SBT is worth the money. I will be ordering a new MacMini once its refreshed this year. The fact that you can store your music on the drive, use it as a movie server with plex, etc is very compelling. However in my opinion and 3 of my friends who spend lots of $$$ on equipment, the Logitech SqueezeBox touch is every bit as good sound wise as a transport of digital audio for an external DAC.

Hello all. Long time viewer, now a member! I own a Squeezebox Touch (SBT) connected to an Arcam rDac via digital coax, which is connected to a Rotel 1570 processor. I'm thrilled with the sound quality of the SBT. I was also debating using a Mac Mini as my digital player of choice. However, I found the SBT works flawlessly with great fidelity. Thus, I find this thread very interesting. RealhiFi, when you say to your ears the Mini and MacBook pro sound better, are you using the analog output of the SBT? Or are you using an external DAC? I own a MacBook Pro and MacPro with stock sound cards. To my ears, as a transport, I can't detect any significant differences.