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Logitech Squeezebox vs. Sonos

Howdy from Fort Worth, TX!!

Trying to decide between Logitech and Sonos systems. Logitech Squeezebox (Touch or Duet) is about $299 all over Amazon; Sonos ZP90 bundle with CR200 is about twice as much.

AFAIK here are the advantages of each--
Logitech Duet--GUI on remote, but I haven't seen the back panel for connectivity. USB out??
Logitech Touch--AFAIK, the newest of the three, GUI on unit, simplest remote, coax, optical, and USB outs.
Sonos--GUI on CR200, no USB out, also can be controlled by PC/Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch. Piggyback RJ45 to replace the one lost on hookup to Ethernet. Easy hookup for computer control, but does ZP90 have DHCP built-in to address the extra RJ45, and is it automatic, or does it use some kind of NetBios, or is the IP address of the extra RJ45 seen and assigned by my router?

The ?'s to the floor concern all of the above, but also--
Will I need a Wi-Fi router to use the remotes? I'm strictly Ethernet now, and I'm not too fond of being sniffed (but if some teenybopper with a sniffer steals my Mahler, i guess it's better than Lady Gaga!)
Ability to handle 24/96, 24/192, DSD, etc.?
LBNL, sonic comparison between the three units?

BTW, I have a Naim/Spendor setup, and right now I use a MF V-DAC with PSU (which accepts all digital input schemes). I chose a low-priced DAC because the technology (especially the USB, which only goes out to 48k on the MF) is in its infancy.

Finally, I'm leaning towards optical coupling between player and system, which will create an inherent isolation between the hi-fi system ground and the computer/network ground. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks, John
128x128distant_replay
wflm
28 posts
 
If you've iPad then I'd strongly recommend using either iPeng or SqueezePad (to name 2) as the Squeezebox system remote. It is distinctly superior to using the Duet.
mizuno
59 posts
 
I'd recommend coax over optical
swanny76109
382 posts
 
Hey John. I am in the FW area and have a Squeezebox Duet setup in two systems if you'd like to take a look and listen. It doesn't do hi res but you can hear how good it sounds with ripped rebook CDs. I may go touch for my main rig so I can do hi res. PM me if you want.
sakahara
181 posts
 
Sonos ZP90 doesn't support 24/96? I was going to try Sonos w/ DAC (SPDIF COAX). I only play Red Book CD's ripped in Apple Lossless.
lush
262 posts
 
Hi John,

Over the course of the last couple of weeks I've spent a lot of time trying to understand PC audio and how one can make it sound good.

A few points to consider:

Most people spend a lot of time trying to figure out the hardware end of it without realizing the software end of things. iTunes as I've just discovered isn't the best solution for good digital playback. iTunes uses a filtering process that doesn't ensure you get bit perfect audio through any transmission to your DAC (Toslink, Coaxial, USB or otherwise). If you're on a PC look for third software to rip, organize and most important to play back your music. J Rivers Media is a good place to start. For MAC users I'd suggest Amarra, PureMusic or AudioNirvana (free too boot).

There is debate about Optical and Coaxial. Most hardware engineers still suggest Coaxial as Optical will introduce more jitter (and with PC audio jitter is introduced more frequently because of all the processes involved in transmission). 1.5 meter Coaxial or if you must use Optical a glass fiber based solution from the likes of Wireworld or Van Den Hul.

Lastly, from everything I've gathered the Squeezebox units output the least jitter and have the ability to use digital coaxial, which is the best possible 'wireless' streaming out there however I've used the Squeezebox units and wasn't overly impressed with it's interface. Having said that I didn't use an iTouch for control.

From all I've read the best possible computer solution seems to be a Mac Book Pro (or Mac Mini if you care to settle) running Pure Music or Amarra using a glass toslink adapter with all files ripped in AIFF connected to an established low jitter DAC. This setup would allow for iPhone/iTouch control and the Mac Mini is small enough that wireless transmission is all but un-needed.

For more information I'd recommend visiting Computer Audiophile.com as there is a great deal of stuff going on there and people are really trying out new ideas and reporting successes and failures.
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