Slim Devices Transporter Network Music Player Review
An odd one this, Slim Devices Transporter fills an audio niche that I hadn’t really thought about prior to getting my hands on a review unit. That of the Network Streaming Music Player. This rather sleek box is essentially a wireless audiophile box of tricks to play all your digital audio without needing a physical connection to the storage source.
Appearance wise the Transporter is extremely professional looking a full sized unit with a massively configurable two sided front panel this unit is both easy on the eyes and has a great range in terms of its available display set ups. In general I found I was using one side to display MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, etc audio file names and the other to display a digital representation of a set of old school VU meters. The display is in general excellent, bright well laid out and easy to read.
Slim Devices Transporter Network Music Player - Front
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One interesting feature of this unit is the force feedback knob set squarely in the front this knob allows you to turn and click and thus allow easy menu and list navigation, the cool thing is the force feedback stops the knob turning when you reach the end of a menu or list. Not strictly necessary as a feature but still rather cool. In terms of build the unit isn’t exactly tank like but is reasonably good and doesn’t feel flimsy or easy to break, some may feel that the unit is a little less than they would expect for a piece costing close to two grand.
The unit comes with a plethora of inputs and outputs. Including coaxial, optical, BNC and professional-style AES/EBU digital outputs and on the analog side a pair of gold-plated phono outs and two balanced XLR outputs. Inputs include TosLink, coaxial, BNC, AES/EBU and word-clock (BNC). The unit comes with two Wi-Fi ariels to ensure good reception but the unit also allows for the addition of more powerful ariels for long distance reception, networking wise the unit also sports an RJ45 Ethernet socket for those who wish to use a wired network.
Slim Devices Transporter Network Music Player - Rear
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The audio is controlled at the computer end by the supplied SlimServer software, this stream controller software can send music not only to this unit but also to any connected computer. It is pretty much compatible with any digital format you care to mention (MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, Apple Lossless, FLAC WMA Lossless). The only slight let-down is it cant play DRM encrypted material but since most users of the Transporter Network Music Player are likely to be playing back mostly high resolution WAV or FLAC files this will not likely be an issue for most day to day users.
Sound wise this unit does not skimp in any way the Transporter is built around the AK4396 DAC from AKM. This audiophile level DAC has become known colloquially at the ‘miracle DAC’ and has been designed for hight end audiophile use SACD and DVD players and has received many rave reviews on its timing and clarity. There is no doubt that this unit is extremely clear and untainted in its sound but for me it doesn’t quite live up to its price tag.
In a decent set up it will definitely perform well and give you a sound and clarity you are extremely unlikely to receive from any other wireless streaming music system. It is a country mile better than its competitors (Squeezebox 3 and the Sonos systems) but when all is said and done it doesn’t quite stand up to other non digital units in this price range on pure audio quality. It is somewhat lacking the punch and extended range you would expect form a similarly priced CD player for example. It you are after true audiophile quality you would be better off taking your two grand and putting it down on a top end CD player or Turntable. Having said that if you are truly forward looking and are just after a best in class digital system front end then you will not get better than this unit currently.
Manufacturers Specifications
- Description: WiFi (802.11g) and/or Ethernet-connected D/A processor with digital-domain volume control (range-adjusted with resistor jumpers).
- Display: Dual 320 x 32 grayscale vacuum fluorescent displays with multiple text, spectrum analyzer, and VU views
- Network: True 802.11g wireless, 10/100Mbps Ethernet
- Communications: TCP/IP control, infrared input, infrared output, RS-232
- Decoders: WAV, AIFF, MP3, WMA, FLAC with 24-bit resolution, and 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz sample rates
- Digital inputs: TosLink, coaxial, BNC, AES/EBU, word-clock (BNC).
- Digital outputs: TosLink, coaxial, BNC, AES/EBU. Analog outputs, 1 pair each: RCA, balanced XLR.
- Operating systems supported: Mac OS X 10.3 or later; 733MHz Pentium running Windows NT/2000/XP; Linux/BSD/Solaris/Perl 5.8.3 or later.
- Sample rates supported: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz. Audio formats supported: linear PCM, 16 or 24 bits/sample. Maximum output levels: 2V RMS, single-ended; 3V RMS, balanced.
- Signal/noise ratio: 120dB (no reference specified). THD: –106dB (0.00005%). Intrinsic jitter: 11ps (standard deviation). Power: auto-ranging, relay-controlled.
- Supplied accessories: user’s manual, SlimServer software (requires download), custom backlit 32-key infrared remote control, 2 AA batteries.
- Dimensions: 17″ (433mm) W by 3″ (77mm) H by 12.25″ (311mm) D.
- Shipping weight: 11 lbs (5kg).
- Finishes: Clear or black anodized aluminum.
- Warranty: 3 years parts & labor.
- Price: $1999 (Check Current pricing on Amazon)
Tags: Digital Music Server, Slim Devices, Transporter Network Music Player Posted in: Digital HiFi Systems
One Response
I was looking for something exactly like this, but $2000 is a bit rich for me.
Glad to know that there are these things out there, even though they are a bit too expensive.
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