- Internal DAC chip: AKM4420
Setup: i7 computer system - same as Essence One. Analogue output from Touch going into the E-MU 0404USB for measurements.
Oscilloscope measurement of 1kHz square wave, 0dBFS off the analogue RCA output:
RightMark Results:
Mostly better results all around compared to the SB3. Frequency response within tighter range over the 20-20kHz spectrum, noise levels 1 dB lower in the 16-bit domain (as if it could go any lower!?), and about -4dB lower with 24-bit data giving the Touch DAC about 17.5 bits of dynamic range. Interestingly, the stereo crosstalk is a bit higher in the Touch vs. SB3 by about 6-8 dB (remember, it's still down at -90dB).
Notice no significant difference between WiFi and wired through the ethernet.
Frequency Response:
16-bit audio vs. 24-bit audio. Looks good. Less bass drop-off than the SB3 with my equipment.
Noise Floor:
THD Graphs:
Jitter (Dunn J-Test, WiFi):
16-bit:
24-bit:
Summary:
I guess the only surprise is that the stereo crosstalk is higher in the Touch than the SB3. Otherwise, audio quality seems superior - it can obviously handle 96kHz natively (up to 192kHz with the EDO plug-in as a digital transport), and flatter frequency response especially in the low bass could be audible.
Again, assuming the WiFi strength is reliable and you're not constantly rebuffering, I see no indication that sound quality is negatively impacted by going wireless.
Subjectively, I like the Touch's sound. These days, it powers my bedroom system with SONY amp and Tannoy mX2 bookshelf speakers I got about 10 years ago. For what it is, I can't complain about these analogue output results - very competent! Although you can get better measuring noise floor, dynamic range, etc. with an outboard DAC, the Touch in its stock form is already very impressive and it would be wise to do some A-B testing before thinking an expensive DAC will improve the sound much!
For what you get, the bang-for-the-buck from this little device is fantastic and a shame really that it has been discontinued.
Thanks for the measurements. Would the bitfrost shiit uber dac provide a superior sound. Seems as though many say "no." I am running Aragon pre and power amps through a fully restored dq10 speaker set up with stereo subwoofers. Thx. Tom
ReplyDeleteThank you for the measurents. I am thinking about upgrading Squeezebox Touch. It is connected to Harman Kardon HD970 as a DAC. Is there a DAC under 500$ that is much better then SBT or HD970? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm looking at a Touch to use as a usb stick player through my Anthem MRX510.
ReplyDeleteI'm a noob at dac stuff. Can you tell me, how good are dacs in receivers relative to a streamer generally? If it's possible to generalize.
Since digital is digital is digital, is there any difference at all in SQ from any transport/source, when I'm using digital out to the dac in my receiver? Other factors (jitter?) I'm not aware of?
Can you tell me how capable the Touch is with handling large numbers of files on a usb stick? I tend to have 3000 songs at once, and just shuffle the lot, in a single folder.
Thanks for any help. I've already returned 4 receivers and a cambridge streamer because I have to buy blind; all had quirks I had no clue about in advance. Hoping to avoid that again.
;)