Slim Devices Introduces Transporter

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/pressreleases/SlimDevicesTransporter.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 52px" alt=[transporterhero1] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/transporterhero1_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Today, Slim Devices introduced Transporter. Designed to appeal to the most discerning audiophiles and music lovers, Transporter’s sound quality is designed to surpass that of even the most sophisticated high-end compact disc players. It also offers thousands of Internet radio stations, Pandora’s award-winning personalized music service and Rhapsody’s two-million track collection of online music. Audiophiles can use Transporter to listen to their entire music collection, regardless of whether it was originally downloaded on their PC or purchased on CD. These capabilities are expected to make CD players obsolete. The retail price for Transporter will be $1,999. Slim Devices will accept pre-orders for Transporter starting today and begin shipping the product on September 18.

[Read More]

 

[j_garcia]

Something like that may eventually make CD players obsolete, but is it really worth $2k? Are you guys getting one to review?

 

[silversurfer]

I currently use a Squeezebox 2 and love it. I rarely touch my CDs at home.

What more can the Transporter do? I see it has inputs as well as output. can it be used as sort of a preamp?

$2000!! Yow!

 

[sleepysurf]

Well, audiophiles have been begging for a "High-End" Squeezebox for quite some time... looks like they got their wish (with a price to match!). I'm already using 3 Squeezeboxes for whole house audio, but can't imagine how the "Transporter" could possibly improve upon the SB2+Benchmark DAC-1 combo in my main listening setup. This model is clearly intended as the "flagship" device for Slimdevices, while they'll keep churning out "no-frills" Squeezebox models for everybody else. I do agree this brings the demise of the CD one step closer to reality!

 

[Audioholics]

They should send us one for review when it's ready.

 

[Geoh]

I wonder what this Transporter can do that the SqueezeBox can't?
Or does it just do it better.... better DACs and such.
Looking at the hookup diagram on the SlimDevices website it looks the same.
Pretty happy with the SQBOX already

geoh

 

[Sleestack]

Finally. A form factor that won't be an eyesore on the rack. Chalk me up for 2.

 

[LHawes]

I wonder what this Transporter can do that the SqueezeBox can't?
Or does it just do it better.... better DACs and such.
geoh

I think that's exactly what the transporter does - everything better. I have an SB3 and love it. I won't upgrade to the transporter anytime soon but I love the idea and the courage of a company willing to push the limits.

I'll wait and see how much better 'better' is before I pretend to know if Slim Devices has hit the mark. If it misses, even by a little, it will not be pretty, but if it scores it might change the way we listen to music - again.

 

[CharlyD]

Finally!

Congratulations to Slim Devices for introducing a product that will finally draw the high-end audio market into the modern world! I've found it ludicrous that high-end vendors continue to introduce CD players when new technologies offer far greater performance as well as convenience capabilities. But there are several aspects of the Transporter that I don't quite understand:

• Why is there a digital input? To connect to an external CD transport? I thought this box with a media server would replace the CD player.
• Why is there a digital output? This seems to be a perfectly fine DAC; why have another?
• This device supports FLAC files or uncompressed PCM with 24-bit, 96 kHz format. How does one obtain content in this format? DVD-Audio or one of the new HD formats are the only media I know of that carry this content, but DRM is enforced.
• Why $2000? There are pro audio eq's (http://www.behringer.com/DEQ2496/index.cfm?lang=ENG) that use the same converter available for $380!
• Why VU meters? A nice retro touch I guess but utterly useless.
• Is anybody's DRM (Windows, Apple, Real) supported?

CharlyD

 

[Sleestack]

• Why is there a digital input? To connect to an external CD player? I thought this box with a media server would replace the CD player.
• Why is there a digital output? This seems to be a perfectly fine DAC; why have another?
• This device supports FLAC files or uncompressed PCM with 24-bit, 96 kHz format. How does one obtain content in this format? DVD-Audio or one of the new HD formats are the only media I know of that carry this content, but DRM is enforced.
• Why $2000? There are pro audio eq's (http://www.behringer.com/DEQ2496/index.cfm?lang=ENG) that use the same converter available for $380!
• Why VU meters? A nice retro touch I guess but utterly useless.
• Is anybody's DRM (Windows, Apple, Real) supported?

CharlyD

The DAC is supposed to be one of the best. Although the Behringer uses an AKM DAC, I'm not sure if it is the exact same one, as AKM has many. It may very well be, but I can't tell by reading the Behringer literature. Assuming the DAC is a good one, why not have digital inputs to allow you to run other sources through the DAC? The digital outs give you the additional flexibiility to use a different DAC is you so choose. I think the versatility of the digital inputs/outputs is going to be a key selling point for people willing to pay the price. It even has a word synch! Add to that robust analog outs and a form factor that will look great in a rack, it's a no brainer for me.

I love te retro VU meters, but to each his own there.

Slimdevices are going to draw in a whole new market with this product. I know many people like me who were waiting for them to release a product with more versatitlity, robust connections and substantial form factor. While $2K might be a touch steep, it isn't so unreasonable, especially with the free SB3. I ordered 2 instead of an Olive Opus that would have run me close to $4K. Just in time, as I had placed the order for the Opus the very same day.

 

[CharlyD]

My Bad

Oops. The Behringer uses the AK4393. The price on the AK4396 though is only $2.60 in 1000 unit quantities (2004 pricing http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/akm/akm100.html) and it is used in the Creative 1616M Sound System at $500.

Sounds like you have a fabulous system that will be nicely enhanced with the Transporter.

 

[Biscokid]

Still too cheap for me. I am waiting for them to make a unit with a built in stand at around the $15k point. Don't really care how it sounds though...

 

[Sleestack]

Oops. The Behringer uses the AK4393. The price on the AK4396 though is only $2.60 in 1000 unit quantities (2004 pricing http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/akm/akm100.html) and it is used in the Creative 1616M Sound System at $500.

Sounds like you have a fabulous system that will be nicely enhanced with the Transporter.

I would probably puke if I broke down the material costs on much of my gear. I think they must use diamonds in the logo of my Esoteric P-03/D-03 combo to justify an SACD player costing more than VW GTI. That being said, when it comes to my 2 channel sources, I'm a stickler for aesthetics. Of course, sound quality goes without saying. I had been hoping for a rack size Squeezebox for quite some time. To see this come to market is really an answer to my audio prayers. Funny thing, is, I probably won't even be using the internal DAC.

 

[silversurfer]

I think the VU meters is just an example of what can be shown on the panel.

 

[Biscokid]

I think the VU meters is just an example of what can be shown on the panel.

The SB2/3 can do that also

 

[CharlyD]

I would probably puke if I broke down the material costs on much of my gear. I think they must use diamonds in the logo of my Esoteric P-03/D-03 combo to justify an SACD player costing more than VW GTI.

Grab yer wastebasket! The Esoteric D-03 uses AD1955 DACs that go for $6.78 at 1000 quantities. An evaluation board can be had for $166.67.

My dream is for studio quality sound (at least 24-bit/96 kHz x 2ch) to be as easily accessible as the iPod/iTunes model and at a reasonable price. This is currently not available; at any price. Why not? FLAC supports it. WMA and AAC do not. It can be easily streamed from a media server over a home network. The Transporter has the ability to convert a PCM stream in that format, but from what source? You can't use the DVD-Audio from your Esoteric P-03 because that box only supports DVD-Audio over its i-Link (aka firewire); an interface not supported by the Transporter.

 

[Sleestack]

Grab yer wastebasket! The Esoteric D-03 uses AD1955 DACs that go for $6.78 at 1000 quantities. An evaluation board can be had for $166.67.

My dream is for studio quality sound (at least 24-bit/96 kHz x 2ch) to be as easily accessible as the iPod/iTunes model and at a reasonable price. This is currently not available; at any price. Why not? FLAC supports it. WMA and AAC do not. It can be easily streamed from a media server over a home network. The Transporter has the ability to convert a PCM stream in that format, but from what source? You can't use the DVD-Audio from your Esoteric P-03 because that box only supports DVD-Audio over its i-Link (aka firewire); an interface not supported by the Transporter.

The P-03 Universal does DVD-Audio. The P-03 does not. I only wanted 2 channel SACD and Redbook. I'm not at all surprised by the cost of those DACs. Of course, you're paying for more than just the DAC, but nothing in there is going to come close to justifying the $25K tag for the P-03/D-03 combo.

My dream is for recording studios to simply record and master properly. That would be a great a start.

 

[krabapple]

So,, now Slimdevices serves up its own flavor of audiophile Kool-Aid. Bravo.

I wonder how many clueless people are going to buy this based in part on the hype about its DACs, and then use the optical or coax digital outs.

If they want to do that, they could spend $80 on this instead

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E5E6KG/sr=8-1/qid=1153854586/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4759656-7720024?ie=UTF8

 

[Sleestack]

So,, now Slimdevices serves up its own flavor of audiophile Kool-Aid. Bravo.

I wonder how many clueless people are going to buy this based in part on the hype about its DACs, and then use the optical or coax digital outs.

If they want to do that, they could spend $80 on this instead

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E5E6KG/sr=8-1/qid=1153854586/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4759656-7720024?ie=UTF8

I think most people who are willing to pay the $2K are going to understand the basic difference between relying on the internal DAC and using an external DAC. Not everyone wants to stick an $80 eyesore on their system. While it is perfectly fine to be a value seeker, it is also perfectly fine for people to pay to get exactly what they want, even if they are grossly overpaying.

 

[CharlyD]

So,, now Slimdevices serves up its own flavor of audiophile Kool-Aid. Bravo.

I wonder how many clueless people are going to buy this based in part on the hype about its DACs, and then use the optical or coax digital outs.

If they want to do that, they could spend $80 on this instead

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E5E6KG/sr=8-1/qid=1153854586/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4759656-7720024?ie=UTF8

I think Slim Devices should be commended on releasing a very innovative product. The problem is that the current content distribution methods don't allow the full capabilities of the Transporter to be utilized. The best sound format you can deliver to this box is Red Book CD. Otherwise it's 128kbs MP3 (ugh!). Slim Devices apparently has a relationship with RealNetworks as their Squeezebox and Transporter devices access Rhapsody. I think it would be a killer app for audiophiles if Real (or Urge or iTunes or any other download site out there) to offer high-def sound (at least 24-bit/96kHz x 2ch). I'd even pay double ($2/track) for the priviledge. This service would make products like the Transporter a lot more attractive and could serve to rejuvenate the lackluster high-end industry.

And by the way, I'm guessing the VU meters do have a purpose. One of the mode selection buttons for the knob is "volume". So the VU meters would give you some point of reference as you're cranking the unmarked knob.