Logitech Duet sonds awful

"I have found with my SB Touch that using it hard-wired, via ethernet, does sound better than using it wireless. Sorry, I have no explanation for that, it's just what my ears are telling me."

If so, I am at a loss for an explanation.

I do know as I mentioned that squeezeserver can be configured to operate at a bandwidth limit if explicitly configured that way. But not by default I am pretty sure. I would check to see if this is the case. Even if so, I do not think the server is designed to apply any lower resolution transmission rates automatically based on connection type. Of course, anything is possible when computers and programming is involved. Could be an undocumented "feature" to avoid annoying rebuffering. I don't think this is the case but not beyond the realm of possibility.

I will stick to my assertion though that a wireless connection alone does not mean lower quality sound. Teh devices and software using the connection would have to be the culprit.

I don't doubt you hear what you hear. Sounds better in what way? Are you doing immediate a/b tests when you hear this?

I suspect it is due to some other difference associated with each configuration, though not certain what that might be. Is the physical location of the SBT the same in both cases? I would tend to go with a wired connection if so in general for bandwidth reasons, but I would not expect a difference in sound.

Marco (Jax2), the Duet apparently provided an optical output, as well as a coaxial digital output.

Shlibotnik, did you mean that you had both outputs connected simultaneously, or that you tried them one at a time, with only one of them connected at a time? If you had them both connected simultaneously, it seems conceivable to me that crosstalk between the two inputs within the DAC (after the optical input is converted to an electrical signal) could have degraded the sound due to its impact on jitter.

Also, if possible try a different cable length for the coaxial connection between the Duet and the DAC. The relation between coaxial cable length and signal risetimes and falltimes (which are almost always unspecified) can affect jitter significantly. See this paper.

And are you sure that your rip settings in iTunes were correct, including use of error correction? Also, as far as I am aware iTunes is generally not recommended for high quality rips and/or playback, especially if it is running on a Windows-based machine.

I wouldn't absolutely rule out the possibility that the wireless link is somehow causing the poor sound quality you are hearing, but I would look elsewhere first.

Regards,
-- Al

Make sure that the volume is set to max on the Duet settings.

The difference in SQ could also be attributed to the S/PDIF interface on your DAC. It's possible that the signal levels are not to spec. This is actually quite common. you could also have a ground-loop from the Duet to your DAC that is problematic.

Try .wav files rather than MP3.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

The Logitech Touch is a lot better than the Duet or SB3 BTW.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Hard wire it with Ethernet, yes there is a difference. Research the subject on squeeze forums.