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Moved from Logitech Squeezebox to Cambridge CXN V2 w/NAS - sound not as good

Hello,

   I recently made a change to my system. I moved my digital music library from my PC to a NAS device (QNAP), and replaced my old streaming interface, a Logitech Squeezebox, with a Cambridge audio CXN V2. I feed the streamer into an external DAC, a Chord Qutest. 

Since I made the change, the sound is different. A bit more "relaxed" sounding. Not sure I like it as much. The old system had a bit more punch and maybe was a little brighter. 

Any thoughts on why this might happen, and how I might remedy it? Going back to the PC and Squeezebox isn't really an option.  

tfkaudio
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,920 posts
 

If the cxn v2 has usb out, that’s most likely going to be the best way to connect to the Qutest and it should also sound slightly more open.
This in addition to breaking in the cxn for 200hrs if new and getting used to better sound.

ncdogdoc
33 posts
 

Which model QNAP and how much RAM does it have versus the PC? You changed your server from a pc with (assuming) and Intel or AMD cpu to an albeit streamlined linux box with an (assuming) Arm processor. As odd as it sounds, that can make a huge difference in sound quality, as least in my system.

I, too, use a Logitech streamer, albeit the Transporter, and can easily hear differences between servers, especially if using any DSP or upsampling in software on the server. Just my two cents...maybe switch servers while keeping the Cambridge and see what differences you hear??

searchingforthesound's avatar
searchingforthesound
37 posts
 

Since I still use three Squeezeboxes on various systems why is it not an option to stick with what works? 

 

I run LMS on a NAS no PC involved and Squeezebox streaming to the systems where needed.     This works well and I have been looking at streamers for years just havent made a move.

The current solution works well and I control all with an IPAD or Iphone using the IPeng app .

 

mm1tt77
157 posts
 

The CXN could simply have less noise in the chain.  With digital sometimes noise can cause things to sound brighter.  The CXN might be a quieter streamer creating a lower noise floor which is allowing the files being transmitted to your DAC to be reproduced with a more natural, truer to the file / recording rendering.  

tfkaudio OP
591 posts
 

Thanks for all your responses. I am fairly confident in saying that the setup using the squeezebox had superior sound to the Cambridge. One person asked why I'm switching. The Logitech Squeezebox has been discontinued for years, and I figured it would stop working entirely at some point. Also, I didn't think it would be able to find a NAS device, but one person (searchingforthesound) seems to have accomplished it. I'd be interested in how that was done.

Thanks again,

Tom

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