As noted a few days ago, Slim Devices has introduced an audiophile’s dream called Transporter, the most advanced networked audio system currently available anywhere.

With serious technical improvement over the already good Squeezebox, Transporter’s sound quality surpasses that of even the most sophisticated high-end compact disc players. It also offers a broad range of options not available on any CD player, including thousands of Internet radio stations, Pandora’s award-winning personalized music service and Rhapsody’s two-million track collection of online music.

Slim Devices created a serious equivalent to a “muscle car” by using as core processor the AKM AK4396 DAC, their newest and most advanced professional-grade converter. Hailed as a “miracle DAC chip”, its low out-of-band noise allows the use of low-order output filters with higher cutoffs, resulting in preservation of phase and reduced distortion within the audible band. Meaning, it sounds really good.

Transporter also uses a gold plated circuit board that keeps digital and analog sections separate, and thus minimizes jitter through careful management of clock signals.

Power is supplied to the DAC and analog stages by three separate super-regulator circuits. The balanced amplifiers use precision polyphenylene film capacitors. Individual op-amp packages ensure low noise and immeasurable crosstalk between channels.

Audiophiles can use Transporter to listen to their music collection, regardless of whether it was originally downloaded on their PC or purchased on CD. These capabilities are expected to make CD players obsolete.

Award-winning industrial designer Fred Bould, who previously designed Slim Devices’ Squeezebox, is responsible for the case and remote design. Several of his works are included in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Eventually I expect Mr Bould to move HIMSELF into the MOMA as to save some transportation time. Yes, I think it looks THAT GOOD!

One OUCH! factor: The retail price for Transporter will be $1,999. Slim Devices now accepts pre-orders, and will begin shipping the product on September 18.

I would like to mention that July 30th was my birthday, and if some generous wealthy patron feels like sending me one of those, it would be gracefully accepted. I’ll trade back lifetime Mac phone support!

This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 1:10 am and is filed under Tech Musing, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.