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Slim Devices Squeezebox v2 Review

by — July 05, 2005
Squeezebox v2 Digital Music Player

Squeezebox v2 Digital Music Player

  • Product Name: Squeezebox v2 Digital Music Player
  • Manufacturer: Slim Devices
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Value Rating: StarStarStarStarhalf-star
  • Review Date: July 05, 2005 19:00
  • MSRP: $ 299

System Requirements

  • All systems: 128MB RAM, Ethernet or wireless network, and 20MB hard disk space
  • Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later
  • Windows: 233Mhz Pentium running Windows NT/2000/XP
  • Linux/BSD/Solaris/Other: Perl 5.6.0 or later

Audio formats

  • Lossless Formats (FLAC, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless)
  • Uncompressed formats (AIFF, WAV, PCM)
  • Compressed formats (MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP2, MusePack, WMA)
  • High accuracy 24-bit synthesis

Wireless Interface (wireless model only): 802.11b/g wireless networking with dual int/ext antennas; Bridging capability allows Ethernet devices to connect to the network through Squeezebox2; Automatic detection of available networks; Support for both WPA Personal and 64/128-bit WEP encryption

Ethernet: True 100Mbps throughput; Shielded CAT5 RJ-45 connector; Automatic receive polarity correction

Display: 320x32 VFD with brightness control

Firmware: Flash-upgradeable; Network settings stored on non-volatile memory

Architecture: 250 MHz 8-way multithreaded RISC processor; Field-upgradeable Xilinx CPLD; 64Mb high-speed RAM; 16Mb program flash

Warranty: One year parts and labor; 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee

Internet Radio

  • "Always-on" Internet Radio, powered by SqueezeNetwork
  • Internet Radio favorites can be saved in a playlist for easy access.
  • Displays song title information during playback
  • Support for MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and WMA formatted Internet Radio streams

Analog RCA outputs

  • High fidelity Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC
  • Two dedicated linear power regulators for DAC and line-out stages
  • Full 6.0Vpp line-level signals
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: over 100dB
  • Less than 0.003% THD

Digital S/PDIF outputs

  • Optical and coax digital connections
  • Dedicated high-precision crystal oscillators (no PLL, no resampling)
  • Sample rates: 44.1Khz, 48Khz
  • Audio format: linear PCM, 16- or 24-bits per sample

Headphone output: Multifunction 1/8" jack (also functions as an IR blaster); 16-ohms minimum impedance; less than 0.03% THD

Dimensions: 8.5"W x 1.9"H x 4.5"D (216mm x 48mm x 117mm)

Finish: choice of Triple Platinum or Soft-touch Black

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity with good range
  • Easy to follow setup procedure
  • Digital coax and optical S/PDIF outputs
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Small footprint
  • Flexible system with many customization options including fully-customizable navigation

Cons

  • Average "no-frills" remote control and design
  • No Direct Selection of Internet Radio from SlimServer software
  • Unsearchable Help topics

 

Slim Devices Squeezebox v2 Introduction

Among some of the noticeable features of the Slim Devices Squeezebox v2 are:

  • High fidelity Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC for analogue output
  • Optical and coax S/PDIF outputs (simultaneously active with analogue output)
  • Support for FLAC, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless, AIFF, WAV, PCM, MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP2, MusePack, and WMA
  • 802.11b/g-based networking with bridgeable Ethernet port (allows other network devices to connect to the network through the Squeezebox2)
  • Universal compatibility with Windows XP/NT/2000, Mac OS X, and Linux/BSD/Solaris
  • Easy semi-automatic setup

The Squeezebox2 is a completely reworked product that follows the original Squeezebox. The differences between the two devices are substantial. The Squeezebox2 adds:

  • 802.11g networking (optional)
  • Grayscale vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) with more than twice the resolution (320x32 pixels)
  • Animations, transitions and visualizers, including a full screen, 64-channel, 30 frame-per-second stereo spectrum analyzer.
  • Wireless bridging which allows wired Ethernet devices to plug into the wireless Squeezebox2, and access your network
  • SlimDSP, a scalable pure software architecture for all audio format decoding and signal processing functionality.
  • Native FLAC support in the firmware
  • High fidelity 24-bit Burr-Brown DAC
  • High precision dedicated crystal clocks and separate linear power supplies for the audio stages
  • 64Mbit buffer for extreme resilience to adverse wireless network conditions.
  • SqueezeNetwork for access to your favorite internet radio stations, alarms, and more without a computer
  • Option to add crossfades between songs
  • Faster 100Mbps wired Ethernet interface
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About the author:
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Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.

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