Transporter Features and Packaging

I hate CD players. They're bulky and they typically play only 1-5 discs at a time - unless you get a CD changer and that's like getting the family pack at Krystal - it isn't about quality. We're no strangers to Slim Devices Digital Network Music Players. In fact, we've reviewed both the second and third iterations of the Squeezebox Digital Music Players. One upgrade we asked for back when we were reviewing the Squeezebox was a more "normal" form factor that could be rack-mounted into a system and therefore allow the player to blend more naturally into a system instead of standing out like an iPod on a docking cradle… Well, Slim Devices (who was acquired this past year by Logitech) listened to me… OK, maybe it wasn't just me, but the end result is more than I would have expected - or even hoped for - a completely tricked-out Squeezebox with dual displays, upgraded DAC, and enough functionality to serve as the true powerhouse in any "analogue-is-my-friend" system. But can this new "Cadillac" model really replace your CD player?

It's hard to compare the Transporter to the Squeezebox - it's really a completely different product and is more like a replacement for a traditional media player if you have a PC or NAS (network attached storage) device with stored lossless music files. In this sense, the Transporter now becomes a high-end DAC for your music. Check out these features:

• TransNav Contoller - This is a "force-feedback" style controller that is hard to explain except to say that it's really cool and EVERYONE should use this technology. The central knob on the Transporter that bisects the player rotates freely - until it comes to the beginning or end of a list. Then it stops… Yeah, I don't know how it works either, but it just "knows" when to stop turning. It's so cool you'll initially come up with reasons to browse your music library just so you can make it start and stop turning. You can't fool it, it just works.
• Connections - In or out you have access to everything you would want in this type of digital network player. People begged for the ability to use the DACs with other products, like a run-of-the-mill CD player… Well, they got it. The Transporter will allow users to connect via AES/EBU, S/PDIF coax (RCA and BNC) and even TOSLINK (EIAJ optical) and use the onboard high-quality DAC to convert digital audio to the analogue outputs. There's even a Word Clock connection for perfect sync to an external clock. Not enough? How about balanced and unbalanced analogue audio outputs, RS-232 for control via whole house systems and IR in/out ports.
• New Premium Quality DAC - Slim Devices calls their AK4396 the 'Miracle DAC' (perpetuated from audiophile forum threads that have dubbed it as such). Here's what one thread had to say about it: "All I can say to describe the sound is STUNNIGLY REAL! Extreme and refined high frequency detail is combined with magical midrange, full bodied sound and astounding bass performance." Magical midrange? That's a new one and while I'd love to take their word on it I suppose we'll still do some listening tests of our own.

What’s in the Package

Opening up the Transporter was like opening up a large iPod package. There were boxes within boxes and everything was colorful and well-labeled. Inside were the transporter, power cable, remote, two antenna's user manual and even a pair of AAA batteries. A large orange box sported the words "free your music" - appropriate considering this device paired with a PC can result in hundreds of CDs being replaced by a single hard drive. Once you've crossed over to this method of playback then you truly have "freed" your music.