Squuezebox Touch with or without DAC?

[DIB]

My set-up is as shown below, and for the first time in about 3 years I have no DAC. Currently, my PC is hooked up to my amp using the onboard soundcard using a cheapo 3.5mm/2 RCA lead. Not ideal, but the sound is passable for the time being until I decide which route I'm going to go in the future. My PC is used for mainly Spotify plus internet radio, though I do have my entire CD collection ripped to my PC also.

I'm toying with the idea of a Squeezebox Touch, and from I've read they perform pretty well on their own. However, I notice lots of people using them with a DAC too. Is this necessary in your opinion, or overkill?

Any SBT owners care to comment?

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[amcluesent]

>Any SBT owners care to comment?

Never felt the need TBH with my setup, maybe if you had much higher quality amp/speakers...

 

[AlmaataKZ]

I did not find any difference in sound between sbt and benchmark dac1 hdr (with atc scm 50 sl at).

 

[nads]

For me without.

The DacMagic made no improvement.

This topic might help guide your thoughts.

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/your-squeezebox-touch-set-up

 

[DIB]

Thanks for the replies, SBT without an additional DAC seems the way to go.

Just got to find the best price now. I missed out on one last week on another forum, brand new for about £135. Noticed the ad too late, by the time I'd responded someone had got in before me by 5 mins. Seller was selling it on unopened, at the price he'd bought it at the end of last year on Amazon when they were on offer. Just read on another forum someone saying that Amazon would be selling them at the special rate again soon, but I've not read anything to that effect anywhere so not sure where they've got that info from.

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[chelstondave]

Can echo the above, my SBT sounds noticeably better on its own as opposed to dacmagic

 

[Gusboll]

The DAC in the SBT is good; no doubt about that as far as I'm concerned, but unless anyone can point me in the appropriate direction, I haven't seen much in the way of reviews with the Rega or Audiolab DACs entered into the equation. Just contacted my local dealer to see if they can arrange a demo but with the general unavailability of the audiolab it might be a wait!

Currently listening to: Creedance Clearwater Revival - Chronicles

 

[DIB]

Silly me, I've just noticed I can't spell Squuezebox

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[Ambrose]

I currently have REGA DAC on home loan to find out if better, along with some mains filtering from Wireworld.

I have Dac magic 1 and preferred using the STB Dac also.

First impressions are better with REGA DAC in my setup but need more listening to be sure worth the extra £££.

Ambrose

 

[Peter Larsen]

My setup is with the Rega DAC. I haven't tried it yet though. Will get back when I have made some serious auditing.

 

[DIB]

Got my new SBT up and running, no additional DAC involved. I'm using an ethernet cable for my network connection rather than wifi.

Just listening to some streamed FLAC files (The Bamboo's, bass heavy funk), and I must say I'm very impressed, sounds terrific. A gorgeous, full blooded "thud" to the music.

Listened to Spotify Premium through it earlier, again excellent SQ.

I must say I can't actually find any fault in this piece of kit whatsoever. The interface and navigation are dead simple, practical and clear.

A big thumbs up from me.

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