SqueezeBox3

The Logitech SqueezeBox3 is a small digital audio player, playing a variety of audio formats both lossy and lossless.  The unit boasts impressive specifications, including a pair of dedicated linear power regulators feeding the Burr-Brown™ 24-bit DAC.  Personally I use the optical output and have my Denon AVR-3806 decode the stream.

I am excited that with a firmware (7.3.1) upgrade the SqueezeBox3 can now play 24 bit / 96 kHz audio.  Whether FLAC or WAVE (.WAV) audio, the sound is outstanding.

  Unfortunately (as listed in the device specifications in the above link) the maximum sampling rate possible by the unit is 48Khz.   In other words, even though the SqueezeBox3 can play can play 24 bit / 96 Khz audio, it does not provide the full (96 Khz) sampling rate. Keep in mind that this is also the case if you use the digital outputs, (like in mind case) to have the stream decoded by the DAC in my receiver.   The unit is capable only of delivering only 24/48 no matter the outputs or DAC you use.

So what of this 24 bit / 96 kHz audio ?  Why should one care ?

Well this means that the digital signal that represents the analog audio is composed of 96000 samples per second (per channel), and that each sample has a resolution of 24 bits.  Much higher quality when compared to regular audio CDs’s (16/44) 16-bit encoding at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate per channel.

So 24 bits sample is 65536 times more precise than that of a CD and there are more than twice as many samples.  Compared to 24/96 high-resolution digital audio, a 16-bits/44.1K CD represents only 30% of the resolution, not very much when you look at it in this light.   So 24-bit/96kHz captures almost five times as much information as a commercial CD (which is 16-bit/44.1kHz).  That is why many people complain of CD recordings that sound harsh or brittle.

How can one listen to these higher quality music files ?

In order to listen to true 24 bit / 96Khz audio you will need a player that can support this natively.  Such devices are:

Logitech SqueezeBox Touch

Logitech Transporter

Linn Akurate DS

Without such units, the files can be burnt to a DVD (first encoded to .WAV if need be).  Your DVD player can decode the higher bitrates.  Alternatively the music files can be played on your computer, granted your sounded card must be able to decode 24 bit audio.

For specific instructions including a list of software please view this article.

Finally do tell where such music can be obtained.

The HD Tracks site has many such tracks for sale.

“This page has insecure content.” – Chrome Help

Curious icon in my Google Chrome browser address bar. Dig a little deeper and see, this is to protect you and me. If Chrome is connected securely to a site ( https ), it may block unauthenticated / insecure content.

 Blocking content may not allow the page to render correctly, or function as intended (could be a good thing ..). To prevent Chrome from blocking such content (at your own risk) :

1.  Click on the icon in the right portion of the address bar.
2.  Select ” Load unsafe script “. 

In my case, Chrome was blocking one ad. A flashing GIF…

 If you aren’t 100% certain of what you are doing.. and say some sensitive information is to be entered on that page (credit card number etc.). Don’t do it.. find some assistance to alleviate any unnecessary risks.

Consult this Google help page for advanced tips and options.