Three things must happen well for good sound regardless of technology:
1. Read all the bits correctly (source/transport)
2. clock them so they get converted to analog at the right time (clock, usually on transport but sometimes on DAC, particularly DACs that upsample)
3. convert them to analog (DAC)
Using a computer as a source can provide very good results usually for 1 but 2. can be rocky depending. 3. seldom ever takes place on the computer TTBOMK.
With a Squeezebox or Roku or similar network player, 1 occurs on the server, 2 is performed by the network player and 3 by either the internal or an external DAC, depending. Then some DACs may also upsample and re-clock as well. |
Wayne,
You don't necessarily need a network player if you can connect from PC/Mac to DAC via a USB interface and are happy with the sound and control features.
The advantage of a network player device like a Squeezebox or Soundbridge is it connects to a network like a computer but is designed specifically as a cost effective but quality audio component and all that goes along with that compared to a general purpose computer.
It takes some guesswork out of which computers might sound good and which will not since that is what these devices are designed for.
They also provide useful control features that will vary from device to device like a remote control, random playback mode, etc. |
I have a Roku Soundbridge, which is similar to Squueze Box and an external DAC. I currently have about 3800 tracks in multiple genres ripped to my laptop as a wireless music server.
The sound is very good but the most enjoyable feature is to put the Roku in random track play mode and let it queue up the tunes like a jukebox. Its a great way to listen to tunes in a different way and to learn to appreciate tracks that might get overlooked otherwise.
Roku also provides a web site and the Roku a web page that can be accessed by browser to select playlists, adjust volume, skip tracks, etc from a laptop anywhere in the house.
Its just a totally different way to listen to music that also happens to sound excellent. |
2chnlben,
You nailed it. I feel the same way about my music server. There is a lot more to it than just top notch sound reproduction. It's about new and flexible ways to enable maximum enjoyment of music!
Those hesitant to join the club due to reservations about digital versus analog sound quality or whatever are missing out on a great thing. Stop complaining about digital, figure out how to get it right and JUST DO IT! |
Its true that it is not easy to work through "computer audio" related solutions like this.
The best way is to follow a model that has worked already for someone else and tweak from there if needed.
Sorry if it sounds like I'm pushing. My intent is to relate the benefits and encourage those interested not push someone into a zone of discomfort.
The model that I can relate which produces good results in line with the best digital and vinyl I have heard on my system is the one I've implemented in my virtual system built around a Vista PC, Roku Soundbridge, wireless connection (from PC to Roku), Windows Media Player, Windows lossless file format, and a good sounding jitter-resistant DAC of your choice. |
Wayne, thanks for those points.
I have a second system that I well may try a Squeezebox on at some point for comparison to Roku. |
Swanny,
Toshiba Satellite Vista laptop with Windows Media Player as the server program and 300 Gb disk or larger and 3 Gb memory like mine costs about $800 and works well. My family uses it for other things while it is serving up music over the wireless connection to the ROku. Very cost effective!
I'm sure a Mac could work as well or even better perhaps but they are pricier. |
"If I am using a PC, to a good USB DAC like Benchmark or similar,the hard drive based music files, thru a program like ITunes or similar should sound, well great no ?"
I think the answer is maybe, depending on exact computer configuration. My understanding is that not all computer USB setups are equivalent in terms of sound quality for various reasons. Variability with USB connections is a key problem area as I understand it from others.
"I understand the extra features from something like the squeezebox, but I also wonder about another compotent in the chain and the wireless part, if that will/could have any negative impact on sound ?"
No impact. Only the Squeezebox (for the clock) and DAC are involved in producing sound, similar to a transport and DAC. The computer is just a file server serving up bits to the Squeezebox and has no impact on sound quality. You just need a wireless or other network connection that is strong enough to get the bits to the Squeezebox in time prior to conversion otherwise re-buffering will occur and the sound will drop out until the needed bits are re-buffered in computer memory on the Squuezebox.
Two reasons why this particular configuration is a particularly reliable one for good sound:
1) the computer is not part of the process that creates the sound and
2) the bits needed are retrieved from physical memory on the Squeezebox or Soundbridge, which is faster and a more reliable process than reading from optical drive as in a CD transport. |
Wayne,
I own a Roku, not Squeezebox, and can only speak about the sound of the Soundbridge's internal DAC. A good external DAC clearly adds value for better sound with the Roku. In my case, I started with the internal DAC and moved to the mhdt Paradisea....a big improvement.
I've read Squeezebox internal DAC is generally considered better than Roku, but I suspect a major improvement there still as well with the right external DAC.
Again, sound quality with different computers and USB configurations may vary as a result largely of jitter produced so it is not possible to say which will sound better in general. The devil is in the details.
In the end, the key to good sound is to have a handle on jitter either at the source feeding the DAC or at the DAC itself, as is the case with the Benchmark, but also use a DAC that sounds good to you.
Not all will like the sound of the Benchmark despite its technical acumen regarding jitter, particularly those that may levitate to the often less fatiguing world of analog and vinyl.
Other DACs that produce a smoother more analog-like sound, like the tubed Paradisea in my system or the better Bel Canto's for example, would appeal more to those listeners I suspect. |
One note with Roku is that the Soundbridge uses a a very simple and conventional remote control device. You have to be within eyesight of the Soundbridge to use it. It won't work from a different room.
To control the Roku from a different room you access a web page provided by the Soundbridge via a web browser from any computer on your network or you log into the Radio Roku Website (www.radioroku.com) via internet from same browser and use that web site to control your Soundbridge(s).
Note that the Soundbridge has no controls on the device itself, you must use either remote control or web browser to control it and actual control functionality varies significantly with each approach. Eventually, I would like to see each approach (remote, Soundbridge-provided webpage, RadioRoku site) provide similar complete functionality for both internet radio and music servers, but that is not the case currently. |
I'm in same boat as Mitch4t only with server, Roku + external DAC. I use the Roku for ~ 80% of my listening currently between music server and web radio. Most of the rest is turntable, with occasional use of FM tuner or CD player, but I tend to rip a disk to server now first to listen so the Denon player is geting very little play time these days.
If I could find a way to convert my vinyl to digital faster and easier for access off the server when needed my time with vinyl could be in more jeopardy as well.
Just a year ago, prior to the server/Roku, my listening was perhaps 60% CD, 25% vinyl, 15% FM tuner. |
If you have to run a very long cable from your computer, then it might definitely be time to consider a wireless network player like the Squeezebox line and save having to worry about whether your sound quality is impacted. With this approach, only a short run from player to DAC is needed and you can use most any decent quality cable you like. |
