SMALL but decent amp (with Opt Input) for SqueezeBox 3 in bedroom?

[ms8qt]

Hello all,

I am planning to buy a SqueezeBox 3 for my BEDROOM (minimalism is the key!) and have all my music in the very high quality FLAC (lossless) format.

I want to use an optical cable from the SqueezeBox 3 to a small but decent amp that will power a couple of small but decent speakers (I do NOT want any kind of sub in a bedroom!).

Can you suggest a suitable small amp (and speakers) that meet the requirements above and will result in great sound in the bedroom?

MANY thanks :-)
Mark.

[Empgamer]

Could you not look at powered speakers (built in amp) to cut out the need for an amp? Number of forum members have helpfully gone through a variety of options with me on the Sonos or Squeezebox option thread.

I've just had an SB3 delivered and I've ordered a pair of Audioengine A5 (£205 from Ripcaster) to go with it. I considered the Acoustic Energy Aego Ms as well (around half the price) which I think will still do the job but I wanted something with a little more oomph. IIRC the Aego Ms also have a sub which also helped the decision in going for the A5s.

[ms8qt]

Many thanks - I'll take a look at that thread.

I've looked on various websites and the speakers you've just bought have had very good reviews, are a great size, and even include an amp which is fantastic news :-)

HOWEVER, they have no digital (optical) input - I will be streaming FLAC to the SqueezeBox so using a standard non-digital audio input to the speakers sounds (to me) like a bad idea and quality will be lost.

Your thoughts?
Mark.

[Brixtonbiker]

Just found this on the slimdevices website

"The Squeezebox 3 uses a 24-bit Burr-Brown DAC, and it shows. Through a Denon micro, songs sound good, but channel it through a £1000 amp/speaker combo and you light the blue touch-paper: Johnny Cash's voice on Hurt is heart-rending;

So you better be sure that the amp you are looking at has better DACs than these otherwise your better off using the Squeezebox's phono outs and connecting to a non optical amp

[ms8qt]

Good info - thanks.

However, I thought a 24-bit Burr-Brown DAC was actually very good - am I wrong? To me, the statement you quoted suggests that it is very good, sounds good on a normal system with digital input but sounds amazing on a quality £1k amp.

I'm confused now :-(

[Brixtonbiker]

Yes they are very good, If you use the optical out on the squeezebox you will be bypassing these DACs and passing the digital signal to the amp and letting the amps Digital to Analoge converters or DAC's do the converstion. So you will not using the oned provide in the squeezebox.
The squeezebox's phono connections will provide a very high quiality analog signal to an analog connection on a good amp. No need to use the optical out connection on the squeezebox if you want a high quaility output.

[ms8qt]

Right, that makes perfect sense now - thanks.

Looks like a SB 3 and Audioengine 5s will be ordered now - just need to decide whether I go for white or black speakers for the bedroom which has off-white walls (it's a shame there doesn't appear to be a white front cover/grill for the white speakers).

Mark.

[Brixtonbiker]

I do not know these speakers but any good quality powered speakers should give you a good sound for the bedroom, ripcaster.co.uk are doing this
Squeezebox 3 All Black Wireless AND
Acoustic Energy Aergo M Powered Speakers Bundle £274.00
(£233.19 ex VAT)

They also sell the Audioengine 5 Speaker System
Good luck

[kokoshka]

I was just reading this thread in the hope that I might figure out what a squezebox is! Anyway, I've had both the Aego and the Audioengine A5's. I sold the Aegos on, they were very good for the money, but the A5's are much classier, refined, cultured. They will deliver bass when it's present on the recording unlike the Aegos which boom away regardless. Buy black, white is currently fashionable, but black is classic. I bought mine from Bluestream, £200. They've just taken delivery of new stock, with, I'm told, an improvement. What it is I have no idea, but they do sound very, very good. Now will someone tell me what a squeezebox is!?

[ms8qt]

Thanks for your opinion on the speakers - definitely going for the Audioengine 5s now.

A SqueezeBox will connect to your computer (or network attached storage) and stream music (MP3s / FLAC) and internet radio to your room wirelessly or via ethernet cable - you then connect the SqueezeBox to speakers and you have a great hifi system :-)

In terms of colour I think I'm more likely to go for white because these are going on bedside tables in the bedroom that is generally a neutral colour with ivory (slightly off-white) walls. Black speakers would simply stand out a lot and that's the last thing I want.

Mark.

[glenlevisohn]

Originally Posted by kokoshka

Now will someone tell me what a squeezebox is!?

http://www.slimdevices.com/

A good starter for all things Squeezebox

Basically it is a device that streams music over a standard Ethernet/wireless network.

[Empgamer]

Squeezebox: http://www.slimdevices.com/

I'd certainly recommend Ripcaster. Fantastic service. Helpful too. Ordered my A5s yesteday, free P&P and arrived by courier at 5pm today (and we live in the middle of nowhere). I plan on using the SB supplied leads (or even the bag full that came with the A5s!!!).

[kokoshka]

Thanks...I found the squeezebox by googling. It looks interesting, but I may go for the new iPod docking Denon ASD Wi Fi gizmo, if I can ever work out exactly what it does. Empgamer, did you find that your speakers sounded better after a few hours? I know the handbook indicates that it isn't necessary to break them in, but mine sounded less harsh on day two. I'm very happy with them. Bluestream are p&p free too, by the way.

[scooby_doo]

Originally Posted by ms8qt

Thanks for your opinion on the speakers - definitely going for the Audioengine 5s now.

A SqueezeBox will connect to your computer (or network attached storage) and stream music (MP3s / FLAC) and internet radio to your room wirelessly or via ethernet cable - you then connect the SqueezeBox to speakers and you have a great hifi system :-)

In terms of colour I think I'm more likely to go for white because these are going on bedside tables in the bedroom that is generally a neutral colour with ivory (slightly off-white) walls. Black speakers would simply stand out a lot and that's the last thing I want.

Mark.

The white ones are more glossy whereas the black ones are more matt. Personally I'd agree that the white ones would look more fitting in a bedroom. Ahem, not that I've been in your bedroom of course

If you're lucky you may be able to get yourself an all-white SB3 to match. They do occasionally do them so you may be lucky in getting your hands on one.

Gotta agree with Brixtonbiker in that using the phonos is perfectly acceptable. You'd have to spend a LOT more on a good DAC to hear an improvement. Obviously someone will now come along and disagree but, hey, this IS a discussion forum after all

Anyway, let us know what you think of the setup once you've had a chance to try it all out