Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic OT: Sonos vs. Squeezebox

Thanks John

I had not spotted the subtleties between the two regarding digital out. Using both units would solve my problem, but at a cost although the bundle does make this slightly more palatable although I don't think that I would be able to get this one past my wife who is kindly offering to buy me the i80 as a very late xmas present such were the delays in launching the iPod dock.

I see little reason for an iPod dock in a stationary system. All of your music is ripped to iTunes anyway, so a Sonos or Squeezebox is preferable to using the iPod. (and I use a utility that allows me to have multiple iTunes libraries, so my iPod library is ripped 128k AAC, but the home library is ripper lossless.) Now for a portable system, I certainly understand...


John

What is the name of the utility?

I use dBpoweramp for doing this sort of stuff and works great.

Its all down to aesthetics and ergonomics's. The iPod dock would charge my iPod, on paper looks great and needs no further power supply or cable runs. Ergonomically, for me, if I can read the display at a distance, its the best solution.

I have had Squeezebox for many years and every time a new software release comes out, I get worried. It once needed a minimal spec system (I run it on a P3/500 w/512MB), but now its well below the published minimum specs (not that I can find them) and seems to be more sluggish with every release - one day its going to break and suddenly a 'cheap' solution is going to require a different PC and the time and cost implications of that. I am worried that this may be the case if I added a Duet.

The Sonos looks great, but I can no longer justify the money. Plus it would need a couple of long trailing wires. If I was starting again, I would almost definitely go Sonos, but I have Squeezebox and F80 and I'm not a throw away kind of guy. And the wife uses the clock display on the Squeezebox almost contstantly, so no chance of slipping something new in without being noticed.

I've check the Sonos system, I was very tempted BUT they do not support higher sampling rate than 48khz.
When you see all music companies going on-line with Hi-Res downloadable 96khz/24bit albums you wonder it is not worth waiting for an updated version.
just my 2c

I personnally do not want to be forced to have my pc open when I play music, so SBs for me....

Wonder if the forthcoming Sonos units will support 96khz -- my guess in no.

Seems Sonos are putting most of their work into a video solution...

Where do you get wind of a video solution?

If anyone would like to PM me after next Tuesday I can discuss pricing of the new range. Its more of an evolution (size, amps, network its all there is you google it) than a revolution but more comprehensive information should be on the Sonos website soon. Existing owners will be getting a mailshot from Sonos but if you want to buy in the UK, give me a call and I will see what price I can sort out for you as I am a reseller for Computers Unlimited the UK distributor of this product.

The existing 130 bundle (controller + ZP100 + ZP80) is also be available at a discount but I would need to order more than one bundle to get it at the special price. ZP100 is sold out and limited stocks on the ZP80. The controller is as far as I am aware, unchanged so there is no old and new.

The Duet is on sale for $269, down from $399, on the Squeezebox site; Harbinger of new models?

I could not find anything of the sort.