For those seeking '\"Post-purchase rationalization\"' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-purchase_rationalization) there is a very helpful review this month in *Hi-Fi Choice*, a UK specialist hi-fi magazine that, unfortunately, does not have a useful web site.
It carried out a *blind* listening test of a few so-called "audiophile" streamers, pitting the Touch at £239 against: Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 at £400 Cyrus StreamX at £1,400 (and it won't even work without a DAC!) Marantz NA7004 at £600 Rotel RDG-1520 at £795 Yamaha NP-S2000 at £1,400 (yikes!) Guess what? On a blind listening test, using the analogue output, there was nothing in it. The Touch performed just as well in general terms as the more expensive streamers. It was particularly praised for its rendition of voices and stereo imagery. It lost out a little on bass control and a "slight lack of energy" but still gained 4 out of a possible 5 stars with none getting more than 4.5. They praised the comprehensive set of internet radio and third party apps (Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, Spotify) but what they really loved was the touch-screen: -"Possibly the best user interface we have seen on any dedicated digital audio player"- and one feature in particular -"a huge thumbs-up from us for adding a feature we have missed in every consumer digital player we can recall: instant access to any point in a track. After a 28 year wait, digital cueing catches up with LP"- And the winner is... To quote the magazine: -"We didn't have to agonize over this. When a contender in a group test sounds, at least, as good as the average, adds features the others lack and comes in at a price that's 40% lower than the nearest competitor and less than one-fifth of the dearest, what is one to do? And even if you find the Squeezebox Touch's sound a bit lacklustre via its analogue circuits (bearing in mind the strongest criticism we had was of a very slight lack of energy), you can upgrade it with your choice of popular external DACs and still keep the price the right side of £600. Heck, you may very well already own a DAC. And this unit is just so much fun to use. Proper audiophile sound with the very latest in look and feel - how could we not love it?"- Wow, marketing heaven for Logitech! Somebody just wrote their next advertising copy :) A small p.s., this is the only mag I know that regularly carries out -*blind-* listening tests with a panel of listeners. I wish more would do the same, especially when comparing expensive products against cheaper ones. -- TheLastMan Matt http://www.last.fm/user/MJL-UK *SqueezeBoxes:* SB Duet (Controller + two receivers) *Server:* Synology DS107+ NAS (with firmware 2.3-1157) running Squeezebox Server 7.5.1 on Synology Package Manager *Network:* Netgear DG834GT ADSL modem/router, 2 x Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 as access points *Livingroom:* Receiver into Naim 42/110 amp, B&W CM2 speakers *Kitchen:* Receiver into Denon DM37 mini-system, B&W 686 speakers *Study:* Linn LP12, Naim 72/Hi-cap/Headline. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TheLastMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16021 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90643
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