squeezebox vs sonos

I think the Squeezebox DACs are ok, but I am not that thrilled with the analog section. If you add an external DAC that has jitter removal and an excellent analog section like the Lavry Black you can very very good results.

Of course that bumps the cost a bit, but I'd rather do that than pay for a modded SB.

The sonos does not have a storage device and requires use of a computer to store your music. I really enjoy the ease of use of the sonos and the sound is above average. I have not heard the squeezebox devices.

Good luck,

Reg

how do these sound compared to (your) cd transport + dac?

I used the SQ3 and thought the sound quaility was not as good as an inexpensive 20 year old Sony multi-disk CD player, we used the analog outs only. I would be interested in any that have tried a seperate DAC and what their impressions are. The other negative of the Squezzebox is the interface, just doesn't suit me. I saw the Sonus at RMAS and liked it's interface and controler a lot more than the SQ, but it costs quite a bit more also. I was able to do a direct, well almost, comparison between CD and Sonus, the CD won. The Sonus guy was sitting next to me with the local dealer. The dealer is going to set the Sonus up to a DAC and we are going to do a direct comparison CD vs Sonus. I really hope it works, I want this technology, but will not give up sound quality.
Doug Clary

Pleade note, Slim Devices stood behind their trial period and refunded my money promptly after returning the SQ3, nice to do business with a good company!

Interesting. I far prefer the Squeezebox interface. The Squeezebox is not high end out of the audio jacks unless you get inside and modify it, which is not as hard as it sounds. Removing the output IC with clippers and taking the signal directly from the DAC chip yields a very big improvement, using a good linear supply with a very short cable to the Squeezebox provides a big improvement too. Change a few caps inside and it goes up a couple more notches. At that point it will compete with a $1000 to $2000 CDP. But adding a DAC to it is where you can achieve high end sound. Jitter performance is more than adequate for decent DACs in my experience (I have tested it against three very good CD Transports).