Slim Devices Squeezebox2 Wireless Music Server Review

[Stefan]

Update: I have a squeezebox now. Setup took all of 15 minutes last night and so far flawless performance streaming FLAC files from my PC across an 11b network. The box gets around 75% signal strength. I love it already, this will be a new way of listening to my music collection. No more rummaging through dusty CD racks.

All I have to do now is encode a few hundred CDs worth of music. 25 done, about 300 more to go

 

[Audioholics]

Terminology mismatch. When I am referring to MP3 I am not talking about LAME, FLAC, lossless formats, et al. Wait for my article where I will obviously need to start with a section on definitions.

For now I will "bow" to your superior understanding of the terminology and work out the language to be used in the comparison article.

 

[krabapple]

Terminology mismatch. When I am referring to MP3 I am not talking about LAME, FLAC, lossless formats, et al. Wait for my article where I will obviously need to start with a section on definitions.

LAME is simply the name of one of several different MP3 encoders, some of which do a better job than others. If you tar the MP3 *format* with the 'always sounds bad' brush, then you are tarring all MP3 encoders, including LAME. I suggest you define which MP3 encoder, which settings, which material is being encoded, and under what conditions you did the comparison, when you describe your findings of MP3 vs. CD.

FLAC is a lossless format -- another kettle of fish entirely.

 

[sleepysurf]

Squeezebox2 Update

The latest Slimserver Beta allows software control of the Squeezebox2 analog outs, so you can connect *DIRECTLY* to your Amp with the analog out (using the native Burr-Brown DAC). I still use my Yamaha RX-V1000 as a Pre/Pro for Home Theater, but for two-channel stereo, am now feeding my Sunfire Cinema Grand amp directly. You can argue all day about various components, tubes vs solid state, and cables, etc. but this minimalist approach offers the most INCREDIBLY pristine soundstage I have EVER heard.