Forget CDs: Distributed music is next

If you don’t want to rip your own music, you could use Squeezebox to access Rhapsody’s vast, online music library. You don't even have to own a computer to do that. A free 30-day trial subscription to Rhapsody comes with your Squeezebox.

But remember the general rule concerning compressed music files: the less the compression you use, the better your music it will sound. That means when you’re given a choice of smaller files versus larger files (ripped at better rates) I would recommend larger files for better sound.  Consider FLAC, Lossless, AIFF or WAV files for CD-quality enjoyment.

Squeezebox comes in white or all-black and retails for $299. Sound quality is very, very good.  But, there’s better.

The Transporter
Slim Devices also makes the brand new Transporter model. This is an all-out attempt at the best digital file distribution solution that Slim knows how to make. I have to admit that Transporter sounds amazingly great. It should. It retails for just under $2,000.

Slim Devices The top-of-the line Transporter sounds even better than it looks.

Physically, Transporter is a full sized audio component — especially when compared to the Squeezebox.  It measures 17 by 3 by 12.25 inches and weighs 13 pounds.  It’s a sharp looking machine, befitting its price point, utilizing an aircraft-grade aluminum case with matching front rack handles.

There are two user configurable fluorescent displays.  Rack mounts are optional.  I've customized the display to have the left side show the song name and artist, while the right side simulates analog VU meters.

There are all sorts of audiophile-grade inputs and outputs on the Transporter — from gold plated RCA jacks to balanced XLR, BNC, coax and optical connections. Overall, the quality of Transporter’s parts is on a much higher level than the Squeezebox. It should be for that price.

The biggest difference between the two products is the built-in DAC. This one is top-shelf all the way. It utilizes an AKM AK4396 multi-bit Sigma-Delta digital-to-analog chip with amazing dynamic range plus there’s additional super-highest quality audio circuitry to match.  The beefy, internal power supply only adds to the superior quality of the sound.

Overall, while both devices under review ultimately perform the same tasks, one does it very well and the other does on a much higher plane. Squeezebox is great — especially for the price — but Transporter is a super-high quality audio component worthy of the best quality music reproduction systems you can buy. 

The guys at Slim Devices are on to something here. This is what music systems will look like in the near future. Computer-based files, wirelessly distributed throughout your home, sounding great.  Squeezebox and Transporter are only the beginning.

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