Logitech Squeezebox Duet Music Server Review
Logitech Squeezebox Duet
Summary
- Product Name: Squeezebox Duet
- Manufacturer: Logitech
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: May 14, 2008 21:00
- MSRP: $ 399
- Specifications
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Specifications
Digital and analog outputs
High fidelity Wolfson 24-bit DAC
Two dedicated linear power regulators for DAC and line-out stages
4.8Vpp line-level outputs
Signal-to-noise ratio: over 90dB
Total harmonic distortion: less than -88dB (0.002%)
Optical and coax digital connections
Squeezebox Receiver
Dimensions: 6.2" x 4.4" x 1.2" (156mm x 112.5mm x 29.25mm)
Finish: high gloss black
Squeezebox Controller
Dimensions: 5.75" x 2" x 0.75" (156.2mm x 50.8mm x 18.8mm)
Finish: high gloss black
2.4-inch color LCD TFT display
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240 x 320 pixels
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256K colors
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LED backlit
Audio Formats
Lossless Formats (Apple Lossless, FLAC, WMA Lossless)
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"Bit-perfect" CD audio streaming, with reduced storage and bandwidth usage
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Approximately 2:1 compression ratio
Uncompressed formats (AIFF, WAV, PCM)
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Supports raw pass-through of uncompressed PCM audio formats
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Digital pass-through to S/PDIF for DTS
Compressed formats (MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP2, MusePack, WMA)
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MPEG decoding uses MAD software, widely regarded as the most accurate, most compatible MP3 decoder
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High accuracy 24-bit synthesis
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Supports all MP3 data rates and sample rates, including VBR
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May be streamed in PCM (raw), MP3 (transcoded), or FLAC (transcoded) formats
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Sound Check and Replay Gain support for automatic volume control
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Some formats may require additional software installation (e.g. QuickTime), depending on platform
Other
True 802.11g wireless networking
Dual antennas for improved range and throughput (Squeezebox Receiver)
Supports all 802.11b and 802.11g access points
Automatically detects available networks for quick setup
Supports both WPA Personal, WPA2-AES and 64/128-bit WEP encryption
"Always-on" Internet Radio, powered by SqueezeNetwork, lets you tune in to Internet Radio streams even when the home PC is switched off
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Pros
- Easy access to Internet Radio
- Tons of connection options
- Great fidelity and lack of audio dropouts
- SqueezeCenter makes personalization a breeze
Cons
- If receiver has a problem connecting, there is very little feedback to tell you what's wrong
- Software still beta
- Menu layout could be better organized
Introduction
The sound of the two devices is very different (if you have a decent piece of kit to tell it) so you have to carefully select what you connect it to.
After many hours of listening I've picked what I think best combination. My reference system consists of squeezebox duet connected optically to Audio Alchemy DAC-In-The-Box which connects directly into Parasound A21 power amp (the best preamp is no preamp) and a pair of NHT 2.5i. The sound is owesome. It's the best system I've ever had (and I've had a lot).
The second system in my study is squeezebox connected to Nakamichi IA-4 integrated amp and a pair of Monitor Audio RS-6. The sound is very good but not as good as with Parasound.
The Controller can control both squeezeboxes (separately or in sync) or you can control both system from any computer on your network via browser (I use Google Chrome).
I've never had ANY problem with both squeezeboxes. Both are connected via WIFI. Well there is one small issue when microwave oven is turned on for more than 4 minutes then the closest squeezebox rans out of cache and start to stutter.
Otherwise the squeezebox is perfect. It was perfect with initial releases of SlimServer, now it gives you more and more features with every new release.
The controller is a treat. I noticed I started to listen to the music more considering that any track of any CD in my collection now is just a click away. Now the actual CDs are stashed away in the box in the closet.
Great job Logitech (or SlimDevices)!
Thinking of going for the Transporter. It has the balanced outputs and think this alone will worth a try. Even if it's not better than the Duet it will look great on top of my Parasound.
Then the 2nd problem - no sound. Then I noticed the remote saying it was playing a song, with the little countdown timer, but it wouldn't play more than 30 seconds before it would start over again. If I changed the volume, it also started over at the beginning. I spent several more hours on this step, trying to figure out why there was no sound, and why the song wouldn't "play" more than 30 seconds.
I went on to Logitech's web page to post my problems. I typed in a very long list of my issues - and pressed submit. I got an error, the page had timed out, and everything I typed was gone! That was the final straw for me, I am returning this. Too bad - it looks very cool, and the people that managed to get it to work love it.
And for those of you thinking I may not be technically inclined, and possibly that was my issue - I'm a programmer, I set up encrypted WiFi all the time, I set all kinds of electronice devices up - usually with little or no issues. And I'm a web prgrammer - there was no reason for them to time out their web page and lose my problem description I spent so much time typing in. Logitech just gave a tiny brochure on how to set this up - so it should have taken no more than 10 minutes.
10010011;414471
Don't hold your breath. Logitech is well known for releasing buggy products, promising patches, then abandoning it after several failed attempts at bug fixes.
Like my MX5000 Cordless Desktop bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
I had been considering a Squeezebox. I did not know Logitech had bought them. I thank Audioholics for pointing this out, now I will avoid the Sqeezebox.
Logitech bought Slim Devices, but we retained virtually all (I think we lost one) the same developers that brought you the Squeezebox Classic and Transporter. That includes the founder and lead product tinkerer Sean Adams, and our Director of Engineering Dean Blackketter. With the additional funding Logitech has thrown behind us, we actually expanded our engineering ranks quite a bit by hiring some of our most prolific community developers.
I can't speak for how the keyboard guys release their software, but the main reason we acquired these guys was their expertise in the field. The Logitech "overloards" have not taken over, in fact we're having an affect on the rest of the company in terms of how the greater Logitech releases and tests their software and products with our whole open source thing.
Mike
__________________
Michael Valera
Online Communities Manager
Logitech Streaming Media Business Unit
slimdevices.com