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Squeezebox Touch simple 24/192 output mod

A call to all owners of the Squeezebox Touch. You can now install a simple third party app ("Enhanced Digital Output") developed by Triode that allows your Touch to output true 24/192 to your DAC via USB or Coax SPDIF. You need the latest updated Media Server 7.2 installed first. It installs a linux kernal that enables the high res digital output and disables the analog outputs (which you don't need if using a DAC anyway). I installed in a few minutes and can attest that it does improve the overall sound quality. My Bel Canto DAC3 is an earlier model that is capable up to 24/176.4 input and I successfully passed a file of that size and it sounds great. Many others who have 24/192 capability have successfully passed files of that quality as well as long as their processors can handle that input. Logitech is not officially supporting this app, but it really lets your Touch shine and handle the high res files. Apparently the Touch has had this capability all along but has not been unleashed yet. Please share your experiences and get the word out. The Touch will be an even better value than it is now. Enjoy!

For more info go to http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?94512-Announce-Enhanced-Digital-Output-app-USB-Dac-and-192k-Digital-Ouput
swanny76109
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,531 posts
 
Some have suggested that the Digital Mod also improved the digital coaxial output on 16/44hz recordings.

So, I had to try it. But for me with the digital mod and 16/44hz recordings using my coaxial out, I thought that the recordings sounded more "digital". That is, with sharp unpleasant highs and a flat image.

I deleted the mod.
swanny76109 OP
382 posts
 
Ozzy, I guess the success of the mod depends on the interaction among all the components in the chain. You are using the Cary DAC in your 306 player? I see you have been trying different digital cables and are using a silver Morrow cable. Any chance that is responsible for your issues? Just wondering. I know my DAC3 is less sensitive to different digital cables I have tried. I have settled on a HAVE Canare 75 ohm BNC for my cable and really like the sound quality. Very smooth, clear, good bass and highs and soundstaging. I see you mentioned liking that on your system page.
bondmanp
1,824 posts
 
Great thread! My DAC is limited to 96/24, and since the SBT is too, I figured that was all the excuse I needed to avoid 192 files. Until I read the Benchmark comments, I was thinking I was out of excuses! I would think that what Benchmark is claiming ought to be front-page news in the hi-fi and digital audio worlds, no?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,453 posts
 
I suspect in general that hi res format potential, relevant or not, is ahead of the technology needed to execute accurately and correctly. Hi res is still early on the tech maturity scale. It will get better over time for sure but for now i am very skeptical of claimed better sound on a regular basis. All bets are off still in my eyes regarding hi resvalue at present. It is the next frontier though for those looking for adventure!
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
Bondmap - Read my previous comment from the other thread:

"Mofimadness - What John Siau is talking about is update rate of D/A IC. This IC (AD1853) is updated in Benchmark DAC1 from asynchronous rate converter (AD1896) at about 110kHz independently of input rate. The reason for that is not only 20dB better filtering but also lower THD of the DAC at 110kHz compare to THD at max update rate of AD1853=192kHz. Penalty for that is bandwidth of 55kHz vs possible 96kHz but there is very little harmonic info above 55kHz. It all has nothing to do with input rate. He is also talking about oversampling rates in general terms since DAC1 is not oversampling but upsampling meaning that rate is not even multiple anyway. In case of Benchmark DAC1 it is in order of million times upsample then downsample to 110kHz thanks to mathematical manipulations.

In general 192kHz carries more info than 96kHz but I doubt you can hear any improvement."
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