Streaming technology is inching it's way towards the pinnacle of sound. The 3rd generation Squeezebox is excellent, especially when feeding a quality DAC, and now the (4th generation) Transporter has taken it to the next level. Most (but not all) reviewers and internet posters are raving about it, finding it virtually comparable to uber expensive transport/DAC combos, retailing over $10k. The fact that it graces the cover of the Feb S'phile, and has a laudatory review from Wes Phillips, despite never having been advertised in the magazine, is further proof of it's revolutionary impact.
For the past two years I have been using a Squeezebox as my primary source. Admittedly, it only achieves perhaps 95% of the sound of my CD player, but excels in ease of use, and has allowed me to ENJOY far more of my music collection than ever before. Add in the myriad Internet Radio stations, and custom streams from Pandora, and the entire experience surpasses everything else.
If it weren't for the fact that I recently purchased the Modwright Pre and Benchmark DAC1, I would definitely have purchased the Transporter. The only technical failing of the device, as far as I can tell, is the lack of a Home Theater bypass. I am hopeful that Slimdevices (as a company and team) will survive under the new Logitech ownership. If they do, there will definitely be a Transporter in my future (hopefully the next generation will include the HT bypass).
