Logitech Transporter Network Music Player Review

Transporter – the big brother of the Squeezebox 3 – includes both the world of high-end audio and computer-based music production. I quote the marketing material, this is “network music player audiophiles have been waiting for”. It’s all very exciting and, at least on paper, the menu looks pretty good. In the heart of Transporter is AKM’s so-called ‘Miracle DAC’ – the AK4396. This chip, which provides digital to analog conversion takes tasks is designed for use in high-end SACD and DVD players and received rave reviews from audiophiles across the web.

A look at the back of the player’s high-end credentials. It’s a real Michelin star lineup. Not only is there a pair of gold plated phono sockets here, but also sports balanced XLR analog outputs plus coaxial, optical, BNC and professional style AES / EBU digital outputs. There is a matching range of digital inputs, too, so you can use the Transporter’s high-end DAC’s digital output circuitry to process other components, and you even get a word clock input. Some of the screw and butt antennas provides a reliable Wi-Fi reception, and gives you the option of adding more powerful antennas for a better long distance reception if you plan on setting up your Transporter a long way of your wireless router or bridge. There is also an Ethernet connection here.

Moving to the front of the full width Transporter case there is a suitable line-up of shiny, machined aluminum knobs to play with and, in the center, a big button. Now, tasteless jokes aside, this is probably the most interesting and exciting button I’ve ever encountered on a hi-fi component. Besides providing easy access to all menus of the device and the settings – and are clickable – it also features force feedback. This means that if you reach the end of a list of albums or songs, the knob stops turning. A little frivolous perhaps, but certainly some of your (geeky) to impress dinner guests with. The remote, although not as impressive as it is a big improvement over the cheap unit that comes with the Squeezebox. It has a nice, solid heft to it, a beautiful piano black finish and cool white backlit buttons that light up when pressed.

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And of course, on top of it all, the transporter is loaded with all the fancy trimmings technology that makes the Squeezebox 3 is one of the best wireless music streaming devices nearby. It has a wonderfully bright and clear display that helps you browse your music collection with ease. It can be used as a wireless bridge, so wired Ethernet-only devices you use in your living room can still interface with your wireless network. You can use it to listen to Internet radio, while the addition of the Alien BBC plugin provides direct access to the BBC DAB stations and listen again services. It is driven on the PC for that purpose by the very capable SlimServer software, among whose diverse talents is the ability to stream music to any connected computer. And it is also compatible with an absolutely huge variety of music files of MP3, AAC, WMA and Ogg Vorbis for lossless formats like Apple Lossless, FLAC and WMA Lossless.

Like the Squeezebox 3, Transporter will not play DRM-encoded files. However, since the transporter is mainly directed at those who own systems that will ruthlessly expose the shortcomings of the compressed file, and those who will be primarily to their music on the lossless formats, it’s not such a big negative.

The feast of the features on offer is impressive then. But no matter how good the dish looks or how good the ingredients, it ends up tasting like crap and the service is not much cop, you go running with a bad taste in your mouth. And in this respect, the Transporter is not quite everything is fine.

Let’s start with the chassis and overall build quality. Call me picky, but I think the Transporter feels a bit unreal and thin for a component that a penny shy of £ 1,300 costs. In fact, when the courier dropped off first, I asked him to wait while I checked the Transporter was in the box, it just felt too light. And while the display is wonderfully bright, digital reproduction VU meters that light up your rack as a Christmas tree, is a bit out of place alongside the most hi-fi freaks minimalist componentry. Fortunately, the display can be switched off when not needed.

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Apart from personal preference, but there is some logic to the former audio complaint. Lighter and more flexible panels tend to resonate with the music, and even within those vibrations can affect the electronic components. Electrolytic capacitors, for example, often used in the output stage of the audio components are particularly sensitive to vibration. In fact, a popular – and successful – upgrade for CD players is too wet such panels using a type of heavy equipment. Lead foil or bitumen is often used in the search for better performance.

The ultimate gauge, but how successful Slim Devices is marrying high technology with high-end audio equipment is how it sounds. And on this front, I must admit that disappointed. There is no doubt that the Transporter is ideal. Team with a decent amplifier, speakers and cables and it will kind of detail you’d never heard of one other wireless music streaming device reveal. Pat Metheney is a map of the world, are wonderful and the atmospheric guitar notes ring out in a very natural way. Andreas Scholl’s piercing vocals are presented in a casual yet beautifully and naturally balanced, understated bass makes songs like The Prodigy’s Girls rattle along so effective that you want and pogo to get on the coffee table.

Clearly a country mile better than the Squeezebox 3 and Sonos wireless music system. But it is unfortunately not as good as a regular CD or SACD player of similar value. In back-to-back listening sessions at a Unison Research Unico CD player, which also sells for € 100 less than the Transporter, but lacked the punch, presence and sheer excitement on offer from the humble disc spinner. Where the Transporter has been clinically accurate, and revealed as much detail, but just did not project the music in the room as much as the CD player did. The image was not as holographic, presenting much more laid back. And although this kind of listening tests are, inevitably, subjective, the difference was big enough that I find it hard to believe that, in a listening test panel, the majority would do, but plump for the CD player on the Transporter. .. every time.

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Verdict

There is no doubt that the Transporter is a quality piece of equipment. The combination of convenience and sound quality is simply unmatched by any other music streaming device. It also represents an important development for audiophiles, so the worlds of technology and good hi-fi closer together than ever before, which is an achievement in itself.

But I could not help but be disappointed in it, for all its plus points – and that beautiful, force feedback button. If Slim Devices sold it for half the price I would not hesitate to recommend. Even at $500 less would be almost worth it for the sheer convenience factor. But in my humble opinion, $2,000 is just too much to pay for an audio meal whose flavor is not not quite cut the mustard.

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